Simple Questions

The Romney campaign isn't likely to read my humble blog, but if they did, I'd like to offer just a few simple questions that Mitt might consider posing to the president during tonight's or the last debate.

Energy question: "Mr. President, given your past public statements and the regulatory policies you've actually implemented through the EPA and DOE, it's pretty clear why we Americans are paying $4 and $5 a gallon at the pump these days to get to work, at least those of us who still have a job to get to.  Your administration has aggressively implemented pro-green and anti-carbon energy, so has led to America importing more than half of our oil over the last 4 years because you've cut oil permits on federal lands by half.  In addition, you're moving aggressively forward on your promise to bankrupt the coal industry.  And you still refuse to allow the oil pipeline from Canada that have been predicted by experts across the country to generate millions of new jobs".

"Meanwhile, you've funnelled 90 billion dollars to investments in wind and solar energy, electric cars, and biofuel production, which have not proven cost-effective replacements for oil, gas, and coal.  So people continue to suffer to try to scrape money from their shrinking budgets to pay their heating bill and get gas in their cars while your political cronies benefit from your generous handouts while their unsustainable businesses ship jobs overseas and still are failing spectacularly. Not to mention haven't done a thing to help clean up our water and air quality."

"Do you want to explain to the American people whether those policies remain your priorities, and if so, how much longer do families have to suffer before they begin to see the benefits of your clean energy programs in their pocketbooks?"

Response when Obama strikes out with some variation of the 47% comment:

"You know, Mr. President, that's a statement I wish I knew was being recorded, or I would have been more careful about how I phrased it.  It sounded like I was accusing 47 percent of the country of being government dependents who had no interest in self-sufficiency.  In reality, all I was trying to say was that, at that point in time, there were about 47 percent of Americans who were going to support you regardless of anything I could do or say.  Therefore, it wouldn't be prudent to spend a great deal of time and effort in my campaign trying to win them over.  Separate that from the idea I expressed that referred to a sub-fraction of that 47 percent group only; folks that will be guaranteed to vote for you because they somehow mistakenly believe that monthly checks they already receive and rely upon from the Federal Government are guaranteed to keep coming only if they work to keep you in the White House."

"I'd like to convince those Americans who are of working age and sound mind and body that their lives will be much better, more prosperous, and more fulfilling if they get out of the house and get to work in a good-paying job.  Then they'll be able to provide housing, food, insurance, transportation, and even some luxuries and entertainment for their families without any reliance on the government.  Which is good for everyone.  And my campaign is all about bringing those kinds of opportunities back to America."

"I seem to recall a quote attributed to you from awhile back, Mr. President, where you suggested that there were too many Americans in the heartland who 'cling to their guns and their religion' because they have some kind of antipathy toward anybody who is different from them.  Can we make a deal tonight, Mr. President, that I promise not to bring up your embarrasing quote again if you promise to stop running ads about the 47 percent?"