La Politique, The Romney Factor

During my childhood years, I lived in Toledo, Ohio which at that time was part of the Detroit Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church, stake=diocese). Mitt Romney's dad, George Romney, was the Stake President. He was a distinguished, dynamic man, and President of the American Motors Corporation. My dad came into contact frequently with George Romney, as he served variously as a Bishop and High Councilor in the Church. It would not be an understatement to say that George Romney influenced my Dad greatly.

In 1957, my family was the proud owner of a beautiful white Ford Fairlane. It looked like this.

My mom and I loved that car! It was sleek, roomy, and stylish. Everthing an up and coming family would want in a car. However, I was becoming increasingly aware of a concept being floated about by George Romney's car company, "Beware of the gas-guzzling dinosaurs", and distinctly remember a cartoon showing a large car with huge fins slurping up gasoline.

Not too long after that, my dad came home from work, and he was not driving our Ford. Instead he came home in this (ours was dark gray):
with interior like this (ours was orange and black, yes the true Halloween colors):

Surprised would be the mild way of putting our reaction. While my dad touted the advantages of all the money we would save on gas, my Mom cried. My dad did drive a lot as he was a sales representative for Sunoco Gas Company. (There is a certain irony in this situation if you think about it). Also, he drove those long trips to Detroit (80 miles) for Church meetings. If you are Mormon, you know what that involves. And, of course, this was the car we took to visit relatives in Idaho with my brothers and I scrunched in the not so roomy back seat. No doubt, George Romney was a terrific salesman.

So...... (now for politics), does my family connection with the Romney family ensure a vote for Mitt? Well,....... no. I feel like the lady in the movie, "Blindsides", when being interviewed for a job position by her Southern Conservative, future employers, said that she had a confession to make. She confessed, "I am a Democrat."

I have to confess that Rollie and I are no longer registered Republicans, but re-registered as independents. Over the past few years, I realized that my core values did not match completely with the Republican party agenda, and yes, (GULP), I voted for Obama in the last election, still without regret.

It would be a long and lengthy blog to explain my politics (which, maybe, I might do someday), but I will conclude this blog with one opinion. I sense very much, when I listen to Obama, that he is congruent and centered in his politics. While I believe Mitt Romney is a very good man, very grounded in his faith and values, he hasn't projected a confidence in his policies (still not sure where he stands on some positions), that I am looking for. There is a possibility I would vote for him, but I don't know. His dad sold my dad the ugliest car on the face of the planet!!!