The Failure of Antigovernment Conservatism

[Joanne98]

http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=the_failure_of_antigovernment_conservatism
Issues like children's health insurance and maintaining our infrastructure offer progressives the opportunity to finally say, without fear of disastrous political consequences, that sometimes government is not the problem, it's the solution.

Paul Waldman | August 8, 2007 | web only

Visiting the site of the Minneapolis bridge collapse on Saturday, President Bush used the opportunity to get in a standard-issue Republican dig on government -- you know, the entity in charge of things like making sure bridges are safe. "There's a lot of paperwork involved with government," he said, promising to "cut through that paperwork, and to see if we can't get this bridge rebuilt in a way that not only expedites the flow of traffic, but in a way that can stand the test of time."
But don't expect too much. "I make no promises on the timetable," the president then said, bringing down the mood a bit. He did, though, go on to say that the tragedy might lead to something positive. A pledge from his administration to push for greater investment in infrastructure, perhaps? Or a promise to repair crumbling roads, bridges, and utilities? Fat chance.

"Out of these tragedies can come a better life," he said. "And I, having visited with the people here, believe that not only are they committed to a better life, not only are they committed to turning something ugly into something good, but it's going to happen."

So our government may not do much beyond rebuilding this particular bridge, but President Bush is relieved to find that the people directly affected by this tragedy are "committed to a better life." Perhaps he should have also encouraged them to eat more fruits and vegetables.

When Bush glides into the scene of a tragedy, floating in the molasses-thick bubble of banality that surrounds him at all times, the results can be painful to watch. But the tone-deafness of Bush's response to the bridge collapse offers yet another illustration of how far the national debate has moved away from the Republicans. As hard as it may be for many progressives to accept it, scarred as they are by years of GOP abuse and the tepid, apologetic stance of their own allies, the time has finally come for them to defend, without reservation, the idea of a vigorous, engaged government. They can finally say, without fear of disastrous political consequences, that sometimes government is not the problem, it's the solution.

Back in Washington, last week saw the emergence of another golden opportunity for Democrats to move the debate on the role of government forward. Both houses of Congress passed an increase in the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), which currently provides health insurance to 6.6 million children, millions less than are actually eligible. President Bush, his compassion flag flying, has threatened to veto the bill. Problem is, the program actually works as it was intended, thereby inculcating citizens with the crazy idea that providing health insurance through the government is a good idea.

There are occasions in politics when your opponents walk up to you and say, "We're taking a stand that is terribly unpopular with the public. Not only that, the issue highlights one of the most basic differences between us and you, offering you the opportunity to make truly fundamental arguments that will not only serve you well today but help you win elections for years to come. Now what are you going to do about it?"

Well, what are the Democrats going to do about it?
http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=the_failure_of_antigovernment_conservatism

[jgraz]

1. Kicked, rec'd, bookmarked

thanks for posting this. ;)

[Jackpine Radical]

2. The politial game is getting tougher every day.

Democrats will be called upon to rise to new heights of stupidity in order to totally blow the 2008 election. From what we've seen of their performance thus far, though, it appears that they have accepted the challenge--and I, for one, have faith that they can do it.