Obama Has Given American Voters Plenty Of Reasons To Fire Him In November 2012

While many liberal political pundits were clamoring for President Obama to have a decidedly more impressive showing last night than his seemingly uninterested  attitude at the prior debate in Denver, voters in Tampa and across Florida learned three key points about both candidates that will help determine the outcome of the November 6th Presidential election:

Candidate Barack Obama vs Candidate Mitt Romney

1. It is abundantly clear that side-by-side, candidate Mitt Romney has more  ‘Presidential’ qualities than the incumbant Obama.  Romney was relaxed, organized, focused in thought and in speech and answered more from his heart and less from scripted one-liners.

Unfortunately, however, after 180 minutes over the first two debates, American voters witnessed two entirely different characters in Barack Obama : first, the bored and flagrantly annoyed version who, when challenged by Romney, appeared arrogantly “put-out” to have to answer for his record in his first term, and in most cases didn’t bother to even challenge or address Romney’s many persistent attacks on Obama’s lackluster results. 

The 2nd version of Obama, as seen last night, was an angry, hostile version that smiled rarely, interrupted often and refused to confront the realities of the consequences of his policies, even when politely asked by the town hall participants.  Obama’s default response in various forms blamed George Bush and Republicans, while taking credit for socializing health care and providing billions of dollars in funding to several now-bankrupt alternative energy companies run by 2008 campaign donors, and calling for more investment in such failed enterprises.

2. While Mitt Romney has an action plan to turn around the circumstances of our economy consisting of several points, of which include creating jobs, reducing dependence on foreign oil, balancing the federal budget and repealing socialized medicine, President Obama appears instead to be adamant about unilaterally focusing on dividing the nation into ‘have’s’ and ‘have nots’ by continuing to vilify the very job and wealth creators whom America depends on for employment (entrepreneurs, business owners,etc) and instead insisting on sticking to his plan for ‘leveling the playing field’ and demanding that those with more, share more of their income and wealth with those who have less.  

Unfortunately, Obama’s own actions don’t mirror his expectations for wealthy American taxpayers to shoulder a greater financial burden by turning over a larger percentage of their personal income.  Currently, over 60% of the taxes collected by the IRS are taken from job creators and economy builders, yet Obama believes and continues preaching that it should be more. 

However, when given the opportunity to share his own personal fortunes, he could stand to learn from Mitt Romney.  In 2011, Romney gave nearly 30% more of his own personal income to charity than Obama, and Paul Ryan gave more than 300% more to charity than Vice President Joe Biden.  Clearly, when given the opportunity to give without requirement from the IRS, Romney and Ryan set an admirable example for both Obama and Biden to follow. 

3. Most troubling from the debate last night was the question focused on the terror attack in Benghazi on September 11, 2012.  Prompted by the question raised from an audience member, Mitt Romney carefully and respectfully outlined the details and timeline of events as it relates to how the Obama administration handled the dissemination of information related to the attack, while President Obama categorically lied about the factual and proven details recorded since then. 

While all of the details have yet to emerge, it appears Obama and his administration have a major problem on their hands regarding their handling of this issue and the murders of American citizens.  Below are two scenarios that could possibly represent what really happened immediately following the attack, and neither are appropriate responses:

~Scenerio A: Hillary Clinton & President Obama truly were provided inaccurate information about the attack as they claim.  As early as September 12, 2012 several media outlets (including CBS NEWS) indicated that the incident in Benghazi appeared to be a deliberate, planned act of terror,  at the same time Clinton and Obama continued escalating the story that there had been a “peaceful demonstration that had spontaneously turned violent because of a reported video produced by an American disparaging the muslim faith and relevance of the prophet Mohammed.” 

Obama continued promoting this story repeatedly to the U.S. media and even mentioned it multiple times in his address to the United Nations, going so far as to empathize with the attackers purported ‘outrage’ and went on to apologize to muslims for the insensitive nature of the video and lack of tolerance it showed.  Not until 14 days later, did Obama indicate with certainty that this incident was indeed a terror attack, well long after imbedded media sources had already made that clear.

~Scenerio B: After being provided information regarding the attacks in Benghazi, someone in the administration made the decision to attempt to cover up the attack in an effort to minimize the impact that such an attack on 9/11 would have on the appearance of Obama’s foreign policy and failed relationship building efforts in the middle east over the past 3 years. 

As we know today, some 35 days later, the attacks and murder of innocent American’s on 9/11/12 in Benghazi were deliberate, planned and executed with no challenge from those who would normally protect such interests, as their earlier request for added protection was denied by Clinton, and added to the unfortunate consequences that day. 

With less than three weeks until the November 6, 2012 election, both candidates have little time to re-tool their platform, and will instead work to strengthen their core base of supporters and attempt to reiterate their strategic direction for the United States to those undecided with a final push of political ads and the 3rd and final debate. 

All things considered, candidate Obama’s demeanor, strategy, policies and three years worth of disastrous results both domestic and abroad have given voters more than enough reasons to fire him next month and choose a new President and path for America.

Why Obama Isn’t Our Only Problem And Romney Isn’t Our Only Solution

Voting is only one part of the solution to America’s problems

With the Republican National Convention set to start Tuesday in Tampa, and just over 2 months left until the November 6, 2012 election, there is a tremendous amount of political conversation across America as to which candidates will be best suited to lead the nation in the coming years.  

Before stepping into the polling booth, all eligible voters really need to take a serious “check-up from the neck-up” in the mirror before further complaining about the current situation our nation faces with regards to financial, social, and international issues.

The problems our nation faces today are not the sole responsibility of the elected officials that we have chosen to represent us, yet instead are a reflection of the choices that WE have individually have made over time that have seemingly added up to near disaster for our nation.  Far too often, we sensationalize the ramifications of major political and social issues and decisions, but give no thought to the smaller, mundane decisions, and how that when added together they actually overshadow the major ones.

In fact, if we do nothing to change and impact the smaller daily decisions we make individually, this great nation that has previously set the pace of development for the rest of the world will ultimately slip into insignificance and America will have no-one to blame but itself.

Consider this:

~ The average American spends 13 hours a week on the internet and another 13 hours a week watching TV. 

~ More than 35% of adults and 17% of children are obese.

~ Since 1980, personal debt has grown at approximately the same rate as the out-of-control total national debt.

~ Since 2008, the number of Americans enrolled and receiving food aid (SNAP) grew from 26 million to nearly 46 million people.

~ American’s spend roughly 50% of their food expenditures at restaurants.

~ Approximately 45 million American adults are regular smokers (nearly 20% of the adult U.S. population).

 ~ Approximately 12.8 million Americans are unemployed.

~ Nearly 50% of all Americans receive some type of assistance or entitlement check from the U.S. Government, and a similar amount pay ZERO taxes into the system each year.

Americans are strapped for cash, yet eat out daily; they live sedentary lifestyles in front of electronic screens, yet complain about the rising cost of health care.  Somewhere along the line, a culture of entitlement has been created whereas normally able-bodied adults no longer feel compelled to provide for their families, take care of themselves and contribute to the good of the greater whole  while making sacrifices to accomplish both.  

Somehow, the inspirational words of John F. Kennedy “ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country” do not seem to resonate in our current culture.  In fact, many believe it is the role and responsibility of the government to provide for the people in a way is destroying personal freedom and erasing incentive to excel at a very basic level.  Not only is this ideology destructive, but it is contrary to everything that has made America prosper for three centuries.

These issues are the core of our national problem, they permeate every aspect of our current crisis and lay a tragic foundation for what we can expect in the future if there is not fundamental change at every level of our society. 

Worse yet, we’ve proven as a nation that we are unwilling to get off the couch and do anything about that which seems to attract so much political debate – that is, LEADERSHIP, by even getting out and voting on a consistent basis.   While current congressional and White House approval ratings are at near all-time lows, it seems many Americans prefer to do nothing more than complain about it, rather than impact the necessary change by getting involved in their community and voting.  In fact, for the “Voter Eligible Population”, approximately only 41% of eligible U.S. voters actually showed up and voted in the 2010 General Election, while slightly over 60% did in 2008. 

America needs great leadership to move forward away from the impending doom that she is headed for, no doubt.  Selecting a President, congress, state and local leaders that have a vision for American greatness is unquestionably a challenge that cannot be overlooked during the next 60 days, and should demand every eligible voters participation.

Keep in mind, however, President Obama is not our only problem, and Mitt Romney is not the only solution.  America has a much larger task at hand after electing a new President and public officials. A major part of that great leadership that America needs actually starts with each individual citizen understanding his and her importance and role in the future of our nation. 

America is not a nation built on a foundation of elected officials.  Instead, her strength and stability is and will always be derived from her citizens passion for exceptionalism, promise for a better future and courage in the face of never-ending world adversity.

Get involved.  America needs YOU.

Is President Obama Using Race, Gender And Religion To Divide America For Political Gain?

Is President Obama Using Race, Gender And Religion To Divide America For Political Gain?

Ira Pickett |  February 9, 2012

Is Obama Using Race, Gender, & Religion To Divide America For Political Gain?

http://www.IraPickett.com

While traditionally, the month of February has been a month of celebration and remembrance in observation of the social gains that were made by two Americans (Abraham Lincoln & Frederick Douglass) who influenced the lives and social condition of African-Americans (Black History Month), President Barack Obama took the opportunity on January 31, 2012 to release a new You Tube video for February 2012 titled “President Obama Announces the 2012 Launch of African-Americans For Obama”.  The video covers 1 minute and 43 seconds of talking points of why black Americans should get involved and support Obama in his 2012 campaign.   On the surface, this video might seem insignificant toward creating a divisive environment among Americans, that is, until one visits President Obama’s campaign website.  

In visiting Obama’s website, http://www.barackobama.com visitors there will find a disturbing drop down menu titled “Groups”  listing several categories that Obama and his team have identified as sub-sections of the American population that he believes should be isolated and spoken down to in a way that is different from that of the general public.

In alphabetical order, the groups listed on President Obama’s website are :

African-Americans

Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders

Jewish Americans

Latinos

LGBT Americans

People of Faith

Veterans & Military Families

Women

Young Americans

Within each of these sub-categories, Obama panders to the audience with anecdotal talking points seemingly to address the core issues these groups historically show interest in, and offering his administration as the only solution to their needs.  After thoroughly reading each section, one can leave with no other conclusion than to assess the ultimate intent of Obama’s  categorizing Americans is to create division, fragmentation, and discord toward one another, or the general population as whole.

This issue creates more troubling questions than his website answers. 

I find it interesting and disturbing at the same time that Obama isolates “Jewish Americans” separate from “People Of Faith”.  Does he not believe that Jews have faith?  Why does he address ‘Young American’s” but not the largest pool of registered voters – those over 55 years of age?  Surely “Women” are important, but why is there not a category for “Men”? Further, why is there no mention of “Business Owners” or “Disabled Americans” or other groups?

Of course, some Americans might prefer to identify with these sub-categories recognizing that each has unique issues, expectations and challenges. Yet, each citizen at the same time is first and foremost, and very specifically – American. The issues of some, truly are the issues of all.  The United States of America is a great nation, unlike that of any modern civilization and can take great pride in that it produced the likes of honorable hero’s such as Martin Luther King Jr. who fought to bring every category of mankind united together into one face, not judged by the color of her skin, religion, gender, or age.  President Obama’s categorization of American’s into distinct groups for political gain intentionally works to destroy everything the civil rights movement and King sought to create by inspiring equality and blindness towards differences. This strategy actually contradicts  his own words in the ‘African Americans For Obama’ video of “creating a level playing ground” by highlighting and focusing Americas attention on the differences of our nation rather than the similarities we share as a people with a greater belief in democracy, freedom and liberty.