The Rights of Bill
Still editing and adding to my review of "My Life" (the early years), but in its place for today is this from The American Prospect.
I may never say this again, so mark this on the calendar, but thank goodness that Ann Lewis doesn't let Max Sawicky off so easily in this debate on Clinton's legacy. Its obviously a debate among two lefties, but here's Max's take on the role of the Democratic Party:
This economic boom generated budget surpluses that the Clinton administration then failed to capitalize on. Instead of proposing worthwhile domestic spending initiatives, it polemicized against tax cuts and on behalf of misbegotten ambitions to extirpate the national debt. It could have tried to rehabilitate the reputation of the welfare state by proposing well-founded expansions. This, I submit, is the mission of the Democratic Party; otherwise, it has little purpose.
I swear, my head came *this* close to exploding when I read this.
Ann responds:
Max argues that the "mission" of the Democratic Party is to expand the welfare state. I disagree. I believe our mission is to build a society in which more people are able to live better lives -- a society that rewards hard work, ensures equal opportunity, respects civil and human rights, and offers a better future for every child from every family and a secure and dignified old age. Government programs can be the best tools to reach these goals, but more government is not an end in itself.
To which, Max goes on ...
We have here a blend of truisms and triangulation that evades the issue. I raise the pursuit of social welfare, and she translates that as statism.
Funny ... if you realize you've been cornered into an uncomfortable place, I guess its perfectly logical to come back with a comment that doesn't reflect the critique of your very nonsensical point. Max begins by advocating statism (and poorly at that). Little logic is offered as to why federal non-discretionary spending needs to be boosted as Max suggests, unless more spending is just a means to itself. So when Ann states a more clearer, and historically acurate rationale for the Democratic Party, Max disputes being slammed for being called statist ... which Ann never accomplishes, but Max himself does. Now that I've got everyone's head spinning ....
I'm kinda curious where Max was between 1992 and 2000. Surely couldn't have been here in the States.