I feel whipsawed. On many issues we are seeing both sides supported, seemingly in internal essential contradiction. As examples:
-Amnesty for illegal immigrants vs. increased wages vs. job protectionism
-Public right to know vis a vis Joe Wilson vs. NIE declassification/publication
-Protecting our shores vs. Cuba's "right" to drill 45 miles off our coast
-Complaints about high energy costs and the impact on the poor vs. restricting the development of natural resources to make energy more available
-Complaining about corporate profits vs. complaining about low cost retailers
-Concern for national security vs. open borders vs. gathering information
-Free speech and academic debate vs. politically correct limitations on speech
-Maintaining traditions and cultures vs. resolving the inherent problems of those "prejudices".
Where is the depth of thought and consideration of the impact of positions?
I am disinclined to believe this is crass political tactical positioning, and tend rather to think it shallow reasoning. For example, it seems obvious to me that we need cheaper energy to encourage job creation, to limit energy related inflation, to help the poor heat their homes and fill up their cars. Next to the taxes, profits accruing to petroleum companies are inconsequential. Energy, in virtually all its forms is a commodity. The raw price is a supply/demand issue. The only way to seriously lower the cost of energy, other than to eliminate the taxes on it, is to increase the supply. With China and India increasing demand, the rate of increase in supply from other sources is insufficient to keep the demand curve under control. We need to increase our supply. This is particularly true of natural gas, whic is primarily consumed on the continent of its production. In order to increase our supply. we must open areas for extraction. Yet we fight every effort to do so, all the while complaining about high prices. Even if the war had been to get the oil, it wouldn't matter as the price is still set globally, and Iraq doesn't produce enough to matter. Either high prices are okay, or trying to lower prices is okay, and reducing profits won't even show up in the calculations.
Let's pick a side, shall we?