The Elephants in the Room

As we are approaching the 2012 presidential election, Republican candidates are vying for the G.O.P's nomination.  Here is a run-down of some of the most prominent candidates.

Michele Bachmann
Bachmann's top priorities are to "

• Restore our economy and create millions of new jobs.
• Repeal Obamacare and its unconstitutional mandates.
• Achieve deep cuts in spending to reduce America's debt.
• Strengthen the family and defend marriage.
• Rebuild respect for America as the shining city upon a hill."

She has developed  the "American Jobs: Right Now" plan, which is an eleven- stage plan to create more jobs for American citizens.  This plan includes cutting government spending, cutting taxes, securing the U.S- Mexican border, stimulating innovation, and repeal both Obamacare and the Dodd-Frank Act.

Bachmann is currently ranked 6th in polls for the GOP nomination.

Herman Cain

Herman Cain's focus is primarily on Foreign Policy and the economic situation. 

Cain's plan, the "9-9-9" plan is an economic plan centered around the idea of a 9% flat business tax, a 9% flat individual tax, and a 9% national sales tax.  This plan also includes repealling the death tax, reducing governement regulation on the economy, and works toward the Fair Tax system.

Herman Cain is currently ranked 3rd in polls for the GOP nomination.

*Cain has suspended his campaign.

Newt Gingrich

Newt Gingrich is focusing on:

• Job Creation
• The Economy
• American Energy
• The Right to Life
• Illegal Immigration

Gingrich's plan is the 21st Century Contract with America.  This plan includes a list of Executive Orders to be issued on Newt's first day in office if he is elected, as well as promises to stengthen the dollar, repeal Obamacare, stop tax increases, create jobs, secure the U.S-Mexico border, be open about military activity, and use military activity "judiciously and with clear, obtainable objectives understood by Congress."

Gingrich is currently ranked 1st in polls for the GOP nomination.


Jon Huntsman Jr.

Jon Huntsman's focuses are:

• The Economy
• National Security
• Energy Security
• Financial Regulatory Reform

Huntsman's plan includes tax reduction, reducing government regulations such as Obamacare and EPA regulations, increasing foreign trade, rebuilding America as an even more dominate military force, and supporting American energy.

Jon Huntsman currently ranks 8th in polls for the GOP nomination

Ron Paul

Ron Paul's focuses are:

• Abortion
• Healthcare
• Taxes
• National Defense
• Right to Work
• Immigration

Ron Paul's plan, the "Plan to Restore America" involves cutting spending, reforming entitlements, abolishing the death tax, extending Bush tax cuts, lowering the corporate tax rate, and repealing Obamacare and Dodd-Frank.

Paul currently ranks 4th in polls for the GOP nomination.


Rick Perry

Perry's focus is on:

• Jobs
• Fiscal Responsibility
• Security
• Healthcare
• Social Issues

Rick Perry plan to cut taxes, reduce regulations, cut spending, "pursue peace through strength", repeal Obamacare, and defend marriage and the 2nd Ammendment.

Rick Perry currently ranks 5th in polls for the GOP nomination.


Mitt Romney


Mitt Romney's campaign focuses include:

• Jobs
• Healthcare
• Foreign Policy

Romney plans to reduce taxes, reduce government regulations, retrain workers, repeal Obamacare, and use military influence internationally.

Mitt Romney currently ranks 2nd in polls for the GOP nomination.

Poll standings are taken from Real Clear Politics.com.

Appeal to the Masses

Currently, the Republican Party is not viewed in a very good light.  It seems as if being conservative makes you racist, stupid redneck who doesn't care about the poor or less fortunate people in the country.  This viewpoint is, of course, inaccurate.  In fact, the conservative positions on issues such as welfare and social security support upward mobility for those who are not financially fortunate at the moment.  This is a point that the Republicans running for office need to be able to articulate so they can stop being falsely accused of supporting oppressive policies.

The current issue with our welfare and unemployment systems is that they can be abused to just pay for people to live in a state where finding a job would cause their net income to decrease.  Without ever finding a job, people simply cannot elevate themselves in society.  They get stuck in a cycle of applying for welfare or unemployment and can never reach their potential by reaching out, finding a job, and being positive contributors to society.  If these social policies were reformed to be more limited and to promote finding employment, people stuck in this ring of poverty could finally escape.  No one wants to "just get by" their entire life.  Everyone has a dream for themselves and their family is they have one.  The conservative stance on our social programs supports the living out of these dreams and aspirations.

The members of the Republican party must learn to be able to articulate this point if they wish to stop being labelled as villains.  If this point can be clearly articulated and shared with the people of America through our mass media, then the GOP will certainly gain voters in a new portion of the population.  This new and added support will greatly contribute to, and maybe even decide, many elections to come.