North of Forty Plus- Let’s boil this election down to our nation’s obsession, weight loss

When I was younger, I always said  my mother was the queen of the abject lesson no matter the subject.  Like many of you, I am getting election overload. There are countless pundits, polls and articles written to help us better understand what this Presidential election means. Unfortunately, some of the information has managed to confuse more people than enlighten them.

According to an article on www.abcnews.com  the weight loss programs, pills and everything in between is a 10 billion dollar a year business. Frankly, it’s modeled on failure to keep weight off once lost. Therefore, continuing a vicious yet profitable cycle.

When President Obama took office in 2009, America was in crisis. In fact it was too big to fail. After nearly twelve years of feasting at the all you can eat buffet, America had a real weight problem (financially speaking). The fact is the weight didn’t balloon overnight. It was a gradual process, one that previous administrations were quick to ignore until they couldn’t.

This is something I feel many people can relate to when it comes to gaining weight. No one goes to sleep one night and wakes up 25 pounds heavier in the morning. Weight gain is more insidious. A couple of pounds here and there over time add up. Once we are aware of the problem, we look for quick fixes to get the weight off, which is the wrong move. We didn’t gain the weight overnight so it will take time and discipline to lose weight.

Given the tools President Obama had, he was already at a deficit. When he was elected the Republican Party came out and said we’re going to make him a one term President. That’s the equivalent of being assigned to a Weight Watcher’s or Jenny Craig counselor whose main goal is to keep you fat. Therefore the President knew it was going to take time and made steady moves to lose the fat and keep it off. American hasn’t regained its fighting weight but we’re closer than we were four years ago.

People who lose and keep weight off successfully have done so by maintaining realistic goals, following a plan, making allowances for the occasional off day and exercising regularly. President Obama has followed a similar course and whether you want to believe it or not, it’s working.

Governor Romney hasn’t laid out a plan for how he exactly plans to improve the economy. Although he alludes to exemptions and deductions, he has no clear plan to cut the fat out, which in this case is at the top (1%). Instead he reminds me of an infomercial host or as my great grandmother would say, a snake oil salesman. He puts on that smile, holds up a bottle and says it contains the elixir to cure the country. Just vote for him, he’ll unleash its magical powers and Poof! America's pot belly and love handles will be gone. I don’t care how late you stay up at night very few people would pick up the phone and plunk down their hard earned money for something so obviously phony. I hate to say but while Governor Romney isn’t asking for your money, he’s looking for something far more priceless, your vote. Unfortunately under his plan (what he’s revealed) it will wind up costing far more dollars in taxes for the already overburdened middle class.