Thursday, November 8, 2012

Honoring All Who Served


Many Americans mistakenly believe that Veterans Day is the day America sets aside to honor American military personnel who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained from combat. That's not quite true. Memorial Day is the day set aside to honor America's war dead.

Veterans Day, on the other hand, honors ALL American veterans, both living and dead. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for dedicated and loyal service to their country. November 11 of each year is the day that we ensure veterans know that we deeply appreciate the sacrifices they have made in the lives to keep our country free.





Armistice Day

To commemorate the ending of the "Great War" (World War I), an "unknown soldier" was buried in highest place of honor in both England and France ( (in England, Westminster Abbey; in France, the Arc de Triomphe). These ceremonies took place on November 11th, celebrating the ending of World War I hostilities at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). This day became known internationally as "Armistice Day".

In 1921, the United States of America followed France and England by laying to rest the remains of a World War I American soldier -- his name "known but to God" -- on a Virginia hillside overlooking the city of Washington DC and the Potomac River. This site became known as the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier," and today is called the "Tomb of the Unknowns." Located in Arlington National Cemetery, the tomb symbolizes dignity and reverence for the American veteran.

In America, November 11th officially became known as Armistice Day through an act of Congress in 1926. It wasn't until 12 years later, through a similar act that Armistice Day became a national holiday.

The entire World thought that World War I was the "War to end all wars." Had this been true, the holiday might still be called Armistice Day today. That dream was shattered in 1939 when World War II broke out in Europe. More than 400,000 American service members died during that horrific war.

Veterans Day

In 1947, Raymond Weeks, of Birmingham Ala., organized a "Veterans Day" parade on November 11th to honor all of America's veterans for their loyal and dedicated service. Shortly thereafter, Congressman Edward H. Rees (Kansas) introduced legislation to change the name of Armistice Day to Veterans Day in order to honor all veterans who have served the United States in all wars.

In 1954, President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day, and called upon Americans everywhere to rededicate themselves to the cause of peace. He issued a Presidential Order directing the head of the Veterans Administration (now called the Department of Veterans Affairs), to form a Veterans Day National Committee to organize and oversee the national observance of Veterans Day.

Congress passed legislation in 1968 to move Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. However as it became apparent that November 11th was historically significant to many Americans, in 1978, Congress reversed itself and returned the holiday to its traditional date.

Veterans Day National Ceremony

At exactly 11 a.m., each November 11th, a color guard, made up of members 
from each of the military branches, renders honors to America's war dead during a heart-moving ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery.




The President or his representative places a wreath at the Tomb and a bugler sounds Taps. The balance of the ceremony, including a "Parade of Flags" by numerous veterans service organizations, takes place inside the Memorial Amphitheater, adjacent to the Tomb.

In addition to planning and coordinating the National Veterans Day Ceremony, the Veterans Day National Committee supports a number of Veterans Day Regional Sites. These sites conduct Veterans Day celebrations that provide excellent examples for other communities to follow.

Veterans Day Observance

Veterans Day is always observed on November 11, regardless of the day of the week on which it falls. The Veterans Day National Ceremony is always held on Veterans Day itself, even if the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday. However, like all other federal holidays, when it falls on a non-workday -- Saturday or Sunday -- the federal government employees take the day off on Monday (if the holiday falls on Sunday) or Friday (if the holiday falls on Saturday).

Federal government holiday observance (for federal employees, including military) is established by federal law. 5 U.S.C. 6103 establishes the following public holidays for Federal employees: New Year's Day, Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., Washington's Birthday (President's Day), Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

This federal law does not apply to state and local governments. They are free to determine local government closings (including school closings) locally. As such, there is no legal requirement that schools close of Veterans Day, and many do not. However, most schools hold Veterans Day activities on Veterans Day and throughout the week of the holiday to honor American veterans.


Veterans Day Around the World

Many other countries honor their veterans on November 11th of each year. However, the name of the holiday and the types of ceremonies differ from the Veterans Day activities in the United States.

Canada, Australia, and Great Britain refer to their holidays as "Remembrance Day." Canada and Australia observe the day on November 11, and Great Britain conducts their ceremonies on the Sunday nearest to November 11th.

In Canada, the observance of "Remembrance Day" is actually quite similar to the United States, in that the day is set aside to honor all of Canada's veterans, both living and dead. One notable difference is that many Canadians wear a red poppy flower on November 11 to honor their war dead, while the "red poppy" tradition is observed in the United States on Memorial Day.

In Australia, "Remembrance Day" is very much like America's Memorial Day, in that its considered a day to honor Australian veterans who died in war.

In Great Britain, the day is commemorated by church services and parades of ex-service members in Whitehall, a wide ceremonial avenue leading from London's Parliament Square to Trafalgar Square. Wreaths of poppies are left at the Cenotaph, a war memorial in Whitehall, which was built after the First World War. At the Cenotaph and elsewhere in the country, a two-minute silence is observed at 11 a.m., to honor those who lost their lives in wars.

Have You Hugged Your Veteran Today?

One of the most personal and meaningful Veterans Day activities for people is to send notes or cards to hospitalized veterans or those living in veterans homes. Or, better yet, visit a veteran in a local veterans hospital or veterans home. The best way to have a "happy Veterans Day" is to do something special to make a veteran happy.

The sacrifices they make...


The sacrifices they make allow us to live in Freedom. Please, don't forget them. 
Stand up for them when they can no longer stand up for themselves ....

....and hold those that betray them accountable !

Why Romney Lost

Newsmax
Why Mitt Romney Lost
Wednesday, November 7, 2012 02:24 PM
By: Christopher Ruddy Newsmax

Christopher Ruddy’s Perspective: It was the worst of times and the worst of times.
With the 2012 election results in, there are no short- or even medium-term "silver linings" for Republicans.

President Barack Obama has won a decisive victory and the GOP, expecting to gain Senate seats, actually had a net loss of three.

The "morning after" will bring the expected explanations and after-game quarterbacking. Still, it is important that the GOP understand why we lost this one in hopes of future victory.
Perhaps the easy explanation is that two hurricanes and two betrayals by Chris Christie killed Mitt Romney's chances.

The first hurricane was Isaac, the one that skirted Tampa in late August during the Republican convention. That one seriously disrupted the official schedule.

GOP star Marco Rubio — who gave the best speech of the convention — was bumped off prime-time TV coverage, and so was the video biography "introducing" Mitt to the nation. 
Aging actor Clint Eastwood was scrambled into the schedule to offer a funny but often incoherent monologue with an empty chair. He stole Mitt's show. And prime-time keynoter Chris Christie barely mentioned the nominee or Obama in a speech that sounded like the New Jersey governor was pumping his re-election.

The ground lost in Tampa wasn't regained until the first debate in Denver, when Romney shined. It was the first, best, and last time he would really sparkle.

As a result of the debates, by late October polls showed that Romney was finally beginning to see a surge.
Then the second hurricane, Sandy, struck on Oct. 29. The campaign went into “freeze” mode while Obama swung into “commander in chief” mode. Romney's surge was suddenly frozen too.

Enter Iago. 
It was perfectly fine for Chris Christie to join with Obama in the wake of the crisis. But to lather the president with praise, calling his response to Sandy “outstanding” in the immediate aftermath of the storm was completely unjustified.

It was another act of treachery. (As the disaster unfolded, and with hundreds of thousands still without electric power as I write this, there is plenty of evidence that the leadership by Obama and federal agencies has been seriously lacking, as it has been from Christie and other state and local officials who have failed to adequately prepare and respond to the disaster.) 
As I said, it is easy to blame Sandy and Christie for Romney's loss. I won't. Sure they hurt Romney. But he lost for other reasons.

Sandy and Christie's double-dealing can be compared to bad turbulence that any experienced jet pilot should expect on a long mission. The turbulence may be rough, but it is nothing more than a passing episode for a good pilot with a smart flight plan.
On to why our pilot Mitt Romney and his plan were so flawed. 
1. Paul Ryan. Romney's choice of Ryan was almost inexplicable.

A good conservative, Ryan was unqualified for the job of vice president, and therefore the job of president. A sitting member of Congress, he held no leadership position on the Hill. 
Romney's VP selection was the most important one of his campaign, and by it he telegraphed his lack of political wisdom to the nation. 
With his VP pick Romney had the opportunity to show he was willing to reach out to middle voters and break out of the GOP's demographic box (think Rubio, Nevada's Brian Sandoval, or New Mexico's Susana Martinez) or pick a Republican heavyweight who exuded gravitas while potentially giving him a state (think Rob Portman or Tim Pawlenty).

2. The Ryan Plan. Romney had endorsed Ryan's plan for Medicare even before he tapped him as a running mate. But by selecting Ryan, he was nailing the odious plan to the masthead of his campaign.

Ryan's plan, which first called for abolishing federal Medicare in 10 years and later for a substitute voucher program, proved to be disastrous for Romney and other Republican candidates.

As far as I could see, the Ryan plan was the No. 1 policy focus of Obama's and other Democratic attack ads against the GOP. 

I am not sure what the GOP was smoking when they decided to propose demolishing or radically altering the cherished healthcare program for seniors.
Apparently, the Romney campaign began to realize Ryan's negatives late in the campaign, banishing his public appearances to secure red states. But it was too late.
3. The Myth of a “Base Election.” Romney totally bought into the notion that this was an election about energizing the conservative base. He seems to have ignored the fact that the base was already highly energized because of its dislike of Barack Obama.

This election was just like every other one in modern times — about winning middle, swing voters. We used to call them Reagan Democrats but the better label today is Clinton Democrats.

Romney did much to annoy them (like backing the Ryan plan) and almost nothing to reach out to them, "triangulating" so to speak with ideas that showed the GOP cared about them.
4. No Plan. Along the lines of triangulating, Romney needed to espouse several simple ideas that explained what he would do if elected president.

Romney promised to create 12 million jobs. That's not a plan, it's a promise. He didn't clearly articulate how he could fulfill that promise.

In fact, Romney's team offered the fewest specifics of any presidential campaign ever.
5. Crushing Optimism. When, in 1980, Ronald Reagan put the GOP on the path of optimism and economic growth, he not only won two landslide elections, he also changed the political landscape for three decades.

When Romney did offer a plan, it was about "hard truths," such as tackling the deficit, cutting the debt, cutting the budget (killing Big Bird), and cutting Medicare. 
What happened to the Grand Old Party that once advocated cutting taxes and spurring economic growth — ideas espoused by the late Jack Kemp and people like Arthur Laffer, Larry Kudlow, Newt Gingrich, Mike Reagan, and others?

This is the party most Americans and I identify with.

6. Poor Campaign Staff. Considering that Romney's presidential quest was the best funded Republican race in history, his campaign staff was certainly not the best money could buy.
The Romney staff was insular and arrogant, and his campaign strategy team led by Stu Stevens and Russ Schriefer was simply abysmal.

7. No “Gingrich” Ads Against Obama. Residing in a battleground state, Florida, I had a front-row seat to Romney's ad war on Obama. I was shocked how few ads the campaign was airing over the summer and how many Obama’s campaign was. 
Meanwhile, Obama's ads were nasty, negative ones, while Romney's were of the kinder, gentler, country-club Republican variety.

I asked a high-level Romney operative why the Republicans were spending $2.5 million to build a wooden stage for the Tampa convention and not putting the money into ads. 
The answer: The Romney camp believe people don't remember ads until close to the election. The sea of Romney ads never did emerge that September.
I thought perhaps this was just the Florida strategy. But then I read a shocking report in Broadcasting & Cable, the respected TV industry publication.

By late September Romney's campaign had not even run a single TV ad in several key markets in swing state Ohio! And the magazine reported that because Romney's campaign was not planning its ad buys properly, they were often paying five to 10 times more than Obama was paying for the same ad spot.

Obama's campaign, of course, took the opposite approach to Romney's, defining him early on with hard-hitting TV ads. Romney's failure to run tough ads against Obama is mind-boggling, even more so because of how Romney ran his primary campaign.
For example, I saw the negative attack ads the Romney camp ran against Newt Gingrich in Florida last December and January. By February, the Romney team had spent some $55 million airing some of the most vicious political ads deployed in a GOP presidential primary, most of them against Gingrich.

At the time, Rush Limbaugh commented on Romney's Newt ads, and I'm paraphrasing here, "Mark my words — Mitt Romney will never run these type of ads against Obama."
Rush's words were prophetic.
8. Dissing Hispanics. As the elections of 2000, 2004, 2008, and now 2012 have demonstrated, demographics are trumping ideology in national elections.

The Republican Party has a difficult time grasping this concept. 
Romney seemingly ignored this truth by taking an ultra-hardline on immigration — one so tough he called for the "self deportation" of illegal immigrants. Not only is such a plan impractical and immoral, it is unacceptable politically, as yesterdays' results proved.
Consider that Obama reneged on his promise to Hispanics to make their concerns a priority. They were there for the GOP's taking.

The one Hispanic group that has voted consistently for Republicans — Cuban-Americans — gave Obama a record number of votes this year. Already the liberal spinmeisters are blaming the tea party and conservatives for Romney's loss. The facts show the claim is not true. 
The success Romney did achieve was due to their support. Romney's loss was due to a concoction of things involving the candidate himself, his team, his strategy, and his decisions. 
Soon we will, correctly, move on. The GOP will learn from this debacle.

The Republican Party might start the process with an image makeover — putting away the Wall Street look in favor of a Main Street one — while it takes back the mantle of Lincoln; a party that fights for the underdog and appeals to the aspirations of the American people.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Steve Forbes: US Heading for Recession

Newsmax 
Steve Forbes: US Heading for Recession With 2nd Obama Term 
Wednesday, November 7, 2012 11:14 AM 
By: Bill Hoffmann and Kathleen Walter 

 The United States is headed for a recession during President Barack Obama’s second term, renowned financial guru Steve Forbes predicted Wednesday. "We won’t get a depression, thankfully. This is still a very resilient economy, but we will have a recession," Forbes, chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media, told Newsmax.TV in an exclusive interview. "Raising taxes on capital, raising taxes on small businesses, which we will likely get now, particularly since the Republicans did so badly in the Senate races, that is going to pose a real burden. 

 "We have Europe doing the same thing: piling on new taxes, Japan piling on new taxes. The Federal Reserve is going to continue to undermine the dollar, which is going to hurt small and medium-size business. It’s going to be very tough sledding next year." Forbes, who twice was a candidate for the Republican Party nomination for president in 1996 and 2000 and is the son of Forbes Magazine publisher Malcolm Forbes, says he was “stunned’’ by Obama’s sweeping victory over Mitt Romney. "I thought Romney was connecting. But I think [Republican campaign consultant] Ed Rollins put it really well thing morning. He said Romney became a credible alternative to Obama in the debates, but he didn’t establish himself as the better alternative," Forbes said. Urgent: Billionaires Dump Stocks. Prepare for the Unthinkable "With the benefit of hindsight, he didn’t hammer home the way a Reagan would have, in terms of a positive agenda. He was very cautious in the last three or four weeks and he was cautious in the last debate.

 "He had no major interviews in the last four weeks and played it safe, like Tom Dewey in 1948. He lost it because Obama had established a message that the economy was not his fault. They were still blaming Bush and the polls showed that. "People felt that things were starting to get a bit better. The other thing that hurt, something beyond anyone’s control: the storm in the Northeast." Obama’s second term will come with rocky financial patches for some industries, Forbes predicted. "I think he does not have a mandate, but he will push hard for a second-term agenda, which will be more of the same as in the first term. If he can’t get it through Congress then he will do it through regulation," he said. "This is very bad news for the pharmaceutical industry, very bad news for the coal industry, very bad news for high-tech. We are going to have a recession next year. It’s not going to help the president, but sadly the country is going to pay the price for it." 

 Asked whether the president will accelerate plans to further tax the rich and pursue policies that would redistribute wealth across the nation, Forbes said, I don’t think he needs to ratchet up the rhetoric, because he will get his tax increases. He will continue to wage regulatory warfare against the business community, even if he does it with a low voice. "Again, you are going to have to look at what these so-called independent agencies, like the EPA, the FDA and others are going to do. 

It’s going to very harmful toward free enterprise for freedom." Another major issue, the national deficit, will also continue to fester, according to Forbes. "The debt is going to up trillions of dollars. It’s not just the debt and the deficit. It’s the fact that we are consuming wealth, Washington is consuming wealth, instead of enabling or letting America crate wealth," he said. "The asset side of the balance sheet is going to be under severe pressure, while the liabilities are going up. That’s a lethal combination. 

We are on the road to Greece and it’s not going to be pleasant." According to Forbes, the Federal Reserve has been “undermining the dollar." "That will continue. The government loves it because its deficit up to your ears. They get to finance the deficit at no ascendible cost. It’s going to be very hard on the economy, especially new and growing businesses." In addition, Forbes adds, "given what has happened with the election, not only the President getting re-elected but the Senate going even more heavily Democratic … the losses in the House … the President will get a squish on higher taxes on higher taxes for upper income individuals." Obamacare will also spell economic turmoil, said Forbes, 65. "We must not forget the numerous new taxes coming in under Obamacare, which is going to be a real wake on the economy, dividends, capital gains, on medical devices, pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, all of that is going to weigh on the economy," he said.

 "This is going to be very chaotic in the next two years with Obamacare and very devastating for health care and the economy." Forbes said that with the reelection of Obama, "The market is going to take a hit today, at least initially, and the market in real terms, is going to continue to tread water for the next couple of years. "Maybe we will get a break with the next congressional elections, who knows? In the meantime, the market is going to tread water and go down in real terms like it did in the 1970s and early 1980s. 
That not good for pensions, that is not good for anyone." With more economic gloom on the horizon, Forbes recommends a formula for investing: "You should always have a portion of your portfolio in gold, 5 percent or 7 percent. But unless you are very nimble and skilled trader I would not try to trade that because even if the trend line is up, you can get whipsawed especially if you are using leverage, using margin whipsawed very easily. "You should in terms of stocks, especially for your retirement funds, you should not panic and try to time the market. Emotions are you enemy. “For retirement funds, just stay steady; keep putting a certain amount in each month, quarter or however you wish to do it on a timely basis, consistent basis." Despite the problems the country now has, Forbes remains an optimist. "Eventually, this country will get back on track," he predicted. "We are just going to have to wait a little bit longer, but eventually we will get back on track just as we did in the early 1980s, when the country looked to be in a hopeless position. Ronald Reagan’s policies enabled us to turn America around; I think we are going to do it again. It is just a matter of when." And he sees a bright future for the Republican Party. "Where the Republican Party goes, is not abandoning its principles of freedom, but making sure that we articulate those principles," he said.

 "When Romney came under attack for Bain he was not very good in sending the essence of free-enterprise and freedom, and the idea that markets succeed by serving the needs and wants of other people. He never made the moral case. We have to have candidates that do. "We have a very good bench in the party. A lot of good young up and coming people so this is not the time to try to be mini-Democrats, this is the time to go to basic principles and figure out how to get these principles across to people and the policies that derive from those principles across to people. All different groups in America and that is the way we have to go. "Reagan did it. We have to do it again."

Saturday, November 3, 2012

There's always a few to jump on the wagon when opportunity presents itself. Such is the case of little 4 year old Abigael. The video taken by her mom shows Abigael crying because of all the election publicity. It has had 7,000,000 views and counting since the 30th of October when it was first uploaded to Youtube. Google typically pays publishers per advertisement view. Copycats have seen the opportunity to download and publish this video as their own while making money off the Google ads. I surely hope that Google will pay Abigael's mom for all the views it's getting. In our opinion, copying this video and uploading to Youtube as your own is a clear violation of copyright laws. Let's hope that this video having gone viral will at least pay for little Abigael's college tuition and that Google will act to take down the copycats !!!



Mitt Romney: HIS CLOSING ARGUMENT

IF YOU DON'T WATCH ANY OTHER VIDEO...WATCH THIS ONE !!!!

This Tuesday is a moment to look into the future and imagine what we can do. This is much more than our moment. It is America's moment of renewal and purpose and optimism.

As president, I won't just represent one party, I'll represent one 
nation. I'll try to show the best of America, at a time when only our best will do.

I hope you will take a moment to listen to my closing argument.

President Obama promised change, but he could not deliver it. I promise change, and I have a record of achieving it. This is why I am running for president. I know how to change the course the nation is on, how to get us to a balanced budget and how to build jobs and rising take-home pay. Accomplishing real change is not something I just talk about--it is something I have done. And it is what will do when I am President of the United States.

If you believe we can do better, if you believe America should be on a better course, if you are tired of being tired, then I ask you to vote for real change. Paul Ryan and I will bring real change to America, from Day One.






CNN: Not Only Is Obama's Plan Old But It Doesn't Add Up


Incredible as it may seem CNN has seen the light or as one Youtube member puts it...

CNN...hedging their bets that Romney will win. They don't want to be left holding the bag (Obama) when their star falls from grace. Now if they would just ask who denied help to the Ambassador while they were watching the TERROR attack LIVE from the drone overhead.





...by the way I don't think that Erin Burnett was up to the task of exposing Obama !


Friday, November 2, 2012

Mitt Romney: “I’ll Lead America To A Better Place”




Mitt Romney: “I’ll Lead America To A Better Place”

“I don’t believe this is a moment when our big dreams will be satisfied with a small agenda. I’ll lead America to a better place, where confidence in the future is assured, not questioned. This is not a time for America to settle. We’re four days away from a fresh start, four days away from the first day of a new beginning.”

– Mitt Romney




New Jersey Chris Christie Praises Obama, Doesn't 'Give a Damn' about Election Day


Please comment below...tell us what you think about Chris Cristie's Comments !

Mitt Romney: My vision for America


(CNN) -- On June 2, 2011


I began my quest for the presidency on the farm of Doug and Stella Scamman in Stratham, New Hampshire. I said then that our country is a land of freedom and opportunity. I spoke of the hard work of the millions of Americans who built our remarkable experiment in self-government. They carved out of the wilderness a land of immense prosperity and unlimited potential. I said then that "I believe in America."

For more than a year now, I've carried that message across America. As we draw close to Election Day, it is a good moment to reflect on what it means to believe in America.

America is a place where freedom rings. It is a place where we can discuss our differences without fear of any consequence worse than criticism, where we can believe in whatever creed or religion we choose, where we can pursue our dreams no matter how small or grand. It is a place that not only cherishes freedom, but is willing to fight to defend it. These are the qualities that define us.

America is a land of opportunity. But lately, for too many Americans, opportunity has not exactly come knocking. We've been mired in an economic slowdown that has left millions of our fellow citizens unemployed. The consequences in dreams shattered, lives disrupted, plans deferred, and hopes dimmed can be found all around us.

It hasn't always been this way. It certainly doesn't have to be this way in the future. We're all in this together. And together we can emerge from these troubles.
President Obama's op-ed: My vision for America

Together with Paul Ryan, I've put forward an economic recovery plan consisting of five central elements that will in four years create 12 million jobs.

We will produce more of the energy we need to heat our homes, fill our cars, and make our economy grow.  We will stop President Obama's war on coal, his disdain for oil, and his effort to crimp natural gas by federal regulation of the very technology that produces it. 

We will support nuclear and renewables, but phase out subsidies once an industry is on its feet. We will invest in energy science and research to make discoveries that can actually change our energy world. By 2020, we will achieve North American energy independence.

We will retrain our work force for the jobs of tomorrow and ensure that every child receives a quality education no matter where they live, including especially our inner cities. Parents and students, not administrators and unions, need to have greater choice. Our current worker retraining system is a labyrinth of federal programs that sprawls across 47 programs and nine agencies. We will eliminate this redundancy and empower the 50 states and the private sector to develop effective programs of their own.

· We will make trade work for America.  We'll open more markets to American agriculture, products, and services. And we will finally hold accountable any nation that doesn't play by the rules.  I will stand up for the rights and interests of American workers and employers.

We will restore fiscal sanity to Washington by bringing an end to the federal spending and borrowing binge that in just four years has added more debt held by the public than almost all previous administrations combined. We will put America on track to a balanced budget by eliminating unnecessary programs, by sending programs back to states where they can be managed with less abuse and less cost, and by shrinking the bureaucracy of Washington.

Finally, we will champion small business, the great engine of job creation in our country, by reforming the tax code and updating and reshaping regulations that have suffocated economic growth.

Nothing is ever easy in Washington, but these goals are rooted in bipartisan agreement, and I will work with members of both parties to accomplish them.  As governor of a state that was overwhelmingly Democratic, I was always ready to reach across the aisle and I can proudly point to the results. I've learned that when we come together to solve problems in a practical spirit, we can accomplish miracles.

In this respect, I am offering a contrast to what we are seeing in Washington today. We've watched as one party has pushed through its agenda without compromising with the other party. We've watched gridlock and petty conflict dominate while the most important issues confronting the nation, like chronic high unemployment, go unaddressed. 

The bickering has to end. I will end it.  I will reach across the aisle to solve America's problems.

Our economic crisis not only threatens the well-being of our citizenry, it has larger consequences in other realms. The economic weakness of the past several years has, alarmingly, fostered weakness in our foreign policy posture. Runaway domestic spending has led the president to propose reducing defense spending by hundreds of billions, cuts that his own secretary of defense has said would "devastate" our national security.

The most important task for any president is set out in the preamble to our Constitution—providing for the common defense. As commander-in-chief, I will roll back the president's deep and arbitrary cuts to our military. Our soldiers should never lack the tools they need to complete their mission and come home safely. I have always believed that the first purpose of a strong military is to prevent war. And preventing war is a supreme national interest. I will ensure that our military is strong enough that no adversary dares to challenge us.

Let us remember our history. We have accomplished so much, both in the world and at home. We've defeated tyrannies. We've lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty. We've transformed our own society into a more perfect union. We've created a land of freedom and prosperity. The problems we need to overcome now are not bigger than we are. We can defeat them.  I am offering real change and a real choice.

Romney Leading in Early Voting

The Republican Party reported this morning at 8:58 a.m that despite what the Obama campaign wants you to believe, early voting results show President Obama doesn't have an advantage over Governor Romney. In fact, Mitt currently leads Barack Obama 52% to 45% among voters who have already cast their ballots.