May 21, 2013
Bill Clinton and the politics of inclusion
Written by Andrew Szabo
Wednesday, 12 January 2011 23:00
We started this series, concerning American politics and economic policy, with Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal. FDR built a political coalition and domestic policy that set the mold for all subsequent Democratic Presidents, including Truman, Kennedy, Johnson and Carter. To champion the common man, to rail against big business and special interests, to fashion massive federal programs to redistribute wealth toward the needy — these were the fuel that propelled the Democratic machine.
By the time of Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign in 1992, signs abounded that the Democrats’ tank of gas was running empty. The Southern Strategy, as pioneered by Richard Nixon, had blasted Democrats’ traditional lock on Southern states. Labor unions, a traditional bastion of Democratic strength, were shrinking in size and importance. Catholic voters had drifted toward the Republican Party, in part based on “family values” issues. Finally, the group of voters who would define themselves as “middle class” had swelled over the decades since the Great Depression, with unfavorable implications for Democrats.
Clinton portrayed himself as a “New Democrat,” pointing to his record as governor of Arkansas. He toned down the traditional Democratic rhetoric against “fat cats.” He talked of working with business to create incentives for investment. He sought and received support from some high tech entrepreneurs. He solicited disaffected Democrats who had voted for Reagan and Bush. His youth and charisma drew younger voters. Ross Perot’s insurgent third party candidacy probably also aided Clinton in defeating George W. Bush. (Perot played a lesser role in Clinton’s defeat of Bob Dole to win a second term, in 1996.)When grown men cry
Written by Joe Pisani
Wednesday, 12 January 2011 23:00
I was raised in a world where it was the ultimate embarrassment for grown men to cry, and that’s the way I lived for much of my life — a tearless emotional cripple, a Clint Eastwood veneer on the outside and a tormented soul on the inside.
We were Italians and supposed to be full of emotion, but in our family, displays of emotion, except for anger, were ridiculed, and God forbid the poor person who was foolish enough to weep.
So the debate over Speaker of the House John Boehner’s tendency to pull out the handkerchief and sniffle is somewhat amusing to me. I still cringe. I still look the other way — isn’t that the polite thing to do? — even though I wish I had a little of whatever it is that lets him turn on the tears so easily.
Nevertheless, I still believe there should be a serious cause for grown men to cry publicly, and that we shouldn’t be getting all weepy just because the boss gives us a bonus.
Lamenting the loss of books
Written by Caroline Shavel
Wednesday, 12 January 2011 23:00
As 2010 gave way to yet another new year, I found myself wondering what the future will bring rather than reminiscing on the highlights of the past year. While stumbling around aimlessly on the Internet, I came across an article entitled, “20 Things That Will Be Obsolete in 20 Years.” Some of the items listed were not so surprising, such as VHS or CD players. Others like Justin Bieber hit a less serious note. But what struck me as most disturbing was the discussion on the increasing obscurity of books and newspapers.
As a teenager, I often find myself grouped into the technology generation. My parents say that I’m too caught up in surfing the Internet and watching pointless reality television, but I’d argue that despite my adoption of some of today’s modern conveniences, I still remain sentimental for all that has been lost. Almost 18 years since my birth, the world looks like an entirely new place. Terms such as “iPod,” “Blackberry,” and “Google” have become commonplace. Blu-ray discs have replaced DVDs, which replaced VHS, and iPods have replaced Walkmen, which replaced record players. And while today’s modern technology has made information more accessible, entertainment more riveting and life in general more comfortable, it does have its pitfalls.
American Crop
Written by Victoria Baker
Thursday, 06 January 2011 12:49
George H.W. Bush, a boring economic policy maker
Written by Andrew Szabo
Wednesday, 05 January 2011 23:00
George H.W. Bush came to office with a distinguished résumé and a privileged social class background.
His father was a successful investment banker — the family has roots here in Greenwich — and he attended prep school at Philips Andover. He earned distinctions for heroism as a World War II fighter pilot in the Pacific, took a bachelor’s degree from Yale and made a fortune in Texas oil.
He then served as representative in Congress from Houston, ambassador to the U.N. (under Nixon), director of the CIA (under Ford), and vice president (1981-89) under Ronald Reagan, who defeated him in the 1980 Republican primaries, then nominated him for his party’s ticket.
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