At the Republican Convention everyone was talking about hope and change.  They hope that once November comes there will be a change of administrations. On the eve of his speaking at the Republican Convention American Thinker had the privilege of interviewing former Governor Jeb Bush.

A few days ago it was reported that a New Jersey public school had lowered the passing grade to 65%, down from 70%.  President Obama's overall view that government must be the end all, and success is bad, is reflected in this recent school's decision. By now Americans know the infamous President Obama statement, "Look, if you've been successful, you didn't get there on your own.  You didn't get there on your own.  I'm always struck by people who think, well, it must be because I was just so smart.  There are a lot of smart people out there.  It must be because I worked harder than everybody else.  Let me tell you something there are a whole bunch of hardworking people out there...."

Is this the path America is heading, to accept less?  Governor Bush felt that this philosophy creates "a society of dependency.  There is this notion you have to worry only about self-esteem and can't have winners or losers in our society.  Now it's collective action, not individual achievement.  I do not believe American culture validates this thinking.  If you lower the bar you get lower results and the people you claim to be helping are devastated.  If people cannot read, write, or do basic math they will not be able to get a job, that somehow it's not fair to have high expectations for all groups."

All anyone has to do is look at President Obama's failed economic policies to understand his outlook.  To win in November the former Governor advises the Romney-Ryan campaign to "lay out a compelling alternative.  The prelude to that is the selection of Paul Ryan, a person of substance.  Although Governor Romney does not necessarily embrace every element of the Ryan Plan, the fact that he has picked him means that this should be an election of big ideas, about transformation." 

Recently, there was a poll asking Americans, if given the choice of acting now or later on Social Security, what would they prefer? Fifty-three percent of responding adults said they would rather raise taxes now than risk benefits running out in the future.  What was not asked is how much of a raise in taxes would be acceptable.  Governor Bush noted, "If you ask that question in a variety of different ways you get a different answer.  There is a limit to the amount of taxes Americans are willing to pay.  If you ask most people what is the percent you think is fair to pay they suggest an amount drastically less than what they already pay.  It is important to persuade the public about the truth, which is, if we do nothing your hard earned benefits will not be there.  The selection of Paul Ryan is a leading indicator that Romney is serious about this.  He is willing to set the stage.  We are at a point in our country's history where we have to act decisively."

He made another point as well, discussing the health care fiasco.  "It is not a G-d given expectation that health care should consume 18% of the GDP.  This is a measure of a dysfunctional system.  Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney have to emphasize that this is as much of an economic issue as a health care issue because lower costs can create jobs.  These growing costs prevent people from hiring.  I would say that this is the biggest single reason why we have had the slowest recovery and why the President's economic policy has failed completely." 

In an interview this week President Obama commented that after the election, in 2013, he will engage the Republicans.  Americans should not be fooled a second time around.  In 2008 he misled people by asserting that he would change the way Washington worked and would find common ground.  The voters in 2010 demonstrated how they were deeply disturbed by this administration's vast overreaches, which resulted in the huge Democratic loss.  Yet, the President did not reach out to work with Republicans, to find common ground, instead, according to Bush, "he doubled down.  This time he used executive orders through hyper actions and regulations.  At some point you have to man up and say this is my duty, my responsibility to come up with a plan.  He has not done that and in fact has reverted back to saying its someone else's fault, either Republican obstinance or the previous administration's policies.  He is just playing pure politics of divide and conquer.  This last year the President has had ample opportunities to make proposals but he has not even tried to bring Republicans to the table.  The President has shown his cards by dramatically expanding government in a completely partisan fashion."

Since Florida is a swing state or as Governor Bush says, "the mother of all swing states due to its size. (29 delegates)  I am hoping the convention is used to kick off the general election by telling the Mitt Romney story.  People just assume that everyone knows him but this is a really important time to introduce Mitt Romney to the broader electorate including to the great state of Florida." One hopes that Americans will elect Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney to make America great again, and will understand, as Bush stated, "Right out of the gate the President violated the commitment he made as a candidate."