links for 2008-10-22
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"Each ideology is, whether thy choose to acknowledge it or not, one side to a very complicated and intricate coin. They don’t really survive without one another because each, left to its own devices, as Sullivan, again, pointed out in his book, will invariably sow the seeds of its own destruction. Each ideology, as vociferously as they denounce one another, provides a vital balancing point to the other. It is the back and forth between the two and the ineffable cross-pollination that their waxing and waning enables, that provides the foundations upon which America is able to flourish." It is terribly important in the scope of public policy to have reasoned debate and opposition. Just because I will vote for Barack Obama does not mean I support all of his policies; far from it.
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"And if we are going to spend enough to avoid a great depression and if we are to provide some stimulus to encourage energy innovation and if we are going to provide greater access to healthcare insurance, then the money has to come from somewhere." I don't think Keynes was all that wrong, nor do I think that public debt is the worst thing ever, although it is troubling.
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To quote my friend David Beuerman: "simply stunning"
Posted October 22nd, 2008 in del.icio.us Links by del.icio.us Linkdumper.
“Just because I will vote for Barack Obama does not mean I support all of his policies; far from it.”
You have seemed to be pretty much “all Obama” on the blog. What don’t you like? (and I swear I won’t try to get you to write in Ron Paul…)
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:03I’ll be writing this in greater detail next week, but:
1. While I think his initial Iraq policy was correct, he has not reacted to the realities on the ground. I think he should’ve said that the surge worked and that he was wrong. I’m also afraid that he—and McCain—fall into the false notion that we can fight in Afghanistan as we have Iraq. They’re two completely unalike tactical and strategic situations. But I’m hopeful that a SecDef Colin Powell would solve that for him.
2. I like some of the principles of what he wants to do with health care, but I’m not sure that he’s got a great plan. It may merely be a good one, but I fear that we need a great one. [McCain's is worse, though.]
3. I don’t think that he’s cutting defense spending enough. Our defense spending priorities are seriously out of whack.
4. I’m afraid that he’ll continue the push for home ownership levels at all levels of the economy, which I think is terrible because it slows the geographic shifts of economic labor. Un-/semi-skilled labor needs to be able to move at a moment’s notice to areas where economic opportunity exists.
5. I’m not sure that his education plans are the best. Funding NCLB is not enough.
Ron Paul’s economic plans, however, would absolutely assail the economy. He’s an ideologue, and I hate electing ideologues—I prefer pragmatists.
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:10So is there anything specifically you really like about Obama, or is it a “McCain would be worse” scenario for you?
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:15Sure, there’s plenty I like about Barack:
1. His nature is pragmatic, and his temperament is cool and calm. Those strike me as great general characteristics.
2. I used to detest progressive taxation, but I now respect it and advocate it in the stead of other schemes.
3. I think he would reverse the Bush Doctrine of pre-emptive strike, which I think is wrongheaded.
4. Obama will end torture and seems unlikely to shield the Bushies from the war crimes tribunals that should come up next decade.
5. Obama seeks to develop America’s infrastructure, which is crumbling. I’ve come around to the Keynesian approach to these things.
6. He’s a transformational figure that will transcend both racial and generational lines. He’s our Kennedy, substituting race for JFK’s Catholicism.
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:19Well, at least you’re informed and not just following along with the media’s man crush on him. I’ll give you that much.
Interesting comparison to JFK, too.
(Ditch the wedding and come to GA on 11/1.)
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:28If I’m not at that wedding, I’ll be at my folks’ that weekend. Sorry.
I really want to go!
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:31I’d lecture you about priorities, but I’m in no position to do that.
You’ll be missed. That’s going to be an awesome show.
(and, fwiw, if an Obama presidency makes life suck for all, I’ll blame you.)
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:36