Going The Way Of The Whigs

Dave Davis Commentary, Policy, The Future Party, Uncategorized , , , ,

Tackling our problems requires both sides’ best ideas to implement agreed-upon solutions. Instead, we have Gridlock on the border and aid to our friends. Reforming entitlements before they devour us is willfully ignored.

While both parties contribute to our inabilities, the new Democratic ticket may bring different thinking. I doubt it, but we have to wait and see. On the other hand, the Republicans will do whatever Donald Trump dictates. It’s best to take up the Republicans first and hold back on the Democrats.

Laying to rest any question Trump now dominates the Republican Party is confirmed by the party’s recent actions. Blocking the compromise Bill to Fund Ukraine, Israel, and our southern border before anyone even read it because Trump wanted the Border issue for the election. At that point, you couldn’t claim you were objecting to something in the bill because no one had seen the finished product. Republicans bowed to Trump’s needs instead of making inroads into the problems. 

The recent changes at the Republican National Committee add to the conclusion of Trump’s dominance. Appointing his daughter-in-law as co-chairman and wholesale replacing long-term employees with Trump loyalists leave no illusions about who the boss is.

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Ignore the Signs and Drive off the Cliff

Dave Davis Commentary, Policy, Uncategorized , , , ,

We will soon see Donald Trump sew up the Republican presidential nomination. There have likely been private polls on how various Democratic candidates would fare against Trump. If not, there soon will be. With the unpopular former President locked in as the opponent, finding the best replacement ticket for Joe and Pamela is in full swing.

Already millions of dollars are a bet on  Michelle Obama in the ’24 presidential race, putting her in third place behind only Trump and Biden and ahead of Nikki Haley and Robert Kennedy Jr. Gavin Newsom is right behind her. People willing to risk big bucks might know something.

The private polls winnow the field and alert the significant donors to the best bets. Closer to the convention, we’ll see public polls showing how badly Trump fares against the new competition. Once the Democrats see a new ticket leading to victory, giving them a possible eight years of rule, a delegation of eminent Dems led by South Carolina Rep. James Claiborne will sit Joe Biden and wife Jill down to discuss their retirement plans. 

Joe’s dim prospects evaporate without Claiborne and other luminaries in his corner. If Joe hesitates, Democrats might have information on the Biden influence-peddling business they haven’t shared. It’s better to accept thanks for their service and ride out in the Sunset than lose their place in a positive history.

Agreeing on the replacement candidates ahead of the Democratic Convention in August will eliminate the messiness of previous conventions. The present delight in right-wing media over polls showing Trump edging out Biden will only slowly give way to dismay as they realize they’ll be facing a younger, robust ticket without the baggage of either Trump or Biden. 

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We Need A Choice

Dave Davis Commentary, Policy, Uncategorized , , , ,

As we anticipate the selection of presidential candidates by the two major parties, an unexpected revelation emerges. It used to be Republicans who said they were for small government and market solutions, while Democrats deemed an expanding government should provide desired results. 

Regardless of their eventual nominee, Democrats will likely stick to a top-down system, using industrial policy, taxes, rules, and transfer payments to shape outcomes. The cost is considered incidental under their economic framework, Modern Monetary Theory (MMT). In simple terms, you borrow what you want. This approach is not unique to the Democrats. Trump’s Republican party appears to be following a similar path, leading to a surprising convergence in economic policies that makes the two parties more alike than different.

It’s intriguing to note the significant shift in the Republican party’s historical stance as the advocate for small government. Under Trump’s leadership, the party has surprisingly adopted a similar approach to the Democrats, favoring a larger government and increased intervention. This shift is evident in President Trump’s tenure, which saw record Debt, an unprecedented shutdown of the economy during COVID-19, and a lack of effort to curtail government rules at all levels. The party’s reluctance to reform entitlements, a stance it shares with the Democrats, almost guarantees either higher taxes or massive borrowing or both. Imposing the 20% social security dictated by lack of funds is a political non-starter.

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Biden Isn’t The Only One Slipping

Dave Davis Commentary, Policy, Uncategorized , , , ,

Another off-year election and another Republican loss are on the books. This New York congressional defeat illustrates the ongoing weaknesses of the party. Compromised from the start, the race to replace a fraud kicked out of the House of Representatives needed solid handling to offset the stench of the poorly vetted former Republican member. A known, solidly-funded candidate with a well-organized campaign was necessary.  

What happened in the New York election reflected the continuing inability of Republicans to match Democratic fundraising and organization. Instead of finding a known squeaky-clean candidate, the Republicans selected a little-known candidate who appeared to be a registered Democrat. Heavily outspent, Republicans received much fewer early and mail-in votes. This situation left the campaign needing election day votes. Of course, the weather was terrible on that day. The result was that the seat turned Democrat, leaving the party with an even slimmer majority in the House.  

I’m tired of pointing out that parties exist primarily to win elections. After three miserable general elections, some changes might be in order. Why do Republicans underperform? It isn’t that a charismatic leader leads the Democrats. Joe Biden is the least popular incumbent in polling history. Yet, Democrats can widen their appeal to gain majorities.

Suburban women used to vote for Republicans but now provide winning margins for the Democrats. By running engaging pro-choice candidates, Democrats broaden their appeal. They understand the idea is to gain more votes.

Conversely, Republicans seem to go out of their way to repel voters. Instead of putting forth candidates who can who generally support their agenda, Republicans increasingly put loyalty to Donald Trump above electability.

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I Have My Reasons

Dave Davis Commentary, Policy, The Future Party, Uncategorized , , , ,

In the last post, I stated people should back the person most closely aligned with their principles and goals that can get elected. People have pointed out that former President Trump is leading Biden in several polls, so why am I not supporting him? The simple reason is that we disagree on important issues, precisely his stance on capitalism vs. state-directed economies and his subservience to bureaucratic elites. 

That doesn’t mean I didn’t applaud his tax cuts, opposing more regulations, and solid court appointments. Support for Israel while containing Iran led to the Abraham Accords. Providing real weapons to Ukraine kept Russia at bay. 

Trump’s stance on Capitalism vs. State-directed economies, as characterized by protectionism, debt, and immigration, however, revealed Trump’s less attractive side. Subservience to bureaucratic elites, Trump clashed with my fundamental values. 

A bedrock belief in markets allocating resources rather than self-serving elites makes me hostile to industrial policies. These policies, characterized by state intervention in the economy, have historically proven ineffective and often disastrous. 

After freeing up markets and achieving remarkable growth, China is reverting to the state direction of the economy with the expected results; growth is decelerating. Soon, it will join the old Soviet Union, Cuba, Venezuela, and Argentina as countries that could be rich but choose to move backward.

Speaking of Argentina, the new president, Javier Milie, explains the differences between capitalism’s successes and the failures of statism in his address before the World Economic Forum. I only wish I had his passionate ability to make the case for markets and the people rather than the state making decisions. One can only hope he will get the support to return Argentina to its place among wealthy nations.

A state-directed economy is only possible by separating a nation from competing goods and ideas. Protectionism through tariffs is a primary tool. Trump loves tariffs. He imposed them to protect our steel and washing machine industries. While he saved some jobs in the protected sectors, the data shows he lost more jobs among the users of tariff-protected products such as autos and washing machines using the now higher price steel, making them less competitive.

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