The Road Less Traveled: Politics or Policy?

Dick Morris offers an interesting take on the prospects of President Bush's social security program (vis-a-vis Private Accounts). He touches on an interesting concept that might be one of those "blindingly obvious" points that no one ever vocalizes.

From a romantic standpoint, our government and parties aim to do what's best for our people and our country. But the political calculation that goes along with action precipitates that 'power-plays' trump positive policy when necessary. Morris quotes former President Clinton analyzing Republican motives saying that:

"...the GOP feared any program that benefited the middle class because it gave the government — and therefore the Democrats who push these programs — power over swing voters."

This is telling regarding both parties. Clinton is fundamentally right about Republican motives, at least so far as it is part of the equation. Republicans are likely skeptical about the merit of such programs, but equally, if not moreso, Republicans do not want to enable Democrats to increase their political muscle.

Clinton doesn't vocalize that his ability to make this calculation is indicative that he understands the fundamental logic of the Republican's position. Indeed, Democrats encourage such programs both because they think they're a good idea, and also because it gives them political leverage by creating constituencies of dependents.

The calculation runs both ways. As Morris notes,

"And now [their mistrust of Republican motives] leads the Democrats to fret over the personal retirement accounts Bush would establish. It is not that these programs are likely to fail. Democrats fear them because they suspect that they will succeed — that government-run Social Security will henceforth only be for those so poor that they could not amass much in their retirement accounts."

In case that is not clear enough, Morris is asserting (rightly) that Democratic opposition stems not because they don't think Bush's policy will work, but because they realize that its success, the policy will remove a pool of voters who the Democrats can control through government bureaucracy.

As for Republicans, they surely believe in the concept of individual determination (such thought is, afterall, a tenant of Conservatism). But Republicans also realize the added benefit that in their plan lies the formula to remove Social Security as a political poison to Republicans, that Democrats have so loved to unleash for so long.

The point then, is that Washington never simply (and only) looks at ways to better the country. Politics trumps policy. Most people are likely able to perceive the political calculations of the opposing party, while turning a blind eye to their own party's maneuvering. Ironically, both parties rationale for ensuring political power is because they believe in the ultimate righteousness of their ideology, and so the ends justify the means. Somehow, they never comprehend that other opposition works to the exact same ends.

Interestingly, successful Presidents find a way to contain (or rise above) the political calculations involved in big issues, while failed presidents get lost in the rancor. Great Presidents seem to promote the "politics-be-damned attitude". This provides the contrast in George Washington's success to Thomas Jefferson's failed tenure; Jimmy Carter's impotence to Ronald Reagan's accomplishments...

And likely George W. Bush's achieved vision to Bill Clinton's wasted potential...