Top Ten Reasons to vote for Mitt Romney

This list was read at our Elders Quorum date-night party on Feb. 10, 2007...and by popular demand...I have posted the following:

Top Ten reasons I hope to have a Mormon President

By David Alvord

10. So that the "National Cathedral" can be renamed the "National Tabernacle"

9. So NASA will comission a satellite to hie to Kolob

8. The Secret Service will be changed to the Sacred Service

7. All official government prayers to include the phrase: "that we all get home safely"

6. So that Napoleon Dynamite's endorsement does more that get Pedro elected

5. To have a President who can not only explain things in Layman's terms but also in Lemuel's terms

4. An exchange of presidential pardons for 100% home teaching

3. Finally a President who can not only pronounce the word "nuclear", but can also say "mahonri-moriancumr" and "maher-shalal-hash-baz"

2. At inauguration he will place his hand on the bible "as far as it is translated correctly"

1. To have a first family large enough to occupy all the rooms of the White House

Who will be held accountable?

As Hillary Clinton tries to redefine herself for the 20th time...I find it necessary to strip down all the spin and packaging. At the heart of any candidate is the one quality that matters most: Character... a quality Ms. Clinton seems to carry in short supply.

One of the most important practices of a leader is to hold people accountable. A leader initiates action and expects results. Real consequences for a lack of performance are necessary for effective leadership. Without follow up, a leader becomes a talking head. While she may hold the office, she does not execute orders effectively...and is a lame duck before the term begins.

When Hillary and Bill Clinton entered into their marriage agreement there were promises made. Fidelity was foremost among them to be sure! When Bill violated the agreement, lied about it, and then violated the marriage contract again and again, Hillary did not Hold him accountable! Marriage is the most important obligation that any of us enter into, and Hillary did not hold her partner accountable when the contract was violated.

How will Hillary hold nations accountable? How will Hillary respond to a nuclear Iran? What would Hillary do in the face of a major terror attack on the United States? If the terrorists bite their lip and wave their thumbs and say "I am truly sorry". Will she be able to muster the character necessary to hold them responsible?

Recently, Hillary has said that she wants to try to "understand" Iran a little better. Has that been her strategy with Bill? Is she trying to "understand" him better? (Read about Mitt Romney's brilliant response to this)

Bill is a cheat, and Iran cannot be allowed to develop nuclear weapons...it's as simple as that.

I admit that it would have taken tremendous courage for Hillary to leave Bill in the middle of his presidency.

But tremendous courage is just what America needs...

President George

I think that President George had good intentions! I really do. After all, on paper, it sounded good to overthrow a Tyrant and create a democracy. It sounded like a noble war... in theory. But the reality on the ground...and the way that the war was implemented has proven to be a huge mistake! The war did cost us an initial 25,000 lives (American lives)...and then our enemies came back for vengeance and we lost an additional 20,000 Americans! But this was just the beginning of the casualties. You see, the president never resolved the ethnic problems that existed and this eventually led to a civil war that killed 625,000 AMERICANS. Perhaps we were better off with a dictator after all!

Sound familiar?

I am referring, of course, to our first "President George": George Washington. The Revolutionary War cost us 25,000. The Tyrant? The King of England. We fought the British again in the war of 1812...and lost another 20,000. The unresolved ethnic problems? No, I was not referring to the Sunni's and the Shiites...the ethnic problem that our country left unresolved was African slavery. The American civil war cost us over 625,000 souls! see war casualties

The price that was paid for freedom did not come cheap for America!

Why do we think that it should come so easily for the middle-east?

Another President George has courageously faced a growing threat. Terrorists and the states who sponsor terror needed to be answered for the atrocities committed on Sept. 11, 2001. President Bush has led our country to many victories on the war on terror.

I cringe every time I hear that Bush has been a failure in Iraq! A failure?

President Bush defeated Saddam Hussein: a brutal dictator and growing threat to Israel and the whole region: Victory #1

President Bush has successfully transformed Iraq into a democratic government: Victory #2

President Bush has opened hospitals, schools, and restored electricity and provided electricity to places that never had it before: Victory #3

President Bush will establish greater security and freedom to the Iraqis and possibly intervene before a civil war breaks out: Victory #4 (if the democrats don't sabotage it)

I think that the effort in Iraq has been a huge success! I am saddened by the loss of the 3000 Americans. But freedom has always come from sacrifice.

There may be more bloodshed in Iraq. It will eventually be up to the Iraqis to secure their own freedom. If a civil war breaks out...it may be a necessary evil to purge the Iraqis of discord and sectarian rivalry. The United States experienced a civil war...and we came out the better for it in the long run. We shouldn't expect freedom to come easily to the middle-east. Yet, in spite of the sacrifice required, freedom is always worth the cost. Is that not our American heritage?

Borg Queen Hillary may unite America around Mitt

By David Alvord

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Hillary Clinton has announced that she will run for president! I got chills as I watched her make the announcement on the web. But it wasn't warm fuzzy chills...it was more like the chills you get when you are tied to a chair and spiders are crawling up your legs. I remember feeling the same emotion while watching Star Trek; First Contact. In the movie, the "Borg Queen" tries to seduce Capitan Picard...and promises to share her power with him. It was a scene that must have resembled Hillary's marriage proposal to Bill. While Hillary talked about "having a conversation" with the American people, I couldn't help wondering if her next line would be "if not...you will be assimilated". And when it comes to the other democratic challengers, I hate to say it but "resistance is futile".

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We all know that the Clinton's wield enormous political power...and unless the democrats can produce someone more compelling than the junior smokin' senator from Illinois, Hillary is going to get the party nomination. After all, to most democrats, it is Hillary's God-given right to be president. It's her party and she can cry if she wants to! And just like the Borg Queen...conservatives are scared to death of a Hillary presidency! The Republicans will need to nominate someone who can match Hillary's rhetorical prowess. They will need someone who has successfully sailed in liberal waters and knows the democratic play book. They will need that individual who can articulate conservative values in a persuasive and intelligent manner. I can think of no better candidate to take on Hillary than our own Mitt Romney! Hillary Clinton may be the one adversary that will be scary enough to unite all Christians. Baptists united with Catholics. Mormons united with Evangelicals. Is America ready for a Mormon president? If he can defeat Hillary, America may just have room for a Mormon after all!

Evangelicals for Mitt to be praised!

By David Alvord

When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.

When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.

When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.

When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.

-Pastor Martin Niemöller

Although this poem was written to portray the rise of Nazi Germany, it also has application to religious bigotry.
"Bigot" is often used as a pejorative term against a person who is obstinately devoted to their prejudices even when these views are challenged or proven to be false. And "bigot" is the term I would use for anyone who would rule out a candidate based solely on his religious persuasion.

I have read several articles that proclaim Mitt Romney to be the ideal candidate with just one problem: He's a Mormon. Can this statement reveal anything other than religious discrimination? Such an attitude threatens not only a Mormon candidate, but candidates of any religious persuasion.

Joseph Smith, himself a victim of severe bigotry, said it well:

The Saints can testify whether I am willing to lay down my life for my brethren. If it has been demonstrated that I have been willing to die for a "Mormon," I am bold to declare before Heaven that I am just as ready to die in defending the rights of a Presbyterian, a Baptist, or a good man of any other denomination; for the same principle which would trample upon the rights of the Latter-day Saints would trample upon the rights of the Roman Catholics, or of any other denomination who may be unpopular and too weak to defend themselves.

And so in that spirit, praise be to the website Evangelicals for Mitt! The founders of that site have looked past their religious differences to add their support to Mitt Romney. I believe that good people of all religions are stronger when united...and weaker when divided. The E.F.M. have not only demonstrated their willingness to support a candidate of any religious persuasion, but they have also picked a man of integrity and one of the most promising candidates of our time.

Mitt's a fundraising maniac!

Mitt has raised 6.5 million in his first day of fundraising! This represents the largest haul of any candidate since the passage of campaign finance reform!

Check out the link: Romney's big day

And just how does this compare to Rudy and McCain?

The figure dwarfed the money raised so far by two GOP stars leading the 2008 speculation, U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
McCain has raised $2 million while Giuliani has picked up $1 million. Like Romney, both have created 2008 exploratory committees. Link to article

Anyone familiar with modern presidential politics will tell you that he who raises the most money the earliest will get the national spotlight. All the more reason to be optimistic for Mitt's campaign!

Tyrants must answer to the United States

Right before President Bush announced that the U.S. would be invading Iraq, I had a dream. I can't say for sure if it was an inspired dream or not, but it was a very clear dream and it felt spiritual. In the dream, I was in Baghdad talking with some Iraqi students who were discussing a new day for Iraq, and a possible overthrow of the Hussein regime. The students seemed extremely intelligent and articulate. I remember feeling like I could identify with those students and I wanted to help them to be free. During our conversation, we were spotted by a member of Saddam's royal guard and were taken by gunpoint to a room without a roof. Although I was an American, I was guilty by association and would share the fate of the students. We were told that our conversation was illegal and that we would be punished for our crimes. Saddam himself then entered the room and I was filled with enormous fear! I had never before felt such intense oppression as I did in this dream. I remember a feeling of helplessness and my heart cried out to God. I thought to myself how unjust this was...that there was no court to appeal to, no lawyer to represent me. This man, Saddam Hussein, had complete power over me...and it seemed that there was no righteous force to oppose him. The dictator would deal with us and I expected the worst. Who could save us? How can such absolute power be unchecked?
It was at this low point that I remember hearing the roar of a formation of f-16s and f-15s. At first, I was confused, but could tell that something good was happening. As bombs began to fall, Saddam and his men left the scene...and it was then that I realized that it was our guys! The United States came as a rescuer. I shouted for joy almost like at a sporting event. The precision and efficacy of the fighter pilots were impressive! I was so proud to belong to the country that not only was able to stand up against Saddam's regime, but could do so with such technology and skill.

The dream gave me a small taste of the fear and intimidation that a tyrant rules with. I am sure that the actual experience is much worse.

Who but the United States could have delivered the Iraqis? Saddam was a Hitler wanna-be. Fortunately, he was contained and then dealt with before he left an even darker legacy. But consider his past:

Hussein's regime killed, tortured, raped and terrorized the Iraqi people and its neighbors for over two decades.

Hundreds of thousands of people died as a result of Hussein's actions.

Hussein has had approximately 40 of his own relatives murdered.

1980-88: Iran-Iraq war left 150,000 to 340,000 Iraqis and 450,000 to 730,000 Iranians dead.

1983-1988: Documented chemical attacks by Iraqi regime caused some 30,000 Iraqi and Iranian deaths.

1988: Chemical attack on Kurdish village of Halabja killed approximately 5,000 people.

1987-1988: Iraqi regime used chemical agents in attacks against at least 40 Kurdish villages.

1990-91: 1,000 Kuwaitis were killed in Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.

1991: bloody suppression of Kurdish and Shi'a uprisings in northern and southern Iraq killed at least 30,000 to 60,000.

*Sources: Office of the White House Press Secretary: Life Under Saddam Hussein: Past Repression and Atrocities by Saddam Hussein's Regime; April 4, 2003, http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/04/iraq/20030404-1.html; "Iraq: Crimes Against Humanity," State Department, May 7, 2002, http://usinfo.state.gov/regional/nea/iraq/crimes; "Iraq: U.S. Alleges Role in Bush Death Plot," Facts on File May 20, 1993; http: www.2facts.com; http://www.2facts.com/stories/temp/10882temp1993053677.asp)

History has had many tyrants. There have been and there will be many Hitler wanna-bes. But ever since the 18th century, the United States has taken on several of them and won! We may have to play this role in the world for decades to come. Our strength has been the strength of our religion and our values. May we continue to protect our families and strengthen our morality here at home. The Holy One of Israel has His eye on our country and if we remember Him and keep His commandments, He will continue to protect us and strengthen us. Always the defenders, never the aggressors, the United States will continue to promote freedom throughout the earth. And God willing, Tyrants will have to answer to the United States.

Hussein Obama? A Little too Ironic

Let's not jinx ourselves!

I am truly sorry! We really could have forgiven the similarity of "Obama" to "Usama". And "Barack"? I don't know any Baracks...but that would have been okay too. But your middle name is HUSSEIN? Barack Hussein Obama? It's just a little too ironic!

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In Alanis Morrisette's song "Isn't it Ironic", she seems to have a hard time actually citing any examples of irony. For example: "It's a black fly in your Chardonnay". That isn't actually ironic...it would have been ironic if the person with the bug in his drink was an Orkin man.

Or, "it's like rain...on your wedding day". Again, only truly ironic if the person is a weatherman and had forcast clear skies.

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Yet, we forgive you Alanis! What can I say, it was a catchy song. We even forgive your weird name "Alanis". It's the lost city of Atlantis, spoken by a person with a numb tongue (trust me, I know what that sounds like).

But let me get this straight. The next president of the United States, the man who will take over as commander-in-chief for the war on terror, has a name that resembles not one...but both of the central figures of that war!

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So the man who is going to get Usama is Obama?

The man who will fix the problems started by Hussein is Hussein?

The Same guy who wants to get us back on "t'rack is Barack?

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There is an irony-threshold that we as Americans can handle. If that threshold was ever crossed it would unleash all kinds of chaos and conspiracy theories. Barack would be such a historical oddity that I worry that textbooks would spontaneously light on fire! If Hussein Obama actually got Usama, it would nessesitate that congress mandate a new word for irony be intoduced to represent this new super-irony. It would be so difficult to describe this second level of irony that there would have to be graduate courses devoted to it. Only Stephen Hawking could actually understand it.

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So let's not jinx ourselves out of getting Usama!

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"and isn't it ironic...don't ya think? A little too ironic...and yea, I really do think!"

Mitt Romney: Please just admit he has a chance!

Hello my LDS friends. I have found it strange that the people who have the most pessimism about Mitt Romney's chances as a Mormon candidate are Mormons themselves! Why is that?

It may have to do with the fact that many members of the LDS faith have served missions, or are married to those who have. As missionaries we have had doors slammed in our faces, have been ridiculed, and have had to endure more rejection than acceptance. Even though many do accept our faith, most reject it. We are used to being rejected. I think that it is this psychology that could be the cause for so many of my friends and associates to have such a grim outlook...when it comes to not only Mitt, but any LDS candidate.

But to vote for a leader, one doesn't have to accept the testimony of the prophet Joseph. He doesn't have to pay 10% of his income. He doesn't have to convert to Mormonism at all.

I think that we may be mistaking religious rejection for political rejection. After all, today's highest-ranking member of the United States Senate is, well, a Mormon. Harry Reid may be a democrat, but he is also a Mormon. His kids attended BYU, and he happens to be pro-life. That is a strange selection for the top post among the democrats...a pro-life Mormon. But there he is.

It's really not all that strange. If you think about it, the LDS people are natural-born leaders. We dress up every Sunday, give talks, and attend loads of meetings. We have faced opposition and rejection throughout our lives. We don't drink, smoke, or gamble...and most of us would bleed on the flag just to make sure it's stripes stay red (MI3).

Some may cite recent polls that suggest that the majority of Americans would not vote for a Mormon. While there may be a few who would never vote for a Mormon, I think that many may have cast their opinion in ignorance. There was another survey a few years ago that asked if people would vote for a "heterosexual" for president. Surprisingly about 1/4 said No to that question. It was ignorance that caused that response...and it is probably ignorance that has caused the Mormon polls to look like they did. A person may not want a polygamist in the White House, or an Amish-type president (these are some common misconceptions of mainstream Mormonism). But they may be okay with a family-man, with one wife, from Massachusetts...who just happens to belong to the LDS church...as long as their taxes stay low, and they think that the candidate is a man of integrity.

There is no doubt that Mitt's candidacy will require educating many Americans about the LDS faith. He will need to clear up many misconceptions about the chruch. But he won't be doing it alone. The Media will churn out piles of stories about all of the candidates...and Mitt will not be an exception. In fact, there is such a fascination with Mormonism that it could turn to Mitt's advantage. Mitt may be talked about more than other candidates BECAUSE of his religion.

Some advantages that Mitt Romney has:

1) Strong support of many LDS throughout the country. Do not underestimate the influence of the members of the church...we have influenced many elections in years past. For example, we recently helped defeat a gay marriage amendment in California. We also may have given the ERA the decisive blow in the 80s.

2) Strong support in Michigan. His father was a beloved Governor and is still remembered. 17 electoral votes.

3) A very successful term as Governor in Massachusetts. He balanced the budget without raising taxes. He also provided health care to every person in the state, again without raising taxes!

4) Mitt has raised the most money. His PAC tops them all.

5) In Tennessee, a presidential straw poll put him in second place among republicans. The only person with more votes was Frist (who announced last week that he will not run for president).

6) Governor Schwarzenegger was just reelected in California. A republican in California! With a goofy name! An immigrant! He defends Bush! He was an actor! A meat-head! Despite these obstacles, the "governator" was reelected. No doubt, he is a huge star...but he also ran as a fiscal conservative and pro-environment. California will forgive a multitude of sins if you will be for the environment. If Mitt can be a pro-environment Republican...he may have a shot at those tasty 55 electoral votes in California. And guess which church is the second largest in California? Hint: it's the true one.

7) Mitt is the most conservative of the known possible '08 candidates. John McCain has ticked off too many of us...also he has that grouchy-old-man thing going. He made a fool of himself on SNL. All that McCain's opponents need to do is play those SNL tapes during the primaries. It will be "so" over! Rudy is pro-abortion. He better start whistling a new pro-life tune or he will not get the republican nomination. Period. Newt Gingrich is awesome! But I am the only one who thinks so. Whoever wins ought to consider putting Newt in some kind of advisory role. He just isn't "presidential" enough (whatever than means). Among conservatives, Mitt fits the bill almost perfectly.

8) This is America. Anything can happen here. A tall, ugly, and awkward Republican from Illinois can get elected, free the slaves, then guide us through a civil war. A divorced actor from California can lead us against a communist super-power, and win...without a shot being fired. A fellow from Virginia can lead a rag-tag army against the largest military of it's time and successfully achieve independence for our country.

I do not say that Mitt will win the presidency, but I do say that he has a chance. If you believe that our leaders can be foreordained (and I do), then we may likely see a Mormon president. We may see several of them! I don't know if Mitt will achieve the presidency or if he will pave the way for one who will.

But would you just do one thing for me?

Would you just admit that he has a chance!

By the way...there are some smart political analysts who agree:

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_4753190

Thanksgiving...the thanks be to God

This Thanksgiving, let us remember the true meaning of the holiday by reading the words of our first president, George Washington: Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor -- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness." Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be -- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks -- for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation -- for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the tranquility [sic], union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed -- for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted -- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions -- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually -- to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed -- to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness onto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord -- To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us -- and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best. Given under my hand at the City of New York the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789. George Washington