The first two debates are now behind us. The Democrats failed, during both debates, to address the one elephant in the room that I feel defines both the "character" of the candidates on the Republican ticket and how they would govern if elected.
Mitt Romney has spent millions of dollars to make the case that he has a heart. So be it. If Mr. Romney wins, Paul Ryan as vice president will be a heartbeat away from the presidency. Mr. Ryan has pledged/sold out his career to Grover Norquist (not to be confused with potentially unemployed Grover on Sesame Street). Mr. Romney has also signed that pledge.
Certainly, the pledge-required intransigence of Mr. Ryan has been demonstrated consistently over the past four years. They have taken it one step further. The Romney/Ryan-promised 20 percent reduction in tax rates will further benefit the top 1 percent at the expense of the middle class. They are careful to frame the few "specifics" they are willing to share with the electorate as cuts to the rates without any comment on the actual impact on taxes paid under the proposed rates. The elimination of key deductions will guarantee that many who benefit from those deductions will pay more out of pocket.
And, since their "cuts" must adhere to the Norquist pledge, out-of-pocket tax increases for the top 1 percent cannot happen. They indirectly reinforce that view when they state that the tax savings realized by the top 1 percent are necessary for job creation and must be preserved.
By their own admission, when citing the lack of job creation, those funds aren't currently doing what they are supposed to be doing.
Mr. Romney's and Mr. Ryan's statements that they will "work across the aisle" if elected, don't square with the documented adherence to the Norquist demand. Do we want a president and vice president who take direction, not from the needs of all, but rather from a right-wing conservative lobbyist? I think not.
CHUCK MCGAFFIN
Ballston Lake