29 January 2007
Some thoughts on erosion of empire
Juan Cole:
If a Republican wins in 2008 (which, on paper, is not likely) how will he or she deal with the wreckage left by Bush? Will it be in a transparent and intelligent manner? Or will the Cycle of Denial spiral on?
If a Democrat wins in 2008, how easily can American standing in the world be restored to where it was under Clinton? (this question is only directed at a Democrat, because I believe electing ANY Republican would do only negative things for global perceptions of the U S of A) Will truly progressive ideas (universal health care, in-sourcing IT jobs to rural areas, fair trade) finally triumph over old liberalism (bloated welfare, Big Farm subsidies, high tariffs)?
One thing I know is absolutely certain. Joe Lieberman, a senator who thinks himself better than organized parties and their institutions, will cease to have any voice. This is because the Democrats, defending only 12 seats in the Senate, will be able to go for an absolute kill versus the 20+ seats Republicans will be defending. Barring a major change in the national political climate, the Democrats will have a solid majority in the Senate, and Joe Lieberman's vote will not even be worth the electricity used to cast it. And the Democrats will have no need for him, and will strip him of seniority on all committees. (And by the way Joe, don't think we've forgotten about you. We haven't and we will have the last laugh, I promise.) ¶ 8:28 PM
Hillary Rodham Clinton made the reasonable point that George W. Bush has a responsibility to get the US back out of Iraq and end the quagmire by January 2009, instead of bequeathing this disaster to his successor.Having failed so consistently and tragically as Bush already has, how bad of a mess will he actually leave for the next administration?
Unfortunately, Cheney, who really decides these things, thinks the US will be there for decades. Of course in the 1940s Winston Churchill thought Britain would be in India for decades. Dreams of empire die hard; empire, that goes away quickly.
If a Republican wins in 2008 (which, on paper, is not likely) how will he or she deal with the wreckage left by Bush? Will it be in a transparent and intelligent manner? Or will the Cycle of Denial spiral on?
If a Democrat wins in 2008, how easily can American standing in the world be restored to where it was under Clinton? (this question is only directed at a Democrat, because I believe electing ANY Republican would do only negative things for global perceptions of the U S of A) Will truly progressive ideas (universal health care, in-sourcing IT jobs to rural areas, fair trade) finally triumph over old liberalism (bloated welfare, Big Farm subsidies, high tariffs)?
One thing I know is absolutely certain. Joe Lieberman, a senator who thinks himself better than organized parties and their institutions, will cease to have any voice. This is because the Democrats, defending only 12 seats in the Senate, will be able to go for an absolute kill versus the 20+ seats Republicans will be defending. Barring a major change in the national political climate, the Democrats will have a solid majority in the Senate, and Joe Lieberman's vote will not even be worth the electricity used to cast it. And the Democrats will have no need for him, and will strip him of seniority on all committees. (And by the way Joe, don't think we've forgotten about you. We haven't and we will have the last laugh, I promise.) ¶ 8:28 PM
Comments:
<< Home
That is good news.
I bet though that there is probably a republican out there that could possibly be better than certain democrats as far as how much other countries like us, or "global perception of USA". Though a lot of times people in other countries just look to see whether a democrat or republican won and so yeah, then it would take an extreme example.
Post a Comment
I bet though that there is probably a republican out there that could possibly be better than certain democrats as far as how much other countries like us, or "global perception of USA". Though a lot of times people in other countries just look to see whether a democrat or republican won and so yeah, then it would take an extreme example.
# posted by 
: Monday, January 29, 2007 9:26:00 PM
: Monday, January 29, 2007 9:26:00 PM<< Home
