Craig, conservatism around the world is in ascendancy. James made the observation that he's against all taxes. My three sons and three daughters now nearing retirement---two are retired--- have been paying increasingly higher taxes and seeing little or no benefit from them. They feel the same way. But taxes will have to be raised in a world of necessary restraint because increasing populations will make increasing calls on services. GOP and Democrats are clearly converging with this realization.
They mightn't like each other much but are on the same course. Pragmatism is diminishing stultifying partisan politics. How do you make an enemy of another who's similarly focussed by the sight of hanging together? As for national improvements, US is disengaging from overseas adventures, gained greater respect from the world, shamed Canada with clearer energy and environmental strategies, made initial steps toward universal health care.
All while taming The Great Recession.
