Huffington Magazine Issue 3-4 | Page 27

Voices cism has poisoned even those diametrically opposed to them. Americans of most persuasions used to be able to argue around a shared center, like two evenly matched rugby teams locking horns in a scrum. Today, elements of the extreme right have so infected the GOP that it proudly advocates sabotaging our nation’s economy for its own political gain. From aid to the states to help for the unemployed to the continued economic brinksmanship around our nation’s debt-ceiling, no elected officials in our history have so cavalierly toyed with the fundamentals of our economy. As Ezra Klein wrote earlier this month in an important piece, “The Keynesian Case for Romney,” the current GOP’s unmistakable message today is, “vote for us or the recovery gets it.” Those that feel betrayed by Obama’s polished, emotional delivery last time need to be convinced that this election is a cause and the president is not just their leader but their partner. Furthering that end, we all know that if Democrats don’t hold onto the Senate and retake the House, or at the least cut the House GOP majority enough to scare them TREY ELLIS HUFFINGTON 07.01-08.12 into stopping their ongoing actions, then an Obama reelection won’t be any different from the bilious paralysis we’re suffering through currently. Without the hope that Obama will have not only the will, but the tools to fundamentally change Washington in his next term, a vote for Romney is not an illogical choice for an independent voter. Yes, that voter will usher in a lot of things they either don’t care I would about or oppose, but urge the as Klein points out, president as things stand today, to think gridlock would almost bigger than certainly be eased. the swing I would urge the states, to president to think dream again bigger than the swing of profound states and electoral change.” math, to dream again of profound change. Free of ever having to campaign again, Obama can spend the next four years, if he has help in a new Congress, on paving a road to a bright American future. That’s a road I think a lot of us would still like to travel down. Mr. President, show us the way.