Mitt Romney is the Man for Our Times

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Today is a singular time in America. Six years of Democrat dominance in Washington and an even longer trail of failed progressive policies has left a country wallowing in debt, reeling from the most prolonged high unemployment in history, and divided by an Administration that pits rich against poor, black against white, labor against management, and the faithful against the secular.

Americans, by a margin of almost two to one agree that the nation is on the wrong track, headed in the wrong direction. Led by, arguably, the least experienced, least competent, least vetted and most radical Executive in our history, America is in a downward spiral on a course that, left unaltered, can only lead to disaster. Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are all on a crash course with insolvency. Tens of trillions in unfunded pensions and other long-term liabilities dwarf the already incomprehensible national debt.

A bloated, corrupt, and inefficient federal bureaucracy is sapping the strength of our once-great nation. Burdensome regulations and unpredictable tax policies have paralyzed capital and chilled small business development. A convoluted, corrupted, and incomprehensible tax code leaves too few Americans carrying the load for too many while almost half have no skin in the game at all. And a behemoth new healthcare law brings a sixth of the entire US economy under the direct control of the federal government–abridging freedom for all.

Federal bureaucrats and corrupt elected officials pick winners and losers with taxpayer dollars and crony capitalists colluding with public officials reap special privilege and easy profit while innovative competitors are frozen out–unable to compete. And some administration cronies even grow fortunes out of failure, all on the taxpayer’s dime. (Say Solyndra!)

Meanwhile, in a shocking lapse of legislative and executive responsibility unheard of in recent history, if ever, the POTUS and Democrat-controlled Senate have failed to pass a budget in over three years–yet they continue to spend at unprecedented levels! Forty cents out of every federal dollar spent is borrowed either from a foreign power or from future generations of Americans. Every man woman and child is over $50,000 in debt to the federal treasury. And there’s no end in sight! America is broke. And America is broken!

Enter Mitt Romney, Fixer-in-Chief. If ever this country needed a competent executive who knows how to turn-around failing organizations, now is that time. Mitt Romney brings a resume to the country that is tailor made for our decimated State. In fact, at perhaps no other time in history since the days of Washington, has there been a leader better prepared and better suited to the specific trials of his time.

Mitt Romney, in direct contrast to his incumbent opponent is the personification of the American Experience. And in irrefutable counterpoint to the reigning Chief, Romney brings an absolute wealth of leadership and executive experience to the task of reigning in government excess and releasing American exceptionalism.

Mitt’s father, George Romney, was a self-made man who worked his way up from humble beginnings as a common carpenter, to head American Motors and eventually serve as Governor of the state of Michigan. His mother, a professional actress, gave up her career to devote her life to family and later ran for public office, as well. Raised as a fifth generation Mormon, Mitt was taught the values of self-sufficiency, industry, thrift, faith, family and country so deeply ingrained in the faith’s uniquely American heritage. In a devolving American culture, these are values that can revive the nation.

While Mitt certainly benefited from his father’s success, he pursued his own professional path in life and made his own way. Unlike his father who had no college education, Mitt received a BA degree from Brigham Young University in 1971 and in 1975 earned a joint law degree and MBA from Harvard. He joined Bain and Company early in his career where he learned the skills of corporate management and finance. Then, in the early ’90s he returned to serve as the company’s CEO at a time of crisis, leading the beleaguered firm back to a position of financial strength. In between, Mitt co-founded and led the incredibly successful Bain Capital which became one of the largest and most profitable private equity firms in America. Such firms are the backbone of American Capitalism–opportunity experts that marshal the vital resources entrepreneurs need to turn innovative ideas in to jobs, products, and eventually, profits. Among Bain’s most notable success stories are familiar names like Staples, Brookstone, Domino’s Pizza, Accuride, Sealy, and Sports Authority which, collectively, have created over 100,000 jobs and positively impacted the financial lives of millions through their economic activity.

In that capacity, the executive also helped to save numerous failing enterprises and the jobs that went with them. From his unique vantage point as a hands-on company starter and saver, Mitt Romney knows what it takes to turn corporate failure–usually due to poor management–into organizational and economic success. He understands, like few US Presidents before him, the capital, leadership, and personnel requirements for effective business management and job growth–especially during challenging times. Sounds like a prescription for 2013!

Mitt’s “turn-around” genius is not limited to corporate America, either. Unlike many with business experience alone, Romney has been able to apply his skills to ailing governmental and governmentesque organizations, as well. In 2002, Mr. Romney was tapped by the International Olympic Committee to save an Olympic brand from almost-certain ruin. With its fiscal house in shambles and marred with corruption, Romney, once again, earned his stripes as the “turnaround king,” delivering one of the most memorable and successful Olympic Games ever and restoring the Olympic brand to its place of international prestige.

Again, in 2007, Mitt won helmsmanship of the floundering state of Massachusetts. During his tenure he installed financial disciplines that erased a $3 billion deficit and replaced it with a $2 billion “rainy-day fund.” In a state house that was 85% Democrat, Mitt proved able to work effectively across the aisle, governing conservatively and with persistent fiscal discipline, often through liberal use of his veto pen.

But for these perilous times, even the skills of a shrewd and calculating businessman and executive, alone, are not enough. For a nation in chaos, confusion, and fear with millions whose hopes have been dashed and who are desperate to hold onto what remains of their American dreams, a leader of character, compassion, and faith is required.

Few, if any, US Presidents have on their resume’ leadership service in an evangelical role. As a member of the lay priesthood of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), Mitt Romney has such experience. Romney served as a Bishop or pastor of his local congregation in Massachusetts. As illustrated during the recent Republican National Convention, in this role Romney ministered to individuals with a wide range of personal, family, financial, spiritual, and physical needs providing guidance, support, and administering Church resources for the welfare of his parishioners. He was, of course, also responsible for implementing the programs of the Church within his congregation; coordinating worship services, teaching, youth leadership, service projects, social activities, disposition of tithes and offerings, and more. In this capacity the leader devoted countless donated hours to this service for several years without financial compensation and in addition to his responsibilities at home and on the job. By all accounts, Bishop Romney was a loving and effective ecclesiastical leader.

Bold and successful leadership can never be accomplished without controversy. And almost anyone can “get lucky” once or maybe, twice. Mitt’s careful and courageous decisions have not always met with success. His constituents and supporters have not been happy with every position or decision. That’s to be expected and understood. But the record and results speak for themselves. Mitt Romney’s remarkable run of successes come not without cause and Mitt is the cause in the matter. Committed, consistent, caring, courageous, and conservative, Mitt Romney is the man for our times.

Bruce Ackerman is a Marketing Executive, Actor and Blogger at The Rational Conservative. He lives in Cary, North Carolina and is a member of Western Wake Republican Club.

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