Mitt Romney is The Man of “No We Can’t”
President Obama rode into office in 2008 on the slogan of “Yes we Can.” In 2012, Mitt Romney is campaigning on a slogan of “No we can’t”. Romney and many GOP supports are criticizing President Obama for his message of hope, change and moving the country forward. Romney’s replacement message is one of negativity. Here are some of the ways that Romney says “No We Can’t”:
• No to ObamaCare and Universal Health Care Coverage- Romney proudly says that his first act, if elected president, will be to eliminate health coverage for over 30 million uninsured Americans, young adults who can stay of their parents’ coverage until 26 and for children who are denied coverage due to pre-existing illnesses, among others. He will leave in its place, the option of going to hospital emergency rooms to seek treatment.
• No to a woman’s right to choose her reproductive rights- A Romney presidency would mean the end of Roe v. Wad. Romney only wants to nominate Supreme Court justices who will overturn Roe v. Wade, according to his prior statements.
• No to the U.S. automobile industry bailout- Romney’s own words said “Let Detroit Go Bankrupt”. He said no to allow General Motors and Chrysler a bail out from the federal government which would have meant closing shop and the auto industry forever. It would have left million out of work who rely on the automobile industry such as assembly line workers, car dealers, mechanics, parts suppliers, and all who support the auto industry across the country.
• No to Small Business growth- Romney while governor of Massachusetts was almost dead last in small business growth for the state. Massachusetts ranked at the very bottom at 48 out of 50 states. (More to follow in another blog on why the people of Massachusetts are supporting President Obama)
• No to Medicare System- Romney wants to replace the current Medicare system with vouchers which will not keep pace with seniors’ health costs and limit future seniors’ health choices.
• No to Medicaid- Romney wants to say no to families who receive Medicaid for children with autism, Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy and to parents and grandparents with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Our most vulnerable citizens are our youth and our seniors. And the most vulnerable within those two groups are the mentally and physically challenged whether due to birth defects, dementia, autism which are beyond their control. Nursing homes are paid for in many instances with Medicaid and not Medicare. Although, I doubt if your voucher for Medicare would cover it anyway.
• No to increasing tax rates on millionaires- Romney will not increase tax rates on millionaires even to help our struggling economy and to lower the deficit. He prefers to protect the pocketbooks of millionaires rather than help the middle class. He has his priorities right for the class that he represents.
• No to Lilly Ledbetter Act- Romney says no to Lilly Ledbetter equal pay act for women. And for now, he says he will not repeal it, if elected president. Romney prefers concessions for women to allow them to leave work early to prepare dinner as he did for one of his senior staffers while governor of Massachusetts. Women want equal pay to that of a man now. Dinner can wait.
• No to Gun control- During the debate Romney inferred the cause of gun violence has to do with young single mothers raising children. The gun control issue and assault rifle shootings at malls, movie theaters and schools have nothing to do with single parenthood. But, I guess it’s easier to blame single parents and mothers than face the National Rifle Association.
Mitt Romney does say yes to a few things. Romney says yes to sending our jobs to China, helping millionaires to stay rich with lower taxes and yes to a plan to take America backwards. If those things are important to you, then vote for Mitt Romney. If you are not trying to get a job in China and want to move the country forward, then vote for President Obama. The choice is that clear.
Washington, DC based Debbie Hines is founder of LegalSpeaks, a progressive blog on women and race in law and politics. As a legal and political commentator she has appeared in national, international and local media including the Michael Eric Dyson Show, local NBC, ABC and CBS affiliates, RT TV, CBC- Canadian TV, NPR, XM Sirius radio, the Baltimore Sun, Washington Post and Washington Times among others. She also contributes articles to the Huffington Post and the Women’s Media Center.
J says
I’m disappointed at the low level analytical skills put to work in this poorly framed article, do you really believe all of that Debbie?
– Romney is against Obamacare, do you actually believe his reasons opposing it involve laughing over uninsured Americans?
– I’m in support of the repeal not because of the idea, but because of the implications of the Obamacare structure. How many Americans will actually become insured? Many businesses are reworking schedules to shift employees to part time in order to avoid covering their employees. Major companies may simply take the fine of not insuring Americans because it is cheaper to take the fine rather than pay for coverage.
– I also believe that medical decisions should be immediately between doctor and patient without a determining third party. Any other influence to this relationship is not optimal and could be detrimental to the patient.
– I disagree with Romney’s views on abortion, but flirting with the idea of Romney in support of rape is a little unethical, no?
– Did you even read that article?? Come on, Debbie. This article hits on corporate greed and the need for new management. Plus he didn’t want to press the delete key on jobs. See the quote.
– “The American auto industry is vital to our national interest as an employer and as a hub for manufacturing. A managed bankruptcy may be the only path to the fundamental restructuring the industry needs. It would permit the companies to shed excess labor, pension and real estate costs. The federal government should provide guarantees for post-bankruptcy financing and assure car buyers that their warranties are not at risk.”
– Raising taxes on millionaires will be about as ineffective as our congress (who ironically enough make our countries tax decisions). We talk about the rich like gossiping schoolchildren. Millionaires didn’t get to be millionaires by being stupid. Finding new tax loopholes and more deductions is a team of lawyers away.
– Has ANYONE even read the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act? The act itself only redefines the statute of limitations. A discrimination (of gender/race/age/etc) occurs every time there is a discriminatory paycheck (unequal pay). Before this was enacted employees who faced financial discrimination had 180 days to file their suit.
– Unequal pay based on gender is very real, but don’t confuse the issues here. Romney not commenting on LLFPA doesn’t mean he hates equal pay or women. He should however be more proactive for women and stop putting his foot in his mouth.
Debbie Hines says
I lobbied for the Lilly Ledbetter law so I am quite familiar with its contents and how it supports the ability of women to sue and get equal pay. Mr. Romney does more than put his foot in his mouth. He clearly is opposed to women’s rights and middle class issues. Whether his refusal to support these issues are a result of his stupidity, arrogance or lack of understanding of the issues, the result is the same. Romney will not support issues that are crucial to women and the middle class.