Catie Hopkins ’13: After four years of an unsuccessful democratic presidency, Republican party candidate Mitt Romney plans to change the dynamic of the American government by shrinking the enormous deficit amassed by President Obama, reworking the tax system to help the middle class and businesses, and changing America’s foreign relationships to decrease dependence on China.
In fewer than four years, President Obama has skyrocketed the federal deficit, increasing it by 6.5 trillion dollars. These expenditures have seriously injured long-term economic recovery and increased U.S. dependence on Chinese loans. Moreover, domestic programs, including semi-effective jobs, and policies such as Obamacare, will require an extra $500 billion in taxes to succeed, further increasing America’s debt. High government funding and decreasing welfare requirements have hurt American citizens, encouraging many to stop seeking jobs altogether and to rely on governmental financial support. The lack of successful job creation programs has made this problem even worse.
Following the “Great Recession” of 2008, President Obama commenced huge deficit spending and enacted a massive stimulus package to jump-start the floundering economy. This increased spending has not abated over the past four years,. Romney plans to reverse this trend by repealing Obamacare and delegating insurance control to the states to ensure the best patient care. In addition to cutting $500 billion dollars in taxes, this state-by-state system of insurance will facillitate long-term healthcare improvement for all Americans, including new options for the uninsured and chronically ill.
Romney also plans to enact Reagan-esque tax-cuts to jump-start businesses and aid the middle class. He proposes cutting the marginal tax rate by 20 percent for all Americans, and to eliminate taxes on interest and capital gains for those making under $200,000 annually to maximize revenue. He will offset the funding lost in these cuts by limiting upper class deductions and exemptions. These tax cuts will increase work and entrepreneurship, leading to job creation because lower income taxes incentivize business start-ups.
The Romney Five Point Plan encompasses economic opportunity, education and business improvement for the middle class instead of the president’s tax hikes which stifle small business development.. Romney would cut back on President Obama’s job-training programs to lower required funding and streamline job opportunity. Romney will also establish a stronger trade relationship with Latin America and tighten trade restrictions to reduce economic dependence on China. Finally, he will improve small businesses by incentivizing job creation with lower taxes and protection from labor union control.
Romney offers contemporary Reaganomics to create business opportunities, enact tax cuts, and reform Social Security and healthcare. The idea of a “Reagan Economic Zone” to promote trade between countries favoring free enterprise capitalism would open new markets for American goods and decrease dependence on China. Also, Romney’s proposed Social Security reform would help future generations by decreasing spending without major changes to the program. Furthermore, he wants to reform Medicare programs for senior citizens by giving them a budget for either public or private insurance, giving more benefits to those who need the most financial assistance.
After four years of increased spending and taxation, America needs a change from President Obama’s unsuccessful policies. Romney is that change, a candidate willing to reform spending, taxation, government aid and trade in the interest of the American people.

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