Jimmy Carter rode to the White House on a wave of opportunity created by the disenchantment with the Viet Nam war, the disgrace of the Nixon White House, the rising fuel prices from the OPEC led oil embargo, the high inflation eminating from poor policies of Johnson and Nixon, and the weak response of Gerald Ford. (remeber the WIP- “Whip Inflation Now” buttons- you do not reverse the effects of reckless monetary policy with a PR campaign).

Then, as now, the Republican brand was as tarnished as it ever was. Carter was honest, and promised he would never lie to us. After Watergate that was what people wanted to hear.

Today Obama promises change. The Republican brand is tarnished again. But remember the Carter Axiom- just because things are really screwed up does not mean that some trustworthy fool can not make them a lot worse. Policies matter.

And Obama’s policies to raise taxes, especially on dividends, capital gains, and social security; to raise taxes on oil producers; to increase government control of health care; and to increase federal spending on several initiatives are the wrong policies.

For many voters a vote for Obama is a vote against the Republican brand. I hope they get beyond his exciting charisma, actually consider his policies, and remember the Carter Axiom.

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