My Advice? Slow Down

Slow down; you move too fast.
You got to make the morning last; just
Kickin’ down the cobblestones;
Lookin’ for fun and feelin’ groovy.
          - 59^th Street Bridge Song – Music and Lyrics by Paul Simon

What is the rush? We’re in the beginning stages of selecting who will be the next President of the United States. This is an important decision that will have consequences far beyond the next four-year term of the leader of the free world. So, again, what is the hurry?

Are you states that want to move your presidential preference primaries up to next week paying attention? Probably not. Yes, we all want our state primaries to matter, but if you love this country you will not turn a marathon into a blind sprint. If we’re going to do something that stupid, let’s save some money and just cut cards.

                                     Image via Wikipedia

                                             President Barack Obama

I would submit that the American people made a poor decision in 2008. That election pitted an uninspired and uninspiring Republican candidate, who called himself “a maverick” but doted on the opinions in the editorial pages of liberal newspapers, against an inspiring but insubstantial and inexperienced Democrat who had the gravitas and life experience of a sheltered twenty-something grad school student. There were better choices on both sides of the aisle, but our nominating processes failed us because we made our decisions too early.

We rushed to judgment four years ago and we are now learning what happens when an economic plan is a 15-second sound bite and no one asks the right questions until it is too late. We have paid the price, so one would hope we would learn the lessons. One of those lessons should be “slow down”.

This is an especially important lesson for Republicans, because they will have an opportunity to lead this nation and will be judged based upon their performance. The American people - left and right - are tired of excuses and good intentions; they want and need results. Barack Obama will not be re-elected unless the GOP nominates a public relations disaster.

The economy will not recover under our current President. He has broken faith with American businesses and entire industry sectors and they cannot be faulted for refusing to commit capital expenditures under his failed  - I can’t bring myself to call them policies - economic decisions. Without an economic recovery, Obama cannot be re-elected.

So, fellow Republicans, we have an opportunity to choose a person to lead this nation at a time when clear vision, critical decision-making skills and real leadership are required. We have exactly one chance to get it right. The United States cannot stand another failed presidency by either party. Slow down, collect your facts and choose wisely.

by Ken Carroll

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