What makes Mitt tick?

Dear Editor,

Mitt Romney, a 2012 presidential candidate who ran on the Republican ticket in 2008, seems to have great potential.

His book, "No Apology," published by St. David's Press in 2010, reveals much about what makes him tick.

The struggles of his family have greatly influenced him. Three generations ago, they fled to Mexico. They were converts to the Mormon Church, originally from England, and were being persecuted. George Romney, his father, was born in 1901 in Chihuahua.

The family retained their American citizenship and did not hesitate to relocate in Idaho when a Mexican revolution threatened their security in 1911.

Life in Idaho was a financial struggle. They ate potatoes three meals a day. In high school, George worked as a drywaller. By 1947 when Mitt was born, he had worked his way up through the "school of hard knocks." He had become vice-president of American Motors Corp. for a few months. Then the company's president, George Mason, died. The company's stock collapsed. George Romney saved the company by mass producing the Rambler, a compact car, and making extreme personal financial sacrifices. Life in Detroit was hard.

Mitt and his siblings learned a lot about balancing a budget. At 19, Mitt went to France as a Mormon missionary and survived on $100 per month. He has a degree in business administration and he did graduate work in finance.

He has traveled on business to many countries and learned first hand about their economy and politics. As far as Israel is concerned, he asks the question "How could the Israelis have created such a technology-based economy, while their neighbors, the Palestinians, lack such a thing?"

He states that the Massachusetts Health Care Plan is not like the one backed by Obama. Since he is no longer governor, there, he can't control what has happened to it now.

His wife, Ann, and five sons are ready to back him 100 percent.

Helen Ruth Arnold,

Trenton, Nebraska