If racism can drive people to act out of hate and fear, like when they attacked the Capitol, then they could be driven to act out of hope, as well. If it weren’t for the investments made in communities by New Deal, I doubt we would’ve had the manufacturing capacity needed to win WWII. Thanks to the devastation of those same communities from globalization, fascism has found its way into the same communities who rose up against fascism during the war. That’s why it is more important than ever to reinvest in those rural communities now.
It's important to note the timing of America's shift from seeing our governments as entities that can help foster growth and make life better for citizens, to the philosophy that "government is the problem:" it obviously occurred when the author of that phrase became our president. Since then it has been the Republican mantra that "the less government, the better" - and there remains a significant portion of our electorate that subscribes to this concept. I am convinced that the bulk of objections to Biden's (and Bernie's) proposals can be traced back to that philosophy.
And so the progressives may have a point when they say that only when we pass important legislation and show how much good government programs can do for our nation will people begin to view governments as once again being portals of positive growth and care for their citizens. But when I look at the ongoing hatred for the ACA, passed more than a decade ago and having helped numerous citizens (while raising costs for many others), I wonder. The biggest problem, I think, with the ACA was that it didn't address the root cause of out health care issues in the US: the outsized influence of corporate greed and the systems in D.C. that maintain it.
I think the best way to foster trust in government once again is not so much investments in our future, important as those investments are. I think the best way to build trust is to get rid of the graft - and that means to effectively deal with the endemic corruption that conspicuously corrodes the ability of governments to solve these myriad problems. And that is one gigantic beast to slay, Mr. Kristof.
Back then government borrowing was minuscule. Now we’re way out of control with debt at 130% of GDP before all of the new spending. With new inflation that debt is going to cripple the economy - it’s already at 10% of our total tax revenue. Let’s try these great ideas after we have something closer to a balanced budget.
I wish the Dems would shout from the rooftops the benefits to families that BBB would provide. But they sure seem to have a horrible inability to frame and control the narrative about all their accomplishments.
Nick, I'm so glad to find you! I've been missing your wit and wisdom sorely! I, too, am someone who benefited from the New Deal programs that lifted my Depression-era parents out of financial uncertainty. I hope the folks in Oregon realize what a treasure you are and put you in office to look after their best interests. I'm in Texas, but I'm telling all of my Oregon friends to vote for you! Godspeed and God bless!
If racism can drive people to act out of hate and fear, like when they attacked the Capitol, then they could be driven to act out of hope, as well. If it weren’t for the investments made in communities by New Deal, I doubt we would’ve had the manufacturing capacity needed to win WWII. Thanks to the devastation of those same communities from globalization, fascism has found its way into the same communities who rose up against fascism during the war. That’s why it is more important than ever to reinvest in those rural communities now.
It's important to note the timing of America's shift from seeing our governments as entities that can help foster growth and make life better for citizens, to the philosophy that "government is the problem:" it obviously occurred when the author of that phrase became our president. Since then it has been the Republican mantra that "the less government, the better" - and there remains a significant portion of our electorate that subscribes to this concept. I am convinced that the bulk of objections to Biden's (and Bernie's) proposals can be traced back to that philosophy.
And so the progressives may have a point when they say that only when we pass important legislation and show how much good government programs can do for our nation will people begin to view governments as once again being portals of positive growth and care for their citizens. But when I look at the ongoing hatred for the ACA, passed more than a decade ago and having helped numerous citizens (while raising costs for many others), I wonder. The biggest problem, I think, with the ACA was that it didn't address the root cause of out health care issues in the US: the outsized influence of corporate greed and the systems in D.C. that maintain it.
I think the best way to foster trust in government once again is not so much investments in our future, important as those investments are. I think the best way to build trust is to get rid of the graft - and that means to effectively deal with the endemic corruption that conspicuously corrodes the ability of governments to solve these myriad problems. And that is one gigantic beast to slay, Mr. Kristof.
I wish you the greatest success in your efforts.
Amen Nick! I totally agree with you. Investing in our future is a benefit for everyone.
Agree, investment, not expense. The premise that infrastructure spending must be offset seems silly.
Yes, yes, and YES. I miss reading your news articles in The NY Times; this essay would be a great op-ed piece in any newspaper!!
I wish you the best in your campaign!
Back then government borrowing was minuscule. Now we’re way out of control with debt at 130% of GDP before all of the new spending. With new inflation that debt is going to cripple the economy - it’s already at 10% of our total tax revenue. Let’s try these great ideas after we have something closer to a balanced budget.
I wish the Dems would shout from the rooftops the benefits to families that BBB would provide. But they sure seem to have a horrible inability to frame and control the narrative about all their accomplishments.
Nick, I'm so glad to find you! I've been missing your wit and wisdom sorely! I, too, am someone who benefited from the New Deal programs that lifted my Depression-era parents out of financial uncertainty. I hope the folks in Oregon realize what a treasure you are and put you in office to look after their best interests. I'm in Texas, but I'm telling all of my Oregon friends to vote for you! Godspeed and God bless!