Whether you're PRObama, NObama, or still undecided, 52 Reasons to Vote for Obama gives you all the information you need to share with friends, debate with relatives and decide for yourself as we head toward one of the most important elections of our lifetime. I'll post a new reason in random order every Monday through Friday from now 'til the election.
Voters should have a chance to choose between clear alternatives. Obama -- consistent with his obligations as president -- has laid out a multi-year budget embodying his vision for the future, and it has been evaluated by independent experts. It is time for Romney to do the same. -- former Treasury secretary Lawrence Summers
President Obama has laid out a clear plan and vision for America if he is reelected. Romney's agenda remains vague, uncertain and full of holes. And no wonder: Romney has flipflopped on so many critical issues, it is unsurprising he cannot lay out his core beliefs. To win over the radical right, he has changed his position so many times on so many different issues that he may have lost his core beliefs ... and that is a frightening statement to ponder.
In February, Obama released his budget for America: Reduce deficits by more than $4 trillion over the next decade, bring federal discretionary spending to its lowest levels since the 1960s, $2.50 in spending cuts for every $1 in additional revenue, everyone pays his or her fair share of taxes, repeal the Bush tax cuts for families making more than $250,000 a year, and close loopholes and shelters for the rich.
The independent Congressional Budget Office confirmed that Obama's plan would stabilize the debt as a share of the economy, putting us back on solid fiscal ground. And it would accomplish these goals while making targeted investments in education, research and infrastructure that are essential to strengthening and growing our economy for the future.
Mitt Romney has yet to explain how he can possibly cut taxes by $5 trillion and lower the deficit while dramatically increasing spending on defense. Frankly, it's just not mathematically possible. And he knows it. That's why Romney is notoriously circumspect in giving details regarding which programs he would cut, telling Stephen Hayes, a senior writer at the conservative Weekly Standard:
One of the things I found in a short campaign against Ted Kennedy was that when I said, for instance, that I wanted to eliminate the Department of Education, that was used to suggest I don't care about education. So I think it's important for me to point out that I anticipate that there will be departments and agencies that will either be eliminated or combined with other agencies... So will there be some that get eliminated or combined? The answer is yes, but I'm not going to give you a list right now.
Hayes then noted, "In a conversation with him, you can feel him thinking about his words, trying to make sure he doesn't say anything that could become the latest in a string of gaffes... His inveterate risk-aversion often comes off as a lack of commitment to conservative policies and goals."
Barack Obama, on the other hand, has clearly demonstrated his consistent commitment to certain principles and ideals and has taken decisive stands, even when they may not be politically advantageous. Pushing health care reform in his first year, bailing out GM and Chrysler and supporting the freedom to marry for same-sex couples are just a few examples.
Obama is running on his record -- a record of concrete steps he has undertaken along with specific proposals for action he will take in his next term. Obama has successfully passed a detailed vision for improving the health care system. Romney promises to repeal it but gives only a vague idea of what he would replace it with. Obama had to make the tough choices that averted another Great Depression. Romney has been able to play it safe, criticizing from the sidelines as he's run for president these last eight years.
Romney's record as a flip-flopper is well-known. His likely policies as president are not.
Obama's record -- like it or not -- is out there for all the world to see. You know where he stands.
Judge away, America.
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