They're All the Same?

"I wouldn't give two cents for all the politicians in Washington. It doesn't matter who we elect. They're all the same."

How many times have you heard that? Maybe you've said it yourself.

Well, here's my question: Is your viewfinder stuck on "Sex and Money"?

Excuse me, but if you think that, I have to ask: Did you OD on stupid pills?

No doubt about it, if you think Democrats and Republicans are "all the same" on disaster recovery, economic policy, renewable energy, global warming, social security, national security, public education policy, foreign policy, national security policy, government's regulatory role, gun control policy, job outsourcing, labor policy, export/import trade policy, environmental policy, civil rights policy, the status of women, interpreting the Constitution and Bill of Rights, immigration policy, tax policy, infrastructure, healthcare . . . .

Just how grave and extreme are our parties' divisions ought to be obvious. Even so, many still don't get that we've been living through a planned demonstration project in the conservative philosophy of government.

I'm not being partisan, catty, propagandistic, or rhetorical. This is fact that anyone can verify independently. Grover Norquist, Newt Gingrich, Karl Rove, Jack Abramoff, Tom DeLay, and numerous other prominent Republican theorists and politicians will tell you so candidly. We're not talking about mere corruption. We're talking about destruction of government's potential through radical bankruptcy.

To get an overall orientation on this, see this piece (and don't be misled by the title or the sidebar). This is about two radically, diametrically opposite visions of America, and why "compromise" isn't in the cards.

I recommend giving this serious thought, particularly if you're inclined to see the election mostly in terms of national security. Important as that is, it's just one of enormously critical policy questions we're facing. The election will decide how we'll respond to our dying middle class, a warming planet, oil addiction and renewable alternatives, health care, retirement security, and foreign policy.

Read this piece. It won't take long, and it might help you frame the election question correctly, through the larger view.