Caricature

In many ways Mitt Romney seems like a caricature. To me he embodies many of the things which a supposed majority of Americans want to avoid in their politicians, yet there he is, running for President in what may turn out to be a close election.

The current crisis in America was caused by greedy capitalists, eager to make a buck no matter who got hurt and what damage they may cause. So who do the Republicans choose as their standard-bearer-- a leading and very successful Wall Street financial restructuring specialist! He has all the trappings of the species: a personal fortune of $250+ million, offshore bank accounts in such places as the Cayman Islands, most of his multi-million dollar annual income coming from capital gains, an income tax rate lower than his secretary's at 15%, several mansions all around the country, many high-priced cars, and plans for a car lift to stack cars at his California home after a $10 million plus house expansion there. To top it off, he attended the best schools (Stanford and Harvard- JD/MBA) and comes from a wealthy Michigan family. The Republican Party, which has done this sort of thing before, is a long way from the days when political parties used to vie over which candidate was born in a simple log cabin (including the first Republican Party president, who must look down from his ubiquitous likeness at party rallies in disbelief).

When it comes to party platform, Romney does not disappoint here either. It almost seems like a parody, except it's real. At a time when millions of Americans can't make ends meet, he favors even lower taxes for the very rich. In fact, he seems opposed to any increases in revenue from the wealthy under any circumstances. As for business, which got us into trouble due to non-existent or lax regulation, he favors less government regulation. Obamacare, which promises relief to millions who now lack medical care, is something he promises to repeal if elected. He declares it was bad policy before the Supreme Court upheld it and that it remains the same today.

It is no wonder that Romney is collecting hundreds of millions from some of the richest multi-millionaires and billionaires in America, who see their priceless opportunity to make even more. It looks like a TV news comedy to watch the 1% arriving in their Rolls Royces and Mercedes to fundraisers at their brethren's summer homes of 20,000 square feet and more in the Hamptons or Palm Springs, except it's happening every day.

As a comedy, satire, or parody of the current American political scene, you can't improve on the current Republican candidate, unless you go back to his unsuccessful predecessor's vice presidential nominee.