Liberalism's third act?

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), Jan, 2008 by Robert J. Bresler

Third, there is the Democratic emphasis on fiscal responsibility and the congressional rules that require new taxes or spending cuts to pay for additional programs. New taxes on the rich rarely produce the windfall they promise. An ambitious universal health care program will demand far more revenue than any Robin Hood tax plan could produce. Will the middle class be willing to pay for such a plan? Last November, the rejection of tax hikes in state referenda indicates that voters are in no mood for any such thing. Fourth, there is the likelihood of unremitting Republican and conservative hostility to any massive expansion of government into American life. LBJ faced a relatively complacent Republican minority led by moderates willing to accept a few crumbs off the table and made only token efforts at opposition. The Republicans will fight as fiercely against any Democrat in the White House as the Democrats have against George W. Bush.

If the Democrats are fortunate enough to hold a victory party on election night this November, they better make it a big one. For when they wake up, the hangover could be quite prolonged. The third act still may remain only a writer's dream.

Robert J. Bresler, National Affairs Editor of USA Today, is professor emeritus of public policy at Pennsylvania State University at Harrisburg.