Romney is the Better Choice for Poland (Rceczpospolita, Poland)
"If as
president, Mr. Romney acts on even of a sliver of his declarations, we would
stand to benefit. And if he ended up overwhelmed by reality and was unable to
do so, we would lose nothing. With Mr. Obama, we know exactly where we stand. It
is doubtful that during a second term he would make a U-turn. So there is one
choice for Poland: Romney. It is a pity that we so little influence on him."
Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney: There is a reason it is unwise for outsiders to pick favorites in U.S. presidential elections. After Romney committed one of the biggest unforced errors in U.S. political history, Poles who support Romney may be thinking they backed the wrong horse.
The U.S. presidential candidates and their acolytes have outlined
two models.
The first moves toward a state that protects the citizen and
for this purpose might raise public spending and manipulate the money supply.
In foreign policy terms, this model focuses on cooperation with other powers -
those in old Europe and the emerging nations of India, Brazil, and Russia. It
also seeks a conflict-free coexistence with China.
The second model revolves around the independent citizen: to
assist the citizen, the state cuts taxes and thus reduces public spending,
providing a sound basis for a strong dollar and a balanced budget, it would not
intervene in defense of the "too big to fail." Abroad, America would return
to its role as regulator of the world order, would deal robustly in political
confrontations with China and Russia, strengthens its alliance with Europe and
perpetuate the Western sphere of influence.
When it comes to Polish interests, what is most important is
that Washington guarantee our security. That includes maintaining U.S. troops
in Europe, missile defense, taking its NATO obligations seriously, transfers of
military technology, and investments in energy (shale gas).
Such security guarantees will be only effective when America
returns to the international arena as a hegemon - not merely one of several
players. The current economic crisis provides an opportunity for doing so.
Despite the slowdown, the U.S. still has the wherewithal to fill the role of
engine to the global economy. It has a young, growing population; its remains
at the forefront of innovation; and its current economic stagnation is not
justified by the hard parameters of development. It remains a country of the
future.
Posted
by Worldmeets.US
A hegemon does not yield to other powers rashly. If it
serves the interests of itself and its allies, it builds a missile defense
shield; it deploys troops where they are needed for military reasons (the Pacific)
but also political ones (Europe). It does not blur the structure of the world
and make it difficult to recognize friends and enemies. It stands firmly behind
friends, helping them against their enemies. And it does not pretend that the
basic categories of political "friend or foe" are no longer valid,
because it needs no pretenses.
Such an America would be a shield behind which Poland could
develop over the next decade. Unfortunately, this is not today's America, and Poland
is not a place of strategic importance to it. However, that may change.
Based on statements made at both conventions and before,
what Romney wants for America would also be beneficial to us. But as usual, the
devil is in the details - the most serious of which is harsh reality. You can
howl against Russia while a presidential candidate; however, once you win the
election, you need to pursue Realpolitic. Current
interests, such as the maintenance of supply routes across Russia and Central
Asia for troops in Afghanistan - may make moving in the right direction
difficult. Moscow will remain above Poland on America’s priority list.
We do not know what Mr. Romney’s policy would be; we only
hear his declarations. But we know what is and what are likely to be Mr.
Obama's. He is not as naïve as some commentators with Republican sympathies
portray. Despite his mild words, he can act ruthlessly. During his term, the
Americans have killed more actual and suspected members of al-Qaeda in covert
attacks than they did under Bush. But we know Mr. Obama’s priorities - and they
do not promise the best for Poland.
Therefore, if as president, Mr. Romney acts on even of a sliver
of his declarations, we would stand to benefit. And if he ended up overwhelmed
by reality and was unable to do so, we would lose nothing. With Mr. Obama, we
know exactly where we stand. It is doubtful that during a second term he would
make a U-turn. So there is one choice for Poland: Romney. It is a pity that we so
little influence on him.
