THE REPUBLICAN REALITY SHOW

I cannot stop watching the republican debates and endless chatter that have defined the primary contest.  It is the best reality show on television. We are served up a daily combination of The Amazing Race and Survivor without the international locales. Each candidate makes alliances, breaks alliances, changes policy positions, twists sound bites and trades ear muffs for summer wear as they race from northern to southern states. No television producer could invent such a scenario.  

Each candidate has had their turn on top, subsequently been attacked by the pack and vetted by the media, has fallen behind and been compelled to shift strategy.  Some are gone due to past indiscretions.  Some are gone because of gaffes that even the tea party found too bitter to drink. Some stay in the race only to attack other candidates.  The themes of lust, revenge, betrayal, rejection, triumph and rebirth from political obsolescence are everywhere.

In the middle of this drama, several elements of substance have become apparent to this observer.  First, the libertarian label does not equal conservative republican.  The former are liberty anarchists and the latter require an element of Dick Cheney neoconservative blood when it comes to defense issues.  Second, the republican definition of job creation is really wealth creation, with jobs as a long shot by-product.  Unfortunately under this approach, as productivity increases, cash is hoarded by businesses, and costs must be lowered to create wealth, jobs are more likely to be lost than gained.

Third, like the game reality shows, being clever and showing endurance are more important than intellect and leadership. Fourth, like game show contestants, the candidates do not like unpredictability.  For example, the super PACs, that act like uncontrollable third party assassins and attack without warning are considered unwanted interference with the best laid plans. 

Lastly, as the republicans cannibalize their own, I find little worth saving from this 2012 “Survivor” stew pot.  Four years ago the democratic primary debate was an honorable discussion over whether this country’s first woman or first candidate of color should be elected president.  Both candidates were moderate on policy positions, yet transformational because of whom they were.  This year we have candidates operating on the ideological fringes who offer little of what voters want or need.  The best hope the republicans can offer is more George W. Bush.  The alternative is worse, much worse.  Remember that reality show winners do not do well in the real world.

FIXING INEQUALITY IN WASHINGTON COUNTY

As we enter the New Year Washington County is at the center of the greatest political and economic debate of the new millennium.  Our County has the perfect DNA to test the theories of either libertarianism (less government) on the one hand or social equality (more government) on the other.  I believe we are about to become an experiment that will decide which of these divergent policies is the blueprint of the future. Washington County has emerged from the recession ahead of most of the country.  Accordingly, we have the opportunity to become a model for economic and social planning and development.

Through a combination of location, open spaces, low taxes, a business friendly environment, a thriving gambling venue and Marcellus Shale, Washington County is in a sweet spot on a very sour if not rotten economic map.  Very few areas can match our growing employment coupled with proximity to two major inter-states, a large city/metropolitan area and an international airport.  Once gas drillers get the economic ball rolling, other business concerns will take advantage of the infrastructure build-out to make Washington County their home.  Support businesses will flourish, home values will increase and public revenues will soar.

Before these developments, Washington County was like most of the rust belt, a demonstration of how everything economic and social could go wrong.  Things were bad even before the recession.  Older and minority citizens stuck in decaying coal and steel towns, surrounded by middle class suburbia. The poor residing in these broken down towns, including the City of Washington, have little or no transportation, little or no health care before age 65 (except for the emergency rooms),  little or no access to area wide cultural events, parks and entertainment venues and are stuck with public schools with limited resources.  The more well off suburbanites have access to all of the above.  This wide resource divergence has been the perfect storm for social and economic inequality and the deterioration of the civic common good.

With new found funding streams, the issues that Washington County must address are monumental and have kept political and economic theorists up at night for ages. Should we encourage unregulated wild-west capitalism or the helping hand of the government?  Should outlays on public services and investment be squeezed or expanded?  Should we build institutions and programs that promote equality and civic pride for all residents, or let rich and poor drift further apart?  What basic rights does a Washington County resident have, when the economic pie is large enough to accomplish some serious social engineering? Must we follow Congress and Harrisburg in ceding our leadership in education, infrastructure, mass transit and the arts, or try a different path?    How much vision does our medium size County, on the edge of Appalachia have, to seize the moment and develop a master plan for all its residents?

The tea party philosophy would be easy enough to envision and apply in this new age of increasing public-private wealth.  The libertarian demand would be to keep government helping hands, even local oversight, at arm’s length.  Let the free market determine the outcome, with minimal regulation of drilling and other industries. (after all, tremors related to fracking, will promote earthquake insurance salesman)  Seek to lower taxes whenever possible, with little view toward the future.  Permit a few resident landowners and businesses to acquire wealth, while the poorer, older and minority citizens receive some benevolent scraps from the well stocked community table.

Democratic socialism and equality theory offer a better model.  One that is truly revolutionary.  One that could renew hope and make a difference.  One that could bring residents from different economic groups together, not wall them apart.  All it would take is a decision by the County’s political leadership to break through the barrier of inequality.  To develop systems, programs and organizations that build up rather than hollow out the public sector.  Services that are so beneficial that the well off, middle class and poor would all take advantage of them.  Services based on tax revenue that is collected to provide the most benefit and not cut at the first sign of a surplus.

What would these services look like?  Mass transit would be a good start.  More subsidized travel to Pittsburgh, to the Airport, to the malls, to the entertainment venues, to the parks.  More assets for the libraries and the established arts and sports programs, shared by all residents.  Free health clinics for any resident. Progressive public school programs in music, fine arts and sciences (both classes and after school) open to all students residing in the County.  College stipends for County students attending County colleges and universities.  Free adult education classes for all citizens, using our County colleges and universities as a resource.

The possibilities for an environment of civic renewal and citizen equality are endless.  The results would be priceless.  Washington County will soon have the means to make it a reality.

It has been pointed out to me that Washington County has a long and successful history of nonprofit philanthropy which has helped many residents in many different programs.  My proposals are in no way intended to disparage these efforts.  My point is that the outlays and programs needed for education, infrastructure, family support and transportation are better left to the public sector.  I agree there is also room for local public-private cooperation on many fronts. 

Should the federal and state governments be taking the lead? Absolutely.  But they will not and Washington County can and should.