George Romney

## George W. Romney

George Romney (Born July 8th, 1907) is an American politician and businessman who has been serving as President of the United States of America since his inauguration on January 20th, 1973. He is a moderate Republican and former businessman and Governor of Michigan, he has led a capable and pragmatic administration with Vice President Edward Brooke.

## Biography

### Early Life (1907 - 1937)

George Romney was born on July 8, 1907, in Chihuahua, Mexico, where his parents, Gaskell Romney and Anna Amelia Pratt, were living as Mormon missionaries. George spent his early years in Mexico and later in Idaho and Utah, where his family moved after they were forced to flee Mexico during the Mexican Revolution. Growing up, George was an avid reader and had a passion for drawing and painting. He attended the Latter-Day Saints University in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he studied art and architecture.

In 1926, George moved to Detroit, Michigan, to attend the Cranbrook Academy of Art, where he studied under the renowned Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen. After completing his studies, George worked briefly as an architect for the firm of Smith, Hinchman, and Grylls in Detroit. However, he soon realized that his true passion lay in industrial design, and in 1936, he joined the newly formed Industrial Designers Society of America.

### Life As Businessman (1937 - 1963)

In 1937, George joined the Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa) as a staff designer, where he was responsible for designing a wide range of products, including aluminum chairs, tables, and luggage. During his time at Alcoa, George became known for his innovative designs and his ability to combine form and function in his creations. His work at Alcoa earned him national recognition and led to his appointment as director of design for the company in 1942.

George Romney continued to work at Alcoa, where he remained until 1948. During his time there, he designed a number of iconic products, including the first all-aluminum car, the 1949 Airflyte, which was produced by Kaiser-Frazer Corporation. In 1948, George left Alcoa to start his own design firm, George W. Romney Associates, which quickly became one of the most successful industrial design firms in the country.

In the 1950s, George became increasingly involved in politics and civic affairs. He served as a member of the Citizens Committee for Michigan, which successfully lobbied for the creation of a state constitution in 1961. He also served as president of the Detroit Urban League and was a member of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. In 1962, George was elected governor of Michigan, defeating incumbent John Swainson by a wide margin.

### Governor of Michigan (1963 - 1968)

In 1963, George Romney was elected governor of Michigan, becoming the first Republican to hold the office in over a decade. During his first term, he focused on improving the state's economy and creating jobs for Michigan residents. He also expanded the state's welfare programs and worked to improve healthcare access for low-income families.

George's popularity in Michigan made him a rising star in the Republican Party, and by 1966, he was being mentioned as a possible presidential candidate. However, his outspoken opposition to the Indonesian War and his criticism of President Lyndon B. Johnson's handling of the conflict put him at odds with many in his party. Despite this, George continued to speak out against the war and became an advocate for civil rights and social justice.

In 1972, George announced his candidacy for president. He was able to win the Republican nomination and defeat the Democrat candidate Edmund S. Muskie in the general election. Romney's platform of fiscal responsibility, civil rights, and national unity resonated with voters across the country, and his message of social justice and progressivism inspired a new generation of Republican leaders.

### President of the United States (1972 - 1980)

George Romney pursued a fiscally responsible approach to governing that prioritized balancing the budget and promoting economic growth. He implemented a series of modest tax cuts that helped to stimulate the economy and create jobs, while also ensuring that the government remained solvent. At the same time, he pursued a careful approach to deregulation, seeking to eliminate unnecessary regulations while preserving important protections for consumers and workers. Through these policies, Romney was able to promote economic growth and stability while also maintaining a strong commitment to social justice and the public good.

Another key area of focus for Romney was civil rights. He signed several landmark pieces of legislation into law, including the Fair Housing Act, which helped to combat discrimination in housing and employment. He also appointed the first African Vice President, Edward Brooke, and worked to promote greater diversity and inclusion in all areas of government and society.

Romney's bold leadership and well-received policies earned him widespread support and admiration, and he was easily re-elected in 1976. His opponent, Frank Church, mounted a strong campaign, but Romney's record of accomplishment and vision for the future proved to be too compelling for voters to ignore. With his re-election secured, Romney continued to push for greater economic growth, leaving a lasting legacy that would inspire generations of Americans to come.

Along with this, Romney's foreign policy has been focused on a detente with both Japan and Germany. Although still defending core values of the Organization of Free Nations, as well as fighting for liberty across the world, he avoided getting himself involved in larger wars to avoid a repeat of brutal conflicts such as the South African War or the Indonesian War, which he was an open critic of. This caused the United States to abandon China during the Great Asian War, causing severe backlash against him.