September 2010

An Anti-government Ideology is Counterproductive

Americans are notorious for their skepticism of government.  From our war of independence to rid of colonial Britain to Reagan’s proclamation that government is not the solution to the problem; government is the problem, we Americans are unique in how we perceive government.  Unlike citizens of other nations we have an aversion to government.  But we also like its benefits. 

Conservatives need to realize that not all government activism is wrong. 

• Government

The Senate: From Bipartisanship to Dysfunction

The U.S. Senate is the ultimate indicator of how extreme partisanship has ravaged American politics and government.  In its heyday of bipartisan cooperation, the Senate was the great example of American democracy.  Now it’s the model for dysfunction and hyper-partisanship. 

The “hyper-partisan Senate” is the same institution with the same rules, but with a drastically different set of circumstances. 

• Congress

The Business Community Vs. Obama?

Since he took office the strongest criticism leveled at President Obama is that he is somehow anti-business.  This is a story that has gotten a lot of press lately.  Some CEOs have even gone to the extreme by labeling Obama a socialist and another called him Hitler.  While these are rare and extreme cases, the divide between the president and the business community has been growing.  That’s probably why he decided to do a town hall broadcast moderated by John Harwood of CNBC, the business and financial channel.  During it Obama took on his critics.  In response to the question “are you vilifying the business community?”  Obama responded,

• American Politics

The Pragmatic Center Manifesto

More than 60% of Americans are either independents or moderates. Yet our political system is dominated by the extremes of both political parties and their supporting special interests. 

Politics has become a team sport in which polls, perception, and partisanship are more important than reality, reforms, and results. 

This misrepresentation of the American public is due to many different factors.  Chief among them is that individuals who are active in politics are usually highly partisan and ideologically extreme.  If they weren’t then they would have less motivation to engage in political activities.  Moderates are usually less motivated to engage. 

• American Politics