Words 23

What? Elections Again?

What? Elections Again?

 

“Professor, you must admit that the coming November elections are delivering an annoying sewer aroma. Not only the abusive use of negative ads, bordering on defamation and indefensible vulgarity, but the prostitution of those concepts and ideals that have guided this country for many years”

“Sad but true. Civilized dialogue seems to have been Olympically ignored. I just hope that the moment a new team takes over we will have a different voice in Congress and some civility will prevail”

“What is causing this serious division among Americans? You hear so many labels that it is difficult to keep track on what is what, or seems to be. We have two major opponents Democrats and Republicans that think of each other as the culprits of all the ills that assail us. Then, we have liberals and conservatives, leftists, centrists, moderates on the left, moderates on the right whatever those extremes mean, radicals on both sides plus some in the middle or thereabouts, then the neo-conservatives, neo-liberals, theocrats, libertarians, fundamentalists, fiscal conservatives, ultraconservatives, independents, traditionalists, etc.”

 I had to pause to catch my breath. Besides, I did not wish for my pre-breakfast Monkey Tail (coffe, milk and Pisco) to get cold, I continued:

“Then there are the Christian Rightists, which would lead one to suspect that there are also Christian Leftists and, naturally, an Independent Christian Movement, plus a Southern Christian Movement and a Northern Coalition. What about the West? The Northeast? The Southwest? The Southeast? Puerto Rico, Hawaii and Alaska ??”

It has been a long time since I have posed a question using so many words. Reminds me of those Senate Committee inquiries and White House reporters that take about 20 minutes to pose the question that by the time they are through asking, everyone has forgotten why they are there and it is lunchtime. The Professor noticed it and smiled as he sentenced:

“Think of it as the price for having the kind of freedoms we enjoy; in theory, those freedoms encourage you to create whatever comforts, whether abstract or material, suit you. In a nutshell I can assure you that behind every one of those labels there is a personal agenda, personal interests and occasionally an honest concern for the rest of the herd”

“You’ll have to explain such lofty descriptions to me. It is too early in the morning for me to operate on all cylinders”

“Fine but first let us have breakfast” At that precise moment Antoine, the professor’s valet and operations manager, appeared to announce that breakfast was ready.

Once seated at the tempting breakfast table, the Professor continued:

“If we look at history we find that the parties could not have been more different. In the 1850's the Democrats were generally pro-slavery and also favored liberal economic policies that had a strong populist accent. The Republicans on the other hand were generally anti-slavery and supported economic policies of a conservative nature.”

We honored Antoine’s offer, made the expected praises and then the Professor continued:

“After the Civil War, the two parties exhibited clear tendencies that accentuated their differences. The Democratic Party was pro-white, pro-settler party, and the Republicans were decidedly pro-slavery, pro-rancher party. A popular perception at the time portrayed Democrats as the farmers and the dominating owners as Republicans.”

“How long did this last?”

“Not very long. By the end of the century, both parties were pro-white. Their major differences concerned budgets and public expenditures; the democrats favored a liberal approach while the Republicans were in favor of limited expenditures. By the time we entered the Second World War, the roles were reversed. Northern Democrats became pro civil rights although Southern Democrats opposed this while Republicans were unclear on the issue. This led to a split in the Democratic Party that lasted twenty years and even caused some Southern Democrats to make a separate run for the presidency to protest pro civil rights policies of the Northern Democrats - Strom Thurmond and the Dixiecrats in the year 1948 and Governor George Wallace in 1968.”
             ”It seems to me that at present, the roles of both parties with respect to economic policies are pretty much the same as they always have been.. The good thing is that their love for the country is real. They might disagree on some issues but they seem to be generally in agreement about strong national defense; good education for our children and high  standards of excellence in government.”

The Professor smiled and said:

“One thing we must not ignore is that all the political currents and domestic and foreign policies in government are affected by the fellow driving the wagon.”

”So, Professor, we are at a moment when policies are vague, visions do not exist and problems abound in almost every area of life in the country, beginning with Immigration, the economy, Health Care, increased threats from other countries, invented wars and poor relations with other countries. What should be done?”

He smiled and said:

“I hope that for a moment that the American people blend a bit of religion with government. In other words, that they pray that the man elected will undertake the most important government reform of the last decade and put our country back on track!”

 

My Chats with the Professor -

My Chats with the Professor – Financial Aches and Pains

“The economy of any country is nothing but a reflection of its sense of what is possible and what is right!”

Matt Lindsay

‘Professor, it is clear that our country is going through a rough patch, or should I call it an apocalyptical season? Can you enlighten me a bit? I am concerned about my sizeable investments, the security of my steady income and the value of the properties I own!”

Looking a bit concerned, the Professor looked at me and shook his head gently:

“There is something called fiscal discipline that should be always present in any form of organized society, be that a humble home in the outskirts or a powerful nation like the

United States

. In the last few years, our fiscal discipline has been shattered by the lack of sensible measures to avoid abuses such as those that have become doctrine in the real estate sector. The glaring example is that of the mortgage guarantees that at this date exceed three trillion dollars. Trillions, my friend!”

“What is going to happen?’

“A peculiar development. While there is a clear distaste for the term socialism, we are looking at a clear ‘socialistic’ measure when the Government intervenes and has to assume a three trillion dollar responsibility, for which it will have to set down a number of measures that will affect futures generations. State control, no less. The situation is indeed critical. All you have to worry about at this point is to make sure that your income exceeds the obligations you have and, above all, avoid borrowing from any bank or established institution. If funds are needed make a deal with Uncle Mortimer, or sell one of the Picassos you have in your apartment!”

“What is all this jazz about liquidity crisis, solvency instability, debt valuation and convertibility and inspired mumbo jumbo about the sub prime predatory lending running wild and all of it lacking some form of rational regulations?”

“It is simply the result of an irresponsible enthusiasm that has gripped this country since the year 2000. Invading a country and calling it a war is part of the background; it had added a heavy load to the economic well being of the country. This state of confusion and lack of mature guidance by the entire government has fed this optimism when it should have tightened regulations and punished abuses. No wonder you see so many millionaires these days; it has been a period where doubtful deals could be made under the nose of a helpless and incompetent government, bent on a fantasy of keeping the rich richer in the hopes that some of the wealth would eventually reach the needy sectors. I agree that wealth must be protected as it is a key ingredient and raw material of our economy, but to promote it at the cost of social services, corporate abuse and the helpless plight of 50 million poor beings, is just too much!”

I could only pour myself another glass of Chambolle Mussigny, while the Professor attacked a pickled artichoke crowned with a slice of mild jalapeno. I had to ask:

“What is the answer, Professor?”

“How about regime change?”