I don't know how other Conservatives feel, but this Conservative is starting to feel like a "Push Me Pull Me".
On the one hand, I, and my fellow Conservatives, are called racists because we didn't vote for President Obama and we openly criticize his policies. Gee, could it actually be because he is a Liberal and we are Conservatives? You'd think he was the first President to be criticized by the other side. The media seems to forget that this is America, where we are allowed to openly disagree with our politicians if we don't agree with their policies.
On the other hand I, and my fellow Conservatives, who are leaning heavily toward Herman Cain, are called racists because we are actually thinking about supporting a black man as a possible Presidential candidate. Which is it?
I think a little projection might be going on here. What is projection? "A psychological defense mechanism where a person subconsciously denies his or her own attributes, thoughts, and emotions, which are then ascribed to the outside world, usually to other people. Thus, projection involves imagining or projecting the belief that others originate those feelings." But I digress.
While I really don't care what the neurotic media or their Liberal buddies think about me or Conservatives, I do want to take a moment or two to explain where I am coming from in case any of my friends or family buy into their characterization and neurosis.
When Illinois State Senator Barrack Obama spoke at the 2004 Democrat Convention, I was so impressed with him. I told people that this might be a Democrat I could actually support if he were to ever run for President.
Fast forward to two years later. US Senator Barrack Obama announces his candidacy for President. I was excited. I thought, it was about time. But, now he was an actual candidate and potential leader of the free world. I had to weigh everything, not just a great speech I had seen two years earlier. So, I started paying attention to his words and his actions. I started listening closely to him and I didn't like what I heard or didn't hear.
I heard words like "Hope" and "Change". And I'd ask, "Hope in what?" and "What kind of change?" These were just empty platitudes, leaving people with their own idea of what they meant.
Then I heard phrases like, "redistribution of wealth" and "fundamental transformation of America". I thought, "Redistribution of wealth? We already have a tax code that does just that. What more do we need?" and "Fundamental transformation to what? America doesn't need to be transformed. It needs to be restored."
I believed candidate Obama when he said, "Under my plan, energy costs will necessarily skyrocket." To me, that didn't sound like a good idea. This would make life even more difficult for the poor and the elderly.
I believed candidate Obama when he said he wanted to bankrupt the coal industry. I really didn't think it would be a good idea to bankrupt an industry that provides over fifty percent of our electricity.
I believed candidate Obama when he said that as President he would cut missile defense systems (the systems that protect our nation from missile attacks), slow the development of future combat systems (so no new military technology) and naively stated he would work toward a nuclear free world. When I watched the video his campaign put together outlining these plans I was actually terrified. It was an ominous video.
The more I listened, the more I disliked him as a potential President. His skin color had absolutely nothing to do with my feelings. It was simply his policies.
Since coming into office he hasn't changed my mind.
From what I have seen of Herman Cain, he is a man I can believe in and possibly support as a Presidential candidate. He has been a favorite of mine since he announced his candidacy.
Herman Cain grew up during the most racially charged time in our nation's history, yet he didn't let the racism hold him back. He rose above his circumstances to become a successful businessman, CEO of Godfather's Pizza, talk show host, syndicated columnist, and chairman of the board of directors of the Federal Reserve of Kansas City.
Herman Cain has a genuine sense of humor and is unflappable in the face of adversity. He is not afraid to put forth his ideas and stand by them. However, he does need to do a better job of explaining them and not referring people to his website to learn more.
While Mr. Cain does not have any political experience, he does have extensive private sector business experience. He knows what it takes to make a business thrive. Maybe the change this country really needs is a businessman at the helm.
I like a lot of what I have seen so far in Herman Cain, but I want to see and hear more before I make my final vote. This election is too important to be hasty.
