The article I read from Real Clear Politics discussed how the Republican era within the United States is possibly coming to an end. It was also noted in the article that even last week in National Review; Michael Barone was quoted saying, “Are we looking at another inflection point today?” It truly seems as if a different era of politics is in the near future. With the current condition of our economy, and the ongoing situation in Iraq, many Americans believe that Republicans put us in this situation and are therefore looking for significant change. By initially not supporting the financial bailout, Republicans seem to be offering no other means of solution to the underlying problem, and Americans want a winning resolution now. In my opinion, I feel Republicans did dig themselves in a deeper hole by not initially supporting the bailout. Although it is against many conservative core values, American voters want a tangible answer and correction to our fragile economy and Democrats seem to be offering that with this bailout plan. Are there still hopes that Republicans can turn this entire economic crisis into something that can benefit them in the election? Or is the extreme dislike of the Bush administration and the idea that the Republican “ideology got us into this mess” going to ultimately decide the election in 2008. In my opinion, the average American voter wants change and a way to move past the current administration, something the Republicans have had difficulty in promoting thus far.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/06/us/politics/06caucus.html?_r=2&ei=5070&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&emc=eta1&adxnnlx=1223294803-IQ1K6xueNKy5zCE+8NnMsg&oref=slogin
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5 comments:
Its very possible that the Republican era is coming to an end in the United States. I agree that the average American wants change, and also that the Republicans as a whole have had difficulty in promoting it. Although McCain disagrees with Bush in certain situations, they are still associated together becuase they are in the same party. It is easy for the average voter to dislike Republicans because they dislike Bush's presidency, without even paying respect to John McCain's views and opinions. It is going to be hard for McCain to draw the attention away from being associated with the mess in the economy that Bush created.
I completely agree with the both the argument of the article and Scott's analysis; it has become apparent that the American public is fed up with the current administration, and a new political age of Democratic dominance is just beginning.
However, I would also like to make the argument that not only is a political transformation occurring, but that an entire shift in economic theory as a whole is taking root in America. I believe that the entire theories of capitalism and free market economics are at stake. With an Obama administration calling the shots, there is a real chance that the United States will become more socialist than even France! Obama's plans of expanding various social federal programs such as welfare and foodstamps through drastically increased taxes on businesses and the wealthy would effectively turn the United States from a capitalist nation to a "welfare state".
Not only is the "Era of Dominance" of conservatives at an end, but we may also be witnessing an end to capitalism and free-market economics as a whole. The coming change is not just a superficial switch in the leading political party, but instead a massive shift in our economic system as we know it.
Mike, I am extremely worried as well. Free market capitalism is what drives and balances our economy. I aspire to pursue a career in finance and capital arbitrage in hedge funds,and I am worried that Wall Street is going to be so heavily regulated that in order to buy or sell a stock or option, I am going to have to write 100 pages of reports regarding the transaction! Although I feel some regulation is necessary, especially with the entire crisis the current market is currently in, I am fearful for the future.
While reading this article I couldn't help to think that maybe the one thing that has changed the most is the republican platform. A party that is based on reduced spending and free markets, now proposes economic bail outs and spends almost $12 Billion a month on the war in Iraq. I agree with Scott's analysis and his follow up response to Mike. I understand the concerns on preserving free markets, but I think socialism is not quite where we are heading.
I agree with Matt in the sense that we aren't heading straight towards Socialism and definitely not as quickly as they seem to be discussing.
I also agree with the argument of the article that the Democrats are definitely taking reign over politics. While I don't believe that the Bush administration is the main reason why so many people have switched parties or at least decided on a certain party to support, I do believe that the dislike of the Bush administration contributes to Democratic majority that is starting to arise.
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