The Problem with Jimmy Carter…

When you say Jimmy Carter to someone in my generation the immediate reaction is “worst president in modern American history.” He is synonymous with failure to us and we turn the channel whenever he finds an audience in the main stream media.

Carter has spent his post presidency trying to change history. But history is a stubborn thing. Kinda like facts, the country was leaderless under his administration which is why Obama is being compared to Carter. The country again feels like there is no leadership from the current president. The presidency is first and foremost the chief morale officer of the country. We believe in ourselves but we always feel better when we know our elected chief executive believes that as well.

Both Carter and Obama blame Americans for the ills of failed government policies. They both have lectured us on how we just need to get over ourselves and do what they say we should do. Nothing angers Americans more than being lectured to by our politicians especially when they barely understand how hard we Americans work, every day.

Any of us that lived under Carter believe that comparisons will definitely undermine this president’s chance for re-election. The problem is that Jimmy Carter’s administration was over 30 years ago. There are a lot of new voters that have never lived under Carter and see him as the X President that builds houses for humanity and seems like someone’s grandfather. These new voters do not immediately think failure when Carter’s name is used.

I am not saying we should stop comparing Obama to Carter. No I think it’s part of an overall strategy. We must reach younger voters by highlighting how conservative and constitutional principles lead to greater opportunities for jobs and a successful future. We need a positive message for young folks who spend little time thinking and too much time feeling. They might feel good that the first Black President was elected during their generation but the Presidency is not to be used as a social experiment. The presidency is about competent leadership from an executive that has earned the experience necessary to make decisions. It is also a position that can only be granted to individuals that believe in our constitution and founding principles.

We need to help our youth understand what has given us the wealth they enjoy today, our constitution, individual ingenuity, freedom and capitalism. It wasn’t Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, or Obama. It was the American people unencumbered by government bureaucracy given the freedom to pursue their dreams and be held accountable for failure, the ability to reap the rewards of their ideas and hard work, and willingness to take risks…  

The 2012 Presidential Field

The presidential field to date is disappointing. But I don’t blame good candidates from entering the race when you consider the personal attacks waged once a candidate declares. It seems that charges are thrown around to see what sticks and what doesn’t. Rumors are floated to get reaction and candidates are expected to defend their reputations no matter the validity of the allegation.

I don’t know anything about Herman Cain’s background or character but on initial instinct he seemed like a good guy with great business experience. I now find myself feeling sad for his family. They are the true victims here no matter what the truth ends up being about the allegations. I hope he either clears this up once and for all or gets out for the sake of his family.

Newt has baggage; Mitt has baggage, as do every one of us. Take a moment and consider what could happen if you offered yourself up for public office? Could the media spin something in your past to make you look lesser of an individual? Something that could embarrass your family? Remember the media will go back to your High School and College years so think about it. Is it worth it?

Our country was founded by great men but none of them were perfect. They all had flaws but they also had one common goal which was the creation of the best political system on earth. They had different opinions and self- interests on how to accomplish that but the goal was the same. We no longer have that.

We have a Democratic Party that wants to destroy the free market capitalist system that has been the mother’s milk for our success. These democrats don’t respect or care about the Constitution of this great nation. They have abandoned the principle of self-governance for communal misery. Class warfare is their mantra and strategy to win elections. Their goal is to make people miserable by implementing government policies and then blame the misery on the wealthy and successful of this nation. Pathetic.

The Republican Party has also ignored the Constitution for crony capitalism and special favors for special “friends.”  They have abandoned the principles they state in their platform like limited government, lower taxes, etc… The Tea Party is a result more from a rejection of the RP than the DP. The TP is changing the RP from the inside out. Supporting more principled candidates like Rubio and Rand Paul.

The reason the presidential field is receiving the perpetual yawn is the lack of a perfect candidate. Conservative voters are a principled lot but when you consider the process even the “perfect” candidate will be put through the wringer and forced to defend baseless accusations from a media that hates the principles America stands on.

It’s no wonder that we have such a disappointing field to choose from…