SkimIt
Young Voters Speak Out: Each day, RR.com will spotlight politically minded youth writers from throughout the U.S. speaking their minds on Election 2012. First-time voters, student journalists and new graduates will debate the Obama vs. Romney race to the White House. Young Democrats, Republicans and ‘Undecided’ Americans are eager to play politics and choose the next Commander & Chief.
Read Brian William Waddell's thoughts from a right-leaning perspective:
Right Man Wrong Plan
Paul Ryan is now the Vice Presidential nominee for the Republican Party, but that doesn't necessarily mean that his budget reforms are going to be adopted by the Romney campaign. In fact, in their 60 Minutes interview on Sunday, Mitt Romney flatly stated that his own budget proposals would remain the standard as the campaign moves forward. While it's politically expedient for the campaign to stick with the Romney Budget, the country needs what Ryan is offering.
Leaner Meaner Government
The Left will argue that the Ryan budget is meant to hurt the poor and underprivileged. It's not. It openly states that there are aspects of Medicare and Social Security that must be preserved in order to protect the poor, disabled, and elderly of this country. It suggests that the systems need to be overhauled, slimmed down, and more control be given to the people rather than huge governmental bureaucracies. Some form of overhaul is required or both programs will be bankrupt and unable to help anyone by 2038. Ryan is a small government guy through and through and that is exactly what this country needs now.
Leveling the Playing Field
Ryan's views on taxation were also put on display in the interview. When Romney was answering the third question from Bob Schieffer about the rich paying their fair share of taxes, Ryan chimed in with, What we're saying is take away the tax shelters that are uniquely enjoyed by people in the top tax brackets so they can't shelter as much money from taxation, so we can lower tax rates for everybody to make America more competitive. The idea of removing certain tax shelters for the super wealthy and reducing, or flattening, taxes for the rest of the country is something that should appeal to all Americans. Plus, it could be a fiscally neutral and politically popular move if done correctly.
Move over Mitt
If you didn't see 60 Minutes on Sunday, you should watch the interview online. It's a nice introduction to a man who holds up very well to criticism because his policies are fiscally sound and make sense. Even his recent profile in The New Yorker showed him in a positive light in a magazine not known for being friendly to conservatives. He actually believes in what he says, and he has facts to back up what he believes. But, I can't say it any better than Mitt Romney did Sunday night when asked why he chose Ryan over all the other possibilities, He has the experience and judgment, capacity and character to become president.
