Why The '12 US Presidential Campaign Is About Nothing

Joe Scarborough of the 'Morning Joe' program on CNBC bemoans the fact that this year's presidential campaign appears to be 'about nothing.'  He cites Obama making a reference to "Romneyhood" (robbing the poor to give to the rich) and Romney charging Obama with "Obamaloney" (contraction of 'Obama' and 'baloney').  Point taken.  But, why?  There is a reason.  Joe knows it, as do the candidates themselves. So why won't Joe tell us?

Here, in 'Chuckling Over The Here And Now' I'll tell you.  Our No. 1 problem is our anemic, 2%  economic growth.  What we need is 4% growth.  The solution, however, will involve some pain for the citizenry.  This was made crystal-clear by the Simpson-Bowles Commission, a bi-partisan commission,which, to his credit, was appointed by Obama,  Unfortunately, Obama never lifted a finger in support of the commission's recommendations.

To their credit, the Republicans put a bill -- Paul Ryan's bill -- on table in the House of Representatives intended to implement the recommendations of the Simpson-Bowles Commission.  To their great shame, the Democrats in Harry Reid's Senate have done nothing.  They drag a red herring through the discussion by claiming that, despite their majority in the Senate, they are fearful of a Republican filibuster.  Maybe there would be a Republican filibuster, but at least let the public see such a filibuster, if it should occur.  You'd think that that's what the Democrats would want to see happen.

What both parties fear is telling the public that the solution to America's economic problem and our 8% unemployment won't come without some economic pain and suffering.  The only thing that supports taking the actions outlined in Simpson-Bowles proposals and in Paul Ryan's bill is that they will put us back on the correct economic path and will, in the not too distant future, return this country to full employment.  The stakes are huge and will ultimately determine America's position in the world.

But, having seen the kind of campaign that they have launched against Paul Ryan, the Democrats don't want to see themselves subjected to the same kind of attacks by the Republicans.  The result of all this is that neither party is telling the public what it needs to know; namely, that we need to take some fairly strong economic measures (whittle down entitlements, require citizens to work a little longer before collecting social security, reduce the size of government, etc. etc. etc. (ref: Simpson-Bowles).

The biggest phony in this discussion is Joe Scarborough, a prime example  of a rhino Republican if ever there was one (RINO: a Republican in name only).  His advice to Romney; talk about the 3 M's -- money, Mormonism, and Massachusetts.  Really, Joe?  What the most addle minded Republican knows is that if Romney followed your really stupid advice he would be taking the discussion away from America's number one problem; namely, our limping economy.

As to the 3M's, they are subjects on which Romney can't win.    What's he going to say; that FDR and JFK and, goodness knows, how many other great American leaders were really, really wealthy?  This would be nothing but a diversion from our desperately needed discussion as to how best to deal with our economic problems.

Then he wants Romney to discuss his Mormonism.  Really?  JFK dealt with his Catholicism in a really great way with his speech on this subject to the American people.   There is absolutely no need for Romney to re-plow this field.

And, then there's Massachusetts, another losing topic.  Did Romney do a great job as governor of Massachusetts.  According to most citizens of Massachusetts, the answer would be, yes, yes, yes.  But, his healthcare law in Massachusetts was a unique state solution to a problem of the citizens of that state.  Would it be a solution for the country?  At this point, most Americans are saying, "NO."  So let it go, Joe.  Romney's not running to be governor of some state.  This is a presidential race.

And, to think, there are still viewers who really believe that Joe Scarborough is a Republican.