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.