The Conventions in Brief

Loyal readers of the Redel Traub Report, I have failed you. While I previously reported on every bit of minutiae during the Republican primary, I find myself unable or perhaps unwilling to discuss the presidential campaign as it heads into the final stretch.

Part of my reticence is because the race has lost the sense of whimsy it once had. It’s all well and good to make fun of Romney for any of the ridiculous shit he does, but it’s no laughing matter that he has a chance of becoming the president of the United States. It’s decidedly unfunny, unless you want to laugh about the calcification of the quasi-feudalist society that Romney envisions. Feudalism may well have been the crowning moment of Reagan-style trickle down economics. The lords lived well, but made sure there was enough gruel for the vassals to subsist on.

The last couple of weeks brought with them the national conventions. My analysis on them is hardly groundbreaking: they are ridiculous spectacles that seem to be mostly for the edification of congressman desperate to appear on the national stage. The conventions also do well to line the pockets of the balloon, confetti, and brass band industries.

The Republican convention was a cacophony of bullshit, a fact that should have surprised no one. I’m not sure any further analysis is needed, you’ve heard it all before. These Republicans are a twisted and dangerous bunch and God help America if they win. Their plan is to slash any spending, that isn’t for defense, cut the tax rates for rich people, and get rid of a lot of “loopholes” that help poor or middleclass folks. If you think these are good ideas, then great, but you are delusional; plain and simple.

The Democratic convention was also a cacophony of bullshit, albeit bullshit that I like to hear a lot more. Bill Clinton’s speech was slightly patronizing, but effective. Obama’s speech was very good in my opinion. I thought he did well to reconnect with voters, the presidency has a tendency to isolate you, and Obama reminded voters that his successes and failures don’t just go on a proverbial report card, but tangibly effect the lives of everyone.

Polls show that Obama might be starting to run away with this thing and I hope that's true. The U.S. is in a much more precarious position than anyone would like to admit. We're reminded of that on 9/11. 11 years ago, I sat in English class reading the insipid House On Mango Street when a teacher came into the classroom to tell us the devastating news. That day was perhaps the first and only time I was genuinely fearful for my life. I remember asking my parents "so what's gonna happen now?" Well what happened was that the U.S. launched a bunch of wars that exploded the national debt, which is a problem because we have literally seen no return on that money. Keynesian spending is good when it provides things people need, not when it goes towards cluster bombs, and strategic military bases. It's hard to take the Tea Party's tough talk about fiscal responsibility when they seem more than willing to crawl down an expensive rabbit hole in Iran. That's the clearest way to make the case for Obama; Vote Republican: More War, Less Medicine.