The party conventions leading up to the US presidential elections are over. Let the games begin. To me the
games began a few days ago, following the discouraging jobs' report. As expected, the Republican
candidate for president, Governor Romney jumped all over the numbers. Very disappointing! He declares. However, there is a tiny bit of significant detail that is missing, and has been throughout the electoral
season: what will Romney do? It is a tricky question for a Republican presidential candidate, who
has bought into the myth that government is bad for the people. The problem is that if one believes that
government is the enemy and that the private sector and its values hold the keys to solving fiscal, economic and policy problems, there is no reason for the person to run for the highest government job in the country.
That sets up a great parody of the performance Clint Eastwood presented at the Republican convention.
Governor Romney, you say that the president's economic policies have failed; and that the recent jobs report
shows that the president's policies have not worked. What would you do differently? Second question: if you truly believe that the private sector and not government creates jobs (as Republicans like to say), why
are you running for president, at a time when you know that the country faces great challenges with regard to
job creation?
Third question: you are elected in November. The treasury department comes to you. and tells you that
credit is frozen all over the country. We have just lost half a million jobs. The automobile industry is on the brink of liquidation. Cities across the country will be forced to eliminate jobs for teachers, fire fighters, and
the police. Students will soon be unable to get college loans. What would you do? Nothing? Ask the
Congress to pass laws cutting taxes for "job creators"? If you have a divided Congress that is unwilling to adopt your tax proposals, what else will you have to offer?
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