Good Economic News, Bad Republican Behavior, and the Future of the Country

Today's CNNMoney has more good news for the rest of us, but terrible news for those whose primary objective is to see a change in government. Two of the top stories in today's edition shows continued economic improvement and great reasons for nothing but optimism.

• "U.S. jobless claims fell to 302,000 in the week of September 30th from 319,000 the week before." Not bad for one week. This is a massive decline in a very short time frame.
• "Retail Sales Sizzle in September." It goes on to say "Analysts on average expect total September same-store sales rose 3.8 percent, slightly below the 3.9 percent gain in the same month a year ago, according to Thompson Financial"... and that "the research firm said 72 percent of the 44 retailers that have so far reported results had beat expectations, while 27 percent had missed." In spite of the best efforts to pour cold water through negative reports, the economy only continues to improve.

Instead of focusing on such economic good news, the naysayers are focusing on the problems the Republicans have because of Mark Foley. They want to focus on the need to throw out Republicans in general because of the behavior of one. In 1992 there was a candidate that was running for office who was being accused at virtually every turn of having had affairs. He and his supporters kept saying "its the economy, stupid." That candidate was Bill Clinton. I'm not advocating that Foley should be ignored. He should, and likely will, receive a huge sentence if he is found guilty. It is the epitome of arrogance and hypocrisy to be, on the one hand, the leading advocate for tough legislation against sexual predators and if he is guilty it will be the epitome of poetic justice for him to serve a lengthy sentence due to legislation he helped write.

Meanwhile, it is becoming increasingly clear that Foley's -- and the Republican Party's -- opponents knew about the ex-Congressman's behavior long before anyone except the possible victim and perpetrator, but sat on it in order to spring it at a time such as this. During that time, how many more children were vulnerable to being victimized if the accusations prove to be true? Imagine if they left children vulnerable in order to win an election? That is the same as aiding and embedding the behavior. Will they get prosecuted for such or will they be treated as heroes? We will have to see.

I believe most Americans can sort through the bad political apples that are out there without sacrificing the entire party that has contributed to a better economy. I guess we will all find out in a few weeks on election day.