Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Complex problems have simple, easy to understand, wrong answers: Henry Louis Mencken

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/1083622--middle-class-is-key-to-economic-recovery-rae-says?bn=1


OTTAWA—Restoring the pillars of a strong middle class is key to Canada’s economic recovery, says Liberal interim leader Bob Rae in an address to be delivered Wednesday.

...

“The trouble with the populist narrative, whether of the left or the right, is its essential dishonesty, as if a simple bumper sticker — “tax the rich” or “tough on crime” is really going to provide answers to the real issues we face as a country,” Rae says in the text of the speech, provided in advance to the Star.

“We Liberals find ourselves competing with two other parties with simplistic messages. The Conservatives want tax giveaways for the better off, the NDP wants to raise taxes and then throws in a ‘tax-the-rich’ message for good measure.”

4 comments:

The Rat said...

What did you say about simplistic?

"The Conservatives want tax giveaways for the better off, the NDP wants to raise taxes and then throws in a ‘tax-the-rich’ message for good measure.”

I assume you don't mean simplistic statements of other people's positions...

The Mound of Sound said...

It seems to be standard form for the Libs today to criticize others while offering nothing of substance themselves. That "trust us, we'll do better" routine doesn't work any longer. It has succeeded, however, in motivating droves of ordinary Canadians to disengage from politics entirely.

Stephen Downes said...

I think that if you actually talked to an NDPer (like, say, me) you'd find their positions are complex and nuanced, not the caricature version painted by Rae.

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