I know the first presidential debate was a couple of weeks ago, and the Vice Presidential debate a few days ago, but one thing that still bothers me is that so many people and pundits alike think that Romney won the first debate. In the past couple of days, through the filter of fact-checking, it has been concluded that Romney won on style and President Obama on substance. Yet, in the words of the previously deranged Charlie Sheen, Romney is “winning” - by one point, a major poll percentage. Romney is king of the world and on cloud 9 with a chance of winning by a bit because of his debate performance.
What bothers me is that people, on the left and right, are saying it was about style. Rather than seeing a calm, collected leader pressing for facts and answering questions respectfully, people liked that Romney yelled. They liked his ‘let me tell you the facts, boy’ way of condescension. People liked that they were being lied to. In a span of 38 minutes, out of the hour and half of debate, the running candidate spouted 27 lies, about energy independence, the tax cuts he got from his time with Bain Capital (and we are still trying to figure out when he left that outsourcing magnate), the tax cuts he’d offer the middle class, small businesses, gas and coal, the debt, insourcing, Medicare, healthcare, the banks, etc. etc. Yet, he was aggressive, charismatic, and on top of things. We must be sure to pick a candidate who can fight. After all, Arnold Schwarzenegger didn’t get in just because of his policy ideas, and California is pretty grateful (please note sarcasm). To add to that, Ryan lied almost as much, and due to his sophomoric style, didn’t quite get in on “winning” either.
But, a leader takes more than just a debate performance and knowing that he’s a fighter. Who is he fighting for though? Certainly not for all of us. His apology for his 47% comments was very half-assed if you really look at his diction. In a recent fundraiser meeting, audio and video recordings were not allowed. What does he have left to hide? In the leaked video, he was probably the most honest we’ve seen him, and it’s scary how people came quick to his aid by saying he’s right.
Unfortunately, he’s right that there are people who want the government to take care of them. In 2010, the Supreme Court ruling of Citizens United vs. Federal Elections Committee pretty much stated that corporations have personhood and can influence the way an election pans out:
“Corporations are people, my friend.”- Mitt Romney
The tax cuts left over by the President Bush still remain. Whenever Congress has presented the idea of getting rid of them – with the Executive Branch’s support mind you – the corporations using loopholes and the wealthy profiting the most off of them shout “Don’t do that, we create jobs!” Not a single bill was passed to create jobs for the populace and job growth, however improving as of late amidst these bolted down hemorrhaging policies. So who is really dependent on government to maintain their living?
But, what does the latter matter? Truly, a cute face, a puffed up angry face, and the way a rich white man condescends to a black man certainly spell leadership. I don’t know, America: you’d think after Bush we would be more intolerant of blanket liars. I am only coming from the standpoint of someone who values substance over style. Just because a fish is good for you doesn’t mean it can’t still slip from your fingers, especially if your hands are as dirty as Romney and Ryan’s are. What is the state of our country when we want people to lie to our faces directly so long as they are the "right" kind of person? If we elect Romney and Ryan, just don’t complain when you wanted style over substance.
