Vol. 2 No. 66 July 6, 2007

The Bogus Economist
This or That



Every time I start a column intending to be bright and cheerful, something always comes up to derail me and eight out of ten times the trouble starts in the White House.

This time, I was just beginning a bright and cheerful column about the Glorious Fourth, the fun-filled summer flow of traffic in Lincoln City, the joys of parking in Newport and the return of the thirty cent a gallon gap between gas prices on the Coast and Dundee when I was rudely interrupted by the news the Vice President of the United States can't decide which branch of government he's in.

When Mr. Cheney and a group of oil company executives met allegedly to write our energy policy, Mr. Cheney refused to tell us who they were on the grounds of executive privilege, which was evidently conferred on him by Mr. Bush, who had it by authority of the Constitution. Being the number two executive, said the VP, he didn't have to tell anybody anything.

Last week, the attractive and personable White House spokesperson for Mr. Cheney, Dana Perino, told an incredulous press corps that the Vice President could ignore a congressional subpoena because he really was not a member of the executive branch. Since the Constitution said he was the president of the Senate, went the argument, he was basically in the legislative branch. Which was it? "I think that's an interesting constitutional question, and I think that lots of people can debate it," Ms Perino said. Yes, indeed.

Some members of Congress predictably exploded with frustration. "He's acting as if he's unaccountable -- a whole fourth branch of government unto himself. So my view is if you're not in the executive branch we shouldn't fund you as the executive branch," Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Illinois.) said. The Vice President's spokeswoman accused Emanuel of "playing politics.” Who would know better?

If Mr. Cheney doesn't have to tell anybody about anything because he's in whatever branch of government he decides to be at the moment, I assume since he has to make decisions on which pair of pants to wear every morning, he can also be in the judicial branch. Whatever his reasoning, the result is the American people don't know about the influence of the oil industry on our gas prices – or very much about anything else. The Fourth of July holiday might be a good time to reflect on what that means.

I'm old-fashioned enough still to like the song, “It's Got to be This or That.” Either Mr. Cheney is in the executive branch or he isn't. I don't like ambiguity, especially about the people who are supposed to lead us. In fairness, however, I have to admit this seeming doublethink isn't just confined to the White House. It's getting to the point where everybody's doing it.

As I write, the Congress has killed the immigration bill. One reason for its death had to do with allowing heads of households to bring spouses and children into the country. Without taking sides, I have to wonder how many people who voted against it are also those who promote “family values.” Are family values strictly for Americans? Yes or no.

Over the years, we've given and sold armaments to El Qaeda when they were fighting the Soviets on the basis of “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” Now, there is a move afoot to provide arms to the Sunni forces in Iraq if they will promise to shoot only at El Queda and not at us. Are the former members of Saddam Hussein's army good guys or bad guys?

Rev. Charles Busch, retired minister of the First Congregational Church in Lincoln City, is trying to promote a Peace Camp for adults, as he has already done successfully with children. Do we really want peace? Would we rather turn the other cheek or kick butt? Do we like to see problems solved with reason or with fists?

Do we complain about pollution or will we start driving more efficient cars? Do we want fewer kids to develop Type II diabetes or will we insist on better nutrition? Are we happy with our health care system or will we change it? Do we sit at home and gripe about the government or will we vote to make it better? It's one or the other. We're in charge. If we're not, then why have a holiday?

I've been in a lot of pretty fierce debates about whether living in a dictatorship or a democracy is easier. It's certainly less of a strain when the government does your thinking for you. The downside is the same government usually ends up deciding not only how and where you'll be buried, but when. If I give up choice, I give up just about everything else. This is what I like about independence – as in Independence Day. Think for Yourself Day.

We can't have our future both ways. We'll do something about poverty or we won't. We either believe in freedom or we don't. We'll survive or we won't. Got to be this or that.

And this is what happens when a bright and cheerful column runs amok. Have a great holiday!!
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The Bogus Economist © 2007