Romney's Non-Plan

At the Republican National Convention (and elsewhere), Romney proposed 4 things:

• 1. Economy (Jobs, China, Small business – health care),
• 2. Energy
• 3. Education
• 4. Spending: (Tax cuts, Deficit, Military)

Let's look at each.

1A. Economy: Jobs

Romney proposed to add 12 million jobs during his 4 years. Depending who you ask, “too hard” impossible (250,000 jobs per month) or “too easy” (that's how many were going to come back anyway.)

I don't think it's “too hard” to add 250K jobs per month. They disappeared for no good reason during the recession, they should come back for no good reason during a recovery.

So let's go with “too easy” - if the economy recovers from Obama's job stimulus work done already, we'll get 12 million jobs.

So Romney's "plan" is (basically): “I will do nothing and let the economy recover on its own.” (Which goes along with his general governemtn/free market philosophy.)

If this is Romney's “plan” for the economy, he needs to convince me that the economy really can recover on its own (ie, admit that Obama has done a good enough job that the economy is out of danger) and that now is the “time” to stop splurging and tighten our belts.

1B. China

Romney will “call China a currency manipulator.” I'm not really sure what currency manipulation is – it seems like if a toy dog costs 1 USD, but it costs 2 (RSD), it just means that Chinese people who are making 50K (RSD) aren't middle class, they're actually very lower class 25K (USD).

Romney says he will “Get tough on China.” He's got a competitive approach to foreign relations, so he needs to show why that's appropriate. It seems to me, China is an economic ally – they're giving us money at low interest – that's a nice thing to do. We don't hate a credit cards that gives us a low APR, do we?

1C Small business – health-care

He will help small businesses by repealing Obamacare. I don't really see the link. It's not as if Obamacare is THE major problem with small businesses. Okay, things will get more expensive, but it's only slightly so. Romney needs to prove that the expense of mandatory healthcare is NOT worth the benefits of getting everyone healthcare.

2. Energy:

Stop America from importing oil from the Middle East by 2020. So basically, all of our gas is going to come from America, Canada, and Mexico. Is there really that much oil here? I don't think it's that easy (even with off-shore drilling).

Romney needs to make the case that A) we have that much oil, and B) if we eliminate regulations, it will make gas cheap for everyone, which will C) springboard the economy to a recovery.

I'm not sure any of those are reasonable assumptions. (Even if we go back to coal and increase nuclear – not enough energy. Especially without renewable energy subsidies, and if he deregulates energy efficiency, thus ending any incentive to develop technology that makes more use out of less resources.)

3. Education

Improve American competitiveness by A) giving parents a “choice” between public/private and B) stopping teacher unions? That's what's stopping kids from getting smarter? How about lack of motivation for students(ie, no jobs even if you get a high school diploma). There's a lot more wrong with education, and your “plan” needs to address it.

4. Spending. (Tax cuts, Deficit, Military)

Tax cuts are good. Tax cuts right now? Unless you've got a plan (programs to cut government spending and alternative sources of revenue) Cutting taxes sounds popular, but may not be the smart thing to do.

Obama said Romney's only solution is “Tax cut.” Actually, it's “tax cut” and “let the free market work.” Things are more complex than that, and Romney needs to address it and convince me of his plan.

Cutting the deficit is good. Cutting the deficit right now? Might not be so good. Romney needs to show the economy can handle it (ie, it has sufficiently recovered, which sounds like “Obama praise” to me.)

The one specific part of his plan that Romney does have is that he will NOT cut the military. Why? You spend a lot when there's a war. Pulling out of Afghanistan means we don't need to spend as much. Do we really need another Cold War, especially when there doesn't seem to be an opponent that we're trying to bankrupt?

So, Romney's plan is anything but.