If I Were the New Grand Poobah

Life usually doesn’t fit into nice neat little lists, but that doesn’t keep me from trying.

Like you I am sick of politics. So, I promise that this is my absolute last blog about politics for a long time. At least until my next one. This is a list of ten policies I would implement if I were the Grand Poobah.

1. Pedantry and Reality TV would be crimes punishable by death.

2. All professional sports would be permabanned, with a one time concession that NASCAR, golf, and bowling are actually sports.

3. FedEx, UPS, and other similar shipping companies would be forced to hire drivers from the pool of suddenly unemployed NASCAR drivers, who would only be allowed to make right turns.

4. I would reestablish space exploration by sealing Lady Gaga in a time capsule and launching her into space, towards the Sun.

5. My national bird would be Woodstock from the Peanuts.

6. Chemical warfare would mean dropping dirty diapers via drone.

7. Tony Stark, I mean Robert Downey Jr., would be Secretary of Defense...and Chris Evans would have to legally change his name to Steve Rogers.

8. George Lucas must go door-to-door to every American home apologizing for Jar Jar Binks.

9. There would be no such thing as money, or dubstep.

10. I would start this thing called The Hunger Games, where once a year 24 political commentators fought to the death with whiffle bats and sock puppets.

11. No Christmas music before Thanksgiving, no exceptions.

"The Most Important Election"

Today is Election Day. I capitalized it because our culture has turned it into it's own twisted kind of holiday. It's own kind of holy day. A day that we either choose to, or not to, celebrate the democratic process by casting a ballot. I voted. I think it's important to vote, but not necessarily for the same reasons you may think it's important to vote.

I have heard it said every four years going as far back as 1988 in the race that won George Bush Sr. the presidency that "this election is the most important election of our lifetime." And maybe that is true. Maybe each presidential race carries an inherent level of immediacy and magnitude that promotes it to the epitome of electoral importance. Maybe. However, even if that were the case.  Even if today is the most important election of our lifetime, what does it really mean for you? In 24 hours how much will the results affect you personally.  In four years (or eight years) and 24 hours, how much will the day's events affect you personally. For most of us, barring extreme circumstances, not much.

Participate in the political process. Do it because it is your right and your chance to freely express your political opinion without fear of reprisal. But let's none of us be naive enough to think some man sitting somewhere in the Not-Quite-Circle Office will really affect that great of a change on our lives.  And if he can, if that man holding that position can assert himself in such a way, whether actual or imagined, that it does indeed truly affect your daily disposition, then I am deeply sad for you.

Enjoy today, because after today is over we will hopefully have at least four more years until the most important election of our lifetime.

Some Reasons Why I Did Not Watch the Debate

Life usually doesn’t fit into nice neat little lists, but that doesn’t keep me from trying. Welcome to my Tuesday 10, where I try to fit the messiness of life into a list of ten. Last week was the vice presidential debate between sitting VP Joe Biden and probable future vice president Paul Ryan. I watched it, and enjoyed it. I chose not to watch this week's town-hall style debate between President Obama and Gov. Romney. Here are some reasons why.

1) I was eating ice cream while cuddling with my wife and son.

2) I was pretending to __________ (verb) _____________ (carnival food) in __________ (fantasy land).

3) My mind has been made up concerning this election since 2009.

4) Listening to President Obama makes me miss President Clinton.

5) I can get a word for word breakdown from 200 pundits and several million wannabes via Twitter.

6) Both candidates have repeatedly shown their ability to fill time quotas while saying absolutely nothing.

7) I didn't want to.

8) I had an episode of "Last Resort" waiting for me on the DVR.

10 Reasons Why I'm Voting for Romney

I've known Skot Covert for several years. In all the time I've known him, he has been politically active. In fact, his interest in politics extends well beyond the day he first came to Arkansas Tech University. I've seen him grow into an incredibly bright young man, full of faith, and integrity; and although I'm not a Republican, I am a conservative. Skot is the kind of young man that gives me hope for the future of conservative America. When I asked him to write this guest blog this week, he graciously accepted, in spite of a rigorous travel schedule as the newly elected Vice Chairman for the College Republican National Committee. Skot is also the current Chairman of the Arkansas Federation of College Republicans. These are ten reasons why he is voting for Mitt Romney, and thinks you should too.

1. Youth Unemployment – In 2008 Barack Obama earned the support of Generation Y, with 66% of young Americans (ages 18-25) supporting then Senator Obama. Coming out in massive waves, America’s youth were mesmerized and strongly committed with the idea of electing Barack Obama. Now, this same generation faces the highest youth unemployment rate since the great depression at a staggering 16%, which is double that of the national average. Furthermore, 1 in 2 recent college graduates are unable to find meaningful employment. Four years later Generation Y is asking “why?” Why did Barack Obama not deliver on his promise of hope and change? Why did Barack Obama let us down? Why should we give President Obama another chance? Why?

2. Supreme Court Appointments – In the coming four years there will likely be multiple vacancies on the country’s highest court. A position on this bench is a lifelong appointment, which guarantees that whoever is chosen to serve will likely rule on very importance cases. Even this year alone the US Supreme Court made some very historic decisions, that from my conservative viewpoint, didn’t happen as I would of hoped. For example, Obama’s signature piece of legislation, the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) was ruled constitutional on a 5-4 vote.

It’s my belief that when these vacancies are to be filled, Governor Romney will appoint true conservatives and strict constitutionalist to the high court. If President Obama is allowed to make more appointments, we are assured decades more of a SCOTUS with a strong left leaning.

3. National Debt – When campaigning in 2008, President Obama promised to cut the national debt. It has since then doubled and is currently at 15 trillion dollars, correct, TRILLION with a “t”. The cost of President Obama’s out of control and irresponsible spending practices will be placed on my generations tab.

Governor Romney has a proven record of cutting spending and not spending more than what is taken in. Our country is desperately in need of a President with experience in balancing a budget. Governor Romney’s experiences as Massachusetts governor coupled with his record as a successful businessman more than qualifies him.

We have a moral responsibility not to spend more than we take in. Governor Romney has a record of embracing this fundamental building block that thus far, has made our country a great one.

4. Experience Matters – Being president is no easy task. There is absolutely no room for on the job training, which is what Barack Obama demanded. Formerly serving as a US Senator, he had only been exposed to one branch of government. The pace in the US Senate is, frankly, slow. Not acting on much legislation and only having to make an up or down vote.

Being President requires one to make decisions, often times hard decisions. Mitt Romney’s experience as a governor has prepared him to lead and to make the tough decisions that confront the issues our country is facing.

5. Because Barack Obama Said So – On February 2, 2009, referring to the economy and the stagnant job market, President Obama said in an interview with the Today Show “If I don’t have this done in three years, then there’s going to be a one-term proposition.”

Mr. President, it’s been three years. 23 million Americans are still unemployed. Time’s up.

6. High Expectations - John F. Kennedy sought to send an American to the moon. Ronald Reagan wanted to tear down the Berlin Wall. What’s the goal of our nation today? What direction are we working towards? I’m afraid there isn’t an answer to this. Our President has disappointed Americans, much less inspire us.

Governor Romney has a vision for America. A vision that embraces freedom and prosperity that will allow for innovation, job creation, medical breakthroughs, and restoring faith that the American dream is still alive and well today.

7. Timing – Every few decades, turns in the business cycle, changes in culture and policy mistakes conspire to make us question ourselves. Is the “American dream” still alive? After 200 years, is our country finally in decline?

In 2008 our country was facing some very serious problems. We looked to the untested, brand new freshman Senator from Chicago to show us the way. Four years later, we are much wiser. We now know the “Chicago way”, and it’s not the “hope and change” that it was hyped up to be.

Our country is in a desperate need for a turnaround. There is no better-qualified politician in America to execute a turnaround than Governor Romney. It’s what he has done his whole career.

8. His Faith – Yeah, that caught you off guard didn’t it. You thought I was embracing Governor Romney’s Mormonism as a reason to support him. Well, frankly, kind of. Governor Romney has been faithful to his wife, a great father to his many sons, and never once has be been accused of any scandal. He is a man of integrity because of his faith, not in spite of it, and if he makes it into the Oval Office, we’ll know that his values are grounded in something far more profound than political expediency, opinion polls, or purely personal philosophies.

9. Fundamental Differences – The two candidates for president have very fundamentally different opinions on the role, size, and scope of government. I personally believe that government should be small because the people know best how to live their lives, spend their money, and make decisions about their family. The government only complicates this. Whether it be choosing health insurance or not, choosing which school to send one's children to, or what kind of vehicle to purchase, the government should never be the middle man standing in the way of the people, ultimately hampering potential prosperity.

Governor Romney believes in a small government. One not of regulation, but one that rewards success. He supports a smaller, simpler, and smarter government.

10. 58 States – In May of 2008, Barack Obama famously stated in a campaign stump speech that there were “58 states” in our union. If a sitting US Senator can make such a gaff and still be elected for his poor math skills, then I can submit this blog post with only 9 points. There are 10 points, that's a joke.

Check out these links to keep up with Skot, as well as the College Republicans. Website: www.CRNC.org | www.ArkCR.com Twitter: @SkotCovert, @ArkCR