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When The Gloves Come Off, Mitt Remains

It has been a brutal campaign to become the Republican nominee for President. Mitt Romney must be thinking “with rivals like these, who needs Democrats?” It resembles a cage fight to see who can claim the title as “Most Conservative.”

Lies, innuendos, false accusations and out-of-context conclusions seem to be the weapons of choice in a battle with no apparent rules and where low blows are like taking the high ground. Any hint of civility has been spit to the side like a bloody tooth.

And these are just the primaries. I'm grateful the Dems have an incumbent so we don't have to be soiled by two of these contests. As it is, I get nauseous thinking about what we're in for, campaign-wise, in the upcoming election year. Not to mention the extra bonus of a likely recall election for governor. Thanks to PAC money, we are already seeing how that campaign will play out.

As soon as the Democrats have chosen their gubernatorial candidate, he or she will immediately be dropped into the venomous snake pit of scrutiny and be exposed to rabid attack adds. Check the minute hand on your watch to see when the first one will be aired.

But if you believe what Republicans are saying about each other, you have to wonder why we should vote for any of them. By attacking Romney's business career, it appears the other pots are calling the kettle black.

Maybe it's time we remind ourselves that capitalism is an economic system designed to create wealth as an end in itself. Whether jobs are created or destroyed is just a by-product of the system. It does not care if you have a family to support. It does not salute a flag. Expecting it to have compassion or a social conscience is like asking a scientist to prove the existence of God. Perhaps we need to focus more on the role of government in leashing the beast than blaming capitalists for doing their job.

On the other hand, Romney's mouth is his worst enemy. I understood what he meant when he said “I enjoy giving out pink slips.” Yet saying it when “job creation” is the theme of this election year, demonstrates the gulf between his reality and that of most American's. And he makes it worse when he scolds fellow Party members for attacking him by saying “The country already has a leader who divides us with the bitter politics of envy.” That just seems to be something only a rich man would say and a gullible voter would believe.

Trust us Mitt. We don't envy you, or your money any more than we envy Obama.

Jim Black is a community blogger and is not a part of the Walworth County Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of Walworth County Today staff or management.