Swing to the Left

Is America ready for a political swing to the Left? Probably so. Even with the failure of the Liberal Democrat Congress, (approval ratings in single digits), the people seem undeterred in their desire for “something different” from the status quo. “Change,” whether for good or for ill, is most definitely in the air.

Unfortunately, that’s the historical trend following periods of war that challenge the public’s resolve. It happens for whatever party’s in power. Even the conservative icon Winston Churchill, after leading the British people through their “finest hour” in WWII, met defeat at the ballot box in a landslide election that swept the Labor party into the Majority for the first time ever. The new Prime Minister, Clement Attlee, initiated a bold program of change consisting of: Full Employment, Tax-funded Universal National Health Service and a “cradle to grave” Welfare State!

Sound familiar?

As a general rule: a wartime era is followed by a domestic era with new inward focus for internal improvements. This swing of the political pendulum favors the Liberal Democrats in this year’s upcoming elections.

In this drift Leftward, there are a couple of things concerning the campaign rhetoric one should keep in mind:

First: The Economy.

We are not in a recession yet! Technically, a recession is two consecutive quarters of negative growth. Yes, the fourth quarter of last year was abysmal, (.6% growth), but it was positive, not negative.

One should remember that we’ve been on a war footing since 9/11/2001. It’s amazing that we’ve had an expansion at all, much less, a record 52 consecutive months of job creation! Since 2001, our average GDP growth has been a healthy 2.8% per year with low inflation and relatively low unemployment. The Bush tax cuts have been an economic stimulus, reducing taxes for everyone who pays them, while simultaneously yielding the highest amount of tax revenues in history- proving, once again, that “Supplyside” works.

Our deficits point to another misconception. The current rate is 1.2% of GDP, or 50% below the 40-year average. Our deficits have grown the national debt during the Bush years at a rate of 8.4% per year since 2002. This is similar to the 10.5% annual rate from 1990 to ‘94. What’s interesting, is that in the intervening years, 1994 to 2001, we had an overall 3% reduction in the overall deficit. This was the period of the much-maligned, “spend-thrift” Republican Congress. The substantial difference between these two most recent periods of deficit increases can be reduced to two factors: War and a unified, Liberal-Democrat government. For further perspective, consider the fact that growth in this decade’s spending is at 1/4th the rate of the 1970s. It has gone up, when compared to the 90s, but only by 23%. The increase in the deficits this decade is actually 2/3rd below the average rate per decade since the 1970s. That’s not much considering the huge expense of this war.

By that way, it’s a war not of our choosing. It’s impossible to believe the claims of the Democrat candidates who say they will single-handedly “end the war” when they should realize the conflict necessarily involves the active will and participation of our enemies! Do they have some secret power to nullify the motivation embodied by Islamic jihad?

Second: John McCain.
Does John McCain have any worthwhile conservative credentials, if he does happen to be the Republican nominee?

There’s a rebellion brewing now on the Right that is rejecting the notion of supporting John McCain. McCain has stabbed conservatives in the back repeatedly over a multitude of issues, from Amnesty to Campaign Finance Reform to Bush’s Tax Cuts. It’s a long, annoying record and one conservatives find very hard to support.

Some conservatives have gone so far as to claim that Hillary Clinton would be MORE conservative than John McCain. As they say down in Arkansas, “that’s Hogwash!”

Given this cultural swing to the Left, conservatives may just have to swallow hard and accept the consequences of a more moderate alternative.

How moderate is McCain? Is he really that close to Hillary or Obama? McCain has a lifetime conservative voting record of 82.3, (as compiled by the American Conservative Union). That is just two points below the GOP average. By contrast, the Democrat average is 13.8. Hillary and Obama share the exact same lifetime average of 8.0. That is a dramatic difference in the parties and significant evidence for establishing a real choice this November. But, what exactly are these differences?

Looking on a vote by vote basis used by the ACU, the discrepancy involves five main categories that all voters should be aware of: Tax and Spend policies, Iraq and the War on Terror, Market vs. Government solutions, the appointment of Judges and Abortion. It may not be enough for some conservatives to get excited about, but it is a very real difference that will manifest itself in the governing actions of these prospective administrations. Finally, one can’t forget that McCain did support the Surge at its critical, introductory stage when others were wavering.

As the political winds blow Left, conservatives may want to start thinking more clearly about the “lesser of two evils.” It doesn’t have to be forever. Remember, Churchill did make a come back! Maybe for conservatives, it’s time to “punt and play field position” for a while, at least until more favorable winds come along. (send comments to WFC83197@aol.com, or mail to POB 114, Jacksboro, TN 37757)