The President’s comments
at the second debate struck me as well reasoned and forward looking. He spoke often of education, jobs for the
new economy, restoring a level playing field and equal opportunities for all
Americans. He also spoke of the importance of free enterprise to our culture as
a nation.
It
is not readily apparent why equal opportunity and free enterprise should
complement each other. While the former
seeks equality, the latter empowers individuals to accumulate wealth and
property. What is the bridge between
these competing goals of democratic equality and capitalism that makes our
system work? What makes a market
democracy stick together when the middle class comes under economic attack?
Understanding
the answer to these questions is critical to governing over the next four
years. Radicals who would trample all
free enterprise with unwarranted regulations or punitive taxes are as misplaced
as tea party conservatives who would disavow programs that create equal opportunity
or who insist on favoring wealthy investors at the expense of the general
public.
President Obama
understands the dilemma and he has the right solution. There is a middle ground
that keeps the lights on for all Americans.
When the middle class knows that the system is fair and the opportunities
are real (particularly for their children as creative destruction changes the
job market in the new economy) there is political legitimacy and democratic
support to move forward. This is why his plans to embrace the new economy as it
unfolds and to provide low cost education and job training are so important.
The President is
not a socialist or pie eyed idealist. In
the spirit of Bill Clinton (as Mr. Clinton eloquently expressed during his
convention address) Barack Obama is a pragmatic realist who has a clear vision
for the survival of our market democracy.
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