Jon Taplin’s got me worked up this morning with his latest post.
> I guess what has depressed me so much in the last few weeks is that from a global perspective, America is slipping behind, and yet we are contesting an election over American flag pins, egotistical preachers and assorted nonsense that has nothing to do with our massive failures both in Iraq and in every town in our great country. While the rest of the world is moving ahead we are cutting back. At USC, the National Science Foundation grants are harder to come by. Corporate chieftains like Jeff Immelt of GE get criticized for making long term bets on Green Tech. And everywhere we look our bridges, schools, pipelines and digital infrastructure are second class. If the American people are so short-sighted as to fall for the Clinton-McCain “Gas tax Holiday” to encourage consumption, when in fact we should be doing everything we can to reduce consumption–then they will get the panderer they deserve for a President.
Real concerns, for sure, as well as the low regard much of the world has for us (or at least our leaders) while they hold our IOUs.
The good news is that a lot of people understand this, not only in the academy and policy circles but in politics. Obama’s rise is one indication that a lot of Americans are ready to talk seriously about our future. The various flaps didn’t help, but he’s on his way at least to the nomination. And my sense is that his principled stand on the gas tax issue helped him this week to a big win in NC and almost-win in IN.