Web of Deceit

"Oh what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive."

The controversy involving Mitt Romney and his employment at Bain is the proverbial game-changer in election politics. Individuals, on both sides of issue, seems to be effectively asserting their positions based on perception of the facts.

The controversy is a relevant and serious issue. What is the truth? What is the basis of Mitt Romney's arguement?

An interesting fact is the severance agreement from Bain that was finalized in 2002 and retroactive to 1999.

At first glance, it seems when Romney signed the oft-mentioned SEC documents, it may have been legal, initially. Furthermore, Romney's propensity to have it both ways seems to have resulted in all of his words and actions being in direct contradiction to each other.

Significance of Romney's Pattern of Obfuscation ---

• Calls attention to the 2002 gubernatorial race and the MA Ballot Law Commission hearing thereby presenting legitimate questions about the legitmacy of Romney's gubernatorial candidacy/election.
• Calls attention to 2012 Wisconsin primary and the legitimacy of its results.
• Calls attention to allegations  regarding the legitmacy of results in other 2012 Republican primaries 
• Makes it more likely that the 2012 Republican Party National Convention may be brokered or contested.

The controversy seems to involve more than inconsistency and lies. The issue seems to include multiple incidents of fraud, perjury, and de-legitimization of the U.S. electoral process. Indeed, what has transpired is about more than employment tenure at a company. This controversy involves actions that may be regarded by historians as having potential to be a bane of U.S. democracy.



Mitt Romney needs to provide answers to legitimate questions in a straight forward manner.

Further Reading

Forum Post: Romney Tax Returns '98-'01 -- Perjury, Fraud & the Mass. Ballot Law Commission

Romney's 2002 Testimony and Romney's Evasiveness

Mitt Romney Bain Capital Document Lists Him As 'Managing Member' In 2002

Account of Romney's Bain departure has evolved

Romney admits he lied about MA residency

Tools for Justice

Forbes: Romney Needs to Answer 35 Questions

Video: Romney Needs to Answer 35 Questions

Analysis Paralysis: An Affliction of Leaders?

"The term "analysis paralysis" or "paralysis of analysis" refers to over-analyzing (or over-thinking) a situation, so that a decision or action is never taken, in effect paralyzing the outcome. A decision can be treated as over-complicated, with too many detailed options, so that a choice is never made, rather than try something and change if a major problem arises. A person might be seeking the optimal or "perfect" solution upfront, and fear making any decision which could lead to erroneous results, when on the way to a better solution."

"The phrase describes a situation where the opportunity cost of decision analysis exceeds the benefits that could be gained by enacting some decision, or an informal or non-deterministic situation where the sheer quantity of analysis overwhelms the decision-making process itself, thus preventing a decision. The phrase applies to any situation where analysis may be applied to help make a decision and may be a dysfunctional element of organizational behavior. This is often phrased as paralysis by analysis, in contrast to extinct by instinct (making a fatal decision based on hasty judgment or a gut-reaction)."