I'm trying not to get too excited. My libertarian friends will be picking at Ryan's voting record and I share those concerns. As I look around at responses to putting Ryan on the ticket, I am seeing some really derogatory opinions from the Ron Paul crowd. I wish those people would somehow realize that Ron Paul is not the person most Americans have chosen to lead this nation. I also wish those in the Ron Paul camp would realize they have had an impact in this election cycle and have pulled the Republican Party somewhat toward more Constitutional fervor. That is a good thing.
I think Romney made a good choice today. As I watched Paul Ryan in the Healthcare Symposium with Barack Obama a couple of years ago, I remember thinking at the time, "This guy has both the smarts and the guts to speak truth to power." When Paul Ryan speaks about fiscal policy, I believe he has a real handle on it and is not giving up on fixing the debt problem. When Paul Ryan talks about the future of our children, there is something about his expression of care for his own family that makes me believe him. Not the way Obama panders to the "Julia" crowd, where government is the nanny state. Rather, I believe Paul Ryan speaks about the future in a way that respects individual opportunity for everyone who will get in the game and work toward that. He believes in free enterprise. He believes in our rights coming from God, not government. From what I have seen of him, he truly believes in the Founders' vision of America.
Here are just two quotes that might get you excited about Paul Ryan:
On the erosion of liberty:
“Freedom is lost by degrees, and the deepest erosions usually take place during times of economic hardship, when those who favor expanding the sphere of government abuse a crisis to persuade free citizens that they should trade in a little of their liberty for empty promises of greater economic security.”On the incompatibility between big government and individual rights:
“Rather than increasing the size and scope of central administration, let us champion an agenda guided by the American Idea of equal rights under law. Let’s begin to remove the hurdles that government has erected. Legislative reform should empower people, families, and communities, not bureaucrats and their cronies.”
The rest of that article is good for your spirit!
The others who were bandied through the press as VP maybes, were not nearly at the level of class, energy, and intelligence as Paul Ryan. Chris Christy is a loud, unattractive, declassé politician who has had some "bully pulpit" moments, but did not convince me to be someone I would want to represent our nation. Rubio is handsome and charismatic, but has a "qualification" problem due to his parents' citizen status when he was born. I don't want to go through that again, thank you. And besides, picking Rubio would seriously seem like pandering to Hispanics, legal or not. Frankly, I'm not in the mood to go through the same type of pandering to select groups that Obama has been doing over the last 4 yrs. Portman. Don't know anything about the guy except he is from Ohio and that Ohio is a crucial state for the election. I just don't think he had any kind of name recognition and would have lost the election for Romney on that count alone. Jindal. I like him, but do not think he has the economic substance that Ryan has. Again, I'm not sure of his parents' citizen status, so that might have been a problem, too. There were a couple of others. Not stellar.
So is Paul Ryan a stellar pick for Veep? I think so. And I hope so. I also think his age brings in a youthful exuberance for young conservatives who need leadership and inspiration. I'm glad for that. I see many young people who are so confused on the principles of American government, that Paul Ryans' leadership will be invaluable to them. You see, our government isn't about old, dead, white men. It is about freedom for individuals. Obama, and the last few administrations, have nearly put out the fire that burns for freedom among young people. Regulating and forcing us into indentured servitude is what the "Progressive" infiltrators in our government are completely committed to do to us. That is a morally destitute message they have handed young Americans. That is not the message of Paul Ryan. To the contrary, he is so clearly opposite of that, I think he is the right voice at the right time to wrench our nation back from the brink.
Now that sounds really hopeful and no doubt puts too much weight on that young man's shoulders. But I'm impressed. And this VP pick gives me a reason to vote for Romney. A reason that certainly Romney wasn't giving me. This referendum on Obama's Communism is about to enter a new level of discourse in our national debate. Finally we have someone who can articulate the goodness of American principles and explain why Obama and all of his ilk are all wrong for this country, don't belong in our government, and actually should leave on the next boat to China. (Good thing I'm not in charge. I'd have the whole lot deported permanently.)
