Where is the Center?

As Team Obama shifts from the campaign to the transition team, the analysis coming out of the media has also shifted. Some have suggested that the Obama administration will shift to the right once in office, attempting to find centrist positions to the tough issues. Looking at Obama's policy positions, I'm not holding out a lot of hope.

Governing from the center is raising taxes to pay for infrastructure spending. Governing from the left is raising taxes on some people to give transfer payments (excuse me, tax credits) to others.

Governing from the center is making an argument for expediting new nuclear power plants, to replace carbon dioxide emitting coal fired power plants. Governing from the left is placing a massive tax on energy (excuse me, a cap and trade system), while telling people that wind mills will replace the industries that you bankrupt.

Governing from the center is announcing that you will put your administration's political capital into redefining Federal law to recognize gay marriage. Governing from the left is declaring you will appoint judges who will rule based on their compassion for the downtrodden.

Governing from the center is coming out in favor of unionization, staffing the NLRB with pro-union partisans, and ramping up Justice Department investigations of companies accused of illegal antiunion activities. Governing from the left is tossing out 70 years of law backing secret ballot elections, and replacing it with card check legislation allowing for covert intimidation and coercion to determine the nature of the workplace.

Governing from the center is to propose raising the minimum wage to $9.25/ hour. Governing from the left is to propose raising the minimum wage to $9.25/hour, extend the FMLA in terms of employers affected, reasons for claiming leave, and amount of leave, and require employers to give employees 5 days of paid leave.

Governing from the center is to require health insurance plans to provide unlimited mental health benefits. Governing from the left is to require health insurance plans to provide unlimited mental health benefits, and then go on to require employers to health insurance to all employees as a mandatory benefit.

The Obama administration has the potential to make conservatives nostalgic for traditional tax and spend liberalism. Between unfunded mandates on business and tax and give policies, I'm gearing up for four years in loyal opposition.