America Has Lost The Battle Over Government

ft.com — With Congressman Paul Ryan as the Republican vice-presidential candidate, the U.S. election is shaping up to be a full-throated ideological brawl. President Barack Obama champions public investment and social support for the poor, while Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan call for a smaller state with lower taxes and spending. Yet for all the rhetoric, the small-government agenda has already prevailed. No matter who is elected on November 6, dangerous cuts in public goods and services are already in train. American liberals (those to the left of the political center), who are now vehemently blasting Mr. Ryan’s budget should take note. Their candidate has also already accepted a brutal shrinkage of government programmes in coming years. The similarities of the Obama budget and Mr. Ryan’s are striking.

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