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10/26/2005 Entry:
Is Bush a Liberal?
In my wildest dreams I never visualized myself referring even tangentially to President Bush as a liberal. He is so far over to the far right that even many conservatives are unhappy with him. And yet, Bush has just nominated Ben Shalom Bernanke to replace Greenspan as head of the Federal Reserve. The conservative National Review, back in August, was unhappy with Bernanke, who was then on top of Bush's short list, because he is not a "supply-sider" and believes in - what a horror! - "full employment." Could it be that Bush is a Democrat in disguise?
On Aug 11,2005, John Tamny wrote in National Review Online:
"Bernanke recently weighed in with his opinions on the economy in the Journal, and while he lauded tax cuts, free trade, and legal reform, a supply-sider he is not. His views on how tax cuts impact the economy, his odd interest in demand charts, and not to mention his discredited beliefs about “limits” to growth and “full” employment, should have Bush supporters concerned."
"A supply-sider he is not." This sounds wonderful to me. But then, I'm not a conservative. Bernanke believe in "limits to growth" and in "full employment." I heartily approve. But then, I'm a liberal.
Later, Tamny elaborates about Bernanke's ideas about employment:
"Further on in his Journal editorial, Bernanke wrote about employment, and his belief that there is a 'highest level of employment that can be sustained without creating inflationary pressure.'"
Pure music. To me, that is. Not to conservatives.
I can't imagine what happened to Bush. Why on earth did he nominate Bernanke who believes in the same things I, an acknowledged liberal, believe? Is Bush disappointed with conservatism? Have the traumas he has faced in the last few months gotten to him? Is Bush turning liberal?!?
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