Anticipating the upcoming presidential debates, I'm wondering which candidate might fall headlong into the same trap set AND sprung by candidate Walter Mondale in 1984 when speaking honestly about the need for "increased taxes" in the face of a faltering economy and recession.
Since the days of Nixon's unapologetic mendacity, Carter's sanctimonious piety and Mondale's politically ill-advised but decent relationship with the truth,
politicians have apparently taken up the mantra that "honesty and politics do not make for successful campaigns." A flagrantly casual relationship with the truth has certainly been on display throughout this presidential campaign season with demagoguery, instead, taking a more prominent role.
Sadly, the American voter just doesn't seem to give a damn.
Take Medicare.
The reality of Medicare is bleak. In its current state, the entitlement program is simply unsustainable. Anyone with half a brain and rudimentary math skills sees the writing on the wall ~ this might also (perhaps generously) apply to most politicians currently kissing the collective American ass for votes. Yes, some politicos are willing to occasionally dispense modest lip service to the reality of Medicare when questioned but one will also notice how most of these uncomfortable conversations are quickly put to rest with pithy, tired charges as to the "unworthiness" of their opponents.
No, Americans won't hear politicians honestly discuss Medicare solvency until after the November 6th election. I'm not altogether certain we would listen if that truth WERE told.
For example, most voters don't know that President Obama has met privately with House Speaker Boehner to discuss hundreds of billions in difficult cuts to Medicare as an opening salvo in the attempt to secure its solvency. While the cuts he proposed during this private meeting disproportionately affect suppliers, he also acknowledged the necessity of increasing the age of
eligibility which, in the end, would have a direct affect on beneficiaries.
Like it. Don't like it. It doesn't really matter. This is a fact … and it is important.
Despite any subsequent burden such negotiations might eventually place on current or future beneficiaries, fiscal reality is finally coming home to roost; the promise of Medicare will not be sustained absent tough, austere choices and change.
If one were to also take a good look at the sequestration legislation looming over the lame-duck session following the election, our Representatives in Washington all know, in addition to the much publicized extensive cuts to the DOD, there are billions in additional cuts to Medicare in the offing.
Again, it's all true. Do your homework if you don't believe me. It's also necessary.
Medicare as our Grandparents knew it will soon be nothing more than a memory. And the irresponsible era when Congress somehow got away with forestalling difficult decisions in the name of political expediency may finally be forced to meet its end. At least, it should.
The American voter is owed an intelligent, honest conversation from both the right and left about the real future of Medicare and our country as a whole. But politicians remain loathe to communicate the truth because they understand, like Mondale, this path is fraught with peril. Republican and Democratic politicians, alike, also seem to know the American voter better than we know ourselves.
In these ever more polarized, intellectually lazy political times we inhabit, most conversations I overhear revolve around regurgitated "facts" from "unbiased" talking heads, Op-Ed columnists and, worse yet, Comedy Central comedians. And it has become increasingly mind-numbing and painful to listen as most of these "intelligent discussions" invariably degenerate into sophmoric taunts of, "'my' guy is never wrong and 'your' guy is a blithering idiot who sits just right or left of Satan or Attila the Hun!"
Our two presidential candidates are much better than their campaigns.
The slothful enmity and healthy disrespect of our democratic political process emanating both from politicians and voters alike is palpable, unconscionable and, in the long run, destructive.
Walter Mondale's campaign for the White House was finished the day he dared utter the truth in 1984.
In my opinion, it has become painfully clear that Americans sadly "can't handle the truth," to borrow from one of Jack Nicholson's iconic movie personas.
Worse yet, I fear most of us simply choose not to.
Since the days of Nixon's unapologetic mendacity, Carter's sanctimonious piety and Mondale's politically ill-advised but decent relationship with the truth,
politicians have apparently taken up the mantra that "honesty and politics do not make for successful campaigns." A flagrantly casual relationship with the truth has certainly been on display throughout this presidential campaign season with demagoguery, instead, taking a more prominent role.
Sadly, the American voter just doesn't seem to give a damn.
Take Medicare.
The reality of Medicare is bleak. In its current state, the entitlement program is simply unsustainable. Anyone with half a brain and rudimentary math skills sees the writing on the wall ~ this might also (perhaps generously) apply to most politicians currently kissing the collective American ass for votes. Yes, some politicos are willing to occasionally dispense modest lip service to the reality of Medicare when questioned but one will also notice how most of these uncomfortable conversations are quickly put to rest with pithy, tired charges as to the "unworthiness" of their opponents.
No, Americans won't hear politicians honestly discuss Medicare solvency until after the November 6th election. I'm not altogether certain we would listen if that truth WERE told.
For example, most voters don't know that President Obama has met privately with House Speaker Boehner to discuss hundreds of billions in difficult cuts to Medicare as an opening salvo in the attempt to secure its solvency. While the cuts he proposed during this private meeting disproportionately affect suppliers, he also acknowledged the necessity of increasing the age of
eligibility which, in the end, would have a direct affect on beneficiaries.
Like it. Don't like it. It doesn't really matter. This is a fact … and it is important.
Despite any subsequent burden such negotiations might eventually place on current or future beneficiaries, fiscal reality is finally coming home to roost; the promise of Medicare will not be sustained absent tough, austere choices and change.
If one were to also take a good look at the sequestration legislation looming over the lame-duck session following the election, our Representatives in Washington all know, in addition to the much publicized extensive cuts to the DOD, there are billions in additional cuts to Medicare in the offing.
Again, it's all true. Do your homework if you don't believe me. It's also necessary.
Medicare as our Grandparents knew it will soon be nothing more than a memory. And the irresponsible era when Congress somehow got away with forestalling difficult decisions in the name of political expediency may finally be forced to meet its end. At least, it should.
The American voter is owed an intelligent, honest conversation from both the right and left about the real future of Medicare and our country as a whole. But politicians remain loathe to communicate the truth because they understand, like Mondale, this path is fraught with peril. Republican and Democratic politicians, alike, also seem to know the American voter better than we know ourselves.
In these ever more polarized, intellectually lazy political times we inhabit, most conversations I overhear revolve around regurgitated "facts" from "unbiased" talking heads, Op-Ed columnists and, worse yet, Comedy Central comedians. And it has become increasingly mind-numbing and painful to listen as most of these "intelligent discussions" invariably degenerate into sophmoric taunts of, "'my' guy is never wrong and 'your' guy is a blithering idiot who sits just right or left of Satan or Attila the Hun!"
Our two presidential candidates are much better than their campaigns.
The slothful enmity and healthy disrespect of our democratic political process emanating both from politicians and voters alike is palpable, unconscionable and, in the long run, destructive.
Walter Mondale's campaign for the White House was finished the day he dared utter the truth in 1984.
In my opinion, it has become painfully clear that Americans sadly "can't handle the truth," to borrow from one of Jack Nicholson's iconic movie personas.
Worse yet, I fear most of us simply choose not to.
