Our nation remains mired in the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Millions are out of work. In a climate of regulatory uncertainty, companies fear to make the decisions they must make to grow. Investors are hanging on to their money, unwilling to take the risks that fuel innovation and job creation.
This stagnation is a failure of government. It is a result of the false religion of Washington, the belief that, to be truly free, the American people and the nation's enterprises must be corralled and contained, regulated and controlled by those who wrongly believe they know what's best for the rest of us.
In the 2012 election, the Republican Party must offer the American people a clear alternative to President Obama and the Democrats. On Tuesday, the people of New Hampshire will help make that choice.
We urge Republicans and independents to support Mitt Romney in the New Hampshire Republican primary.
In his private career as a successful venture capitalist and his public career as governor of Massachusetts, Romney has shown he can make the tough executive decisions needed to get the nation back on track.
As governor of Massachusetts, Romney eliminated a $3 billion budget deficit and cut state spending, not merely reducing its rate of growth.
Romney wants to lift the foot of government from the neck of American business. He wants to trim away the mass of regulation built up under President Obama and let the free enterprise system work once more.
Romney wants to cut federal spending, capping it at 20 percent of the gross domestic product. That has been the average spending rate since the 1950s until Obama took office. Romney also favors lower tax rates spread over a broader tax base.
The world is a dangerous place. Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons. North Korea, a rogue state that already possesses nuclear weapons, is now under the control of an inexperienced leader about whom little is known. China, flush with cash from its surging economy, is beginning to flex its international muscles.
Romney believes in a strong national defense. He believes that the world is a safer place when America is strong. He says that while there are certainly weapons systems that can be cut and cost savings to be realized, he favors rebuilding our aging Navy and Air Force, keeping our Army well-staffed and caring for our returning veterans.
Romney is not a flawless candidate. In the weeks leading up to primary season, Republicans have flirted with other candidates as Romney alternatives. But upon closer examination, each of these new "not-Mitts" has exhibited flaws of his or her own.
Romney has faced questioning on whether he is a "true conservative" on social issues and accusations that he has "flip-flopped" on positions ranging from gun rights to abortion.
To be sure, Romney has not always been consistent on such matters. We would like Romney to speak with more clarity and consistency on these issues. But frankly, with the nation staring into the economic abyss, social issues diminish in importance. Ideological purists might ask themselves if punishing Mitt Romney for inconsistency on abortion is worth four more years of an Obama presidency.
America cannot endure four more years of the current administration. We cannot be led by those who believe this nation is nothing special, who are convinced our best days are behind us.
We need a solid Republican alternative to the Obama presidency, a voice of optimism and true hope for a better tomorrow. We need a candidate who will draw a clear, bright line between where he stands and where Obama stands. Then let the voters decide in November which person can best lead our country.
We believe the best choice in New Hampshire for Republicans and independents is Mitt Romney.
Copyright © 2012
Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc., all rights
reserved. Reprinted by permission (Al White, editor, in Jan. 30,
2012 email).