[lbo-talk] Clintonismo

[Max B. Sawicky]

If you take the trouble to follow the debates, you would find that the 
Clinton economic
people have evolved significantly since 2000.  They are still free 
traders broadly speaking,
but they are much less stuck in reflexive economic liberalization 
positions.  There have
been too many near-death experiences.  Capital market liberalization and 
financial
deregulation are dead ducks now.  Nobody is talking about balancing the 
budget
any time soon.  The role of the stock market bubble in the 90s boom, as 
opposed
to 'fiscal discipline',  is better
realized.  And by the way hardly anyone in the Clinton administration 
supported
the welfare reform except for the dude at the top.  So it wouldn't do to 
make
hasty assumptions about where things are headed with the Obamanians.  Sure
they are going to use Clinton's people, but they are not the same people.

Regarding Afghanistan, I would not assume some Iraq-style assault.  Military
voices are advising against a military solution.  Shifting resources 
there does not imply a
similarly bone-headed strategy.  The bad guys are holed up in 
Waziristan.  The Taliban
are locally focused, not a big problem.  That is understood too.