Oh Really? Part 2

In the previous post we detailed how many GOP candidates are idealistic in their promises and pursuit of the presidency.

Reasons for the failure to complete promises include inadequate will, resources, or support for the project.  The Democrats, regardless if they are in the majority or minority come January of 2013, will come out in force against the president if he is a Republican.  Therefore, the Republican nominee would do well not to be too idealistic, lest they fall down much the same road as Obama has so far.

Oh Really? Part 1

In the GOP nomination race for the presidency, it is apparent that many of the GOP candidates are running into a mode of idealism, if you will.  Their pledges and promises about putting America back at the top and getting people jobs is all well and good, but this type of campaigning seems awfully familiar to 2008 when a certain Barack Obama campaigned (successfully) for the presidency as is now being criticized for failing to fulfill similar promises.

Economic Climate

Instead of the government picking winners and losers in the entrepreneurship field, they should foster a climate that promotes entrepreneurship.  Small businesses drive this nation forward, and the government should do what it can to foster a climate that promotes small businesses. The government should not be at odds with the private sector.  It should be an effective partnership to promote sustainable growth.  

Politics That Change

Our political system is set up so that the people do not have much of a choice.  When buying products at a store, there is often much more than just 2 choices.  It should be the same for politics, where we should not have such limited choices in who we elect.  Nationally, Republican and Democratic platforms stay relatively constant, dictated by powerful national leaders.  We need politics that is not rigid but politics that can be tinkered and changed to suit the times.

Unity in the Christmas Season

In this holiday season., it would be nice if our country achieved some political unity and reconciliation.  The divisiveness in congress and elsewhere in the nation is hurting everyone.  With policies that reflect everyone's values, or at the very least, the majority of the American people, America can become a better place.

The Situation in Syria Grows Dire

The Syrian Government, led by the Assad regime, seems intent on murdering its own people.  Armed intervention could be very dangerous, due to the Iranian influence on Syria, but at the very least, the world, especially the Arab world, must keep the pressure up on Syria to stop.  The United States can do its part by encouraging its Arab allies to put pressure on Syria.

Shakeup

We badly need a shakeup in American society and politics.  The system is rigid and benefits the power players rather than the people.  It doesn't matter the size of government right now, it has been ineffective all the same.  We need to increase the efficiency of government and eliminate bureaucracy.  We need to facilitate innovation and change in government much as we see innovation and change in the private sector in places like Silicon Valley.

Flexibility

We need politicians who have to capability to choose from multiple menus of policy ideas.  Right now, the people only have 2 chooses, Democrats, or Republicans.  There is no middle ground.  We need a system of politics that is unafraid of compromise and unafraid of choosing options tailored to work for the whole country.

Top Down Authoritarianism Does Not Work

With recent protests in Russia and the Middle East, a theme is clear.  The top down authoritarian style leadership is not working as well, or at all, anymore.  People now doubt their government more than ever, and not just in this country.  This theme is being harnessed, as it should be, to solicit change around the world.  People do not like being talked down to, and justly will not take it anymore.  Now is the time to act against this kind of government, so protesters can ride the wave of discontent.

US Must Stop Using Fighting as a Solution in Foreign Policy

A recent trend towards rough and tough militant foreign policy in this nation is worrying.  Instead of fighting to solve its problems, which takes a huge chunk out of our budget, not to mention  many human lives, we should instead pursue active diplomacy with other nations and groups.  Fighting a number of foreign wars only makes us overextended and weaker.  In forging a new time of foreign policy, which is collaborative rather than destructive, other nations might be more receptive to the influence that the United States wields.  By fighting many wars and having an aggressive presence in places like the Middle East, people will often reject the influence as counterproductive and combative.  To turn over a new leaf, the United States must change its outlook and policy on the world.