State of the Union- The Gridlock Will Continue

The President’s State of the Union address and Marco Rubio’s response underscored the fundamental challenge our country faces today.  We will continue to struggle with finding the right “balance” between free-market and government sponsored solutions to dig us out of the economic mess we find ourselves in. Unfortunately, the two messages couldn’t have been more different.

President Obama’s message was filled with government programs designed to stimulate economic growth. He clearly believes increased government spending can dig us out of hole we’re in. He stated, “Deficit reduction alone is not an economic plan.” This may be true- but the deficit can’t be ignored. The interest payments we’re paying on the debt is becoming a larger component of the federal budget. If interest rates start to rise (and they will eventually) we could find ourselves in a bind that will be tough to get out. His overall package sounded very expensive.

Rubio countered with a smaller government and a deficit-reduction message.  He (and his colleagues) believe the increased spending and increased taxes will actually backfire and hurt the middle class. Unfortunately, he didn’t provide a lot of specifics on the programs he would recommend.

It was interesting to note that both Obama and Rubio agree on the primary issues facing the country- the economy, jobs, health care, and education. Their methods for addressing them are polar opposite and (as has been said many times before) the real answer is somewhere between the two.

Unfortunately, with the political picture we face today we are unlikely to come to some common-ground; and the gridlock concerning the economy (and health care) will continue while the debt and deficit will continue to grow. The State of the Union messages only reinforced this fact.