OBAMA vs. ROOT- Two Very Different Career Paths from Columbia University Class of 1983: The Case for a Small Businessman as President
Barack Obama and I both graduated from the same class at the same college- Columbia University, Class of '83. We both chose the same major-Political Science. Today we are both running for President of the United States. The only difference is that Barack is the darling of the liberal news media- who give him a "free pass" on whether he's qualified to run the greatest country and economy in world history. Since we come from such similar educational backgrounds, yet we each chose such divergent paths since graduation, I thought a study of what each has accomplished in the "real world" might shed some light on who is best qualified to occupy the White House and run the greatest economy in world history. Upon graduation, I decided not to pursue a law degree and career as an attorney. I wanted to change the world, not sue the world. I therefore chose a career as an entrepreneur. My classmate Barack chose a very different path- he has spent much of the past quarter century as a law student, lawyer, law professor, community activist and career politician. Are those the qualifications for running the greatest economy in world history? Are those qualifications for commanding the greatest military force in world history? What is a "community activist" anyway? Isn't that just a professional protestor? Al Sharpton is a "community activist." What exactly has Mr. Sharpton ever done besides lead protest marches and attract media attention through fanning the flames of controversy? Does anyone think that Mr. Sharpton should run America? Or run the American economy? How is Barack's life experience any different?
What experience learned as a "community activist" prepares someone to lead a country? I am perplexed. In media reports Barack himself admitted that only 7 years ago, he did not have the money to buy an airplane ticket to attend the 2000 Democratic National Convention. An airplane ticket costs about $400 (at the most). To be honest, the inability of a grown man (with an Ivy League degree) to afford a $400 airline ticket frightens the heck out of me. If you can't figure out a way to earn enough money to buy an airline ticket, I don't want you anywhere near the White House. I'm by no means super-wealthy, but I'd guess I've flown (and therefore purchased) close to a thousand flights in my adult life. That's what competent business executives do- we fly to wherever we find good business opportunities. The cost of the plane ticket is not an issue for any semi-successful adult. To be honest, never once have I ever thought about whether to buy a plane ticket or not. If you have to think before buying a plane ticket, you're certainly no business whiz. As a matter of fact, I'd say your entire understanding of business and money would come into question. You certainly shouldn't be in charge of the United States economy! Should this story of Barack Obama's lack of success only 7 short years ago give the American people pause? It certainly should. I don't want this guy anywhere near my money...or the American economy.
In that same quarter century since Barack and I graduated from Columbia University, I've led a very different life. I've experienced both up and downs, success and failure, as a "serial entrepreneur" and business leader. As a small businessman, I've raised tens of millions of dollars to found numerous businesses; paid hundreds of weekly payrolls (often $50,000 and above); created hundreds of jobs for my employees; taken my company public on Wall Street; and created hundreds of millions of dollars in revenues for the U.S. economy. Today, I'm proud to report that I'm the only small businessman running for President. I've earned a fantastic income over the years, yet I far from super wealthy. I live in the real world- I still understand the problems and worries of real Americans. I have 3 young children and a new baby Root on the way. I still worry every day about my bills, paying my mortgage, my payroll taxes (for my business), my property taxes, my health insurance (for dozens of employees), and paying for my children's future college educations (4 of them).
How important are small businesses (and small businessmen and women) to the U.S. economy? I'm Founder, Chairman and CEO of a small business that has struggled often since founding in 2000. Yet even a struggling young business has created about $50 million in spending for the U.S. economy. Whether that company makes money or loses money, we still had to spend tens of millions in advertising, marketing, rent, payroll, payroll taxes, health insurance, massive phone bills, office furniture, computer equipment, lawyers, accountants, etc. With all that spending we made countless media buyers, ad agency executives, insurance brokers, landlords, lawyers and stockbrokers wealthy.
All that money we paid to our vendors, employees and business associates was in turn used by them to pay their office rent, payroll taxes, property taxes, personal mortgages, restaurant and grocery bills, etc. Each dollar was spent at least ten times over. All that money that I raised and spent paid for the salaries and mortgages of my employees. They in turn paid for the mortgages and salaries of the employees of the banks that hold their mortgages. My employees bought homes- thereby paying the salaries, mortgages and taxes of builders, mortgage brokers, real estate brokers, attorneys, roofers, painters, electricians, plumbers, and many others. It paid for their groceries and visits to restaurants and movie theatres. That $50 million in spending that my small business created out of thin air (multiplied by ten), actually adds up to a $500 million effect on the American economy. One little 'ole small businessman like me- by founding one small business- has had a $500 million effect on this great country. Now multiply that effect times millions of small businessmen just like me- and you'll start to understand why small business is the backbone of the American economy. Without the courage of entrepreneurs and small businesspersons risking their life savings, assets, and financial security to startup a business, none of this happens. Billions of dollars are lost forever. Millions of jobs are cut. The American economy falters and contracts. We become France (a country where entrepreneurship is discouraged).
Where was my college classmate Barack Obama while I was doing all that? Studying books. Leading protest marches. Perhaps suing people that create jobs and pump millions into the economy (that's what lawyers do). What does he know about the economy, about business, about creating jobs, about the stress and pressure of making $50,000 payrolls every week? What does he know about pumping tens of millions of dollars into the American economy? The answer is that he knows nothing about all that. Like most professional students, professors, community activists and lawyers- what Barack knows about business, he's read in a book.
But book-smart knowledge has never created a job, or paid a payroll. Not one. But to be fair, Barack isn't alone. Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Bill Richardson have never started a business, run a business, risked their own money on a business, created jobs, or pumped millions into the U.S. economy either. For that matter, most of the GOP Presidential candidates have never started or run a business either (but at least they applaud, appreciate and support business and try to keep the tax burden down on the job creators). John McCain has never run a business. Ron Paul is a doctor- he knows zero about how business works. Rudy Guliani is a former prosecutor. Fred Thompson is an actor and former attorney.
Yet all of these clueless politicians think they are qualified to run the greatest economy in the world. The only Presidential candidate that truly understands business is Mitt Romney. He's worth over $250 million. Mitt can buy and sell a small businessman like me. But he was born into wealth and privilege. Mitt's dad was Governor of Michigan and CEO of American Motors. He has no clue about the problems of average Americans, or the backbone of our economy- small businessmen. Mitt has been in big business since the day he was born- with every possible door opened for him by a very powerful, wealthy, connected father. Mitt has never even spelled the word "struggle." Mitt is brilliant and successful, but out of touch with ordinary Americans.
I'm a S.O.B. (son of a butcher). I'm the only candidate who started with blue collar roots (excuse the pun); who now has business know-how and experience; who lives in the real world and understands the role and importance and concerns of small business. For 50 years now, we've voted for Presidential candidates who are multi-millionaire, out-of-touch, big business CEO's; or lawyers turned career politicians and government bureaucrats; or spoiled brat lucky-sperm-club members born to the right father and mother. Have they done a good job? Maybe it's time to elect a common-sense small businessman with a young family, a big mortgage, and who faces all the same problems and concerns as average Americans- overwhelming taxes, expensive and inadequate health insurance, and the biggest problem of all- getting our kids a good education. We certainly couldn't do worse with a S.O.B. (son of a butcher) small businessman than we've done with career politicians and out-of-touch millionaires.
I'm sure my old college classmate Barack is a nice guy. I'm certain he's a smart guy. I know he went to a great college! But the path he's chosen has not prepared him to run the greatest and most powerful country in the history of civilization. Not by a long shot. First he needs to take his entire life savings- that he's only earned by achieving fame and writing books in the last 3 years- and invest it all in a business, create a few jobs, pay a few big payrolls, and pump a few million dollars into the economy. Spend a few years risking everything you've got Barack, then watch as government regulations strangle your progress every step of the way...and high taxation prevents you from re-investing in your company's success. Then in 4 to 8 years come back and we'll talk. Maybe then he'll understand business a little better. Maybe then he'll understand the burden of taxes on the very people who take all the risk and create all the jobs. Maybe then Barack will be ready to run the U.S. economy. Maybe. Until then, remember this wise saying: "Those who can, do (run a business); those who can't teach (law); those who can't even teach, become career politicians and run the country." No wonder we're in such trouble. We choose to elect the wrong people to lead our nation.
By Wayne Allyn Root, Candidate for the Libertarian Party Presidential Nomination
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( 3 / 1513 )A new study came out last week that proves that liberals (Democrats and Progressives) read more books than Conservatives (Republicans or Libertarians). Leading publishing executives even commented on it, saying that more books should be aimed at liberals because Conservatives just don't read. The inference, of course, is that Conservatives are ignorant, lazy, or just not intellectually curious. Meanwhile liberals will undoubtedly use these new "facts" to prove that they are intellectual heavyweights- the very kind of highly informed intellectuals who should be running our country. What a crock! The truth is that facts are many times misleading- and this is a perfect example. The fact is that liberals have the time to read books simply because they are rarely in positions of authority or leadership- they do not own businesses, run companies, or serve in positions of great responsibility. It's easy to find the time to read a book on a couch or lazy-boy when you get off work at 3 PM daily- and have no responsibilities once you walk out the office door. Unfortunately for the rest of us in positions of ownership and leadership, our days never end. We are making business calls, participating in conference calls, and answering emails at all hours of the day and night. For the people defined as "conservative" our responsibilities never end- leaving us little, if any, time to even fantasize about reading books.
Who are "conservatives?" Find me a General in the military- I'll show you a conservative. Find me a Head Coach in the sports world- I'll show you a conservative. Find me a business owner or entrepreneur- I'll show you a conservative (at least a fiscal conservative). Find me a Bank President or Wall Street investment banker- I'll show you a conservative. Find me a corporate CEO- I'll show you a conservative. Find me a small business owner- I'll show you a conservative. Find me a sales executive (stockbroker, real estate broker, insurance broker, mortgage broker)- I'll show you a conservative. Conservatives are simply defined as the "producers" of our economy- Americans with important jobs; in leadership positions; with great responsibility; the type of people that are "on the go" 24/7- who make our economy go and grow.
No, conservatives don't have the time to read books. But they are busy creating, funding and shaping the businesses, industries, and jobs that make a difference in our world (and our economy). Reading books is not something they have time for in their busy schedules. They have mortgages, property taxes, income taxes, private schools and college educations (for their kids) to pay for. When you're bright and ambitious and want to provide a better life for your family, there are a lot of bills to pay- big bills. No, reading books is just not high up on the "priority list" for conservatives.
Equally misleading is the fact that, while busy entrepreneurs and executives (like me) don't have time to read books, we actually read far more than any liberal. We simply choose to read publications important to our careers, our success, and our understanding of the business world. For instance I rarely read a book- but I read 5 to 7 newspapers a day. My daily "must read" is the Wall Street Journal. I read it from front to back every morning. I also read the NY Times, LA Times, USA Today and my local Las Vegas Review Journal. But that's just the start. I read Forbes, Fortune, Robb Report and a multitude of other important business and political magazines. By the way, I do "read" several books a month- but I do not have the time to sit and read them in traditional fashion. I read them by listening to books on tape. So while liberals are fancying themselves as "gifted intellectuals" because they read 2 or 3 books a month, I'm busy reading 50 to 100 business publications a month, while also listening to 20 books on tape. So who's really doing the most reading? I'd argue that reading the Wall Street Journal daily is far more intellectual and crucial to success, than reading 2 or 3 books (perhaps romance novels or psycho-babble by Dr. Phil) at the beach. Reading books is a good thing- but not nearly as good for society (or the economy) as working 24/7 to create and build businesses. Not even close. Liberals don't read more books than conservatives because they are smarter- they just have more leisure time.
It's nice that liberals have time to relax and read a fictional bestseller- but unfortunately the rest of us with ambition, responsibilities, families and nonstop business meetings don't have that luxury. We're a tad busy creating jobs, paying high taxes (created by liberals to punish the producers of society), making payrolls, and raising our families. You show me a guy with a wife, 2 or 3 kids, an important job or career, and a big mortgage- I'll show you someone that rarely if ever has the time to read a book (except perhaps on a long airplane trip on the way to a business meeting). But that's the guy that our American economy depends on- as a matter of fact we could not survive without millions of men and women just like him. Those are the conservative voters.
The reason that Conservatives don't read books is the exact same reason that liberals fail miserably on talk radio. Just in the past few months, high-profile liberal talk radio networks Air America and Jane Fonda's GreenStone Media (feminist radio) both declared bankruptcy and went off the air. Why? Because radio is not something most people listen to at home. Talk radio is the perfect form of entertainment while driving in your car. And who drives in their cars (particularly during morning and evening rush hour)? People with jobs, businesses, careers- otherwise known as conservatives (at least fiscal conservatives). Talk radio is dominated by conservative hosts- they literally scream all day long about high taxes and wasteful government spending. You know why? Because the drivers listening to these shows are the ones who pay all the taxes!
Polls show only 20% of the American electorate actually rates taxes as a top political priority. You know why? Because that's the 20% of Americans that pays virtually 100% of the taxes! The tax burden in this country is all on the backs of the "producers"- the 20% of the electorate that creates, founds, funds and runs their own businesses. Those are the 20% that invest in America and make the American economy grow. Those are the 20% that create most of the jobs. Those are the 20% who pay the taxes that allow the rest of the electorate to sit back at 4 PM and read a nice book. That's precisely why that 20% is so angry at high taxation without representation. That's why they are so angry at the expansion of government. That's why they are so angry at wasteful government spending; because it's our money that's being spent!
Conservatives drive in the morning to work (sometimes an hour or longer commute), they drive back home at night, they drive in-between to business lunches, client meetings and sales calls. Then they drive on Saturday and Sunday mornings to their children's ballgames, karate classes, Lacrosse matches, and swimming lessons. These are people with families, big mortgages, careers. No wonder they are fiscally conservative. I understand them because I'm one of them. We're the people at the top of the U.S. income charts, yet there's still never anything left at the end of the month (especially at the end of April 15th- tax day). We bust our humps for our families- yet liberal bureaucrats think the money we earn by breaking our backs is their money to dole out as bribes to typical Democrat voters- people that sit around on the couch all day watching soap operas, Jerry Springer and personal injury lawyer ads. So, yes we're angry... and fed up... and sick and tired of our hard-earned money being used as government handouts to bribe Democrat voters. We're not rich- not by a longshot. We're just struggling at a much higher level! And you're damn right we listen to conservative talk radio. Conservative talk radio hosts like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly and Michael Savage feel our pain. That's why liberals fail miserably on talk radio- talk radio is for people that WORK and pay taxes and feed the American economy. These are called Conservatives.
So before liberals start bragging about their reading skills, perhaps they need to understand why Conservatives don't have time to read. Like me, they're too busy trying to build something of value to leave to their children. Burying yourself in a book is a luxury for people without ambition. People satisfied with average jobs, pedestrian careers, and safe paychecks; people that are afraid of risk or responsibility; people that crave safe weekly paychecks, that come with little or no real responsibility; people who want tenure- a job for life- without regard for performance; people, who want a government bureaucrat's pension; people who want to work 9-to-5, with holidays and summers off. Those are the liberals who have the time to read lots of books.
But those who (like me) are out in the business world creating things of value, creating jobs, paying huge payrolls and taxes and health insurance for our employees, responsible for million dollar budgets, taking multimillion dollar risks- we don't have that luxury. We don't get summers off. Our days don't end at 3 PM or 5 PM... or ever. We take our work, business calls and emails home with us. When you run or own a business, it's your baby. The day never ends for conservatives like that. Neither do the bills or taxes. Those kind of people- small business owners, entrepreneurs, executives, salespersons, independent contractors (stockbrokers, real estate brokers, insurance brokers, mortgage brokers, investment bankers)- work 24/7 to pay the bills. Why? It's called ambition. It's called capitalism. It is our ambition and work ethic has created the greatest economy in the history of civilization. But it comes with a price- there's no time to read a lot of books. Yes, I'm a Libertarian-Conservative. And I'm proud of it. No, we don't read books. We build businesses...we build families...we build legacies...we build the United States economy.
Wayne Allyn Root is a candidate for the Libertarian Party Presidential nomination. He is a proud Conservative. He's also an author- ROOT may not read books, but he's written six books and counting.
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( 3 / 2287 )In another life, when I was still a huge Republican supporter and contributor, I hosted Karl Rove at my home (2 years ago) for a Republican Party fundraiser. The man known as "The Genius" of GOP political strategy sat next to me at my dining room table. We talked politics and discussed strategy for keeping the GOP in power for years to come. We both had the same goal- keeping our party in power long-term. But we each saw a very different picture and believed in very different strategies to accomplish that goal.
Rove thought that "playing to the base first and foremost" (to religious Christian conservatives) was the way to cement GOP dominance. I disagreed strongly- both at that meeting and in future letters to Rove, I made it clear that in the "real world" business circles that I traveled in, the GOP was fast losing support. I told him that the more "W" pandered to the religious right, the more crucial support they'd lose among moderates, independents, Libertarians, business owners, and Barry Goldwater Republicans. I told him that issues such as the Terri Schiavo fiasco (assisted suicide), gay rights, stem cell research, and the proposed ban on online gaming were all alienating at least two voters (moderates, independents, Libertarians and Goldwater conservatives) for every one religious Christian that was attracted to the GOP.
As my prime example, I pointed to the proposed ban on online gaming and poker that Rove, Bush, and key GOP leaders like Senators Frist and Kyle, Congressmen Goodlatte and Leach supported. I pointed out to Rove that online gaming was not some new niche fad- but rather a national phenomenon (if not obsession) that was here to stay. I explained that tens of millions of men- most of them traditional GOP voters and contributors (college-educated males with high incomes- often small business owners, professionals, independent contractors, salesmen)- were devoted sports bettors, casino gamblers and poker enthusiasts. And since these same educated, high-income men are also known as "first adapters" (first to adapt to new technology), most of them were doing their betting or poker playing on the Internet, on their home computers. I pointed out that those same men voted Republican because they were convinced that the GOP was the party of smaller government, less government interference in our lives, and freedom for the individual (which of course includes Internet freedom).
I pointed out to Rove that millions of American men who vote predominantly Republican for economic reasons (they are fiscal conservatives and simply want lower taxes and government out of their way and out of their lives) think the same way- they believe that not only is there nothing wrong with playing poker on your own computer, in your own home, with your own money- it is none of the government's damn business in the first place. I told Rove that if he ever polled Republican male voters- especially those with incomes over $100,000 (the main contributors to the GOP)- on the topic of online gambling, he'd find that 90 out of every 100 would admit to enjoying gambling; 70 out of 100 would admit to enjoying online gaming or poker; and the others are either lying or scared to admit they enjoy gambling in front of their wives!
I was soon proven correct when polls in both the Wall Street Journal and on CNBC showed overwhelming universal support for online gaming (approaching 90%). But Rove ignored my opinions and allowed the GOP Congress to ban online gaming (by attaching the bill to a Port Security Bill at the last minute of the last hour of the Republican controlled Congress). It was a disastrous decision- angering millions of traditional and natural GOP allies and contributors. It cemented the impression that the GOP was no longer the party of smaller government. And worse, it made it clear that the GOP and the religious right allies they pandered to, supported "the Nanny State." Grown men (and women) were now being told by the GOP how to live their lives, what form of entertainment to choose, and how to spend their own money. Free will, individual rights, and choice were obviously no longer welcome at the GOP.
As a result, I predicted on Fox News Channel in the days before the 2006 election that the GOP would lose control of Congress. I was proven right. "The genius" Karl Rove was wrong. The election was a disaster for the GOP, Bush, Rove and their allies. Rove had badly misjudged the strength of his religious coalition. But Rove's misjudgement was not just a short term blip- it has alienated younger voters against the GOP for many years to come. As Democratic strategist James Carville recently pointed out, Democrats now beat Republicans in polls by a whopping 32 points among voters 30 or younger. I wonder if Karl Rove ever used his "genius" to figure out why young Americans have turned against the GOP? Young college-age and post-college age males spend half their waking hours doing two things (other than chasing girls)- playing poker and gambling on sports. Do you think perhaps the GOP decision to support a Prohibition on online gaming might have had something to do with the dramatic Democratic edge among younger voters? Ya think?
So I guess the "genius label" is applied far too quickly and prematurely in national politics. Today's hero is often tomorrow's goat. Of course my skepticism applies equally to the "Democratic genius" James Carville too. In a recent commentary by Carville, he correctly pointed out that Rove's policies and strategies have damaged the GOP for years to come. But he is no genius either- because he drew the wrong conclusion. Carville concluded that "young voters generally favor larger government providing more services." He further concluded that the GOP's loss would be the Democrats gain- obviously because liberal Democrats are the party of bigger government. I disagree strongly. Carville is as biased and delusional as Rove. They are both too close to the situation- as lifetime supporters and benefactors of their respective political parties.
Polls have proven again and again that the American electorate favors smaller government, lower taxes, and less spending. When asked if they are fiscally conservative and socially liberal, American voters answered "YES" in large numbers. When asked if they are a member of the "Investor Class" a majority of Americans answered "YES." Obviously these are polls of the general electorate- which is comprised primarily of Americans out of college, and in the workplace. Younger voters may temporarily want bigger government and more services, but that is a short-term blip. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out that college-age students are idealistic, not realistic. They haven't earned a paycheck yet. Heck, they haven't even applied for a job. Once they reach the "real world" and get hit with economic reality- ie getting their first paycheck and finding out that 50% is missing (to taxes)- they'll quickly turn fiscally conservative (otherwise known as Libertarian). It's only hip, trendy and "compassionate" to root for bigger government and more government services when you don't get a paycheck or pay taxes. It's only natural to support more entitlements when you're not paying a dime for them.
As soon as today's college students and recent college grads spend a year or two in the "real world" and find their dreams dashed and their purchasing power destroyed by taxes, they'll quickly turn conservative on fiscal and economic issues, and become supporters of smaller government, lower taxes, and reduced spending. Afterall, only those who pay no taxes, could possibly support higher taxes. Only those who don't own a home, could possibly support higher property taxes. Only those who don't own stocks or real estate, could possibly support higher capital gains taxes. Only those who are too young to have their own children or to think about their parents' mortality, could possibly support death taxes. Only those who don't own their own business or don't receive a healthy paycheck from a corporation, could possibly support higher taxes on businesses.
Carville is just another out-of-touch, na‹ve, bleeding heart liberal who hasn't a clue what makes real Americans in the workforce tick. I'm a pretty typical American. I'm 46 years old. I've worked 14 to 16 hour days running my companies and building my career for the past quarter of a century. I sacrifice every day in order to provide my family with the best life has to offer- NOT to provide strangers or government bureaucrats with more money. I sacrifice so that when I die, everything I've worked for and built goes to my family- NOT to strangers or government bureaucrats.
No Mr. Carville, I don't work 14 to 16 hour days, 7 days a week, so that my money and success and all the fruits of my labor should go to the people that don't sacrifice, that don't work 16 hour days, that don't have "ownership" in society, that don't pay taxes, that expect to be handed their income while they sit on the couch watching soap operas, Jerry Springer, Gilligan's Island reruns, and personal injury lawyer advertisements all day.
College students don't understand that feeling just yet, so it is to be expected they'd naively support bigger government- before they've earned a paycheck, paid any significant taxes, bought a stock, or owned a home. But their attitudes will all change quickly once they go to work, earn a paycheck, find out the brutal reality of taxes and how they erode their standard of living, and take part in the ownership society.
In the end, both Rove and Carville are dead wrong. Current trends don't support the success of either Republicans or Democrats. Approval ratings of 30% for Republican President Bush and 25% for our Democratic Congress prove that. In the future, I believe a majority of younger Americans will choose to become a perfect mix of conservative (on issues such as smaller government, lower taxes, reduced government spending, lower entitlements, elimination of affirmative action) and liberal (on social issues such as abortion, gay rights, stem cell research, assisted suicide, online gaming and Internet freedom). That combination is not found in either the GOP or Democratic Parties. It is only found in the Libertarian Party. Change is in the air- the time is ripe for the success of a credible third party challenger in the American political system. Moving forward into the future, neither Republicans nor Democrats have the answers or solutions that Americans want and need to hear. For younger voters, older voters and everyone in-between, whether the topic is fiscal policy or social policy- the answer isn't bigger government, it's more freedom. It's more free will; choice; and freedom and rights for the individual. The Libertarian Party is the obvious beneficiary of the mistakes, miscalculations and misjudgements of Rove and Carville. The lesson to this story is to be careful who we choose to label a "genius."
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( 3 / 1751 )Liberals have always been hypocrites. But John Edwards is the poster boy for all-time! He creates a crystal-clear picture that only a complete idiot could miss. So actually Conservatives and Libertarians across the country owe a debt of gratitude to John. THANK YOU JOHN EDWARDS.
Let me count the ways that liberal John the lawyer is a hypocrite.
First, he lectures around the country on the subject of poverty. John considers himself a "poverty crusader." A warrior in the battle to protect and defend the poor. Yet it turns out that when John lectures on this topic he charges $50,000 a speech. But wait, that $50,000 was the charge to a college. Can you imagine what he charges corporations? Yes, if young broke college kids want to hear our hero John speak about poverty for an hour- they have to pony up $50,000. Well that's heroic, don't you think? John redefines Robin Hood. He steals $50,000 from broke college kids in order to talk about poverty! But he's the one creating the poverty. After John Edwards speaks to your college or organization about poverty, it's good that everyone in the audience has a deep new understanding of poverty- because they're now experiencing it! By the way, when you watch John define poverty, you get the pleasure of watching a "poverty expert" with a $400 haircut. Wow, John also redefines chutzpah.
Secondly, while John lectures on the amazing and "unfair" tax breaks afforded to the rich- including offshore hedge funds and banks- it turns out that he was paid $500,000 last year by...if you guess this one, you qualify for the million dollar prize giveaway...an offshore hedge fund! Yes, I said an offshore hedge fund. John says he merely wanted to understand how offshore banks worked. Which would actually be a plausible excuse (well at least it would qualify as an acceptable coverup), if he hadn't been paid $500,000 for his foreign study course. So why accept the $500,000? Well, I guess someone has to pay the bills on John's 20,000 square foot North Carolina mansion. Just the electric bill has to be $500,000 for a man that I'm certain will soon claim to be a "global warming crusader" too. John has brought chutzpah to a whole new level never experienced before.
Third, we bring you the latest and greatest episode of "Adventures in Being John the Hypocrite." You see John has criticized his fellow Democrats for either taking money from Rupert Murdoch (specifically a $30,000 donation to Hillary Clinton) or even appearing on Fox News Channel. He feels Murdoch and Fox are biased against liberals. But it turns out that John took a $800,000 check in the form of a book advance from...guess who? Rupert Murdoch and his News Corp (parent company of book publisher Harper Collins). That doesn't seem to bother John. Not only does John refuse to give back that money, he claims to have donated it to charity- although he has produced no receipts. This just keeps getting better.
By the way, John also says that Democrat Presidential candidates should refuse to accept contributions from lobbyists. That smacks of "special interests" to John. But John has financed almost his entire Presidential campasigns of 2004 and 2008 on contributions from lawyers and the ABA (American Bar Association). Without trial and Personal Injury lawyers, John wouldn't have two nickels to rub together. So according to John the Hypocrite, lobbyists are bad...but lawyers and bar associations are good? Wow, this is really getting funny. Jay Leno couldn't come up with better material.
Here's a question I have for John Edwards: just a wild guess, but being that John fights for "fairness" with every waking breath, and he obviously- as a liberal crusader- is a big fan of higher spending on public education, does John send his two young kids to public school? I'd bet a cool million that the answer is a resounding, hypocritical "NO!" The Robin Hood of our day, the $400 per haircut, $50,000 per speech, $500,000 per year offshore hedge fund consultant, who hates lobbyists and loves public school educators sends his kids to the fanciest private schools that money can buy in North Carolina. Wanna bet? Does the hypocrisy ever end? But I must confess, I love John the Hypocrite. He has summed up in a short few months what being a liberal is all about. John Edwards is a gift from heaven. John the Hypocrite, we love you.
Wayne Allyn Root is a Libertarian candidate for President of the United States. His opinions, commentaries and Bio are all available at:
www.ROOT4America.com
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( 3 / 5256 )Wayne Root on Ron Paul: "His views on smaller government, reduced
Spending and more individual freedom are music to my ears."
Ron Paul is the biggest surprise of the 2008 Presidential race. He's also perhaps the biggest mystery and enigma in modern political history. Paul is a mystery to both mainstream voters/mainstream media who haven't heard of him and to his own supporters.
Mystery #1: Paul is a complete mystery to both the national media and mainstream voters. They can't understand why an almost unknown Texas Congressman and small-town baby doctor is generating so much intense support in the Presidential race. Doctor Paul is generating the most Internet 'heat' of any candidate, Republican or Democrat. He's inspiring people, young and old, across the country to get involved in the political process. Ron Paul is, at least on the Internet, the most hip and happening candidate on the planet.
Now mystery #2: Ron Paul's own loyal Libertarian supporters can't understand why he's polling at only 1-3% in national polls. They wonder how it's possible that a wonderful, genuine man with so many intense, committed supporters and such a powerful message could poll so poorly. On Libertarian blogs and web sites, conspiracy theories abound: "It's a conspiracy", "The right people aren't being polled", "The GOP has rigged the polls", "There's an undercurrent of support that doesn't show up in traditional polls"...
To Ron Paul's loyal fans and supporters it just doesn't seem possible that he's polling in the low single digits alongside anonymous long-shots such as Tom Tancredo, Sam Brownback, Mike Huckabee and Jim Gilmore (who just dropped out of the race). After all, none of those candidates has anything close to Ron Paul's level of support, volunteers, Internet buzz or fundraising success. Something appears amiss.
Well, I'm going to tell you, because it's easily explained. Let's start with the mainstream voters and the mainstream media who just can't figure Ron Paul out. "Why is he so popular?" they wonder. The answer is simple: FREEDOM. Freedom is a concept so powerful it convinced me, a lifelong Republican, to leave the GOP. And even more telling, to become a Life Member of the Libertarian Party. But as I've said on so many talk shows, I didn't leave the GOP. The Republican Party left me.
I admit it took me a few years to understand the seriousness of the attacks on our liberties and freedom. It took time to recognize the violation of our civil liberties; the obsession with morality and the invasion into the homes, bedrooms and computers of average Americans. I finally realized the damage rendered to our Constitution; how the GOP has abandoned of the principles of small government conservatism. And finally, the betrayal of everything my heroes Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan stood for.
Millions of American voters are now waking up to damage done by George W. Bush. Ironically many of the most vocal, are former Republican Libertarians and conservatives, angry at the biggest expansion of government in modern history. No doubt Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan are rolling over in their graves.
The problems my hero Goldwater spoke of in the late 1950's when he wrote "The Conscience of a Conservative" still apply today:
* The federal government run amok and turned into Big Brother
* A runaway train called the Welfare State eating up more and more of our budget
* A majority of Americans beholden to government for jobs and entitlements
* Massive budget deficits brought on by wasteful government spending
* Tax cuts put into place without regard for spending cuts to offset
* The federal government violating the constitution by getting involved in states' rights issues - like education, abortion, assisted suicide, medical marijuana, gay marriage, stem cell research and online gaming.
These are only some reasons why so many Libertarians and Conservatives are disillusioned. And, why so many Republicans are abandoning the party in droves.
Note: Libertarian Party Membership is up 18%!
Enter a patriot named Ron Paul. Listening to Ron Paul for me, and for millions of freedom-loving, limited government, anti-tax Americans, is a dream come true.
I smile from ear to ear when Ron Paul talks.
His views are music to my ears.
That could be why Ron Paul has become the rock star of Presidential politics.
It's tough for me to find an issue where Ron Paul and I disagree. We're both fiscal conservatives. We're both for limited constitutional government. We both would cut the size and scope of the federal government. We both support States' Rights and would solve most issues on the state and local level.
We're both for dramatically reducing the tax burden on Americans. We both would dramatically cut government spending, even eliminating entire federal departments!
We would do these things, even if it meant voting NO to every single spending increase, tax increase or program not authorized by the Constitution. We both want to cut bureaucracy, mainly by reducing the number of federal employees and the size of future federal pensions. We both stand strongly against government-controlled universal healthcare as a looming economic disaster for America.
We want to end the Nanny State and overturn blatant violations of our civil liberties. We are against most warrantless wiretaps and most of The Patriot Act. We both distrust and dislike the United Nations. We both want to drastically cut foreign aid and corporate welfare. We both strongly support the second amendment. We both want the federal government out of education - where they have failed miserably. We both support more parental freedom, more school choice, and want to encourage more education competition. My wife and I home-school our three young children - with another baby Root on the way.
But that's not all. We agree in many more ways.
We both support a secure border as the first solution to immigration reform. We both support the property rights of the individual. We both support a more tolerant stance on social issues such as gay rights and medical marijuana. We both support Internet freedom. When in doubt we side with the American people over the government- just as our Founding Fathers did.
I admit it - I love Ron Paul.
He's honest, genuine, fair - he says "no" equally to every spending bill, and a tightwad with taxpayers' money. Ron Paul is everything a politician should be, but they never are.
I admire his courage in standing up to big spending liberals, corporate interests, lobbyists and the liberal media. I love the way he's stood up to his own party.
Ron Paul is a hero.
Some think he's the last of a dying breed- the rugged individualist conservative Libertarian. But I beg to disagree. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Ron Paul is the inspiration for a whole new generation of Libertarians just like him.
I'm proud to be a young, 21st century devotee of Barry Goldwater and Ron Paul.
God Bless the ideals of liberty, democracy, capitalism and individual rights.
The answer to the media's confusion about the popularity of Ron Paul is quite clear.
He's a throwback to our Founding Fathers. He doesn't need music videos on YouTube to sell his case. Candidates like Barack Obama need sexy music videos to distract you from their lack of ideas, lack of substance, integrity, solutions or common sense.
Ron Paul is what America once was...
and what I hope and pray it will become once again.
Ron Paul is the real thing.
But what about mystery #2: Ron Paul's own passionate Libertarian supporters who wonder how it's possible that their hero is polling only 1% to 3% nationally?
That answer is also simple. Look at it from outside the insulated world of Ron Paul Inc. You see Ron Paul has one big flaw. He's just too nice for his own good. Some would even call him na‹ve. He sees the world with rose-colored glasses. That prevents him from seeing the evil and disaster aimed squarely at our country.
In the political world, a candidate is only as strong as his weakest link. Ron Paul's weak link is national security and the war on terrorists. Unfortunately for him, that's the issue at the top of almost every American voter's list. In the end, almost every parent in this country will put aside every other issue. They want a President who will keep their children safe at night. A President willing to fight and win the war on terror at all costs. They want a President who's strong enough to stand up to the most evil enemies of freedom since Adolph Hitler.
Ron Paul looks, and is, weak on this issue. I know he means well. But he's na‹ve about our enemy's intentions. And worse yet, weak in how he'd respond to them.
Doctor Paul sounds almost apologetic to our enemies. He sounds much like the blame America first crowd. It may not be his position that America is to blame for 9/11. Maybe his comments about 9/11 were misunderstood by the media and Rudy Guliani.
But Presidential politics is not a game of badminton. It's full contact tackle football- with no helmet or pads. Ron Paul seems weak on this issue and has handed his opposition some ammunition to attack him with. Even though Ron Paul is a "Perfect 10" on virtually every other issue, as long as he appears weak on the national security and the war on terror, he'll never rise above single digits.
Ron Paul does have some great points about foreign affairs. It is not our duty to nation build. It is not our duty to install democracy around the world. It is not our duty to risk our troops' lives and waste billions of taxpayer dollars to prop up foreign governments.
It is not our duty to give trillions of dollars in foreign aid to governments that vote against our interests at the United Nations. It is not our duty to support a United Nations that is a pathetic, corrupt joke and installs leaders of terrorist nations to head commissions on human rights. And yes the Iraq war is a disaster- and we must make plans to remove our troops as soon as possible. I agree with Ron Paul on all of those points.
But the war on terror is real. The enemy we face is the most brutal and barbaric since Adolph Hitler. Nothing we do...or Ron Paul does...or any President does...will end this struggle. No interference in their affairs is necessary to attract the hatred and murderous venom of Islamic extremists. If it's true that Islamic extremists are attacking our country because we "interfered" in Middle East affairs, then:
Why do Islamic terrorists and suicide bombers attack and murder thousands of their own people in Iraq?
Why have they killed 300+ people in Pakistan in just the past 2 weeks?
Why do they kill Arab women for not wearing veils?
Why did they murder a champion Iraqi tennis player for the sin of wearing shorts?
Why did they murder any entire Iraqi soccer team for being in the wrong place?
Why do they terrorize Arab parents for sending young girls to school?
Why do they murder their daughters and sisters for refusing arranged marriages?
The truth is that Islamic extremists don't need much of an excuse to kill. They believe the Koran demands they murder anyone who doesn't believe in their extreme religious views.
If America had never interfered in the affairs of any Arab country the Islamic extremists would still be trying to destroy us.
They hate us because we're not Islamic.
They hate us because we're a Democracy.
They hate us because we allow dissent.
They hate us because we treat our women like human beings and equals.
They hate us because we let young girls go to school.
They hate us because we believe in progress.
They hate us because we celebrate music, art, dance, literature, and sexuality.
They hate us because we believe in equality of races.
They hate us desperately because we actually allow Jews to survive and thrive in our society.
They hate us because we don't murder gays in the street for the 'crime' of being gay.
There is no room for questions or dissent in Islamic extremism. There is only belief in one religion and one set of rules. Any minor departure from this is enough to incite death, torture and destruction.
Islamic extremists hate us and will continue to try to kill Americans and our children until we defeat them. To Islamic extremists we aren't humans or Jews or Christians or Americans. To them, we're all infidels. The penalty for disagreement is death. The penalty for not converting to Islam is death. The penalty for writing books (ask moderate Muslim Salman Rushdie) or even cartoons that question Islam or Mohammed is death. Not a lot of choice there. Whether we "interfere" or not in their affairs is meaningless.
Did Hitler leave alone any country that played nice with him? Bullies always see those who don't fight back as weak. Islamic extremists hate anyone that doesn't believe as they do. They want to cut our heads off, mutilate our bodies, and then set our corpses on fire in the streets. They hate us whether we interfere or not. They hate us for interfering, and they hate and laugh at us for appearing weak because we didn't interfere. On this topic Ron Paul is just plain wrong. They hate us and will continue to try to kill Americans and our children until we defeat them. They leave us no choice.
These are not easy times. These are not easy questions. But one thing is easy to see- Americans side with me on the issue of the war on terror. Americans understand if Islamic extremists destroy Israel and murder millions of innocents:
They'll come for America next.
Americans want to see strength and confidence in their President - Not apologies.
We're a nation of courageous, tough-talking winners that have always stood up to bullies. Now is not the time to back off from defeating the most dangerous group of fanatics in history. These fanatics want desperately to destroy America, cripple the American economy, and bomb us back to the stone ages.
The war on terror is real and will hit close to home again. There will be another 9/11.
There will almost certainly be attempts at a nuclear attack on American soil. I'm certain we'll see car bombs in shopping centers and other public places. There will be more attempts to bomb planes and trains. It's coming. Our enemies are plotting and planning high-profile attacks at this very moment. If you don't believe me, ask the Brits.
This war on terror has only just begun. Have we made mistakes in the past, as Ron Paul says? Yes. Should we analyze them and learn from them? Absolutely.
But it is the future that matters most; how we prepare to fight back, how we prevent future attacks, how we retaliate in self-defense and how we win this war.
Ron Paul is polling at 1% to 3% for only one reason: he is not seen as the leader best
able to defend America by 97% to 99% of the American public. That's a fact. That's why Ron Paul is polling in the single digits.
Ron Paul is my hero on most every fiscal and freedom issue that matters. But he looks naive and weak on the one issue that matters to most Americans- national security and the war on terror. Americans have no interest in apologizing to suicide bombers and mass murderers. Americans crave a leader that is fiscally conservative, socially tolerant and a strong proponent of the war on terror.
This is the unvarnished truth. Whether they like it or not, Libertarians need to hear it.
The key to winning national elections is simple - expand beyond your core supporters.
Libertarians must understand this concept if we are to ever to win major national elections. Our fiscal message is a popular one. A majority of Americans want smaller government, reduced spending, drastic cuts in entitlements, lower taxes and more individual freedom. But they'll never convert to the Libertarian brand as long as it involves being na‹ve and weak on the war on terror. We need to remain tough, strong, vigilant and unapologetic about defending our ideals, freedoms, country and friends.
Just so I'm not misquoted or misunderstood, let me repeat what I said earlier.
It is not our duty to nation build.
It is not our duty to install democracy around the world.
It is not our duty to risk our troops' lives and waste billions of taxpayer dollars to prop up foreign governments.
It is, however, our duty to fight and defeat terrorism and brutal bullies who want to take away our FREEDOM, wherever they may be. Sometimes we must be willing to fight and die for our freedom.
Ron Paul is the closest thing we have to our Founding Fathers. He's dead-on with over 90% of the issues. But he's weak on the war on terror. And if he's not weak, he certainly appears weak. Whether he changes his view, or finds a new way to explain it, he has to make drastic changes on that one issue or face a humbling defeat.
That's so sad to me, because the media will undoubtedly paint that defeat as a blow against Libertarian thinking. They will portray it as a defeat for those who support smaller government and lower taxes. They will say it was a defeat for those who support an end to the Nanny State. They will call it a defeat for Libertarians everywhere.
If changes are not made, Ron Paul will squander tremendous momentum and the freedom movement will lose a golden opportunity.
Ron Paul is a great man. I hope he reads this commentary. I'm speaking from the heart. I'm here if he wants to talk. God Bless America and the Libertarian movement.
Wayne Allyn Root is a candidate for the Libertarian Presidential nomination.
www.RootForAmerica.com
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