“Virgil Caine is the name, and I served on the Danville Train.”  In addition, “We were hungry, just barely alive” 
– Lyrics from “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down”

I am off to Helsinki and Stockholm within hours.  Three speeches in three days.  Five meetings.  I expect the most frequent question will be, “Who is Herman Cain?”  Wanna know?  Check out http://www.hermancain.com.

Herman Cain just buried Texas governor Rick Perry.  Perry is the one who has shown he has inadequacies, with the charge of “treason” he leveled at Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke.  He is the one who was expected to win the Florida straw poll.  So much for Perry’s arrogance.  Herman Cain blew him away on presentation and merit. 

Why?  Because Cain is not a professional politician.  He is a businessperson, and he gets his ideas across with straight talk. 

Does this liven up the Republican primary race?  You bet.  Will Herman Cain be a national topic of discussion?  Yes.  Will I have to explain this in Europe in Q&A’s? Yes. 

What is key?  America is now open to new faces and new ideas.  This is tied to the ongoing rejection of the professional incumbents of either party.  Americans are disgusted with Democrats who have failed us and Republicans who have failed us.  We are tired of professional politicians who put their re-election ahead of the interests of the nation.  Moreover, we, as Americans, are angry.  We are getting ready to throw them out, regardless of party.  We have had enough of failed government.  Failed government comes from the House and the Senate and the White House.  Failed government comes from Democrats and Republicans. 

Herman Cain and others like him represent an option.  Check out his “999 Plan.”

This is not an endorsement of Herman Cain.  I do not know enough about him to endorse him.  This is an endorsement of anyone who is willing to reject the entrenched political system and offer themselves as an alternative.  It is time to throw the incumbent bums out and start over. 

To paraphrase the ancient parable:  A frog and a scorpion were in negotiation.  The scorpion said, “Let me on your back and swim me across the Potomac River so I can get to the other side.  The frog said, “I cannot do that.  If I let you on my back, you will sting me and I will die.”  The scorpion said. “No, I will not. Trust me. By the way, I cannot swim.”

The frog said okay.  The scorpion climbed on the frog’s back.  Halfway across the Potomac River the scorpion stung the frog. 

The frog said, “Why did you do that?  Now I will die, you cannot swim, and you will die.  I do not understand why you did that.” 

The scorpion said, “Don’t be silly, this is Washington.”

Go Herman Cain.  Make your case.  Others are welcome, too.  We are hungry, just barely alive.