25 Aug Harris Implies USA’s Not Broke or Broken
Sub silentio is a Latin term used in the law to describe something that is suggested but not stated expressly. My late father, who did not attend college and certainly never studied Latin or law, understood the concept perfectly; he knew to “read between the lines.” Today, many people disdain both sub silentio and speaking between lines, and they frequently – for better or worse – “say the quiet part out loud.”
Kamala Harris is a well-educated lawyer and undoubtedly knows what she is conveying, both directly and indirectly. Yet, in her Democratic National Convention speech last week and ever since becoming her party’s nominee this month, Ms. Harris has focused her words on creating a “vibe” of “joy” and fighting for “rights.” She and her fellow speakers also have been slamming and taunting Donald Trump.
In all of this, three unsaid things seem to be implied: (1) the Biden-Harris administration has done nothing wrong; (2) our country is not broken; and (3) more than anything, our federal government definitely is not leading the USA toward financial ruin. Nobody should expect a sitting vice president to admit any failures by her or her boss. But I do expect a 2024 candidate to say out loud her plans for bringing America together and solving our federal financial problems.
Broke
Reading between the lines like Dad did, I infer first that Kamala Harris is not too concerned about America’s national debt, budget deficits, or impending Social Security and Medicare shortfalls. Sub silentio, she is saying America has plenty of money and additional borrowing leeway to enlarge the size and role of government, add costly new federal programs, and hand out checks with taxpayer money.
If you were a single person bringing home $50,000 per year and spending $70,000 (borrowing the difference), however, you would consider yourself broke. Likewise, any Fortune 500 company reporting $50 billion in revenue and $70 billion in expenses would have very nervous shareholders, bankers, and bond holders, and the CEO would be fired immediately. Yet the United States is on pace for $5 trillion of income and $7 trillion of outlays this fiscal year.
That annual budget deficit adds another $2 trillion to our national debt, which is nearly $36 trillion now and headed beyond $50 trillion over the next decade. Interest alone on the national debt currently is $900 billion per year, doubling soon to $1.7 trillion. Meanwhile, Social Security and Medicare funds will be depleted shortly, and there are no proposals to shore that up. Also, our military defense spending has been decreased in recent years.
To me, that is the definition of broke and getting “broker” every year.
What does Kamala Harris say about this? Nothing. Instead, she proposes two trillion dollars’ worth of new programs: expanded health subsidies, larger tax credits for parents of children, cash payments to all first-time home buyers, subsidies to developers of low-income housing, and so forth.
Imposing new taxes to pay for these things would hurt the economy. Not taxing would further increase the federal budget deficit and national debt. That’s the rock and hard place between which America is stuck, all because our federal government spends too much money.
I want to hear an open, express acknowledgement of this problem and a serious proposal for how we can deal with it, together. I don’t like what I am reading between the lines.
Broken
When only 25 percent of the population says our nation is headed in the right direction, that’s a sign of a beaten-down country. When 75 percent say the opposing political party is the country’s biggest threat, that’s when you know we are broken. This is America today.
Facing similar numbers in 2020, Joe Biden vaguely promised to be a transitional president, a bridge-builder, a unifier. That did not turn out to be the case, and the country remains broken politically and psychologically. Now, by picking the progressive Tim Walz as her running mate and campaigning on the ironic platform of joy, “stop the killing,” hope, and abortion, Kamala Harris indicates only slight interest in reaching out to the moderates, centrists, and independents – other than to lure them away from Donald Trump and win their votes. She says she will be a president for everyone, then reverts to only providing comfort on matters that appeal to her existing supporters.
The entire Democratic convention seemed designed to solidify relations with and enthuse the various factions of the party’s base, meaning women, young people, unions, and members of minority groups. Relatively little is being said to encourage business people, taxpayers, men, and, yes, Republicans. Sub silentio, the message is that Ms. Harris will gladly accept support from anyone who does not like her opponent, but she has nothing else to offer to heal the divisions in our country.
Express our brokenness, please. Then tell us out loud how you will try to fix things.
Written by Quentin R. Wittrock, founder of Principle Based Politics.
Look for his posts each week, as this blog will explore and promote the idea of principle in politics, both as to individual elected leaders and our federal government as an institution.
Principle Based Politics does not endorse or support any particular political candidate or party.
James Loerts
Posted at 12:36h, 27 AugustSadly there might very well be enough feeble-minded voters to fall for this updated Sound of Silence (with apologies to Simon and Garfunkel).
Robin Hanson
Posted at 12:48h, 27 AugustAgreed. Our choices are not good. It is depressing. Going to be a long 4 years
Gary Hammer
Posted at 13:38h, 27 AugustI was voting for RFK, Jr. Since he is suspending, his campaign, I may need to reconsider voting for President Trump. I really don’t want to, but I think he offers more than “joy.”
Mona
Posted at 13:52h, 27 AugustThanks for the well written admission of the silence. I’m hoping more people will ask more questions of the what of a Harris administration. Joy is fleeting!
Trudy Johnson
Posted at 14:46h, 27 AugustGreat article Quentin. Very good points.! Regardless, quoting Robin “our choices are not good. It is depressing. Going to be a long 4 years”. My sentiments exactly. Either way, we’re in trouble.
David Glesne
Posted at 16:38h, 27 AugustA well-written article! Thank you. Both ancient and modern history teach us what inflation and national debt can do to a nation. It does not end well. A conscientious citizenry must scrutinize and be rightly suspicious of a presidential candidate who until now, refuses to address the fiscal situation surrounding us.
DKnight
Posted at 19:48h, 27 AugustHarris and the Dems simply are awful on policy–they truly are leftist–that is not rhetoric–it is the truth. Leftism has never worked anywhere. You don’t have to like Trump or any candidate to vote for him or her. Maybe someday the voters will get past feelings and vote based on policies. In general, Orange Man followed and implemented good policies when he was president. Between the two, he is clearly the best choice. It may be time for all of us in MN and everywhere to stop complaining about bad choices and not be shy about supporting Trump. Even with his giant ego and insults, this is not a close call. Democrat party policies are bad–they are just bad. The Dems win elections because they own the vast majority of the media–and because the GOP candidates are always cast as mean, rotten people. The Dems do not win elections based on their policies or platform. Why do you think that Harris is faking like she is moving towards the middle now? Why?–because her policy positions have been awful to date. It is time to support Trump. I never thought I would vote for the guy who did the dumb apprentice TV show. But his instincts on policy are more libertarian and conservative, which is the direction the country must move back to. Ironically, despite all the propaganda about Trump, his policies are more freedom oriented–than that of the Dems.
Barb Schramm
Posted at 02:59h, 28 AugustHarris has had one month since being selected. To think she can come up with a plan to solve a lifetime of problems in one month, AND run for president, is expecting a bit too much, don’t you think?
I am excited (and yes, filled with joy!) to see what happens when Harris becomes president. She gets it. And so does Walz. When I read between the lines, I see a woman who will intelligently lead this country. To be honest, I’m more afraid of the people who are afraid of her! WHY IS IT SO DIFFICULT TO HEAR… TO LISTEN TO… AN EDUCATED AND EXPERIENCED WOMAN???
As someone who has made a career out of protecting people who have been INTENTIONALLY and PURPOSELY hurt by abusers, bullies, and cruel people, I can CLEARLY SEE that lifting people up works a lot better than pushing them down. Give it a chance. When they do better, YOU do better. I promise you, it works. I promise.
Kathryn (Kathy) Grussing
Posted at 15:57h, 28 AugustBe sure to listen to her interview on Thursday night. Trump loves to tell us how we are a failing country. But, he doesn’t say much about how he would fix anything.
Susanne Shuler
Posted at 17:31h, 28 AugustQuentin, I’m excited about the Harris/Walz candidacy. It has injected optimism and hope into a very dismal election. Could use you please post a blog applying your principle based politics to the candidates? Economic policies can be changed; morals and ethics not so much.
Quentin
Posted at 17:57h, 28 AugustSue, I have published previous articles about Donald Trump’s overall lack of leadership principles, but one focusing on Kamala Harris and a contrast with Mr. Trump might be good. Thanks for the idea!