Weekly Opinion Editorial
IN THE CENTER RING!
by Steve Fair
A ‘big tent’ is a phrase used in reference
to a political Party permitting or encouraging a broad spectrum of views among
its members. Instead of enforcing a
determined ideology/platform, those in the ‘big tent’ are tolerant of those
they disagree with. Those who believe in
the Republican ‘big tent,’ follow Ronald Reagan’s credo the person who agrees
with you 80% of the time is your friend and not a 20% traitor.
Today both the Republican and Democratic
Party ‘big tents’ look more like a circus tent than a place to gather and unite. Tolerance of another person’s differing viewpoint
is considered weakness. Respect for an
opposing opinion is frailty. Loud is the
name of the game in the tent. Elected
officials and candidates must be roaring, deafening and thunderous or they are
considered weak. Insults, name calling, and
slander project strong convictions in the Party tabernacle. Substance,
truth and humility are secondary attributes.
Anger, wrath and fury reign. Details
of how to fix all the issues in America are foggy in both of the major Party
tents. Here are three observations all
Americans, no matter what Party affiliation, should agree on:
First, government spends too much money. The money government (at all levels) is
provided by taxpayers. Government has no
money of its own. The government does a
terrible job living within its means.
The current national debt is 30 trillion dollars. The U.S. federal debt to GDP ratio in 2000
was 57%. In 2022, it is 130%. It seems to matter little which political
Party is in power- government spends too much money. Last year, the federal government took in a
record amount of revenue- $4.4 trillion- but spent $6 trillion.
Government spending financed by higher taxes
reduces personal incentive to start a new business or expand an existing
one. Redistribution of wealth by
government fosters a culture of dependency and depresses risk taking.
Until true fiscal conservatives are
elected to office, the deficit will continue to grow. Nobel prize winner in Economics, Milton
Friedman said, “Keep your eye on one thing and one thing only: how much government
is spending.” American government
spends too much money and has no plans to slow down. Until voters begin to hold elected officials accountable
for the out of the control spending, it will be business as usual. The national debt crisis is real and
threatens the very way of life in America.
It is not discussed or addressed in campaigns because it’s not booming enough. It doesn’t fire up the troops.
Second, government isn’t to be trusted. In a Pew Research Center poll conducted in
June, public trust in government is near historic lows. Only 29% of Democrats trust their government
to do what’s right. Among Republicans it
is 9%. In 1958, 75% of Americans trusted
government. How did government become so
untrustworthy? Reducing of personal
liability, increased regulation, unfulfilled campaign promises contributed to
the lack of confidence in government. Promises of reduced regulations, taxation
are made during campaigns to be quickly forgotten once sworn into office.
Third, the government is the people. The U.S. Constitution begins with the words:
We the People. The people are charged
with controlling the government. That is
done by being engaged in their government all the time. Engagement can vary in degrees- from seeking
office to infrequent voting. Until more Americans
commit to constant, persistent involvement in their government, the loudest
candidate in the tent will prevail.
Both political Parties have allowed their ‘big tents’ to become entertainment. Purity tests have been established to ensure those allowed to enter the tent maintain the ideological purity of the Party, but once in the tent, little serious discussion on issues that unite are conducted. It’s more fun- but less productive- to argue in the tent. Ladies and Gentlemen, now in the center ring, The Polarizing of America!
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