If Warren Buffett gave you financial advice, you would be wise to listen. After all he is one of the most successful investors ever, a self-made man who is now one of the wealthiest people on the planet. I certainly think Mr. Buffett has some useful financial advice.
This is not the first time I've mentioned Warren Buffett in my blog, and I'm sure it won't be the last. After all, what's not to like about an incredibly rich man, who has the sense to realize that higher taxes on people like him will do no damage to the economy, and will actually help close the deficit. I don't know whether this qualifies as altruism, but it certainly counts as intelligence.
In his most recent plea for the government to raise his taxes, Buffett debunks the myth that higher tax rates will deter investment. As Buffet points out, if you have chance to make a significant profit by investing, are you really going to say no and leave your cash in a saving account earning 1% interest because the tax rate is 39% instead of 35%? And of course, tax rates on capital are only 15%, not nearly as high as the income tax rate.
Rather than spurring more investment, these absurdly low rates have instead led to a gross disparity in income inequality that is not only morally unjust, but it bad for our nation's future. We have chosen to neglect a significant percentage of the population and instead succumb to the myth that by giving more to those with the most, that somehow some of it will find its way to those at the bottom. If this doesn't happen, and it hasn't, we suppose that the problem is that we haven't given the wealthy enough and that therefore the solution must be to give the wealthy more. Surely cutting taxes on the rich will lead to economic growth and prosperity for all, right? Right? Right...
We've passed that point. Tax rates are already so low that lowering them further does nothing but line the pockets of those whose pockets are already very nicely lined. It does nothing to spur job creation, it does nothing to reduce income inequality that is a further drag on the economy because consumers don't have the means to consume. Lowering taxes further obviously does nothing to reduce the deficit since it leads to reduced revenue. In short, we have reached a point where talking about lower taxes as an economic solution is a fairy tale unworthy of our time and attention.
The world's savviest and most successful investor has been trying to tell us this for quite some time. A self-made billionaire whose fortune is wrapped up in exactly the kind of business endeavors that would supposedly crumble if we raise taxes is pleading for his taxes to be higher. It is advice that is hard to ignore, and if we have any sense, we will start paying closer attention.
Friday, November 30, 2012
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Truth and Taxes
As I pointed out in yesterday's post, it would behoove us to remember from time to time, that the American experiment only works if it works for everyone, that we are only as good as our weakest link, that the future of America rests on the shoulders of all Americans. It is important to keep in mind that when everyone benefits, I do as well, you do as well, we do as well.
The conversation about taxation is perhaps the crux of the deteriorating political discourse in America. A discourse in which we are given talking points rather than facts or ideas, and a political discourse that too often forces Americans to think in terms of what is best for me vs. what is best for all of us. To this point, the Republican party has been remarkably successful packaging and selling a flawed product to the American public. It is a selfish, me-first argument that is cloaked under the guise of economic growth.
The Republican story about taxes is simple: lower them and the economy grows and we all benefit. This isn't untrue. In fact, if you unwrap all the ideology around this basic narrative, it makes a lot of sense and incorporated into it are quite a few good ideas. But it has become perverted. The Republican anti-tax crusade, spurred ever-forward by Grover Norquist - an American truly dedicated to the decline of our country - is now nothing but a sham. Problematically it is an appealing sham because it reflects a natural "me-first" tendency. We all want more money! I would love to have more money! I even mention it to my boss from time to time. And when Republicans tell us that if we all just keep a little more money for ourselves rather than giving it to Uncle Sam then we will be better off and the economic pie will grow, they are selling us our greed wrapped in a faux altruism.
So what is the truth about taxes? And how does the truth play into a national conversation about taxes? The truth about taxes is that there is no hard data, no real numbers to prove that further lowering taxes will contribute to economic growth. If tax rates were absurdly high as they have been in the past, then maybe, but we've already passed the tipping point there. Warren Buffet and Bill Gates have so much money left over that they give vast sums to charity, and in Buffet's case beg the government to take more of it from him and other super rich Americans. Tax rates of 70% or higher as they have been in the past are stifling for growth. Tax rates of 35% are not. Ronald Reagan is hailed as a conservative hero in part for presiding over a period of growth. Reagan raised taxes. Bill Clinton is hated by conservatives because he presided over a period of growth. Clinton raised taxes. I'm not trying to say that raising taxes is a recipe for growing the economy, but supply-sided economics has no data to back it up, and besides, supply vs. demand is not like chicken vs. egg. Perhaps we can endlessly debate which came first, the chicken or the egg, but there is no supply without demand. Giving "job creators" more and more money in the form of tax cuts with which to produce more goods and services does not lead to more goods and services if there is no demand for those goods and services. Demand precedes supply.
On November 6th, Americans rejected the notion that lowering taxes even further for the wealthy - and paying for it by cutting services for everyone else - would increase economic growth. We were wise to make this decision. The truth will set you free or some cliche like that. But if we know that taxes for the wealthy are already low enough so that further cuts won't contribute significantly to growth, why are we still having this conversation? Well if we know the truth about taxes, we also know how the Republican party handles the truth. They ignore it, or when they can, suppress it. And that is what we are seeing now in the national conversation about taxes. Just a few weeks ago, Republicans strong-armed the Congressional Research Service - a nonpartisan branch of the Library of Congress - into withdrawing an economic report that found no correlation between economic growth and lower taxes for the wealthiest Americans. Imagine that. A report citing what most people already understand was removed because Republicans disagreed with its "findings and wording."
So we know the truth about taxes, and we know how Republicans handle the truth, and this should scare us. I despise Mitt Romney not because I think all his ideas are bad, but because he was willing to lie blatantly time and time and time and time again to realize his ambition. His campaign would not be dictated by fact-checkers. Most people thought Mitt Romney won the first presidential debate, but every major news outlet pointed out that he lied multiple times throughout that debate. Not what-ifs, not speculations, not even half-truths. The man simply lied. And now we see that this isn't specific to Mitt Romney though in fairness we knew that before. When Republicans see facts and data that contradicts their beliefs, they suppress it. A nation built on free speech finds itself in the awkward position of having one of its major political parties suppressing reports that disprove its ideology. This is dangerous for our nation's future.
We already know that Republicans are in denial of science as it pertains to evolution and climate change, now we see firm evidence that they are in denial of the truth when it comes to their economic agenda as well. It was just two years ago that Congressional Republicans were ignoring an inconvenient report by the Congressional Budget Office that repealing Obamacare would actually cost more than implementing the law. And now we get this.
Getting taxing and spending right is important to America's immediate and long-term future, but nothing is more important to the survival of our country than the truth. If our electorate is uninformed and inundated with lies then we will make decisions that exacerbate rather than ease our problems. America cannot survive without the truth, and one party has made the decision that its ideology - flawed and disproven though it may be - has trumped cold hard facts.
The conversation about taxation is perhaps the crux of the deteriorating political discourse in America. A discourse in which we are given talking points rather than facts or ideas, and a political discourse that too often forces Americans to think in terms of what is best for me vs. what is best for all of us. To this point, the Republican party has been remarkably successful packaging and selling a flawed product to the American public. It is a selfish, me-first argument that is cloaked under the guise of economic growth.
The Republican story about taxes is simple: lower them and the economy grows and we all benefit. This isn't untrue. In fact, if you unwrap all the ideology around this basic narrative, it makes a lot of sense and incorporated into it are quite a few good ideas. But it has become perverted. The Republican anti-tax crusade, spurred ever-forward by Grover Norquist - an American truly dedicated to the decline of our country - is now nothing but a sham. Problematically it is an appealing sham because it reflects a natural "me-first" tendency. We all want more money! I would love to have more money! I even mention it to my boss from time to time. And when Republicans tell us that if we all just keep a little more money for ourselves rather than giving it to Uncle Sam then we will be better off and the economic pie will grow, they are selling us our greed wrapped in a faux altruism.
So what is the truth about taxes? And how does the truth play into a national conversation about taxes? The truth about taxes is that there is no hard data, no real numbers to prove that further lowering taxes will contribute to economic growth. If tax rates were absurdly high as they have been in the past, then maybe, but we've already passed the tipping point there. Warren Buffet and Bill Gates have so much money left over that they give vast sums to charity, and in Buffet's case beg the government to take more of it from him and other super rich Americans. Tax rates of 70% or higher as they have been in the past are stifling for growth. Tax rates of 35% are not. Ronald Reagan is hailed as a conservative hero in part for presiding over a period of growth. Reagan raised taxes. Bill Clinton is hated by conservatives because he presided over a period of growth. Clinton raised taxes. I'm not trying to say that raising taxes is a recipe for growing the economy, but supply-sided economics has no data to back it up, and besides, supply vs. demand is not like chicken vs. egg. Perhaps we can endlessly debate which came first, the chicken or the egg, but there is no supply without demand. Giving "job creators" more and more money in the form of tax cuts with which to produce more goods and services does not lead to more goods and services if there is no demand for those goods and services. Demand precedes supply.
On November 6th, Americans rejected the notion that lowering taxes even further for the wealthy - and paying for it by cutting services for everyone else - would increase economic growth. We were wise to make this decision. The truth will set you free or some cliche like that. But if we know that taxes for the wealthy are already low enough so that further cuts won't contribute significantly to growth, why are we still having this conversation? Well if we know the truth about taxes, we also know how the Republican party handles the truth. They ignore it, or when they can, suppress it. And that is what we are seeing now in the national conversation about taxes. Just a few weeks ago, Republicans strong-armed the Congressional Research Service - a nonpartisan branch of the Library of Congress - into withdrawing an economic report that found no correlation between economic growth and lower taxes for the wealthiest Americans. Imagine that. A report citing what most people already understand was removed because Republicans disagreed with its "findings and wording."
So we know the truth about taxes, and we know how Republicans handle the truth, and this should scare us. I despise Mitt Romney not because I think all his ideas are bad, but because he was willing to lie blatantly time and time and time and time again to realize his ambition. His campaign would not be dictated by fact-checkers. Most people thought Mitt Romney won the first presidential debate, but every major news outlet pointed out that he lied multiple times throughout that debate. Not what-ifs, not speculations, not even half-truths. The man simply lied. And now we see that this isn't specific to Mitt Romney though in fairness we knew that before. When Republicans see facts and data that contradicts their beliefs, they suppress it. A nation built on free speech finds itself in the awkward position of having one of its major political parties suppressing reports that disprove its ideology. This is dangerous for our nation's future.
We already know that Republicans are in denial of science as it pertains to evolution and climate change, now we see firm evidence that they are in denial of the truth when it comes to their economic agenda as well. It was just two years ago that Congressional Republicans were ignoring an inconvenient report by the Congressional Budget Office that repealing Obamacare would actually cost more than implementing the law. And now we get this.
Getting taxing and spending right is important to America's immediate and long-term future, but nothing is more important to the survival of our country than the truth. If our electorate is uninformed and inundated with lies then we will make decisions that exacerbate rather than ease our problems. America cannot survive without the truth, and one party has made the decision that its ideology - flawed and disproven though it may be - has trumped cold hard facts.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Remembering the Public Good
In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, a storm from which far too many of our fellow citizens are still recovering, it is worth spending time during the holidays to help those who need it, and to reflect on the nature of what our government should be doing.
It seems - and I fear - that lost in the ongoing conversation about the scope of government, has been the fact that we are all Americans and that we are only as great as our weakest link. It is worth spending the day remembering the public good, and reminding ourselves that we all contribute to it somehow.
With that in mind, I was startled and somewhat embarrassed to find that one of the reasons so many are still recovering from the storm is because our national power grid was graded a D+ in 2009. A D+!!!! This is America, the wealthiest and most powerful country in the world, and we're satisfied with a D+ power grid, one result of which is that many of those affected by a devastating hurricane are still without power! This is nothing short of unacceptable.
While the debate around economic recoveries and fiscal cliffs has too often become a debate simply about taxing the wealthy, we have forgotten that all of us benefit from the prudent expenditure of tax dollars, and that without investment in the public our neighbors are in trouble, and our nation is at risk. America cannot be a 21st century superpower with a D+ infrastructure. It just isn't going to happen.
So as we spend time stuffing ourselves in the comfort of friends, family, and loved ones, let us remember that what is good for all is good for us individually. What makes America great is a common belief that WE can overcome, not that I will or you will. It is imperative that when we discuss and debate the merits of whom to tax and for how much, we remember that those tax dollars are paying for services upon which all of us rely, and that allow us to prosper both individually and as a country. If we fail to acknowledge, respect, and invest in the public good, all the wealth of a private individual will become meaningless.
Happy Thanksgiving.
It seems - and I fear - that lost in the ongoing conversation about the scope of government, has been the fact that we are all Americans and that we are only as great as our weakest link. It is worth spending the day remembering the public good, and reminding ourselves that we all contribute to it somehow.
With that in mind, I was startled and somewhat embarrassed to find that one of the reasons so many are still recovering from the storm is because our national power grid was graded a D+ in 2009. A D+!!!! This is America, the wealthiest and most powerful country in the world, and we're satisfied with a D+ power grid, one result of which is that many of those affected by a devastating hurricane are still without power! This is nothing short of unacceptable.
While the debate around economic recoveries and fiscal cliffs has too often become a debate simply about taxing the wealthy, we have forgotten that all of us benefit from the prudent expenditure of tax dollars, and that without investment in the public our neighbors are in trouble, and our nation is at risk. America cannot be a 21st century superpower with a D+ infrastructure. It just isn't going to happen.
So as we spend time stuffing ourselves in the comfort of friends, family, and loved ones, let us remember that what is good for all is good for us individually. What makes America great is a common belief that WE can overcome, not that I will or you will. It is imperative that when we discuss and debate the merits of whom to tax and for how much, we remember that those tax dollars are paying for services upon which all of us rely, and that allow us to prosper both individually and as a country. If we fail to acknowledge, respect, and invest in the public good, all the wealth of a private individual will become meaningless.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Premature Republican Death Knell
In the wake of last week's election there has been a solemn and somber recap of how the Republican Party has hosted its last tea party. Despite overwhelming demographic evidence, it took Republicans until 11/6/2012 to recognize that America is no longer a nation of old white people. In fact, America is even less a nation of old white people as I write this than it was six days ago. The Republican party, pundits tell us, is dead and gone...dead and gone.
The problem, of course, with this analysis is that it isn't true. Like most of what is said on television, this is being talked about more to fill time than because it is a real issue. Don't get me wrong, the poor showing of Republican candidates in this election was remarkably encouraging, partially because half of them are true fools, and partially because the other half were willing to hide their good ideas beneath a mountain of lies and politically distasteful maneuvers simply to get elected.
So in some sense, the pundit drumbeat is positive. If Republicans have learned anything from this perhaps it is that rape is real and so are pregnancies resulting from rape. Perhaps they've also learned that lying for political gain gets you the opposite, and that when you're whole political strategy puts elections ahead of the welfare of the American people you get bit on the butt. At least that is what I hope they've learned. If not, Republicans are in fact in dire trouble.
But there is no reason why the party can't recover and in a meaningful and positive manner. If Republicans want to have any place in America's future, they will have to drop the whole social issues act and find a home in the 21st century, a century in which all men and women regardless of their sexuality, skin color, or country of origin, were created equal. If Republicans refuse to believe that, they're doomed, but if they accept that, drop antiquated social mores, and decided to instead focus on contributing economically, then the Republican party has a bright future indeed.
America is still a nation in need of fixing, and Democrats do not have all the answers. A responsible Republican party, dedicated to facts and data and without all the social baggage would be both a boon to the national conversation and an appealing alternative to voters who loathe Republican social "values," but who recognize the benefits of small, efficient government. Imagine if Republicans showed willingness to compromise on taxes, brought meaningful ideas about entitlement reform (as some have already), accepted climate change and tried to apply market solutions to growing clean energy, and offered budgets based on analysis of what works and what doesn't with targeted and substantial cuts rather than willy-nilly Tea Party style hacking. That is what America needs, and if that's what Republicans offered, they probably wouldn't need to focus on lies and obstruction to win elections, they could probably win seats on merit and ideas.
Republicans should be chastised after this election. The American people saw through the lies and obstruction and were not compelled to vote for a candidate whose only ideas was to cut taxes even more and just hope things got better. In some instances, Republican candidates lost where they should have won because voters rejected outright their oppressive social views, especially when it came to abortion and - and I can't believe I'm writing this - rape. When you start trying to explain away rape, you really are living in an alternative reality. But demographics do not have to doom Republicans. The death knell is premature. Drop the social issues, embrace science and data, and apply your positive economic ideas to the problems confronting America. Once that happens, I'm sure you'll find plenty of room at the table, or better, seats in the chambers of Congress.
The problem, of course, with this analysis is that it isn't true. Like most of what is said on television, this is being talked about more to fill time than because it is a real issue. Don't get me wrong, the poor showing of Republican candidates in this election was remarkably encouraging, partially because half of them are true fools, and partially because the other half were willing to hide their good ideas beneath a mountain of lies and politically distasteful maneuvers simply to get elected.
So in some sense, the pundit drumbeat is positive. If Republicans have learned anything from this perhaps it is that rape is real and so are pregnancies resulting from rape. Perhaps they've also learned that lying for political gain gets you the opposite, and that when you're whole political strategy puts elections ahead of the welfare of the American people you get bit on the butt. At least that is what I hope they've learned. If not, Republicans are in fact in dire trouble.
But there is no reason why the party can't recover and in a meaningful and positive manner. If Republicans want to have any place in America's future, they will have to drop the whole social issues act and find a home in the 21st century, a century in which all men and women regardless of their sexuality, skin color, or country of origin, were created equal. If Republicans refuse to believe that, they're doomed, but if they accept that, drop antiquated social mores, and decided to instead focus on contributing economically, then the Republican party has a bright future indeed.
America is still a nation in need of fixing, and Democrats do not have all the answers. A responsible Republican party, dedicated to facts and data and without all the social baggage would be both a boon to the national conversation and an appealing alternative to voters who loathe Republican social "values," but who recognize the benefits of small, efficient government. Imagine if Republicans showed willingness to compromise on taxes, brought meaningful ideas about entitlement reform (as some have already), accepted climate change and tried to apply market solutions to growing clean energy, and offered budgets based on analysis of what works and what doesn't with targeted and substantial cuts rather than willy-nilly Tea Party style hacking. That is what America needs, and if that's what Republicans offered, they probably wouldn't need to focus on lies and obstruction to win elections, they could probably win seats on merit and ideas.
Republicans should be chastised after this election. The American people saw through the lies and obstruction and were not compelled to vote for a candidate whose only ideas was to cut taxes even more and just hope things got better. In some instances, Republican candidates lost where they should have won because voters rejected outright their oppressive social views, especially when it came to abortion and - and I can't believe I'm writing this - rape. When you start trying to explain away rape, you really are living in an alternative reality. But demographics do not have to doom Republicans. The death knell is premature. Drop the social issues, embrace science and data, and apply your positive economic ideas to the problems confronting America. Once that happens, I'm sure you'll find plenty of room at the table, or better, seats in the chambers of Congress.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
What I Hope For
Needless to say I am pleased with the results of last night's election. Four more years of Obama is a far superior choice than any of the competing alternatives, particularly the one that was the most likely option.
But while an Obama victory is a good thing, it doesn't necessarily mean that the country will move in the right direction. So with that in mind, I have listed the major issues that I hope the President - and what I hope will be a not-as-intransigent Congress - will address. I'll start by saying that the first and most important issue on everyone's mind is obviously the state of the economic recovery, and the parties need to come together to make real progress here, progress that starts with averting the fiscal cliff looming less than two months away.
But everyone knows and expects economic progress and even cooperation is looking good at this point! Regardless of whether they work together or not (and I'm optimistic they will), Democrats and Republicans will spend much of their either fixing or ranting about the economy. With that said, onto the list!
1. Reduce the deficit - In many ways this is linked to the economic recovery. After all if we put people back to work we broaden the tax base and increase revenues without raising tax rates. Tax hikes for the super rich must be a part of this deal, as well as a re-evaluation and reduction of entitlement programs and spending. Maybe this means experimenting with some of Paul Ryan's ideas, maybe it means raising the retirement age or Medicare eligibility age. Maybe it just means dedicating less money to those programs. Most likely it means something new and creative that is beyond me. But it has to happen. Once we've raised taxes on top earners, reformed the tax code and curbed entitlement (and military) spending, we will have taken a very solid step towards putting our country on a sustainable path.
2. Fix education - I work in education, so this is near and dear to me, but no amount of fiscal solvency will overcome the problems we face if we don't train and educate Americans. I have seen what good schools look like as both a student and as a teacher, and I have seen what horrible schools look like. The difference between the two makes the Grand Canyon look tiny by comparison. Without an educated populace not only will good jobs leave the country, but the principles on which the country was built will become meaningless. Democracy works when informed citizens make analyzed decisions about competing ideas. If citizens are not informed, then lies and propaganda take the place of facts and data. We saw a lot of this in the last few months when both candidates, but Romney in particular, lied to the American people time and time again. We need an educated workforce and an informed electorate.
3. Energy independence - With a strong focus on green and renewable energy sources. I wish Obama had approved the Keystone Pipeline, and I think he may now that he has been re-elected. I have come out in favor of fracking in the past, and I will support it in the future as well so long as it is done safely, but I've also said repeatedly that fossil fuels are the energy sources of the past. To retain our competitive economic and technological edge, we need to live in the present and look to the future, not settle for lower gas prices because we found a ton of oil under Alaska. I expect the President and Congress to work together to help us harness our natural resources and begin the transition from the old, dirty, and limited to the new, clean, and renewable.
These are but a few of the issues facing America. The list could go on and on, but in my opinion, these are the things that are most imperative after fixing the economy. I think Obama can be the man to start fixing these problems. In some ways he already has. And while I remain excited and happy about the outcome of last night's election, all of that is meaningless if we don't make ourselves better over the next four years.
But while an Obama victory is a good thing, it doesn't necessarily mean that the country will move in the right direction. So with that in mind, I have listed the major issues that I hope the President - and what I hope will be a not-as-intransigent Congress - will address. I'll start by saying that the first and most important issue on everyone's mind is obviously the state of the economic recovery, and the parties need to come together to make real progress here, progress that starts with averting the fiscal cliff looming less than two months away.
But everyone knows and expects economic progress and even cooperation is looking good at this point! Regardless of whether they work together or not (and I'm optimistic they will), Democrats and Republicans will spend much of their either fixing or ranting about the economy. With that said, onto the list!
1. Reduce the deficit - In many ways this is linked to the economic recovery. After all if we put people back to work we broaden the tax base and increase revenues without raising tax rates. Tax hikes for the super rich must be a part of this deal, as well as a re-evaluation and reduction of entitlement programs and spending. Maybe this means experimenting with some of Paul Ryan's ideas, maybe it means raising the retirement age or Medicare eligibility age. Maybe it just means dedicating less money to those programs. Most likely it means something new and creative that is beyond me. But it has to happen. Once we've raised taxes on top earners, reformed the tax code and curbed entitlement (and military) spending, we will have taken a very solid step towards putting our country on a sustainable path.
2. Fix education - I work in education, so this is near and dear to me, but no amount of fiscal solvency will overcome the problems we face if we don't train and educate Americans. I have seen what good schools look like as both a student and as a teacher, and I have seen what horrible schools look like. The difference between the two makes the Grand Canyon look tiny by comparison. Without an educated populace not only will good jobs leave the country, but the principles on which the country was built will become meaningless. Democracy works when informed citizens make analyzed decisions about competing ideas. If citizens are not informed, then lies and propaganda take the place of facts and data. We saw a lot of this in the last few months when both candidates, but Romney in particular, lied to the American people time and time again. We need an educated workforce and an informed electorate.
3. Energy independence - With a strong focus on green and renewable energy sources. I wish Obama had approved the Keystone Pipeline, and I think he may now that he has been re-elected. I have come out in favor of fracking in the past, and I will support it in the future as well so long as it is done safely, but I've also said repeatedly that fossil fuels are the energy sources of the past. To retain our competitive economic and technological edge, we need to live in the present and look to the future, not settle for lower gas prices because we found a ton of oil under Alaska. I expect the President and Congress to work together to help us harness our natural resources and begin the transition from the old, dirty, and limited to the new, clean, and renewable.
These are but a few of the issues facing America. The list could go on and on, but in my opinion, these are the things that are most imperative after fixing the economy. I think Obama can be the man to start fixing these problems. In some ways he already has. And while I remain excited and happy about the outcome of last night's election, all of that is meaningless if we don't make ourselves better over the next four years.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
It's Your Civic Duty
Today is the day on which Americans can exercise a right that many people all over the world yearn for, a right without which our nation would cease to exist. We are lucky enough to live in a country where our voice matters. Go make your voice heard today.
Regardless of your politics, it is imperative to vote. It is a right and a privilege that we are lucky to have, but if we choose not to exercise it, it may ultimately get taken away. VOTE! It is your civic duty. VOTE!
If my goading isn't enough, check out my friends at Democracy Prep, once more! It's your civic duty!
Regardless of your politics, it is imperative to vote. It is a right and a privilege that we are lucky to have, but if we choose not to exercise it, it may ultimately get taken away. VOTE! It is your civic duty. VOTE!
If my goading isn't enough, check out my friends at Democracy Prep, once more! It's your civic duty!
Monday, November 5, 2012
One last Pitch
Tomorrow is the big day, and so one final pitch is necessary to convince you that there is only one path forward for America.
I've made my pitch numerous times, so in this blog I thought I would rely on those who are more informed than I to make the case for the President.
Two days ago The Economist endorsed President Obama in an article that clearly details the president's failings - and he has them - while simultaneously pointing out that Romney is not the man to overcome Obama's shortcomings.
It's an easy case to make. The President has not been perfect, and Democratic policies are not perfect. In fact, the country would benefit greatly from a debate between a left-of-center pragmatist (which Obama can be) and a right-of-center pragmatist (which is one of Mitt's manifestations). Unfortunately we cannot count on Mitt to be reliably right-of-center, and even his right-of-center self still has lots of bad ideas - especially his social views which are more in step with his party's ugly extreme - and either cannot or will not give specifics on how he plans to do what he says he will do. I'm all about lowering tax rates and making up for the lost revenue by closing loopholes. The problem is that the plan as currently presented (yes, the day before the election) doesn't specify which loopholes would be closed, and is therefore mathematically impossible.
Is there room for Obama to be better? Absolutely. Is it possible that Romney would pick his right-of-center cloak if elected and bring good ideas to the table? Sure it is. I am a left-of-center guy, so I might not like all his ideas, but a right-of-center Romney could do good. But by and large Romeny has not picked that cloak, and because he lacks the backbone to stand up to some of the truly horrible economic and social ideas his party brings to the table, I have no confidence he will change if elected. In my opinion as a left-of-center guy, Obama has more upside, but I think it's undeniable that Romney has a much lower downside. If Romney picks the "severely conservative" cloak he tried to wear in the primaries then America is in trouble if he's elected.
There is only one route forward for America, and Obama is not the only man who can lead us down that path, but his ideas certainly suggest that he is far more likely to right the ship that Romney. Tomorrow is a big day. I hope America makes the right decision.
I've made my pitch numerous times, so in this blog I thought I would rely on those who are more informed than I to make the case for the President.
Two days ago The Economist endorsed President Obama in an article that clearly details the president's failings - and he has them - while simultaneously pointing out that Romney is not the man to overcome Obama's shortcomings.
It's an easy case to make. The President has not been perfect, and Democratic policies are not perfect. In fact, the country would benefit greatly from a debate between a left-of-center pragmatist (which Obama can be) and a right-of-center pragmatist (which is one of Mitt's manifestations). Unfortunately we cannot count on Mitt to be reliably right-of-center, and even his right-of-center self still has lots of bad ideas - especially his social views which are more in step with his party's ugly extreme - and either cannot or will not give specifics on how he plans to do what he says he will do. I'm all about lowering tax rates and making up for the lost revenue by closing loopholes. The problem is that the plan as currently presented (yes, the day before the election) doesn't specify which loopholes would be closed, and is therefore mathematically impossible.
Is there room for Obama to be better? Absolutely. Is it possible that Romney would pick his right-of-center cloak if elected and bring good ideas to the table? Sure it is. I am a left-of-center guy, so I might not like all his ideas, but a right-of-center Romney could do good. But by and large Romeny has not picked that cloak, and because he lacks the backbone to stand up to some of the truly horrible economic and social ideas his party brings to the table, I have no confidence he will change if elected. In my opinion as a left-of-center guy, Obama has more upside, but I think it's undeniable that Romney has a much lower downside. If Romney picks the "severely conservative" cloak he tried to wear in the primaries then America is in trouble if he's elected.
There is only one route forward for America, and Obama is not the only man who can lead us down that path, but his ideas certainly suggest that he is far more likely to right the ship that Romney. Tomorrow is a big day. I hope America makes the right decision.
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