The Two Faces Of Cleveland

So today is the second day that the site selection team from the Republican National Convention is in Cleveland to evaluate it as a potential site.

Everywhere you look, every electronic media report, every publication in town is touting the attributes of this fair city. Some have gone so far as to promote; “Hug a Republican Day”.

I hope that all the effort produces the desired results. The RNC 2008 convention would no doubt bring dramatic opportunities to Cleveland. Further, Cleveland has demonstrated on multiple occasions just how “friendly” it can be as a host.

Here is what bothers me…

Traditionally, while the balance of the state votes Republican, the good people of the City of Cleveland do NOT support Republican candidates.

The major daily; The Plain Dealer is so far left they are backed up against the margin.

The same politicians who are now asking everyone to “Hug A Republican” are the same individuals who normally “Mug a Republican”. But now for the sake of the regions' economics are “putting aside party differences”.

Excuse me, but the basis for virtually every point of disagreement between the parties is economics.

I am reminded of the Bush tax refund from W’s first term. There were many shouting that it wasn’t enough to make a difference. Others were bemoaning that those funds should have been used to fund humanitarian needs in the cities. What confounded me is that none of those critics gave the money back to the IRS or even offered to.

As the song from the Broadway show Cabaret says; “Money makes the world go ‘round”. To prove it, today even the Democrats in Cleveland are thinking like Republicans.

Good luck Cleveland, you need a break like this.