There’s no Center in Politics. We Have to Choose.
The myth of the political center persists despite the evidence that it does not – cannot – exist. Politics is not a game divorced from the reality of our daily lives. Politics determines how we live. Economics is not an esoteric parlor game; it is the basis of the political policies designed to put bread on our tables.
Economic theories are either right or wrong. If they are right, there’s bread. If they are wrong, no bread.
It’s like math. Either 2 and 2 add up to 4, or not. You can compromise and agree they add up to 3, but you would be wrong.
President Obama and the Democrats have one view of America’s economy; Mitt Romney and the Republicans have a totally different vision.
They can’t both be right. And there’s no plausible middle ground.
Paul Krugman and Robert Reich are either right or wrong. If they are right, America must invest in development and infrastructure to buy our way out of the economic doldrums. And that’s the path Democrats would follow if they win control of the government.
If Milton Friedman and Martin Feldstein are right, and the answer to recession is austerity, then the Republicans would be the true saviors of America.
But one thing is clear: there’s no middle ground here. You can’t invest in the future and cut back government spending at the same time. The two paths go in different directions; you go one way or the other.
You can either lavish tax cuts and subsidies on rich individuals and global corporations, hoping that their spending will create jobs, as Romney proposes, or you can take a little more from the rich to fund programs that stimulate the economy and create jobs, as Obama suggests.
You can’t do both.
We go to the races and we place our bet. If our horse wins, we get paidoff. If our horse loses, it’s just too bad.
That’s what we will be doing in November. Placing our bet. Personally, my horse is Obama.
I could be right. Or I could be wrong. But I see no middle ground.
If the government invests a little and cuts back a little, as some pundits – and the polls - seem to be suggesting, failure will be certain.
As my mother used to say, “Between two stools you fall to the ground.”
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6 comments
Jill Stein for president.
I’m betting on Obama as well. It’s scary to think of a Mitt Romney future. Thanks for once again giving voice to what many of us are thinking .
Who the h### is Jill Stein? What a waste of a vote. Just plain dumb not to realize there are only two choices in this political race. Wake up for God’s sake Janice. Billy G.
Republicans ignore Black people and Democrats use Black people. Out of respect for my fallen comrades who were beaten, jailed and killed I vote for the sacrifices they made for me. I am not the only Black who has woken up to the mindset of Obama. Last election his organization gave crumbs to the Black media in advertising dollars. George as a former journalist, you know that advertising is bread and butter for a news organization. Yet, the Black media positively supported this man and Black Americans handed him 95% of their votes. This time around he did not attend the NAACP convention; even Romny went, who knew he was going to get booed off the stage. Let’s not forget the bombing of three African countries and the murder of Gadaffi. Obama goes to LaRaza events (Latino) and APAC events (Jews) but in 4 years in office never once sit down with at least one of the 200 Black Newspapers for an interview. George, I would be interested if you wrote a piece on this lady( Jill Stein). It is not about who wins or loose, it is about whose values I respect. If this was Jamaica, I would not vote PNP or JLP either.
Thanks George-once more I agree with you!
The only elected position she has held, Town of Lexington Town Meeting Representative, 2005 and 2008
How does that qualify her as president?
Stein was elected to the Town Meeting Seat, Precinct 2 (Lexington, Massachusetts) in March 2005 local elections.[22] She finished first of 16 candidates running for 7 seats receiving 539 votes, for 20.6% of the total vote. [23] Stein was re-elected in 2008 finishing second of thirteen vying for eight seats.[24]
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