Robert Rubin: preparing us for governance?

Robert Rubin was Secretary of the Treasury from 1995 to 1999. He consuled Clinton to focus on deficit reduction and deregulation. I was struck by his article, co-authored with Jared Bernstein, this morning in the NY Times. The most important point he makes, from a psychological perspective, is that we shouldn't worry about the deficit so much, that it is a false choice between "fiscal rectitude" and "pubic investment". Since Rubin is one of Obama's closest advisers and might very well serve as Treasury Secretary again, I think this is a way of getting us ready for an Obama proposal to jumpstart the economy through a large public works program, probably centered on "green" technology, infrastructure and renewable energy. "Public Works" is something Republicans hate as a concept and I suspect most Americans view it suspiciously as well (although when the government offers jobs in a jobless economy, their views might change). But I was bemused by this "deficit hawk" now using his credibility to get the public ready for a big spending program by playing down the issue of deficits,

I was musing on the often noted fact that only a small number of the many issues that confront the next president and congress have been discussed in this campaign. Of course, there are so many that any candidate I guess could be forgiven for not wanting to overwhelm voters with too many plans. Still, I think it is strange that climate change (global warming) hasn't been addressed. Forget the economic mess we are in; if climatologists are right, the fate of the species, let alone most other species on the planet, are at stake. And what about the so-called Patriot Act, the denial of habeas corpus, the assertion of executive power in unconstitutional ways? And what about...well, I give up; too many things to add to the pile.

On the one hand, it may be about the psychology of attention. "It's the economy, stupid", the mantra from the first Clinton presidency, is a profound statement of the way in which people prioritize issues. But I'm puzzled that McCain hasn't pushed his legislation about global warming more in the campaign. Perhaps it seems too "liberal" to please his base. On the other hand, it's exactly the sort of thing that distinguishes him from Bush and wins over the hearts of Independents. Id'be interested in your thoughts on this matter.

Race , again

In the waning hours of this long campaign, race continues to be a complex, multi-dimensional issue cutting in many ways. this article reports on those people who will be voting for Obama because he is black. I like the last point. When asked if she was voting because of white guilt, the person replied, "Of course, what's wrong with guilt?" Then she explains that there is plenty for white folks about which to feel guilty. It's not an emotion we've discussed in class, but I think it bears consideration. For example, when a politician appeals to a future world in which "your children and grandchildren will live," that's inducing guilt. When, as this article suggests, Republicans ask potential Obama voters whether they are voting for a black man because of white guilt, they are trying to make white Obama voters feel guilty about feeling guilty! I'll bet you can think of other attempts to persuade based on guilt. Interesting article; worth reading.