GOP Prospects Look Promising

Though the 2012 election is well over a year away, the politicking is already in full swing. Seven candidates are vying for one spot on the Republican ticket to go head to head with President Barack Obama come November of next year. Considering the fact that John McCain and Sarah Palin were the last duo to grace the ballot on the Republican side of the presidential ballot, the most recent GOP debate has given me reason to believe that Obama may have his work cut out for him. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann, Atlanta businessman Herman Cain, former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum and Texas Congressman Ron Paul all took part in last week's debate and I think a few of them could actually make good on the promise to make Obama a one-term president.

Of the seven, Romney and Bachmann stood out as viable opponents; of course, there's always the chance that people will find more confidence in businessman Cain over career politicians. Regardless of who ends up on the ballot, there's no way any of them could be considered a worse choice than leaving Obama in office for another four years. First of all, I don't think anyone has been impressed with the so-called change that Obama promised before he was elected to become the 44th president of the United States. With oil prices through the roof and the housing market in the toilet, I think it's safe to say that more change is in order. That is, unless, you're happy paying $4 a gallon for gas, watching the U. S. dollar rapidly decrease in value and don't have a problem with record unemployment rates.

When I took economics back in college, I was taught that a lot of the economy's ups and downs were a pattern that would occur no matter who was in office at the time. And, typically, the president in office at the time is blamed for a great deal of the hardships the country sustains. So, could all of the problems we're facing be chocked up to bad timing due to the fluctuating economy? Perhaps. But there is definitely room for improvement when the leader of our nation doesn't consider having 24 aides on staff for the sole purpose of providing support for the first lady wasteful spending. Keeping that many staffers on the payroll for someone who doesn't perform any official duties is absolutely ludicrous.

And, without a doubt, the repeal of Obamacare should be a high priority for Republicans; I can't imagine how putting the federal government in control of healthcare could accomplish anything positive. And resurrecting the floundering outlook for manufacturing jobs is something that needs attention, as well. Regardless of who ends up representing the GOP, the next presidential election will certainly be one for the history books – and, hopefully, one that brings about the right kind of change this country needs.

Jennie Oemig
Staff Writer
Trempealeau County Times