Monday, March 5, 2012

Editorial: Please, we're desperate

With today's editorial the unnamed Courier editor instructs the Republican presidential candidates (who log in to dcourier.com daily to check for the editor's counsel) to can the spam and try to come up with something substantial on real issues. I read this as an anguished cry for something, anything, to inspire Republicans to get up off the couch and vote in November, because as of now they're likely to take a pass and allow the President an easy victory.
    The editor wants "to hear concrete answers" about a list of issues. Maybe he's missed them. For the record, here are the answers on what the candidates are promising to do, though the editor might not like them:

-- to create jobs
Cut taxes on the rich and big corporations, and gut regulatory regimes across the board.

-- bolster the economy
Ditto.

-- resolve the immigration problem
 Shout a lot and do nothing, since it's an issue they want to keep using.

-- stifle escalating gas prices
Ditto on answers 1 and 2, and bomb Iran.

-- reduce the national debt
Cut government benefits for anyone who's not rich, and bomb Iran.

-- end the war in Afghanistan
Relabel it a humanitarian effort, send more troops, and bomb Iran.

-- confront the crisis in Syria
Bomb Iran, that'll scare 'em.

-- and resolve the healthcare debacle.
Return to the debacle of ten years ago and make sure it can't ever be changed.

A good place to start

If you've ever mused on the idea of getting involved in accomplishing anything for the community or elective office, the Prescott Area Leadership program is a good place to start. Check out the introduction in today's press release.  Founded here by famous cranky liberal Ron Barnes, it's the local franchise of a nationwide organization to foster sane leadership skills and prepare people for pubic work. More involvement by people from the leftward of the spectrum would be good. It's a great way to put your toe in the water and see if you've got the head for this sort of thing. Think about it.