Joe discusses the differences, if any, between the two presidential candidates.
By: Joe Makoto
-Staff Writer-
Our quadrennial presidential selection process has gone into high gear and the American people again have the opportunity to decide between The Burger King, who wants you to “have it your way!”, or Ronald McDonald, who wants you to be “lovin’ it.” As with the fast food chains represented, the candiate’s minor differences in substance are blown out of proportion by a multi-billion dollar marketing campaign.
In order to appreciate the basic sameness of the two candidates, listen for what is not mentioned.
They disagree on trivialities about Dodd-Frank, but never mention the Federal Reserve or their extraordinary lending policies – actions which were confined to academic journals just five years ago. It helps to know both candidates and their parties supported the financial bailout in 2008 and see no reason to rock the financial sector’s boat. Propping up zombie banks is another point of agreement.
They discussed energy, with a trivial $90 billion in alternative energy spending being highlighted. But neither candidate has ever mentioned the at least 80 year old US government backed building of automobile dependent suburbia that has left the nation vulnerable to oil supply shocks. Promoting an energy intensive culture through federal action is another point of agreement.
They discussed state budget issues, with school funding as a perennial topic. Yet niether candidate mentioned the astounding prison population growth over the past 40 years, which is largely due to the federally backed war on plants. Not addressing this wrongheaded and expensive policy is just another point of agreement.
Are there differences? Of course there are. And those relatively minor differences are trumped up to get the voting public excited and ready to pledge their support. Just as each fast food chain have strong points that attract buyers, each candidate has a different message, style and substance. But do not be deluded into believing that you are eating anything other than inexpensive fast food.
