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David Frum

Why I’ll vote for Romney

I don’t want to see Obamacare repealed. I don’t believe it will be, not even if the Republicans retake the Senate, which I don’t expect either. Precisely since the universal healthcare law will remain in place, I want to see it implemented by people who see cost control as the first priority – who will grant maximum flexibility to the states – and who will recognize how dangerous it is to finance Obamacare with taxes only on the rich. A law of benefit to all should be paid for by all, for otherwise beneficiaries lose all concern for costs…

Would Mitt Romney be an improvement over President Obama? I’d like to believe the David Brooks theory of the Romney presidency: that Romney will pivot away from Tea Party Republicanism as soon as he is elected. I don’t see much evidence in support of that theory, alas. George Romney, I’m told, liked to say, “As you campaign, so shall you govern.” Mitt Romney’s campaign has been one long appeasement of the most selfish and stupid elements of the Republican coalition, and the instinct for appeasement will not terminate with the counting of the votes next Tuesday.

But I also reject the Jonathan Chait theory that Romney personally shares the beliefs of the selfish and stupid elements of the coalition. Massachusetts Mitt – the Mitt who hurled himself into the battle for universal health coverage within his state – also came from someplace real. I believe they came from the place whence also came passages like this in Romney’s book, No Apology, a book whose middle sections pretty obviously were written or dictated by the candidate himself.

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antifederalist on November 4, 2012 at 9:40 AM

For the life of me, I don’t see why it matters to you.

Bmore on November 4, 2012 at 9:47 AM

I would say that Tony Snow and John Bolton were most probably dissimilar on at least social policy, to name two off the top of my head. But they were also there to represent the President’s views and not their own. It just makes it marginally easier to be in line.

JeffWeimer on November 4, 2012 at 9:43 AM

Honorable men, those two. I hope we see more of Bolton and I miss Snow something fierce.

thebrokenrattle on November 4, 2012 at 9:48 AM

antifederalist on November 4, 2012 at 9:40 AM

Benghazigate. For the life of me I don’t see why these leftist love 0. Apologists, I’m guessing

Bmore on November 4, 2012 at 9:50 AM

If legislation is so entirely dependent for cost control on the inevitably self-interested politicians personally administering it, it is inherently susceptible to abuse and shouldn’t have been passed. That was the problem with Romneycare in Massachusetts and it is the problem with Obamacare in Washington. And as with the EU, so with the federal government here in the US: Frum prefers a benign bureaucracy channeling the Austro-Hungarian Dual Monarchy’s to the volatility of mob rule. (I’m sure he prefers a politically divided Washington too.) Unfortunately such allegedly dignified arrangements have a way of collapsing under their own weight. Like a lot of Europeans, I think Frum is terrified of Americans. A case of Austro-Hungarian projection?

Seth Halpern on November 4, 2012 at 9:51 AM

Question: What do a kinder, gentler Communism and a truer and more rational propaganda have in common?

Answer: They don’t exist.

Now David Brooks can spend the next four years bragging about how he “once supported” the man whom he suddenly “realized” is the Source of all Evil in the World.

logis on November 4, 2012 at 9:51 AM

You mean the Republicans who have been paying into Social security all their lives? Fifty years in my case, and I have yet to draw a dime.

How about you giving me all I’ve paid into SS and all the money I’ve paid so your kids can go to school and we’ll call it even?

davidk on November 4, 2012 at 9:35 AM

You share the same misconception about SS as 99% of the public. Politicians sold the program as something you are to pay into and at retirement you would be able to withdraw from it. This is false. Social Security operates much differently than 401(k), mutual fund, pension plan, IRA, etc. Say for example, if you contributed to a 401(k) plan, when you reached retirement age there exist some wealth in the form of stocks. Social Security is not a contribution plan. It is a tax. The money you paid into SS was used to pay for current beneficiaries and what was left over was used for other government spending. What you paid into yielded no real wealth. When you retire, your SS check will not be drawn down from some wealth that was accumulated via your contributions. Your benefits will be paid for by the taxation of younger workers. SS is very much like a Ponzi scheme. The same can be said of programs like Medicare, unemployment, etc.

antifederalist on November 4, 2012 at 9:53 AM

Precisely since the universal healthcare law will remain in place, I want to see it implemented by people who see cost control as the first priority – who will grant maximum flexibility to the states – and who will recognize how dangerous it is to finance Obamacare with taxes only on the rich.

Yes, because the government has proven how efficient they are in providing basic goods and services such as food, water, gasoline, electricity, etc. to storm victims in one of the most sophisticated and advanced locations in the world. “Hey, we need those generators to power surgery equipment to save this child’s life.” “Sorry, those generators are reserved for a union rally.”

PatMac on November 4, 2012 at 9:54 AM

Yawn.

Who is Kim Kardashian voting for? I respect her intellect more than Frum’s.

Norwegian on November 4, 2012 at 9:54 AM

Benghazigate. For the life of me I don’t see why these leftist love 0. Apologists, I’m guessing

Bmore on November 4, 2012 at 9:50 AM

If you are going to respond to my post, would you mind staying on subject?

antifederalist on November 4, 2012 at 9:57 AM

I guess the Republican ship has well and truly stopped sinking.

Knott Buyinit on November 4, 2012 at 9:59 AM

I respect her intellect more than Frum’s.

Norwegian on November 4, 2012 at 9:54 AM

Well, at least there’s video proof of her intellect…

the_nile on November 4, 2012 at 10:02 AM

For the life of me, I don’t see why it matters to you.

Bmore on November 4, 2012 at 9:47 AM

The truth hurts doesn’t it?

antifederalist on November 4, 2012 at 10:03 AM

I have come to the conclusion that the lefties are mostly conformists, complicity conforming to all the culture cues around them. They see no resistance from the media, or entertainments industries, which they are constantly surrounded, as are all their friends. If another viewpoint emerges, wel it must be that god awful fox news. Or that dastardly Rush Limbaugh. You would think that intelligent people would find an echo chamber in every direction a bit creepy, but they don’t. They are just annoyed when presented with real diversity.

Queen0fCups on November 4, 2012 at 10:03 AM

antifederalist on November 4, 2012 at 9:53 AM

You and as-ti haven’t been around here all that long. We’ve been over this ground many, many times.

You think we old geezers just fell of the turnip truck.

I, and others here, have said we would be willing to forfeit all that we have paid in and thereby allowing young people to go it on their own.

But you, et al, want to make it a boomer vs, gen-whatev. You are just a bunch of snot-nosed whiners.

davidk on November 4, 2012 at 10:05 AM

Cannot think of an endorsement with less weight.

Maybe Meggie Mac? No, that would still carry more weight.

mudskipper on November 4, 2012 at 8:57 AM

If measured in pounds.

fitzfong on November 4, 2012 at 10:05 AM

“As you campaign, so shall you govern.” Mitt Romney’s campaign has been one long appeasement of the most selfish and stupid elements of the Republican coalition, and the instinct for appeasement will not terminate with the counting of the votes next Tuesday.

Frum’s instinct for fellating Obama will not terminate even if he votes for Romney. No salvation here.

swinia sutki on November 4, 2012 at 10:05 AM

Frum in Canada (and much of the rest of the world in any place you’d want to live) would be generally recognized as an arch-conservative, excepting by a very few enlightened true conservatives.

If the US falls into a complete social democracy, I can’t think of many places left.

Drained Brain on November 4, 2012 at 9:42 AM

Yes and yes.

In Europe Barky is considered a center-right politician. Romney is considered a cross between Gordon Gekko and Oral Roberts.

CorporatePiggy on November 4, 2012 at 10:07 AM

Before you jump out of the frying pan remember that Frum in Canada (and much of the rest of the world in any place you’d want to live) would be generally recognized as an arch-conservative, excepting by a very few enlightened true conservatives.
If the US falls into a complete social democracy, I can’t think of many places left.
Drained Brain on November 4, 2012 at 9:42 AM

I think I’ll try Benghazi, Libya. Seems I’ll be outside Obama’s reach there.

happytobehere on November 4, 2012 at 10:11 AM

You and as-ti haven’t been around here all that long. We’ve been over this ground many, many times.

You think we old geezers just fell of the turnip truck.

I, and others here, have said we would be willing to forfeit all that we have paid in and thereby allowing young people to go it on their own.

But you, et al, want to make it a boomer vs, gen-whatev. You are just a bunch of snot-nosed whiners.

davidk on November 4, 2012 at 10:05 AM

I never said any such thing about you or anyone else. I just thought that I would enlighten you about how SS works and specifically how it differs from private contribution plans. It is unfortunate that we all are forced to pay into this. If it weren’t a tax you and others were denied to have the opportunity to fully fund your own retirements. The government stole from you during your productive years so that you would be dependent on it during your retirement. That is wrong but I still can’t blame you and others for wanting the money.

antifederalist on November 4, 2012 at 10:12 AM

antifederalist on November 4, 2012 at 9:53 AM

SS is heading for insolvency, but who was the only prominent politician to try to reform it? Why, that would be the hated Bush.

thebrokenrattle on November 4, 2012 at 10:13 AM

That is wrong but I still can’t blame you and others for wanting the money.

antifederalist on November 4, 2012 at 10:12 AM

I, and others here, have said we would be willing to forfeit all that we have paid in and thereby allowing young people to go it on their own.

davidk on November 4, 2012 at 10:05 AM

davidk on November 4, 2012 at 10:14 AM

This twit is a walking poison pill, and is just about as irrelevant as those bints in 2004 that put together the “Republican Pro-Choice Majority.”

A Balrog of Morgoth on November 4, 2012 at 10:15 AM

George Romney, I’m told, liked to say, “As you campaign, so shall you govern.” Mitt Romney’s campaign has been one long appeasement of the most selfish and stupid elements of the Republican coalition, and the instinct for appeasement will not terminate with the counting of the votes next Tuesday.

Does not Frum realize what he is saying here?

If Romney is appeasing right-wingers now, will he not appease right-wingers when he gets into office?

So why is he voting for Romney?

davidk on November 4, 2012 at 10:18 AM

davidk on November 4, 2012 at 10:05 AM

Here is a quote from Alan Greenspan. I emphasized the word “real”

“I believe that we should maintain the principles of Social Security, but I think the existing structure is not working. Until we construct a system that creates the savings that are required to build the real assets, so that the retirees have real goods and services. We don’t have a system that is working. We have one that basically moves cash around and we can guarantee cash benefits as far out and whatever size you like, but we cannot guarantee their purchasing power. Do we have the material goods and services that people will need to consume, not whether or not we pass some hurdle with respect to how legal financing occurs. Financing is a secondary issue and it is a means to create the REAL wealth, not an end into itself.”

-Alan Greenspan 2005

antifederalist on November 4, 2012 at 10:18 AM

davidk on November 4, 2012 at 10:14 AM

I am willing to do the same. I just want for younger folks to be free.

antifederalist on November 4, 2012 at 10:19 AM

SS is heading for insolvency, but who was the only prominent politician to try to reform it? Why, that would be the hated Bush.

thebrokenrattle on November 4, 2012 at 10:13 AM

To his credit, Bush did try to reform SS. However, there was overwhelming public sentiment against this. I don’t expect for there to be any fundamental reform of the US social-welfare state until the system has become completely insolvent. And by that time it will be too late for any reforms.

antifederalist on November 4, 2012 at 10:21 AM

antifederalist on November 4, 2012 at 10:18 AM

Which I completely agree with. If we’re going to have it, let it be actual accounts, owned by the recipient, and not this ponzi-like scheme we have now.

But that doesn’t buy votes, so there you are.

JeffWeimer on November 4, 2012 at 10:23 AM

antifederalist on November 4, 2012 at 9:57 AM

I’ll do as I please, troll. For the life of me I can understand you not wanting to think about your dear leaders failure. Tuesday the land will be rid of the stain.

Bmore on November 4, 2012 at 10:24 AM

antifederalist on November 4, 2012 at 10:21 AM

There was overwhelming public sentiment whipped up against it, up to and including blatant falsehoods about the terms. The private portion was optional, and it wouldn’t affect current retirees. But no matter, votes were on the line, and the Democrats ran with it.

JeffWeimer on November 4, 2012 at 10:25 AM

The truth hurts doesn’t it?

antifederalist on November 4, 2012 at 10:03 AM

The truth never offends me.

Bmore on November 4, 2012 at 10:26 AM

I’ll do as I please, troll. For the life of me I can understand you not wanting to think about your dear leaders failure. Tuesday the land will be rid of the stain.

Bmore on November 4, 2012 at 10:24 AM

And who is my dear leader? For the record, I hate all politicians. Therefore neither Bush, Reagan, Obama, Clinton, Romney are my “dear leaders.”

antifederalist on November 4, 2012 at 10:29 AM

There was overwhelming public sentiment whipped up against it, up to and including blatant falsehoods about the terms. The private portion was optional, and it wouldn’t affect current retirees. But no matter, votes were on the line, and the Democrats ran with it.

JeffWeimer on November 4, 2012 at 10:25 AM

There is some truth to this but there wasn’t much of an offensive campaign by Republicans. I think Bush tried to sell it but congressional Republicans distanced themselves from it. I general, I think the public is happy with the status quo because they think it works. Only when things don’t work anymore will they be open to change. However, by then it will be too late.

antifederalist on November 4, 2012 at 10:32 AM

Cannot think of an endorsement with less weight.

Maybe Meggie Mac? No, that would still carry more weight.

mudskipper on November 4, 2012 at 8:57 AM

..she’s got bigger bazongas and a bigger trunk.

The War Planner on November 4, 2012 at 10:34 AM

You mean the Republicans who have been paying into Social security all their lives? Fifty years in my case, and I have yet to draw a dime.

How about you giving me all I’ve paid into SS and all the money I’ve paid so your kids can go to school and we’ll call it even?

davidk on November 4, 2012 at 9:35 AM

Yup morons like you.
Exactly like you.
Paying a tax and imagining that you were paying a premium. STUPID and/or SELFISH.
How about you stop stealing money from other people’s children. You say that you are owed the labor of another person, as though they are are your personal slave, a slave you paid for. If your argument is valid, then the southern slave owners argument was valid.

astonerii on November 4, 2012 at 10:35 AM

Pseudo-intellectual psycho-babble again.

dentalque on November 4, 2012 at 10:35 AM

Sure Lew, whatever strikes your fancy. Try this interesting research tool sometime. In the google search window of your browser. Type in HotAir, then the commenters nic. Works wonders and is priced right.

Bmore on November 4, 2012 at 10:36 AM

sometime=sometimes

Bmore on November 4, 2012 at 10:37 AM

Which I completely agree with. If we’re going to have it, let it be actual accounts, owned by the recipient, and not this ponzi-like scheme we have now.

But that doesn’t buy votes, so there you are.

JeffWeimer on November 4, 2012 at 10:23 AM

In order for the system to be sustainable there would have to be a transition to something that accumulates real assets and not the wealth redistribution system that we have today. The problem is that most people love the security part of social security. Stock markets fluctuates and most folks are afraid that going this route could potentially wipe out there retirement savings. As I said before, SS is a tax and not a savings/wealth accumulation system. Any benefits that are paid are paid with the taxes of current workers. This is unsustainable. Before any reforms can be implemented, the public needs to be educated on this fact.

antifederalist on November 4, 2012 at 10:37 AM

antifederalist on November 4, 2012 at 10:18 AM

The State of Kansas has a mandatory retirement system for public employees. It invests the money. It’s had its ups and downs with the markets, but over all it has been successful.

While my political leanings says, “Let the individual takes responsibility for his/her own retirement,” if it’s got to be mandatory then the Kansas model is something to consider.

davidk on November 4, 2012 at 10:37 AM

Yeah Davey, we believe you. Surrrrre you will.

Left Coast Right Mind on November 4, 2012 at 10:38 AM

Yup morons like you.
Exactly like you.
Paying a tax and imagining that you were paying a premium. STUPID and/or SELFISH.
How about you stop stealing money from other people’s children. You say that you are owed the labor of another person, as though they are are your personal slave, a slave you paid for. If your argument is valid, then the southern slave owners argument was valid.

astonerii on November 4, 2012 at 10:35 AM

You are the moron. You let your emotions so override your reason you can’t see when someone is rattling your cage.

I don’t want your money. Read that again: I don’t want your money.

But neither do I appreciate some self-appointed arbitrator of all that’s good telling me that I’m ripping them off.

You aren’t the only one who has an understanding of the way things work.

I had a close friend who was like you. Young, full of piss and vinegar and was right and nobody else understood the issues like he did.

But then he grew up.

davidk on November 4, 2012 at 10:43 AM

The State of Kansas has a mandatory retirement system for public employees. It invests the money. It’s had its ups and downs with the markets, but over all it has been successful.

While my political leanings says, “Let the individual takes responsibility for his/her own retirement,” if it’s got to be mandatory then the Kansas model is something to consider.

davidk on November 4, 2012 at 10:37 AM

As a postal worker, my dad was under a similar system. As you said, it had its ups and downs but overall he came out ahead. The way liberals frame the debate old people would be dying in the street if SS were privatized. The last time I checked, my dad doesn’t eat Alpo for dinner every night.

antifederalist on November 4, 2012 at 10:46 AM

You are the moron. You let your emotions so override your reason you can’t see when someone is rattling your cage.

I don’t want your money. Read that again: I don’t want your money.

But neither do I appreciate some self-appointed arbitrator of all that’s good telling me that I’m ripping them off.

You aren’t the only one who has an understanding of the way things work.

I had a close friend who was like you. Young, full of piss and vinegar and was right and nobody else understood the issues like he did.

But then he grew up.

davidk on November 4, 2012 at 10:43 AM

You said pay you back. See that below? By the way, you paid nothing for my kids to go to school. They are home schooled.

How about you giving me all I’ve paid into SS and all the money I’ve paid so your kids can go to school and we’ll call it even?

davidk on November 4, 2012 at 9:35 AM

So you obviously do want someone else’ money, as your money is gone. Spent long ago, as it was paid in. So, you want other people to be forced to work to give you money.

astonerii on November 4, 2012 at 10:49 AM

I haven’t read Frum’s latest nor will I. Frankly, I don’t even care if he votes Obama at this stage. He might as well go all in.

Resist We Much on November 4, 2012 at 10:53 AM

Frum hasn’t said anything insightful since he coined the term “axis of evil”. Oh wait, that was idiotic too.

happytobehere on November 4, 2012 at 10:54 AM

Thank you for your vote, you drooling idiot!

claudius on November 4, 2012 at 11:15 AM

You share the same misconception about SS as 99% of the public. Politicians sold the program as something you are to pay into and at retirement you would be able to withdraw from it. This is false. Social Security operates much differently than 401(k), mutual fund, pension plan, IRA, etc. Say for example, if you contributed to a 401(k) plan, when you reached retirement age there exist some wealth in the form of stocks. Social Security is not a contribution plan. It is a tax. The money you paid into SS was used to pay for current beneficiaries and what was left over was used for other government spending. What you paid into yielded no real wealth. When you retire, your SS check will not be drawn down from some wealth that was accumulated via your contributions. Your benefits will be paid for by the taxation of younger workers. SS is very much like a Ponzi scheme. The same can be said of programs like Medicare, unemployment, etc.

antifederalist on November 4, 2012 at 9:53 AM

What he said – I wish people would read this and memorize it and quit saying they “paid INTO Social Security.” I wish people would learn.

djl130 on November 4, 2012 at 11:29 AM

What he said – I wish people would read this and memorize it and quit saying they “paid INTO Social Security.” I wish people would learn.

djl130 on November 4, 2012 at 11:29 AM

They are willfully ignorant. Much like the pro-abortion crowd. They will refuse to their dying and hell ensured last breath that a baby 9 months into term is not a human life worthy of being protected. The pro-social security crowd has to maintain a perfect ignorance of the fact that the money they are demanding be paid for them be forced through slave like labor. The work of the person paying social security is nothing less than slave labor. They get no benefit from their labor, that labor does not belong to them, but to someone who has paid to have the fruits of their labor to themselves. The sins of those who refuse to be fathers is lain on the feet of other people’s children.

astonerii on November 4, 2012 at 11:34 AM

Frum voting for the same candidate as I’m voting for just pisses me off. He hasn’t earned the right to vote Republican.

Immolate on November 4, 2012 at 11:45 AM

I enjoy the thought that the average citizen had a choice as to pay into Social Security or not. The only difference in most of the working public is those who made other arrangements besides SS or those who trust the government to take care of them.

Cindy Munford on November 4, 2012 at 11:45 AM

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