Fiscal Follies

Former Defense Secretary Robert Gates chided lawmakers today for failing to set aside their differences to solve the federal debt crisis, noting that intense partisan rivalries are creating a "real threat to America's future."

Speaking today at a Center for Strategic and International Studies event on sequestration, Gates blasted lawmakers for being more focused on "winning elections and scoring ideological points" than reaching a compromise. He lamented the view that moderation is akin to lacking principles and seen as "selling out."

"My hope is that following the presidential election, whatever adults remain in the two political parties will make the compromises necessary to put this country back in order," Gates said via satellite.

Gates, who stepped down as head of the Pentagon last summer after serving under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, said leaders must make decisions that may be unpopular in the short term, but will help in the long run.

During his speech, Gates enumerated reasons why compromise is a challenge:  gerrymandered congressional districts create safe havens for incumbents that strap them to the most hardcore ideological base; "wave elections" that sweep parties in and out of power make it hard to sustain policies and programs; and the decline of the classic congressional powerbroker. In addition, he said, a 24/7 digital media environment has lead to a "dumbing down" of political discourse because it provides a forum to spread extreme opinion.

“American politics has always been a shrill and ugly business,” Gates said. "We have now lost the ability to execute even the most basic functions of government, much less solve the most difficult . . . problems facing this country."

Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff retired Adm. Michael Mullen, speaking at the same event, contended that "solutions that require compromise seem but a figment of the imagination."
Mullen also said he is not as optimistic as others that the "fiscal cliff" will be averted. "My intent today is not to point a finger for I don't have enough fingers to point. Nor to affix blame for there's plenty of that to go around," Mullen said. "My urgent appeal is to get to the higher ground and to do so sooner rather than later together. There will come a time when we try to kick the can but we will find the can will not budge."