One question…

This is the one question most people wanted answered in Thursday night’s Vice Presidential debate:

“Can you get unemployment to under 6 percent and how long will it take?”

Biden and Ryan were both exquisitely empathetic about unemployment, but neither one could say when the rate would drop because they know Congress is deadlocked on what to do.

But here’s the shocker. The only substantial difference on the job issue was defining what’s a small business. They agree on everything else. The Republican five point plan, energy independence, job training, controlling debt, export more of our stuff, don’t raise taxes on small business. They agree on that. Except that Republicans define small business to include Donald Trump and certain hedge funds and Democrats don’t.

On the big philosophical issue of government job creation, both sides seemed to agree that in an emergency, it’s possible and even desirable for government to jump in and create jobs.

Biden: “I’m not allowed to show letters, but go to our website and he sent me two letters saying ‘By the way, can you send me some stimulus money for companies here in the state of Wisconsin.’ We sent millions of dollars. You know why…

Ryan: “On two occasions, we advocated for constituents who are applying for grants. That’s what we do. We do that for all constituents who are…”

Biden: “I love that. I love that. This is such a bad program and he writes the Department of Revenue saying, ‘the reason we need this stimulus, it will create revenue and jobs.'”

Leaving us to wonder yet again, what is it, besides just plain stubbornness, that’s preventing this country’s leadership from coming together on a plan that works? It must be that Joe Biden chuckles too much.

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