A Step Forward – Even A Small Step Forward – Is Far Better Than Continuing Our Backwards Slide

A Step Forward – Even A Small Step Forward – Is Far Better Than Continuing Our Backwards Slide
October 25,2012
By Ian Linker

It is time for a modicum of pragmatism. Defeating Barack Obama will not be the end of a journey and it is not an end in itself. But it is a critical step. It is a critical step because an Obama reelection portends severe trouble for the United States and its economy and could – without much, if any, hyperbole – jeopardize our ability to function as a sovereign nation. Therefore, we must – quite simply – do what we can to defeat President Obama in this election.

Rather than supporting a third-party candidate, an idealist, who has virtually no chance of winning or standing on ceremony and not voting at all; thus, making an Obama win more likely, why not support the candidate who will lead us away from the abyss and has a bona fide chance to prevail. Even if a hypothetical third-party candidate had a chance at winning, however, he would likely not be able to govern effectively. Taking big steps often is neither practical nor possible in our political system. We effect real change in this country through baby steps.

Like it or not, America has a rigid two-party system. And the parties as currently configured have polar-opposite views on most of the big issues facing our nation. In such an environment, big steps – as much as many want them – may be impossible to achieve for two reasons. First, given the leftist proclivities of the mainstream media and the significant plurality of the American public that rely on the traditional media for its information, a principled idealist who wants everything or nothing would have virtually no chance to win a nationwide general election. Second, governing with anything other than a majority of like-minded Congressmen in the House and a cloture-proof majority in the Senate would be impossible for such a candidate to enact an agenda even if he or she could win an election.

Supporting Governor Romney, on the other hand, as difficult as it may be for some to do, is the only way to avoid a second Obama term – a mortifying proposition. But you should not fret. Governor Romney will ably lead us in the right direction – albeit in smaller steps than many would like – at a time, however, when we desperately need leadership.

So what will Governor Romney likely do? Romney will attempt to reform the tax code in a positive and revenue-neutral way, maybe not getting us to a flat tax or a Fair tax as some of us advocate for, but any simplification of the code that expands the tax base, brings down marginal rates, closes loopholes, reduces giveaways, and unleashes market forces to create growth and jobs is a good thing.

Romney also will work to reduce the size of government and cut government spending to rein in our trillion-dollar-plus deficit and reduce our $16-plus trillion debt to a manageable level. He also will repeal most, if not all, of the more insidious provisions of Obamacare. Moreover, Romney will not mandate cooperation on the American people as President Obama seeks to do. Perhaps Romney won’t balance the budget, solve the debt crisis in its entirety, or reduce the size and role of the federal government to its constitutional limits, but he will advance the ball in a meaningful way. And we desperately need to advance the ball.

Further, Romney will work to reverse or repeal some of the oppressive and deleterious regulations that hamper economic growth and kill jobs. If I was a betting man, which I am not, I would bet that Romney won’t eliminate all the infectious regulations that plague our economy, but he will begin the process. And it is an important process that must start somewhere.

The Judicial branch is another area on which a Romney presidency will certainly have a positive impact. Many federal judges appointed by President Obama, for instance, are judicial activists and results oriented, which means they legislate from the bench and do not have an uncompromising respect for the rule of law as we should demand from our jurists. A President Romney will nominate proven judges who strictly and faithfully interpret the Constitution and our other laws and uphold the rule of law.

With respect to foreign affairs, Mitt Romney will not obstinately snub his nose at the world acting unilaterally and without our allies’ support, despite what some Democrats would have us believe. Instead, as he explained in his last debate with President Obama he will lead by example and build coalitions of mutual opportunity with the nations of the world through leadership and shared interests, rather than through reliance on feckless multi-national organizations. The governor also will not travel the world apologizing and appeasing our rivals and adversaries. In short, a President Romney will be a welcome change in foreign policy.

Governor Romney will undoubtedly not take us to the proverbial Promised Land as quickly as some of us would like, if at all. But with baby steps, the rest of the American people may come to realize over time that we prosper with freedom, a limited federal government, and a judiciary that respects the rule of law. The bottom line: Governor Romney will move us away from the cliff that an Obama reelection could ensure we fly right off. At this point in our nation’s history, moving away from the precipice edge – even if we take baby steps away from it – is the only way to go.

Ian Linker is an attorney and former Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate from New Jersey.