The Election

Where am I going and what am I doing in this hand basket?

I wish I could say I was surprised at the outcome of the Presidential election, but I'm not.  I really wish I could comment on Obama's loss, but I can't.  Notice I didn't say "Romney's win".  I was never a Romney fan, but when the only alternative was Barack Obama, Sun Tsu's well known axiom comes to mind.

Nevertheless, America has voted and it did so in record numbers.  In fact, Ohio and other states had voter turnouts exceeding 100% of the registered populace!  I predicted voter fraud would bubble to the surface after the election and it appears to be doing so in various forms.  Still, whatever fraud can be proven will not be enough to overcome the slight popular vote margins Obama received.  Liberals can celebrate the fact that Obama will be re-inaugurated in January.

Rush Limbaugh said "America voted for Santa Clause instead of work".  Hate Rush if you will, but this was a pretty astute observation.  The sad fact is that more Americans would rather receive five dollars per hour for doing nothing than ten for doing legitimate work.  My mother raised me to be self sufficient and accountable for not just my own actions, but for my own success.  I have done my best to do the same with my sons and so far, they're on the right track.  Obama's America is an entitlement America.  This administration's goal is to create a society so dependent on the government that they can't even envision creating their own success and wealth.  College graduates today don't need to worry about actually achieving anything on their own because the message to them is clear that government has got their back.

I predict it won't be long after the celebrations are over before those riding high on post election euphoria will begin to experience a post election economic hangover.  The President has clearly stated publicly that his policies will drive up the cost of common resources that all Americans need.  The President' comment on electricity rates is below.  In 2008, Steven Chu (Obama's Energy Secretary) stated "Somehow we have to figure out how to boost the price of gasoline to the levels in Europe."

All Americans need electricity.  All Americans buy gasoline. Almost every aspect of our lives depends on gas and electrical power.  We drive to work.  We drive to play.  Even those who refuse to work have to go cash their welfare checks.  Everything we buy is transported in the US by rail or truck.  Many people said in exit polls that they voted for Obama to stick it to the wealthy.  If you're one of those people, you're the ultimate example of cutting your nose off to spite your face.  You're also a tool, but that's obvious to everyone (except for maybe you).  You will pay the same price for gas and electricity as those to whom you stuck it.  The meager margin of cash you might have after paying your bills (assuming you pay them) will be even more meager when you're paying $5.00 for a gallon of gas.  Just remember YOU voted for it.   The election was not just Romney's loss, or even my loss.  I see it as America's loss.

So now what?  What about the Republican Party?  As an independent, I see it this way.  The Republican party has its place, but it needs to refocus its energy and its policies.  Exit polls also highlighted a fear among voters that Romney's religious values.  I find this about as rational as prayer, but I digress.  If "morality" could have ever been legislated in America, it would have happened during the Reagan years.  The fact is even the most religious among us don't give a shit about stalwart Republican issues like abortion and gay marriage.  Romney himself was pro choice in years past.  I actually like Joe Biden's comment when asked how he reconciled his stance on abortion with his Catholic faith.  Biden stated that while he shared the Catholic church's stance, he did not see it as his responsibility to force it on others.  The Republicans could learn a lot from Biden on this one. 

Democrats want the government out of our bedrooms, but insist on forcing religious organizations to bow to their policies on birth control options and on being in our kitchens limiting our salt, fat, soda sizes, etc.  They hail the smallest microbe found in a drop of water on the planet Mars as proof of extraterrestrial life, yet deny that a fetus on earth is "alive" until some gestational time has been reached.  Republicans claim to want smaller government, but insist on enforcing "moral " issues like abortion, drugs, and marriage eligibility.

Republicans need to refocus.  I believe Obama would have been decidedly defeated by a candidate who ran on a platform of fiscal conservatism absent of all the morality bullshit.  I believe also that this is because those Americans who actually work for a living would prefer to keep more of that they earn.  It's said that the Hispanic vote was key to Obama's win.  The Hispanics I know work much harder than I do and and more than many liberals I know.  They work their asses off.  I don't recall ever seeing a Mexican on the corner with a sign begging for money.  The republican party might stand a better chance in 2016 if they accept reality and adjust their platform and reach out to a hard working, family oriented demographic like Hispanics.

My plan for the next few years is to further apply the lessons I learned in "The Virtue of Selfishness" by Ayn Rand.   Read it before you roll your eyes (if it's not too late).  You just might find there's more to it than the title.  I turned 50 years old a couple of weeks ago and the lessons my mother taught me are applicable now more than ever.  I'm keeping myself physically fit because although I'm fortunate to have a job where my health insurance only costs me $6,000 per year (whether I use it or not), I'm far too much a realist to believe that Obamacare won't negatively impact it.  I believe in my Second Amendment rights and I am taking advantage of them while I can. I have also significantly increased my savings this year with a focus on measures to keep the government from looting the fruits of my labor and redistributing them to the ever-increasing moocher class.  After all, I am a proud producer and regardless of who my President is, I know what's mine.

I believe things will be very different in this country in the next few years, if not months.  I don't expect the House of Representatives to stand their ground against the Democrat controlled Senate and a compliant mainstream media certainly won't help.  If you voted for Obama, I'm happy that you're happy.  I predict however, that you will feel more like I do sooner than later.