The Choice Before Us

I read that Paul Ryan had authored just two successful bills during his more-than-ten years in the US House. I said to Mari, "I'll bet they were about naming Post Offices." In fact, one of them was. The other had something to do with bows and arrows.

So Paul Ryan knows something about government work, and national defense. I suppose we should be grateful. What if some of his more considerable ideas had been put into law: do-it-yourself investment of your retirement money in the stock market, giving us a voucher to buy our own health care policy (and good luck with the price!).

Mr. Ryan says he sleeps well at night, while considering our future. It is odd, but a lot of people who have inherited a lot of money do not seem to worry as much about Social Security or access to health care as working stiffs do. Mitt Romney worries even less than Paul Ryan does, perhaps because he has squirreled away more money for his declining years and health care than most people can dream of earning in the whole lives. Anyway, Mr. Romney, as a Mormon, has better eating and drinking habits than those of us who wake up with a morning coffee and an afternoon nip or two. That Mormons live longer than most sinners is God's way of punishing them for not having any fun.

This upcoming election is portentous. Barack Obama just had a beer and a couple of pork chops on a stick at the Iowa State Fair, while Latter Day Saints live long, sober lives, and Paul Ryan named a Post Office building.

It is our own future we are choosing.

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