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Jewish World Review Sept. 21, 2011 / 22 Elul, 5771 Time to make pols squirm By Ann McFeatters
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Folks, it is no news to you we are in trouble. No job growth, our economy in tatters, poverty is spreading, our infrastructure falling apart, high school SAT scores declining, two unfinished wars, housing foreclosures soaring, our politicians unable to be civil, let alone get anything done. Somehow, rioting in Athens, Greece, influences jobs in Columbus, Ohio. Even the Post Office is broke. How will we get our Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes notices?
Short of screaming in frustration, what can we do?
In short: Get even by holding politicians accountable, making them blow their cool.
Without being impolite, we have to demand candidates be specific about how they would promote economic growth, what they would do about Social Security, exactly where they get their campaign donations, how to bring our soldiers home,
After peripheral candidates are winnowed out, debates in depth should be held. There should be a debate on exactly how candidates would "create jobs" and why they believe their plans would work. There should be a debate on the future of Social Security and Medicare. There should be a debate on tax reform, another on how to disengage from Iraq and Afghanistan and another on federal regulations.
In the general election campaign, we should demand intense specificity. We should roar with rage when frivolous issues take center stage, pushing aside the real challenges. By November of 2012, we should know the two remaining candidates inside and out.
And every taxpayer should check that box on tax returns to contribute $3 to the cost of the election.
Every election is important. This time more people than usual truly think this one is vital because there are two competing philosophies in America and 2012 probably will determine which direction we take -- for years.
Republicans believe government is too big, too intrusive and too costly. They argue there are too many regulations that discourage business investment and job creation, that government has been too quick to get involved in the lives of the poor and the sick, that taxes on corporations are too high, that financial regulations governing Wall Street are too onerous.
Democrats believe that in a global economy, the role of government is more important, not less so. They believe government should provide a tangible, substantive social safety net for the poor and vulnerable. They believe many corporations and wealthy Americans are not paying their share and that the middle class is declining, contributing to a bad economy. They believe tax reform should bring more fairness and end loopholes.
Big issues. Big decisions. Let's make 'em squirm.
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© 2011, SCRIPPS HOWARD NEWS SERVICE |
Arnold Ahlert | |||||||||||||
