Ironically,
four years ago, Americans voted for hope and change and elected Barack Obama as
President.  Four years later though,
Americans are still waiting for positive changes in their lives.  America’s economy is weak and unemployment
remains at record highs.  America’s
leadership in the world is being challenged once again by the Russians, Islamic
fascists and even the Chinese.  Just as
Americans voted for real change and decisive leadership in 1980, Americans can
once again do the same and elect Mitt Romney as President on November 6.     

When k
Obama asked Americans to hope – they did. 
However, “hope” is not an economic policy that produces jobs.  “Hope” is not a domestic policy that helps
the most vulnerable in society.  And
“hope” is not a foreign policy that keeps America safe and strong.  Hope is fine, but results are better.  Americans needs real change that improves
their lives, not more charming rhetoric and excuses. 

Mitt Romney
is a leader who has never failed to produce success.  Every business he has touched has been
successful and created jobs for real Americans. 
Mitt Romney created good jobs at good wages at Bain Capital.  Mitt Romney successfully managed the Olympic
Games in Salt Lake City in 2000. Mitt Romney was a successful governor of the
state of Massachusetts during a difficult economic time.  Mitt Romney knows how to get things done and
doesn’t make excuses. 

Romney
understands that America must be energy efficient and independent.  That is why he supports completion of the
Keystone Pipeline from Canada to provide needed oil to Americans at a normal
price.  Mitt Romney understands that
borrowing money from the Chinese to pay for Arab oil is a bad policy and not
sustainable.  As he said, we should ask
ourselves about every budget expenditure, “is it worth borrowing from the Chinese
to pay for it?”.  Hence, he supports
buying oil at a normal price from our neighbor and ally Canada rather than from
hostile regimes.  Americans cannot
continue to sustain the 106% increases in energy/gas prices that have hit their
pocketbooks since Obama became President. 
Mitt Romney has the common sense to know that energy security and
pocketbook issues trump environmental whining and hand wringing. 

Romney also
understands and believes that without American leadership the world will fall
into a new Dark Age haunted by Chinese imperialism and Russian chauvinism.  Romney understands that only America’s
balanced leadership can contain the imperial ambitions of the Chinese as well
as keep the Russians in check as they seek to capitalize on Obama’s cowardly
“reset” policy.  As president, Romney
will steadfastly support an independent Ukraine that is free to join the
European Union and not a vassal state of Russia.  In addition, t Romney will not fiddle with
timid words while our American ambassadors are murdered and our embassies are
burned.  Romney will have zero tolerance
for Islamic fascism that seeks to destroy democracy, subjugate women as pieces
of property, and prevent independent thought. 

Most
importantly, Romney knows how to get America’s economy working again.  He knows that bureaucratic tinkering is not
the answer to America’s record unemployment. 
Romney knows that job creation alone is the answer and will strengthen
small business and reduce their tax burden to accomplish this.  It is time for Romney to fix this economy
just like he fixed Massachusetts and the Olympic Games.  When a nation as great as the United States
has 40 million of its citizens on food stamps, it’s a disgrace.  We must and can do better than this.

It is time
for real change in America.  On November
6th, Americans have a chance to fulfill their hopes for positive
change in their lives by electing Romney as [resident.  Romney will improve Americans’ economic
situation, give them a bigger safety net and ensure that American citizens are
safe and sound while living abroad.  A
vote for Romney will be a step towards rescuing our sick economy and restoring
America’s greatness. A vote for Romney is a vote for a strong America that we
can all be proud of.  Vote for real
change this November and elect Romney as president. 

Brian Mefford has lived and worked in Kyiv for
13 years and is the Chairman of the Republicans Abroad Ukraine. He is currentlye
executive director of the Committee for Open Democracy, an organization that
monitors and observes international elections.