Word Games

For Democrats the code word has always been Social Security. Mention of this word is designed to send fear into older voters that Republicans will damage their future security. The Republican refrain of tax and spend liberal has been equally powerful in destroying many a Democratic candidacy. It matters not if these words have any true validity in a particular case, their power comes simply from using the word.

This campaign, however, has worked overtime at promoting words with little or no substance behind them. The McCain campaign has resorted to name calling with almost daily escalation of the words used to describe Barack Obama. We have heard he's going to raise your taxes, despite anything Obama has said to discount that charge. We are hearing free floating charges of liberal, escalating to socialist, and even Marxist or communist. We know these words have negative connotations, so accusing a candidate of such a connection may be enough to defeat him. Senator Obama used the phrase spread the wealth around, so he must be a Socialist. Of course, there is no reference to the redistribution of wealth to the top that has been going on under the current administration. A campaign lacking substance is beneath John McCain and the Republicans, but it seems to be par for the course in a losing campaign.

Why do these empty words work so well? According to Jon Meacham in an excellent Newsweek article in the October 27th issue, it may be because the United States continues to be a conservative country. The words resonate because compared to Europe we are more religious, more socially conservative, and our libertarian streak makes us averse to taxes and government programs. The point of Meacham's article is that even if Obama wins he would do well to govern from the center or center right, or his presidency will be brief.

There is much truth to Meacham's article, especially if the comparison is to Europe. We have had different experiences. The great war did not have the same effects here as it did in Europe. The social issues of gun control, abortion, and gay marriage have hit a responsive chord among many Americans. Yet, as Jonathan Alter's opposing viewpoint in Newsweek points out the country is changing. Most importantly these changes are being seen among the young, which suggests that changes will continue especially on social issues. Additionally, if nothing else, Americans try to be abundantly fair. This is why we have seen over time significant changes in civil rights for minorities, women, and gays. Eventually Americans change because they see it as the right thing to do, and that it is simply required by what our country stands for - freedom for all, not just some. Even when it comes to tax policy at some point the question beomes are we really being fair to all, if our tax policy is designed only as pro-business. Most would agree with Senator Obama that the middle-class deserves a tax break.

It is also worth noting in response to Jon Meacham's article, that the Democratic presidencies he cites as over reaching can also be interpreted differently. For instance, Lyndon Johnson lost not because of resistance to the great society, but because of Vietnam. Jimmy Carter's failure resulted from the Iran hostage crisis, not his liberal policies. Finally, Bill Clinton was reelected despite the scandals of his administration, because people liked his center-left policies. Democrats were even supported in 1998 over impeachment happy Republicans.

But ultimately, I think the problem may be that the wrong question is being asked. Fundamentally, the issue of whether the country is liberal or conservative is the wrong one. The circumstances of the 2008 election have demonstrated that Americans are basically neither conservative nor liberal but pragmatic. They want their government to work. Whether a policy is liberal or conservative matters not if it will get the job done. Congress had so much trouble with the so-called rescue plan on ideological grounds. People were amazed. Their only interest was, would it work. If it qualifies as socialist, but rescues a failed economy, it really doesn't matter. I believe Americans have looked at Katrina, failed policies in Iraq, Afghanistan, and on other foreign issues, as well as the serious financial crisis, and see their government as being broken. They want it fixed, and will take a chance on anyone who is willing to try some new strategies. After all it fits in with our adventurous spirit, and it looks like we are about to begin an exciting new adventure on Tuesday.