Wednesday was a difficult day for The American Independent News Network, which is the larger entity that operates The Iowa Independent. Our chief executive and founder announced two of our sister sites would close and their content would be moved to The American Independent.
A recently introduced bill could have far-reaching impact on the U.S. sugar industry, including American Crystal Sugar, a farmer-owned cooperative that locked out 1,300 Midwest workers on Aug. 1.
The chairman for Herman Cain’s Iowa effort says the campaign “relied more on the word of farmers than Washington regulators” in deciding to run an ad containing claims the Environmental Protection Agency says are false.
The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.
No, Paul Krugman is not running for president. However, the world renowned columnist did hit the campaign trail’s liberal bastion, Iowa City, to stump for his new book, “The Conscience of a Liberal.“
When Krugman isn’t writing a twice-weekly column for the op-ed page of The New York Times, he teaches economics and international affairs at Princeton University. Krugman, who is finishing the last couple legs of his 21-city book tour, took time away from his busy schedule to talk to the Iowa Independent during a telephone interview Wednesday.
Iowa Independent: What was the motive for the title of your new book, “The Conscience of a Liberal”?
Krugman: Actually, the title was my wife’s idea. Barry Goldwater’s book ["Conscience of a Conservative"] marked a turning point, although, obviously things did not turn in the direction I approved of. Back in the early 1960s, people were almost as reluctant to describe themselves as “conservative” as they are as to describe themselves as “liberal” now. And since the theme of the book is that we both need to have a reasonable chance of getting a big turn in the direction of America, I thought echoing Barry Goldwater would be a good idea.
Iowa Independent: Do you think the Democrats need to reclaim the word “liberal”?
Krugman: Yes. I don’t think you can run away from it. I think there is a reasonable distinction between “liberal” and “progressive” — one being about policy and one being about action. If you say “I’m not a liberal,” then people will say “yes you are,” and then you get into a diversion away from the message you want to convey. If you ask Americans their opinions on the issues, you’ll find they’re pretty liberal.Iowa Independent: Since Iowa still holds the first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses, voters have been inundated with candidates. What question would you tell voters to ask the presidential hopefuls as they stump in Iowa? Let’s begin with the Republican side.
Krugman: The question for all the Republican would be, “I just lost my health insurance, what do you have to offer me? How will you make me more secure in this increasingly insecure nation?
Iowa Independent: Why would you want to ask that particular question?
Krugman: Because that’s one, from my point of view, they’re all living in Never-Neverland. Unfortunately, I have to admit that Stephen Colbert gave the best description of the Republican’s plan for health care: “You’ll get a reduction in the taxes you don’t pay, so you can use the money to buy the insurance you can’t afford.” They’re working in this imaginary land where more tax cuts and free-market policies will solve a market situation that’s breaking down.
Iowa Independent: So the free-market policies aren’t realistic when it comes to health care policy and reform?
Krugman: It’s completely unrealistic. The free market does not deliver insurance to the uninsured. It’s not a solution to America’s health care problem; in fact, it’s taking what’s wrong with America’s health care system and making it worse.
Iowa Independent: Let’s shift gears to the Democratic side. What question would you ask the presidential candidates?
Krugman: “You have a pretty progressive program laid out. Why should I believe that you actually go through with it? How can I be sure that you’re not just saying this to get the nomination? How are you going to overcome the power of money and deal with what will be a no-holds-barred, last-ditch-effort opposition from the Republicans? What will you do to fight for progressive issues?”
Iowa Independent: What factors prompted or motivated you to ask these questions?
Krugman: I’m concerned that Hillary Clinton is getting a whole lot of money from interest groups who think they are buying something. Barack Obama seems to me to have this tendency, looking for compromise where there is no compromise — Social Security being the issue I’m really worked up about right now.
Iowa Independent: What about Obama’s plan for Social Security?
Krugman: He’s buying into the Republican language of a “Social Security crisis” and highlighting their talking points. They’re wrong. He’s looking for something that sounds like its reasonable middle ground. He’s listening to inside-the-beltway pundits, but this is just the wrong issue.
Iowa Independent: By doing this, do you think he’s somehow compromising the progressive agenda?
Krugman: I view it as more of a symptom. I know Obama would not privatize Social Security, but I believe that it’s not a good sign that he would lend credence to the fear mongers.
Iowa Independent: So what do you think should be done about Social Security?
Krugman: Nothing. We’re not even sure that there is a problem, and there is no reason this should be a front-burner issue.
Iowa Independent: Our country is so polarized, including Congress and the president. I keep hearing presidential hopefuls espousing they can appeal to both sides to help move our country forward. Do you think there is any credence to this notion?
Krugman: I don’t think you can appeal to both sides. One third of the electorate is still living in Bush world, but a majority of the public supports a strong progressive agenda. This is not the time for bipartisan consensus, but more like the 1930s. We need to pursue aggressive New Deal policies — regardless of whether or not people start screaming “socialists.” It’s not always best to solve problems through negotiations; sometimes we just need to push forward. The public majority is already there. All we need now is Democratic leadership to advocate for what these people already want.
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