The Phoenix, a generally left-leaning, certainly liberal publication, cannot help but to also take issue with the sorry state of conservatism: we subscribe to the old-fashioned notion that nobody is correct 100 percent of the time, that democracy works best when there is opposition loyal to the central idea that we all live in one civil society, and that legitimate debate enriches us all.
Obama's ambitious program is a breath of fresh air. But it is far from perfect. Questions loom: about how to square the necessary goal of better health care for all with the nation's ability to pay for it; about the effectiveness of the financial bailouts of Wall Street and the banks; about whether the Detroit automakers should be bailed out at all — and if they are not, about the social costs that then come due. These are monumental issues. They deserve full, thoughtful engagement, not just by the Democrats but by Republicans, as well.
Raising gas taxes
The Massachusetts business community raised many eyebrows this week by coming out in favor of a 25-cent increase in the gas tax. That's six cents more than Governor Patrick is asking. What gives?
When it comes to Beacon Hill politics, it is hard to say for sure, but the business community appears to be doing two things: giving the governor ample cover from being branded a wild-eyed taxer, and forcing the legislature's hand to deal with this important issue in a meaningful and timely manner.
Left to its own devices, the legislature could screw up a two-car funeral. The business elites seem more willing than their political counterparts to come to terms with the nasty reality that Massachusetts does not have enough money to keep itself in decent working order. Unlike the federal government, there are limits to its power to borrow, and it can not — thank heavens — print its own money.
Raising gas taxes, as the Phoenix has pointed out before, makes more sense than raising tolls — even though that also may eventually be required. It's time for the legislature to give the governor what he reasonably requested.
