An Open Letter to the GOP

Dear Republicans,

First, let me begin by congratulating you on running your succesful campaigns. You've retained your control of the House. You won a couple of seats in the Senate. Your bid for the White House was unsuccessful. I'm not sure you would call last night a success but hopefully you will learn from your mistakes and put forth a better effort in the next election.

This is actually why I am writing. I have to tell you: You picked a bad nominee. A lot of people in the Northeast knew that. Mitt Romney just wasn't the guy. Oh sure, he had some good ideas but the man's image was just off-putting. Mitt Romney was trying to save us from Barack Obama. We didn't want to be saved. We wanted a better option. Obama sailed into the White House because the nation was tired of George W. Bush and the rest of your party. Iraq was a mess, to say the least. The economy deteriorated. Americans, as a whole, were upset. John McCain, God bless him, didn't have a chance.

President Obama should have had a simple game plan in his first term: Don't screw up. Do the bare minimum and things will be fine. Talk about having your ducks in a row. Democrats control both houses. Americans from sea to shining sea love the new President and he hadn't done anything yet. Heck, the world even gave him the Nobel Peace Prize, for God's sake. He had been President for how long? Eight months? ObamaCare was slammed through the halls of Congress and down the throats of Americans. Some liked it. A lot didn't.

Fast forward to 2012. The economic recovery is anemic. Unemployment is high. People are upset. Hope? Change? Where?

Here is where Governor Romney dropped the ball. Americans wanted someone who would come in and lead the nation out of the troubles that have plagued it for so long. We didn't want to see some smug face smiling at the throngs of supporters whooping it up when the rally speech du jour predictably degenerated into a laundry list of flaws of the President. We all knew his flaws. We've been living with them for the past four years.

Governor Romney thought he was our Knight in Shining Armor. He thought he would ride into Washington, save us from the evil perils of President Obama, Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, et al. The truth is, for all the times we are rolling our eyes and tried to control our urges to throw something at the television, we got the same sensations seeing the likes of John Boehner, Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan.

In short, my friends, you allowed Governor Romney to overplay his hand. You overestimated your nominee's role and image and underestimated the frustration and disdain of  your fellow Americans.
As we all know, time is short and it won't be long until the Mid-Term Elections come rolling around. Here is some advice: Shut up and put up. Stop talking about Political Hardball and masking it with challenging the President and the rest of the Democrats to, "reach across the aisle." Work together. avoid that fiscal cliff and your work and cooperation will be rewarded in the next election.

I know. I know. I'm a Liberal. I'm an Obama Apologist and I'm only justifying the acts and failures of the President and the rest of the Democrats in Congress. The truth is, I'm really a fed up American who is tired of hearing Republicans slam President Obama just 'cuz.

And I really didn't want to vote for Mitt Romney.

Your friend and fellow American,

Greg

Take advantage of your right. Do your civic duty

The 2012 Campaign is coming to a close. Some are thrilled about this.

I am one of the many undecided voters who are wondering which direction the country is headed. My phone has been ringing with robocalls from politicians and celebrities asking me to vote for a certain politician or to vote yes or no on a question. I will give my thoughts on the ballot questions further down on this post but for now, I want to encourage you who are reading to vote tomorrow.

I don't care if you are a Republican or a Democrat Parties, groups and factions have been making noise for the entire year about the issues. Thie only voice that matters is yours when you go to your local polling station and cast your vote. This is your right. You get the chance to decide who will represent you and what laws will be passed. This is your chance to tell who is in office if you agree with the policies that have been set. Do not waste this chance to improve your city, state, and country. If you do not take advantage of this opportunity, you will have negated your right to complain.

Now for my opinion on the questions on tomorrow's ballot:

Question 1 asks if consumers should be able to have access to diagnostic and repair information. If the question is passed, effective in 2015, a new car will not be sold unless the consumer has access to this information. The consumer will have to pay in order to access this information.
While I am a proponent of the "Right to Repair" and have explained my reasons for supporting it, I do not support this question. Why a consumer should have to pay extra for a car they already own is beyond me. This is nothing more than another reason to force someone to pay more. The law should be rewritten so that people should not be charged more and the consumer is truly protected. Vote No.

Question 2 will allow a terminally ill patient to end their own life. This is an issue that I hope I will never have to address. The patient will take medication perscribed by a doctor. I believe if a patiend wants to end their life they will, regardless of a balot question. I also believe if they want to end their life, they should have a quick and painless way to do it. I am not convinced this question does that. Vote No.

Question 3 will allow people to have a 60-day supply of marijuana for medicinal purposes. While I understand marijuna helps ease one's suffering, I also believe the law is too broad. For instance, There is nothing in the law that describes a "60-day supply". The law also gives people the right to grow marijuana on their own if they do not have access to a treatment center. In my opinion, this law is not specific enough when it comes to describing accessibility and hardships. I also feel it will be confusing for law enforcement in determining if someone is lawfully possessing it. There is too much of a gray area. Vote No.

There are worse things than Pizza Hut

The Presidential Election is three weeks away. Tonight marks the second debate between President Barack Obama and former Governor Mitt Romney. (Personally, I really don't think Obama did that bad in the first debate.) Both camps have stepped up the rhetoric and accusations. The other side will cut your Medicare benefits, dramatically alter Social Security. Medicaid will be under fire. They want to raise your taxes, threaten your livelihood, steal your children and lock up your pets. You will never see them again.

In keeping with the great tradition of Election Years, campaigns for both candidates have been reduced to nothing but mudslinging and back-biting. Rather than convincing you to vote for their candidate, campaigns seem like they would rather scare you so you don't vote for the other.

That's why I thought the Pizza Hut campaign was brilliant. For a brief moment, voters would get a break from the inflammatory speeches blaming the "worthy opponent" for everything that's wrong with the country. Instead, one person gets to inject a little humor into a stale name-calling contest by asking, "Sausage or pepperoni?"

The gimmick quickly caught flak. Pizza Hut was accused of making a mockery of the debate. Others have gone so far as to call it, "hijacking a presidential debate for marketing," according to the Los Angeles Times.

Let me get this straight: There are pundits and commentators who are keeping track of the lies being told in the debates. Candidates go over the time allotted so they can get one more jab at their opponent. One skews the facts and another skews them even further. People all over the nation are complaining because the candidates are out of touch and voters wonder just how much will really get done once the electoral process is over. A company comes up with an idea that is obviously ridiculous and (God forbid) breaks up the monotonous accusations and empty rhetoric and now the process is being ridiculed? If you think so, you obviously haven't been paying attention to what's been happening over the past few months.

In Defense of Bobby Valentine

Photo: Boston.com

The 2012 train wreck will come to a halt tonight for the Boston Red Sox. The season that was supposed to erase the bad memories of 2011 didn't. The Red Sox will finish this season worse than last. There is one more season left to play and people are already discussing a replacement for manager Bobby Valentine.

Bobby Valentine became something of a lightning rod before the Red Sox even played their first game. Rumors swirled about the hiring process. Valentine was not the first choice of general manager Ben Cherington according to some. He was the choice of CEO Larry Lucchino. I had my doubts about Valentine during the preseason, thinking he was nothing more than a big name to keep people coming through the turnstiles after blowing a big lead in 2011.

Shockingly enough, Valentine was not able to bring a fractured clubhouse and a team without a direction to the playoffs.

Contrary to the rumors and general consensus, I don't believe it's right to fire Valentine.
Bobby Valentine was not the unanimous choice to manage the Red Sox. Everyone knows this. When a manager goes into a situation where everyone knows everyone isn't thrilled with the hiring, he is put in a no-win situation.

The 2012 season was frought with injuries that forced Valentine to use multiple lineups. The Red Sox had 56 players on their roster. Pinning the blame on Valentine would be unfair especially when the team pretty much conceded the season when they traded Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, and Adrian Gonzalez as part of a major multi-player deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers in August.

While I am busy defending Bobby Valentine, it is only fair to mention a comment he made in September when he called Boston's roster, "the weakest roster we've had in September in the history of baseball." I'm guessing Valentine was seeing the writing on the wall at the time regarding his future with the team and was attempting to remind the front office, and possibly his next employer, the he had more than his share of unfortunate incidences and the team could do better but for the injuries.

Ben Cherington could be a very good general manager in the Major Leagues. I just hope he doesn't think he needs to make Bobby Valentine a casualty in order to show his ability or his independence. I also hope, whatever the decision is about Bobby Valentine, it isn't another order being whispered from his superiors.

Blown Calls will help NFL See the Light

 

Week 3 of the 2012 NFL season has come and gone with even more calls, non-calls, SNAFUs, and controversies. The Ravens win over the Patriots was a hot topic of conversation until the drama in the waning seconds over Monday night's game between the Green Bay Packers and the Seattle Seahawks.

 

(photo: cbs news)

In case you missed it: The NFL has been using replacement officials while the league locks out the regular officials who were asking for a raise in salaries and pensions. The NFL, meanwhile, wants to convert from a pension system to a more widely-used 401(k). While the league and its permanent referees are working together to bridge the labor gap, replacement officials are manning the games. They, like players and coaches, had the preseason to fine-tune their skills and prepare for the regular season. Now that the season is underway it looks like they need another preseason.

The first three weeks of the season have been fraught with penalties, non-calls and irate players and coaches who have been flagged for things when they didn't touch anybody and who were held halfway down the field with no penalty for it.

Two glaring examples of the officiating debacles are the aforementioned games. In Baltimore, kicker Justin Tucker kicked a 27-yard field goal in the closing seconds of Sunday night's matchup between Baltimore and New England. The disputed kick appeared to go directly over the right upright but was ruled good by officials.

That call sent an irate Patriot Head Coach Bill Belichick after an official. Belichick demanded to know what officials saw that made them rule the kick was a succesful field goal.

Meanwhile in Seattle, The Seahawks defeated the Packers on the last play of the game. Russell Wilson's pass to Golden Tate appeared to be intercepted by M.D. Jennings. Officials ruled that the ball was caught by Tate and Seattle had scored, winning the game.

Both of these games were decided on the last play of the game by controversial calls. I believe the contentious negotiations between the referees and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will soon come to an end.

Coaches and players on both teams were furious and they let officials know it. Belichick and Green Bay Head Coach Mike McCarthy lost a gmae because of disputed calls. Losing a game in September is one thing. Imaine if these games were played in December and the winners of the two games would advance to the playoffs. The loser would be watching from home.

These games left a bad taste on the mouths of people everywhere. Goodell isn't saying publicly but I am sure even he knows something must be done before bigger games with bigger consequences are decided by botched calls and non-calls. The NFL is a muli-billion dollar enterprise that generates gargantuan revenues. Among the enormous sea of green, I'm sure Goodell and representatives of the officials can find some common ground.

John Tierney must face ALL facts

Massachusetts Congressman John Tierney has been under fire for months over allegations that his wife and in-laws were involved in an off-shore gambling ring. Tierney is facing challenges from Republican Richard Tisei and Libertarian Daniel Fishman.

A debate has been scheduled for October 26. Members of Tierney's campaign are willing to participate in the debate as long as Tierney's wife, Patrice, and her transgressions are kept out of the topics of the debate. Tisei disagreed with the request in a report, calling it, "a typical example of the arrogance that people are so upset about in Washington, D.C." CommonWealth Magazine, one of the organizers of the debate, agreed to the condition, lest Tierney back out. Some have found the demand to be puzzling.

The truth is: CommonWealth Magazine could have told Tierney to take a hike if he didn't like the idea of illegal activity being a topic of the debate. The debate could have taken place with Tisei and Fishman and without Tierney. Instead, the magazine told everyone it is perfectly okay for one person to dictate the terms for everyone else.

John Tierney has served eight terms representing the sixth district of Massachusetts. He has been re-elected by wide margins and his polularity among the electorate would make any politician green with envy. When a public official commits a wrong or is party to one, it is certainly within the scope of fair game and no one can tell people to leave it alone in a debate when credentials and credibility are being scrutinized.

John Tierney's record of serving his district is certainly a strong one. If his campaign wants to re-elect him, they can use that to their advantage. If they want to run away from an issue that could hinder his re-election, It will only give opponents more fodder and reasons to question John Tierney's ability.

If Only It Were That Simple

New York City's mayor-appointed health board approved a ban on sugary drinks larger than 16 ounces on Thursday. The ban does not apply to supermarkets or convenience stores.

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg asked for the ban in May and took his approval to Twitter calling the ban, "the single biggest step any gov't has taken to curb #obesity. It will help save lives."

Opponents of the move were quick to criticize the decision. Liz Berman, chairwoman for New Yorkers for Beverage Choices, responded to the ban saying, "We are smart enough to make our own choices about what to eat and drink."

According to local and state governments across the United States, faith in people deciding what they want is waning more with each passing day.

There is no doubt people are getting lazier as time goes on but let's not forget cable TV and video games have been around for over 30 years. The cries against obesity are only fairly recent. Going after fast food chains and soft drink companies is too easy. Why aren't people going after the kids who are in front of the television instead of outside playing.

There are plenty of other choices beside Coca-Cola or Pepsi. Now suddenly it's the fault of fast-food chains that the kids want Coke or Pepsi and might want to super-size their drinks?

Banning drinks over a certain size will do little to curb the obesity empidemic. It's easy to go to a convenience store for a larger-size drink before or after ordering a sandwich at McDonald's or Wendy's. Michael Bloomberg thinks he is aiding the war on obesity. He's just taking money from one business and putting it in the pocket of another.

Why Campaign Calls are Really Going Unheeded

An article in today's Boston Globe reports on campaigns for President Barack Obama and former Governor Mitt Romney calling for voters to submit videos in support of their respective websites. The videos are supposed to show voters around the country why supporters are getting behind their candidate and why you should too.

These calls by both camps have gone mostly ignored. Experts in social media attribute the lack of response to people who are willing to "like" an article or a video on a Facebook page but not willing to do much else. The experts call these people "slacktivists". Another opinion hints at a lack of technological know-how that is preventing people from contributing in support of their candidate.

I would like to offer a third opinion that no one else is mentioning: Money talks. B.S. walks.

I have grown weary of the calls by the media for "Citizen Journalism". Newspapers, television stations and other outlets are always looking for someone outside of their companies to write or report about something. How much are they paying? Nothing. What are they giving you for your work? Why should you give your time and effort for someone that will package your efforts with other stories, sell advertisements, charge people for copies and make money while you get nothing in return?

I have always said your writing should be free when the bank tells you to forget the mortgage this month; When the landlord tells you not to worry about the rent. Your work is free when your supermarket says, "It's on us this time."

I can just imagine what you're thinking: Another frustrated writer who can't get work. Think of it this way: President Obama was at a fundraiser last month. There were reportedly 60 people who attended. That's $2.4 million just for one day of fundraising. I understand the NoMad is swank and it cost money to sleep/eat there. Did the entire event cost $2.4 million? I doubt it.

Mitt Romney was in Florida last week for a fundraiser that cost couples $50,000 to attend. Fifty people were said to have shown for the party for a total of $1.25 million.

I'm sure these weren't the only fundraisers held for the candidates and I know there are more people who are looking to donate to the campaigns. If the camps want people to use their time to upload videos supporting their people, a little show of appreciation would go a long way especially when so many people are still looking for work. This isn't a lack of technological savvy or laziness on the public's part. It's just another of a long string of examples of out-of-touch politicians who can't put their money where their mouthes are.

Self-Checkout at Grocery Stores

I was trying to get some things done last night. Trying to get in and out of stores before they shut down for the night. One of my errands took me to the local grocery store. I only needed a few things. When I was ready to check out,  I went to the front and noticed there were two registers open. None of them were the 10 Items or Less Lane.

I reluctantly went to the self-checkout register. It's the one that has the soothing computer voice telling you to scan your purchaces, select how you want to pay, pay for your groceries and, when you have finished ringing yourself up, you must bag your own groceries.

I hate the self-checkout lines. I always avoid them whenever I can. Last night I bit the bullet and used it. As I said before I had more things to do.

I like using the regular lanes. I like the idle chatter with the cashier and person who's bagging. It's not a long time and it's mostly small talk but thatt's not the point. The point is you get to pass the time with another human being for a minute or two. Who knows? They could be having a bad day and your story or joke could be just what they need to cheer them up during a bad day at work.

There is one more thing that hit me last night as I was bagging my own stuff: I am doing someone's work. I am doing what an employee would normally do. Am I getting paid for this? No. Am I at least getting a discount? No. Why not? Gas stations give you a discount if you pull up to a self-serve tank and pump your own gas.

There are a lot of people out there who would kill for the chance to bag groceries. It's a job. They need a job. The store is cutting back on its workforce and making you do the work while taking your money. It's a grocery store. Everyone needs groceries. It's not like it's going to go out of business or have a slow period.

Ron Paul's Message

Ron Paul is a bothersome candidate that will not go away. Just ask Mitt Romney. Romney has asked GOP rivals who have dared to run against him in a primary to leave the race and allow him to focus on President Barack Obama. I wonder if Romney will get the nomination and ask President Obama to step aside and let Romney lead.

Like many people, I am tired of the empty rhetoric and the "Politics as Usual" routines that always ramp up when an election comes along. I vote because I have a right to and want to pick who I think is the best to lead or represent the people. Sometimes this is not an easy choice.

I also like it when someone comes along and has different ideas and isn't afraid to try something that is different from the establishment. In my opinion, Ron Paul is someone who fits that description. He's not flashy. His campaign hasn't been picked up much by the media and because of that, he has been flying under the radar for the most part of the Primary Season compared to the "sexy" candidates looking for the Republican nomination.

Paul has stuck to his guns despite being largely ignored by voters and the media. It's no secret he doesn't like the Federal Reserve and wants to change how the American Economy operates. He can back up his statements with fact and has ideas to change and fix the country and can support the ideas with well-thought out plans.

Here is the problem: When Paul speaks, he sometimes goes on a pontificating tangent about these ideas. His language and terminology go over the heads of voters and they are lost. It's a campaign speech. It's not a college lecture.

Paul is a brilliant man. He earned his medical degree from Duke University. This is no small accomplishment. While Paul is intelligent and needs to express his ideas, he needs to do so in a way that will not glaze over the eyes of watchers, listeners and supporters. Mitt Romney has his share of faults but one thing he does right is speak to people in plain language. If Paul can do this he will be more effective in getting his message to the voters and help them understand why he has been so adamant about his stance on the issues.

If he doesn't do this, he will be left in the wake and people will wonder what he was trying to say.

Disliking the Facebook Policy

The job market is reportedly improving. That is good news for the 12.8 million Americans (8.3%) who are unemployed according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Unfortunately, there is still plenty of room for the economy to improve. Many Americans are dusting off their resumes and hoping to rejoin the ranks of the working.

Returning to work after a hiatus means making some adjustments. Now the same can be said for the new line of questioning in interviews. One of the new questions is, "What's your Facebook username and password?"

That's right. According to an article on Yahoo! Finance, prospective employers now want to know what your Facebook account consists of.

That's wrong.

What someone does on their own time has nothing to do with the type of work they can do in a professional field. Using a job as a reason to snoop into someones private life is a waste of time and is inexcusable. Human Resource personnel could spend their time in more productive ways than seeing if someone likes a band, dislikes a politician, or, God forbid, comments on an unpleasant experience someone may have had with a company they happen to be applying to months or even years after the bad experience.

Using a Facebook profile to weed out candidates or wondering what people are saying about their company is just another example of the hypersensitivity that has permeated throughout society and its employers and the need for people and companies to put forth a better effort for their customers and employees rather than trying to control the message. If companies focus on more important things than someone's Facebook page, productivity will increase, customers and employees will be happy and what is being said on a social networking site will be the least of their concerns.

Olympia Snowe's Decision is a Disservice to All

Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) announced she will not seek re-election Tuesday. In an article from the Portland Press Herald, Snowe cited a growing frustration, "in an increasingly partisan and polarized Senate."

Snowe's decision has drawn responses from many people including President Barack Obama. The President released a statement Tuesday saying in part, "Senator Snowe's career demonstrates how much can be accomplished when leaders from both parties come together to do the right thing for the American people."

Snowe's decision and Obama's statement are just two reasons why I wish Senator Snowe would reconsider her decision and remain in the Senate.

Americans from Maine to Malibu are becoming more and more frustrated with the growing posturing and gridlock that is becoming more of a standard on Capitol Hill. No doubt Snowe has done all she can with Republicans and Democrats who are more interested in making things work than in pushing partisan agendas. That is a tough battle in politics nowadays and it needs people like Snowe to continue with that Good Fight. There are people throughout the nation, not just in the Pine Tree State, who are not happy with the direction our leaders are taking the country. What example is Snowe setting by telling the public, "what motivates me is producing results for those who have entrusted me to be their voice and their champion," but deciding to leave the Senate because of, "an atmosphere of polarization and 'my way or the highway' ideologies has become pervasive in campaigns and in our governing institutions." Those ideologies will flourish if people like Olympia Snowe throw their hands in the air and walk away.

Senator, NOW is the time for ALL good people to come to the aid of their country.

Why Warren Buffett Should Wait For the Laws to Change

Imagine this: You're driving down the interstate. No traffic. Car is running great. The speed limit is clearly marked 65 M.P.H. You're driving 80 M.P.H. but it doesn't feel like it because the car is running so smooth. When you get home, do you call the State Police and inform them of what you did and ask them where you should send the check because you were speeding?

If you answered, "No," I hope you're not one of those people waiting for Warren Buffett to volunteer his money to the I.R.S.

Warren Buffett is worth $39 billion according to forbes.com. He is known as the "Oracle of Omaha" because of his enviable success rate when it comes to picking stocks. When he speaks, investors everywhere listen.

One thing Buffett has said that continues to be picked up and repeated by the media and even President Barack Obama involves the tax rate Buffett is in and how that relates to the bracket of his secretary. In an interview with ABC last month, Buffett called it "outrageous" that his secretary, Debbie Bosanek, pays a higher tax bracket than he does.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has also joined the debate. Recently, Christie told CNN's Piers Morgan that Buffett should "just write a check and shut up."

As someone once told me in an unrelated conversation: Shame on them for making it so easy.
Warren Buffett is a mythical figure in the United States, especially on Wall Street. I for one would kill just to be able to have lunch with him. Warren Buffett pretty much said the Money Game is rigged to favor people who have his kind of wealth. He has constantly said the rules need to be changed but that doesn't mean he should have to voluntary divest his wealth and give it to the I.R.S.

President Obama and the Congress must figure out ways to make and keep budgets every year. It is up to them to do it through taxes and the laws that govern them. It's not up to Warren Buffett to make it easier for them.

Tim Thomas

President Barack Obama welcomed the Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins to the White House Monday. Of all players on the Bruins' roster, only two (Goalie Tim Thomas and Defenseman Steven Kampfer) are American.

A championship team visiting the White House is routine. It makes for a nice photo op for the President and the team but that's about it... until one of the players decided to decline the invitation.
Thomas was not present at the ceremony. He released a statement that was available through many sources including Facebook and nhl.com saying, "the federal government has grown out of control threatening the rights, liberties and property of the people."

Thomas' snub as well as the subsequent reporting and commentary throughout the newspapers and talk radio at a time when the Bruins appear to be on their way to another Stanley Cup Final. Currently, only two team in the NHL have more points than the Bruins (64). As a whole, teammates are not commenting publicly on the matter. The Bruins chose not to have Thomas present at a charity event in Washington D.C.

Thomas' actions and explanations have created an off-ice story. I believe he was within his right to not attend. He doesn't agree with the direction the country appears to be headed (Who does?). He didn't call a press conference about it. He didn't go to the White House and make a scene. He simply declined an invitation and, when questions arose, he explained it.

Many people are calling for Thomas to move to Canada. Many people think he should leave the country if he doesn't like it. Thomas never said he doesn't like the country. He simply stated he felt the American Government was too bloated and was not happy with the actions and inactions of the people elected by the people to get things done for the people. This is not incendiary rhetoric. It is someone who believes what he believes and later offered an explanation when people asked about it.

Mitt Romney and the Message

I know this post is going to label me as a Liberal. But if you accuse me of being a Liberal, you obviously haven't been paying attention to what I write.

Last night, Mitt Romney won the New Hampshire Primary Election. His speech proclaiming the victory at a relatively early hour had all the hallmarks of a GOP presidential candidate: The country is suffering because of Barack Obama. People are frustrated because of Barack Obama. The country is going to Hell in a handbasket because of Barack Obama. Barack Obama has failed.

It hasn't been all Barack Obama. He's received some help from the other side of the aisle but you can't admit that when you're trying to unseat the man.

Mitt Romney accused Obama of everything in last night's speech from "job-killing regulations" to "[turning] America into a European-style entitlement society," and "[taking] his inspiration from the capitals of Europe."

Wait just a minute there!

Mitt Romney would love to have you believe everything in America was going just fine until Barack Obama entered the Oval Office. Things were far from fine four years ago. The economy was in shambles. America was in the midst of fighting a two-front war. Since then, the economy has improved somewhat. There isn't a chicken in every pot but no one, not even a Presidential challenger can say there has been no improvement.

Romney's speech last night also accuses President Obama and no one else of losing the country's AAA credit rating. This is not true, unfair and absurd. The President tried to work with House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Leader Mitch McConnell on the debt ceiling. McConnell and Boehner refused to budge on issues and had hands in the Nation's credit rating being downgraded. This did not happen because of Barack Obama alone. Don't let Mitt Romney convince you otherwise.

There's more (Pay attention, Rick Santorum): Republican candidates have been barnstorming across the country about "values" and how they will restore them in this country. The truth is "values" is a buzzword candidates like to throw out there to get people to side with their beliefs. The truth is people don't have the same "values" and it is ridiculous to think someone can convince everyone to share the same ones. People have different beliefs. They have and they will and continuing to use values as a campaign platform will further divide the country despite what MSSRS Romney, Santorum, et al pontificate.

Mitt Romney's tactics are working because he is speaking to one, centralized audience: Registered Republican voters who wouldn't re-elect Barack Obama if he rescued everyone from a burning nursing home. If Romney gets the nomination, he will be forced to present, defend and justify his views to a string of undecided registered independent and even Democratic voters. Attacking the incumbent at a partisan rally is one thing. Pushing that message to millions of others who don't share your "values" is completely different.