As a member of the College Republicans of UW and a strong conservative, I cannot help but feel pleased with the recent Republican National Convention held in Tampa Bay, FL.
The event offered voters a glimpse of a renewed and reinvigorated Republican Party, and it showcased some of America’s top conservative minds. Even more important, this year’s RNC gave presidential hopeful Mitt Romney and vice-presidential running mate Paul Ryan the chance to exhibit their mutual command of fiscal policy, practical business experience and common sense.
Ryan, the 42-year-old congressman from Wisconsin and chairman of the House Budget Committee, used the opportunity to introduce America to his family and his Badger State heritage.
In his address to the RNC, he explained that Wisconsin, like many other states, is still reeling from the economic slump that has crippled small businesses and resulted in the loss of thousands of American jobs. All the while, the federal government has increased in size and scope beyond anything the founding fathers could have ever imagined, he said. “You can be part of the problem, or you can be part of the solution,” he said. Obviously, the federal government has rapidly become the largest part of the problem.
Ryan’s lack of private sector experience has been a cause for concern among many voters, and rightfully so.
A flawless understanding of the ebb and flow of today’s market could only come from years of business experience. However, Ryan brings to the table something that no other candidate in this election cycle possesses. In 1999, at the age of 29, he entered the U.S. House of Representatives with a legislative tenacity rarely seen in freshman members of the House.
In eight short years, he became the Republican Party’s ranking member on the House Budget Committee, and was selected chairman in 2011. Throughout his legislative career, the well-spoken Congressman has been a tireless advocate for small government and fiscal responsibility, as demonstrated by his track record of deficit-cutting budget proposals.
This understanding of the legislative system could only be complimented by the private sector experience of Mitt Romney. Romney also used the RNC to introduce American voters to his truly American experience of raising a family and working diligently to further his career. The RNC speaker lineup was riddled with accolades for Romney’s demonstrated leadership experience, and his acceptance speech focused largely on his proven ability to govern, lead, repair and reinvigorate broken institutions.
Romney made clear his intentions for our country, stating that the first step of his economic recovery plan would be to make U.S. energy independent by 2020, a decisive step that will put thousands of Americans back to work.
He also took a hard stance on Iran, scolding President Obama for not doing more to undermine Iran’s nuclear program. And he set the tone for his first four years in office by promising a path to a much needed balanced budget.
Romney finished by saying, “President Obama promised to begin to slow the rise of the oceans and heal the planet. My promise… is to help you and your family.” It’s time we look past empty rhetoric and governmental theory to some real solutions. Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan intend to do just that.
