Mitt Romney Defends America

Romney's defense white paper shines....

A read of Mitt Romney's white paper on defense--"An American Century" (Oct. 7, 2011)--reveals an in-depth strategy to restore America's defense posture.  It would reverse Obama's policies in virtually every area.  Most significant: (1) a return to full diplomatic support for Israel, while putting the onus on the Palestinians to bargain in good faith; (2) a "reset of the reset" that Obama did with Russia, which Romney correctly sees as a one-sided bargain in Moscow's favor, allowing Russia to build nuclear weapons while we must reduce, hampering our missile defense plans and sacrificing the security of Eastern Europe to placate Moscow; (3) a move to aid liberal democratic forces in the Arab Spring, while seeking to prevent the spread of Islamism, plus moves to erode Syria's and Iran's influence; (4) containing China's push for military dominance in the Western Pacific; (5) slowing America's withdrawal from Iraq & Afghanistan, based solely upon assessments of each situation on the ground.

Romney's push for economic security will focus on a "Reagan Zone" for free trade with willing partners.  He would bring about budgetary discipline without gutting defense, which needs more than its present expenditure level to meet American commitments.

Part of his strategy is to restore America's economic strength.  Here is the one-page summmary of Romney's five 100-day initiatives.  His 100-day plan focuses on removing regulatory barriers, sending health care to the states and--this is unfortunate--tariff hikes against Chinese imports.  While it is understandable that China's manipulation of its currency should not be rewarded, risking a trade war is a 1930s remedy that should never be repeated.  Trader/investor Ross Kaminsky details why Romney's policy would be destructive, and notes that in fact China's yuan has appreciated 30 percent versus the dollar (from 6.4 to 8.3 per dollar) since May 2005.

And, happily, he promises not to apologize for America.  Rather he will trumpet American Exceptionalism.

Romney clearly has detailed knowledge of foreign policy, and would give it a high priority.  The past three Presidents came to office intending to concentrate on domestic policy: Bill Clinton's "It's the economy, stupid!", George W. Bush's "change the tone in Washington" & Barack Obama's ObambaCare + push for far steeper progressive taxation + imposition of far greater regulatory burdens.  America's deteriorating global position--"leading from behind" as its finances crumble--must be reversed, and soon.

Bottom Line.  A Mitt Romney administration would look very different to the world than that of President Obama.  And not a moment too soon.

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