Serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis. © James Conner.

 

11 February 2014

Walsh announces conflicting governance priorities

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According to a press release (full text below) from his Senate office, John Walsh’s governance priorities are civil liberties, spending cuts, and jobs — and apparently in that order.

These priorities, two of which are mutually exclusive, strike me as being determined by polling results.

Running as a guardian of civil liberties responds to reasonable fears that the National Security Agency’s snooping on Americans violates privacy, guts freedoms, and needs to be curbed. There’s widespread support across the political spectrum for that position. There, he’s on solid political ground.

But he’s on shaky political ground, and in policy quicksand, when he simultaneously advocates reducing the deficit and creating job.

Running as an Austeritycrat, as a pincher of budget pennies, responds to irrational fears that our national debt will be the ruination of prosperity. Running on a promise to create jobs that pay well responds to justifiable fears that unemployment destroys families.

I don’t question Walsh’s sincerity. But I do wonder how well he understands the consequences of embracing policy objectives that are at odds with each other.

In a de facto recession, our current economic predicament, putting more people back to work requires priming the pump with government money. That’s not just Keynesian theory, it’s economic fact; fact proven by experience. Initially, priming the pump increases the annual budget deficit. But ultimately the deficit comes down because more jobs generate more consumer spending, which generates more demand for products, which creates yet more jobs. More jobs and increased economic output result in more taxes collected, which brings down the deficit.

If I were advising Walsh, and I’m not, I’d recommend setting job creation as his top priority, followed by strengthening our social safety net, fixing the problems in the Veterans Administration and our nuclear weapons armed forces, and adopting an energy policy that’s in our enlightened self-interest. I’d advise against promising to reduce the deficit. Instead, I’d recommend promising to (a) spend wisely and efficiently in the national interest, and (b) never forget that his constituents are the source of every federal dollar. Finally, I’d gently remind him (and his political staff) that voters prefer a candidate who puts his shoulder to the wheel instead of his finger to the wind.

Walsh press handout, 11 February 2014

Walsh pledges to protect civil liberties, cut spending, create jobs
Senator, an Iraq veteran, also promises to fight for veterans as he takes oath

U.S. Senate – John Walsh pledged to protect civil liberties, cut spending and create jobs as he officially became Montana’s newest U.S. Senator Tuesday.

Walsh, the former adjutant general of the Montana National Guard who led more than 700 soldiers into combat in Iraq, also promised to fight for Montana’s and America’s veterans — especially on issues like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Walsh is the first Iraq veteran to serve in the U.S. Senate.

“I’m eager to keep fighting for Montana in the Senate because we’ve got so much to do to get our nation out of debt, to fight for our veterans and the freedoms they gave us, and to rebuild our economy — all while protecting those who can’t defend themselves,” Walsh said after his swearing in ceremony in the U.S. Capitol. “I accept the responsibility of serving as Montana’s senator knowing that Montana deserves no less than courage and selfless service.”

Walsh, Montana’s former Lieutenant Governor, was joined by his wife Janet, sons Michael and Taylor, daughter-in-law April, and 8-month old granddaughter Kennedy.

Montana Governor Steve Bullock on Friday appointed Walsh to serve the remainder of Senator Max Baucus’ term. The U.S. Senate last week unanimously confirmed Baucus to serve as U.S. Ambassador to China.

Flathead Memo note. Describing the vote as unanimous is problematical given the Senate has 100 members. Baucus was confirmed on a 96–0 vote. Baucus voted present, and three Republicans did not vote.

Walsh is a decorated military leader. His decorations include the Legion of Merit Award, the Bronze Star, the Combat Infantry Badge and the Meritorious Service Medal.

Walsh is a native of Butte, Mont. He attended Carroll College in Helena, Mont., and earned a Master’s Degree from the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Penn.

Joining Walsh for Tuesday’s swearing-in ceremony was Karel Morales, a National Guardsman who served under then-Lieutenant Colonel Walsh in Iraq in 2004-5.

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