This would be my maiden blog - hopefully, the first of many. Sensus Communis is Latin for "Common Sense". This is at the heart of this blog and its contents. I was asked by a friend from the UK, "Why do Americans always fight about everything and nothing"? As I mulled over this question, my response was easy: The US is founded on true greatness, greatness inspite of schisms and differences. This is a country for all and not one. Our religions, thought processes, ideologies, academics, world view and moral bent may differ, but there is a foundational and structural will to overcome deep or/and elemental differences.
Until the last few years. The decibel level of political, economic, social and religious shrift has been toxic. Our national vocabulary has been revamped to include words like, "socialist", "wing-nut", "neo-con", et al. On every local, state and national debate, there is so much vituperative sputum on display that many hitherto level-headed individuals have become unrecognizable imbeciles.
This blog would be devoted to a community of national and global citizens with a zest for Sensus Communis. We will explore rational exploration of sensitive topics without resorting to demonization of the other person. We would agree or respectfully disagree - with the Washington vitriol.
The first topic for discussion would be raising the debt limit. The Democrats and most national and international economists say it would be "catastrophic" to not raise the debt limit by the August 2 cut-off. They posit that inability to act would send "seismic tremors" to the global marketplace that we may never recover from.
The Republicans, on the other hand, believe that raising the debt limit without attending to our own financial "Armaggedon" - the stench that is our national debt - is not only cataclysmic but a growing cancer that would be felt generations to come if not tackled.
My question is: Are we saying that we cannot do both? That we cannot rein in spending fundamentally while also raising the debt limit? There is a complete politicization of this issue that has left Sensus Communis out of the equation.
The question to my new found friends is: Is it possible to do the two - Raise the debt limit and rein in spending at the same time?
Glad to be on board
ReplyDeleteDare I say that it's nice to find a forum for a common sense approach. With regards the question: it is my estimation that America can potentially raise the debt ceiling, & rein-in spending. Both elements are not mutually exclusive if the end game is clearly defined. I would say, due to the current economic adversity, raise the debt ceiling. Any agreement should have an in-built mechanism for Goverment spending to be brought down in correlation to economic growth; this way we avoid boom and bust. By implication, the Goverment spends less, as it takes in more revenue, consequently eroding the tendency to spiral into another deficit. If, and when this platform is secure, moves ought to be made towards a balanced budget amendment. Yes, we can have the two supposedly, diametrically opposed ideas in synergy towards an end game - a balanced budget amendment.
ReplyDeletesensus communis , it's a pleasure to have found your blog. I hope other like minded people shall discover this wonderful paradigm you have configured. Like you posted , politics in contemporary America is taking the wrong trajectory. You have set the right tone , and carved the right path for polarized , and over politicized America to follow. At this stage , American would not find a consensus on a simple matter like : does the month of july come under the summer months ? I am not trying to be condescending , but just reflecting the mind set right now, of this great nation.
ReplyDeleteYour allusion that America is for all , should be a defining mantra . It should be what binds you all as Americans. Your founding fathers made your constitution such that there would always be a delicate tie in most political processes , greatly influenced by the notion of checks and balance; which by and large strikes a chord with the paradigm of your blog. maybe the political class are forgetting, feuding , hypocrisy , and building hegemonies is not what America is about.
Your position , and the agenda it represents is commendable ; not only that : a common sense approach is a what America needs to heal it's wounds right now , and truly get the country united once more. If no one ideology tries to super-impose itself on the nation's psychic , then more effective measures are found to deal with problems. A common sense approach fosters the right environment to conduct politics.
I would suggest to bloggers : lets maintain a benign attitude when we disagree , lest we become washington. I truly believe this paradigm is a powerful , and compelling one ; and if bloggers are true to it's values , this could be a template , and a testimony that we do not lose , if we stay honest to a common sense approach - and that goes for everything man kind does.
It is symbolic that we are talking of a common sense approach on the eve of the meeting between The president and congress. you need not be a rocket scientist to realize that America's fiscal problems needs solutions from both parties that is laced with common sense and practicality. Recalcitrance and bigotry does not help the people both parties claim to be fighting for. The president got it spot-on by agreeing to talk about social security , medicare , and medicaid . By hedging his bets , he brings politics to the centre , and take a common sense approach. The Republicans need to meet him half way - this is not the time to worry about the potential tea party mob lynching , it is the time for a common sense solution - it is the best recipe . So glad to find your blog sensus communis