06 October 2008

When all is said and done...


The polls are swinging consistently in favor of Obama. The economic crisis has proven the old adage that all politics are local. When people begin to worry about their savings, jobs and ability to pay their bills, they will grasp at any new idea - no matter how flimsy. Ironically, during an external crisis (war, for example) people are unwilling to swap leadership as the risk appears too great. Make no mistake, Senator Obama has no better plan for the economy than John McCain and his economic viewpoint is more at odds with a capitalistic, free-market society than anyone. What will mitigate his approach will be the economic reality on the ground. He can not possibly make fundamental changes with entitlement programs consuming the bulk of his budget and potentially flat revenue.


The next president will have to face down excessive spending, reignite capital movement and (hopefully) foster innovation as a source of growth for the nation. Unlike those on the far left of the spectrum who boldly proclaimed their intention to depart the United States for other lands, I have no intention of doing so. A nation run by Barack Obama will STILL be head and shoulders over ANY other nation on the planet. It will be my civic duty to make sure that the new President doesn't wander into areas I consider unhealthy for the nation (second amendment issues, income redistribution, abandoning free trade, national defense, etc.). At the same time, the new president will have to perform.


We don't live in an era of blind trust anymore. The watershed collapse of that began in the 1960s and has continued through the ultra-transparent years of the internet ascendancy. Individuals who wish to blindly blame the current administration for the financial problems reveal themselves immediately and either uninformed or ideologues. What we have seen is that a 14 trillion dollar economy requires careful handling and something as innocuous as extending the envelope of risk acceptance for capital investment (i.e. dicey mortgages) can precipitate a global catastrophe.


That is a change we certainly could have done without.

10 comments:

ep417 said...

Wow. Just wow. This is,in it's own way, oddly poetic....I am not sure what to make of it, but it seems that you just conceeded the election. I am elated, of course, but I so want to search and post John Belushi's ANIMAL HOUSE speech,however it is 7 in the morning and I am too tired. But, hey, use it as inspiration.....

Citizen Deux said...

There is no concession. The race will go down to the wire. I am simply stating my position should the electorate select Sen. Obama.

sonicfrog said...

Unless something spectacularly stunning happens, Obama is the father of Patricia Dohrn's love child (why do they call it a "love child" anyway) Obama will win.

My only voting dilemma is whether to bring a pink or purple pen to write in Paris Hilton for President.

ep417 said...

If you are writing in Paris Hilton, it has to be a pink GLITTER pin with yellow highligting around the edges silly. You, know, like the cool girls like Sarah Palin use to write book reports with! I sometimes question your right to hold a gay card.

ep417 said...

Oh yes, and a " love child" goes to school in a worn, torn raggedy coat that somebody threw out.They are never quite as good, ashamed, blamed, and misunderstood.... And their mother's always die while making homemade jam.

Citizen Deux said...

No, no. That belongs to Barney Frank.

Anonymous said...

Possibilities: 1. O wins...does not serve full term. President Biden selects Hillary his new VP?
2. Close race, O wins, backers riot in celebration.
3. Close race, M wins, O backers riot, claim election stolen.
4. O wins in landslide. O backers riot.

In all cases...prepare for Z-Day!

S/F
Mud-Shark

Citizen Deux said...

Option 5 - O wins, pushes Biden down flight of stairs and nominates Bill Ayers as VP

ep417 said...

Wow, seems to be a bit harsh, mud and CD, don't you think? and powerfully cynical. Does O not serving full term mean what I think it means? If so, I weep even more for our nation. We O backers riot at the drop of a pin you know. I actually expect the opposite...McCain and right wing riots that "the arab" won.

Citizen Deux said...

Capt, relax. It's no more than ridiculous conjecture - the same which followed Reagan into the White House.

Put away the crocodile tears. If Obama wins, we will face the issue of the economy and a resurgent Russia. These will be his top priorities. When he gets around to his income redistribution plan, I suspect all his wealthy, liberal friends will suddenly find themselves not so friendly or liberal.