Posted by
voice_of_reason on Monday, July 30, 2007 6:13:20 PM
There hasn't been anything like this since 1925, when Jennings and Darrow clashed in Dayton, TN - in the trial that came to be called the Scopes Monkey Trial.
Now, coming soon to a television screen near you - brought to you by the Fox(N) and CSPAN(Z) faux networks - a debate that will provide definitive answers to a divided nation on crucial economic questions of the century such as "What is the correct role of Government in American Economics".
A clash of Titans - panel leader Krugman (for the Left) and panel leader Sowell (for the Right).
Are you sick of the posturing and pandering that usually accompanies debates on economics when Presidential candidates 'debate' these subjects? Do you sometimes feel that none of the contenders in the debate have the credentials to address the topics at hand, except in the form of sound-bites?
The shallowness that we have come to expect (from both sides) during presidential debates is partly the result of the format of the debates. More significant blame rests on the contenders themselves! After all, none of the presidential candidates have much in-depth expertise on the entire range of subjects - so, during the pre-election period, they tell us only what plays well in Peoria - or, in these modern times, what points-of-view have polled well with various demographics and 'focus-groups'.
After an election, the President must rely on policy advisors and experts with (hopefully) a lot more knowledge than the President. As long as the resulting policy directives are not in direct contradiction with the politically inspired, pre-election rhetoric of the candidate, all is well. And, if there are some inconsistencies, it can be palmed off as "facing up to new realities" or some other well-tested cliche conjured up by the President's handlers .
But this time, it is going to be different!
Introducing, the Touchstone series of debates. Wiki definition: A touchstone is a small tablet of dark stone such as fieldstone, slate or lydite, used for assaying precious metal alloys. The metaphorical use of the word touchstone means any physical or intellectual measure by which the validity of a concept can be tested
Folks, in this series of debates, you will see policy experts frame important issues for the whole country, with facts and unequivocal analysis on subjects such as "Entitlements in general, and Universal Health Care in particular". With this background, none of our presidential candidates can posture and pander their way to electoral success at the expense of the country.
Fox(N) and CSPAN(Z) have teamed up to bring this to you, because it is important to have these "Expert debates" before the funny season begins! Primaries and national elections will continue, but there will be an expert, intellectual basis on which to proceed, instead of the current political calculus that sound more like football game strategies. With the important issues framed by experts, the politicians (and the public) will be less likely to ask for or propose unworkable solutions. There will be a new ‘touchstone’ for public policy, and hopefully, a return to common sense in our politics.
Sponsors include the RNC and the DNC. Look for their exciting local or nationwide political ads during commercial breaks. Other sponsors include your favorite blog-sites, issues groups and and all the other usual suspects. For product placement opportunities (I mean, just think of the vision of Paul Krugman or Thomas Sowell thoughtfully sipping a can of (your product here)). Contact the abovementioned fake networks for more on these exciting sponsorship opportunities..
Stay tuned for more announcements about this exciting (but completely fake) series of debates. The series on Economics will be followed by other Expert Series with different panels weighing-in on topics such as Education, Foreign Policy, the Environment and Law. Finally, there will be a series devoted to Societal & Family Matters, in which a special panel will address complex social issues .
Format (for the economic debate): Sowell, Williams et al on one side, facing Krugman et al. With full access to data, fact checking by experts & peer review. No time limits, no sneaky mediator questions, no in-studio audiences or cheering sections to distract from serious, factual discussion.
The debate on economics will span five days, with one 3hr session every morning devoted to a particular topic. Each side would present a multimedia presentation, to be discussed and dissected in-depth. Each days morning session would be followed with an afternoon Q&A as well as peer review, so that neither side could get away with incomplete, unsubstantiated or incorrect arguments.
DVDs and transcripts will be available through the usual fake commecial channels. Pre-order your copy today!