On the key issues of the presidential campaign, Mitt Romney has stated positions which reflect the principles of free enterprise and limited government.
In order to grow the economy, create jobs and reduce the size of government, he has made specific proposals on taxes, spending and government regulations and programs as well as plans to increase trade, energy production and other areas which affect the economy.
The following is a brief summary of Romney's positions on some of the key issues. A more detailed and complete description can be found at http://www.mittromney.com/issues.
*Taxes: Advocates a 20% cut in marginal rates across the board for individual taxpayers. Would cut corporate tax rates from the current 35% to 25% so that U.S. corporations would be more competitive in today's global economy.
*Spending: His goals are to cut spending to 20% of GDP (vs. 24.3% last year), return non-security discretionary spending to below 2008 levels, build a "simpler, smaller, smarter government" (repeal Obamacare, privatize Amtrak, reduce subsidies to arts and humanities etc, eliminate family planning funds and reduce foreign aid) and other measures.
*Regulations: Require Congressional approval for new major regulations, reform of the legal liability system and streamline and modernize business regulations.
*Energy: Supports pipelines to bring Canadian energy to the U.S., implement procedures to facilitate domestic oil and natural gas reserves and encourage further investment in nuclear power.
*Medicare: Favors reform by changing to a premium support system where seniors would receive a fixed amount to buy private insurance; the current Medicare program would stay in place for seniors who prefer that option.
*Social Security: Advocates a plan that "for future generations of seniors---the retirement age should be slowly increased for increases in longevity". Has also stated that benefits should continue to grow but "the growth rate should be lower for those with higher incomes".
Any decision on who to vote for in this year's presidential election should take into account not only the candidate's policy positions but also his experience, leadership ability, character and intelligence. Given all of these factors, I believe that Mitt Romney is the better candidate to lead the country in the critical times ahead.
In order to grow the economy, create jobs and reduce the size of government, he has made specific proposals on taxes, spending and government regulations and programs as well as plans to increase trade, energy production and other areas which affect the economy.
The following is a brief summary of Romney's positions on some of the key issues. A more detailed and complete description can be found at http://www.mittromney.com/issues.
*Taxes: Advocates a 20% cut in marginal rates across the board for individual taxpayers. Would cut corporate tax rates from the current 35% to 25% so that U.S. corporations would be more competitive in today's global economy.
*Spending: His goals are to cut spending to 20% of GDP (vs. 24.3% last year), return non-security discretionary spending to below 2008 levels, build a "simpler, smaller, smarter government" (repeal Obamacare, privatize Amtrak, reduce subsidies to arts and humanities etc, eliminate family planning funds and reduce foreign aid) and other measures.
*Regulations: Require Congressional approval for new major regulations, reform of the legal liability system and streamline and modernize business regulations.
*Energy: Supports pipelines to bring Canadian energy to the U.S., implement procedures to facilitate domestic oil and natural gas reserves and encourage further investment in nuclear power.
*Medicare: Favors reform by changing to a premium support system where seniors would receive a fixed amount to buy private insurance; the current Medicare program would stay in place for seniors who prefer that option.
*Social Security: Advocates a plan that "for future generations of seniors---the retirement age should be slowly increased for increases in longevity". Has also stated that benefits should continue to grow but "the growth rate should be lower for those with higher incomes".
Any decision on who to vote for in this year's presidential election should take into account not only the candidate's policy positions but also his experience, leadership ability, character and intelligence. Given all of these factors, I believe that Mitt Romney is the better candidate to lead the country in the critical times ahead.
Thanks for the information Norm. Does Romney plan to cut taxes and decrease spending in a way that is revenue positive? Its very easy to announce plans for certain cuts, but harder to actually make them. Interestingly, I just read an article where Romney admitted that drastic reductions in government spending would throw us into recession. Im not sure how he reconciles that with the plans you outline above.
ReplyDeletehttp://readersupportednews.org/opinion2/279-82/11604-romney-messes-up-tells-the-truth-about-austerity
Also, as Gingrich says, Romney is a pro-abortion, pro-gun control, pro-tax increase liberal.
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/gingrich-calls-romney-pro-abortion-pro-gun-control-192319661.html
Not sure how that will play to the base :)
Anyway, hopefully Romney will present the ideas you mention above, giving the people the chance to decide which is the path forward.
Ryan
ReplyDeleteOn taxes and spending: In the web site you listed, the reporter asked Romney: "Why not in the first year, if your elected--why not in 2013, go all the way and propose the kind of budget with spending restraints that you like to see after four years in office? Why not do it more quickly?"
(On his web site, Romney proposes to cut government spending to 20% of GDP by 2016. (It was 24.3% last year and the historical trend has been between 18 to 20%.) In dollar terms, Romney's proposal would mean cuts of $500 billion per year in 2016 per the web site.)
In his response to the question as stated, Romney said that if we responded more quickly, it would throw the economy into a recession or depression. Given the question, I think that was the correct answer and to say that "romney messes up tells the truth about austerity" is a bit of hyperbole.
Bottom line: We can't go on spending as we have and funding it by loaning from China and others. We also can't cover that amount of debt by taxes alone without killing the incentives for people to invest in business and grow the economy. Our goal should be to become more competitive in this global economy, put more people back to work and reduce our trade imbalance through more trade (that should include less reliance on foreign energy sources). I think Romney's approach is the correct one but It will take time to accomplish these ends with the least possible disruption to the economy.
On the Gingrich quote: I note that it was made back in Jan. at the height of the primary campaign. It strikes me as one of those "shoot from the hip" remarks that Gingrich often makes.
Romney's position on abortion, gun control and taxes is stated in his web site as pro-life, supportive of the right to bear arms and for cutting taxes. (I recall that he did change his position on abortion but I don't believe his change of mind will affect the final outcome).
Generally, I don't see a problem with the Republican base. The Party has made its selection; there may be a few malcontents but that would be true no matter who the nominee was (a true statement, I think, for both parties).
Norm, I guess my point about the first link is more conceptual. If cutting 1 Trillion will put is into a recession, wouldnt cutting 500 Billion also be negative, just less negative?
ReplyDeleteI understand the Gingrich comments were in the heat of the primary season, but there must be some truth in his words (some basis in his past votes/speeches) for him to say that.
I know people are doing their best to get behind Romney due to the desire to unseat Obama, but its fair to say he is not the dream candidate for most Republicans. If he was, he would have succeeded in getting the nomination before.
Also, I found this link interesting.
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/top-mitt-romney-donors-update
Ryan
DeleteRe. each of your comments:
Cuts in government spending: Reallocating funds from government purposes to non-governmental ones will mean some adjustments. The scope of the adjustments will be affected not only by the size of the cuts but by the timing. A phased reduction means less disruption as it means the private sector has more time to plan etc. But what is also important is that we need a predictable, steady and consistent government policy for investors to have the confidence to invest in the means of production and to hire additional employees.
Newt Gingrich's comment: Newt may have had some basis for his comment back in Jan. but I think Romney has successfully countered them. If some wish to hold on to New's comments at this point as a reason to oppose Romney, so be it; it's better for Romney to spend his time and resources on more fertile ground (like Wisconsin).
Donors (per your link); There's nothing new in the fact that business, banks etc. give to both parties political campaigns. Some even give to both parties' candidates in the same year (hedging their bets, I suppose). I noticed that Obama contributors include "The State Dept." and "The U.S. Government". Interesting.
The dream candidate: I quote from a wise sage who I know well: "No candidate is perfect, even Republicans. Romney is the best, better than Obama, it is not just since he is it, he is it---he survived the process so that means enough people preferred him".