by Al Alborn
http://albornbiz.blogspot.com

I watched the Republican Convention to listen to the speeches.  I’ve also watched and read the liberal media, political pundits, bloggers, and Liberals and everyone else pick those speeches apart.  That’t their job.  They look beyond the context and the message to pick apart the details.  I don’t particularly care about the details.

I look for the vision.

I’ll share a secret.  I have lived my business live creating self-fulfilling prophecies.  I created visions that “pegged” the meter on the high side for my customers and my employees so that they could see what could be.  My “specialty” was creating a vision for something that they didn’t see, and then finding the money, creating the team, putting together the plan to deliver it.

Before you do anything…  particularly before you do new things…  bold things…  risky things, you have to create a vision coupled with the expectation that you can accomplish that of which you speak.

I saw a vision of the America I want to see when I listened to Ann Romney, Paul Ryan, and Mitt Romney.

Mitt Romney particularly impressed me with his businesslike approach to the business of Government.  He understands what we have to do and has demonstrated, through his success in the private sector, that he has the skills to do it.

I’m not a Republican or a Democrat.  I’m a Libertarian by philosophy and an independent voter.

I have previously blogged that I supported Gary Johnson, the Libertarian Candidate, because I wanted to vote my conscience this time.

I now realize that’s not a good idea.  Gary Johnson does represent my conscience; however, I’m not willing to “make a point” at the expense of wasting four more years with a President who thinks Government creates jobs, not businesses.

I enjoyed modest success in my business life.  I grow more increasingly uncomfortable with a President who endeavors to make those of us who enjoyed success through business, created jobs, increased the nations wealth, and solved problems for Government and Industry feel guilty because we are successful.

I’ve come to the conclusion that I want a successful businessman who has demonstrated the capacity to solve “big” problems in the White House.  I don’t want a smooth talking law professor responsible for the next four years, I want a Consultant who knows how to assess situations, propose solutions, take things apart, and them put them back together stronger than they were.

I like the fact that Romney is a Mormon.  The Republican Party’s current tilt towards a Conservative Christian Right has always bothered me.  I took particular note during Romney’s speech that Romney mentioned “…our faiths…”

I realize Mormons are Christians; however, Mormons have suffered persecution at the hands of Traditional Christians who disagreed with the Mormon faith for decades.  He, more than any other candidate, probably knows what it is like to be a Muslim, perhaps a Hindu or a Sikh, or even perhaps a person who lacks any religious affiliation.  He knows what it is like to be “different”.  I believe that he understands and respects all paths to God.  I hope he explores this idea as it would resonate with the independent voter.

If I had to vote today, I would vote for Mitt Romney.

But, I don’t have to vote today.  I am taking my “Gary Johnson” sticker off my car.  I’m leaving the space blank until after the debates.  I feel no compulsion to make a decision, wear a button, put on a sticker or otherwise commit until all of the facts are in.  As I always do, I will listen to every debate, listen to what the pundits on both sides have to say, read the Newspapers, and gather data.

The idea of a fellow business person who understands what it means to make payroll, balance a budget realizing that you can’t do it by printing more money, lead people who made a personal decision every day to follow you for another, and solved real problems in our Free Market economy comforts me.

I have never leaned further right than I do at this moment.

That spot in the center of my back bumper is “up for grabs”.  If you pass by the Starbucks on most afternoons, you’ll see a White Infinity parked to the side.  After the last debate, you’ll find out how I plan to vote by looking just under my license place.

While I understand registered Democrats and Republicans feel compelled to support their candidate and  the debates do little for their decision other than confirm it, Independent voters such as myself have no compulsion to decide before all the facts are in.  I’m feeling mighty Red right now.

Being an independent voter is really hard work.  I really envy those who simply pick their candidate because of some political party, religious affiliation, family heritage or whatever.  I just can’t to that.

It must be even harder to admit your wrong and change your mind.  I have no problem doing that.  Perhaps it reflects some basic character flaw embedded in my DNA?

I changed my mind.  I can do that.

Addendum:  I really like you, Gary Johnson.  I’ve contributed to your campaign, put your campaign sticker on my car, told my friends I’m voting my conscience, and had reconciled myself to voting for someone who could not possibly win to make a statement.

I just can’t do that.  After four failed years, America has no where to go but up with a new President in the White House.  Unless something dramatic happens during the debates or between now and November 6th, I’m with Romney.

As always, this is just my opinion.  If you would like to try and convince me otherwise, I’m always available to join anyone over a cup of coffee who wishes to discuss this or other issues.  My office is the Starbucks at the corner of the Prince William Parkway and Hoadly Road in Prince William County, Virginia.

by Al Alborn
http://albornbiz.blogspot.com

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