First, let me say that being with a startup has a few drawbacks, one of which is that I don’t have time to put together thought out posts. There just isn’t enough time since I’m already burning hours all the time coding or thinking or planning what the team does.

Generally speaking, if I don’t just do a link post, it’s a sign that I consider the thought particularly important. Thankfully, for today’s important thought, I don’t have to write much because Josh Marshall has done the honors far better than I could.

Currently, our politics and our administration suffer from two grave sins. The first is the arrogance of authoritarian rule, the second is rooted in the shallowness of pop science and pop economics over actual study and understanding.

The first manifests itself in signing statements and the “daddy” behavior of the Bush Administration. “Trust us, we know best” is precisely what the Constitution’s protections are all about. Trust is openness and transparency. It’s not about trusting our authorities blindly. It’s not about the secrecy that permeates this administration.

The Administration’s second problem shows up in their policies where research contradicts conservative theories. We’ve seen it in the ridiculous obsession with tax cuts based on a back-of-a-napkin theory. Or denying global warming when the rest of the world not only gives it credence but have enacted policies.

Marshall goes into more details, so I won’t repeat the point here. The bottom line: any examination of Rudy Giuliani’s record and governing style as mayor shows the same tendencies as George W. Bush. As painful as these last few years have been, I really believe that another 4 or, God forbid, 8 years under a Giuliani presidency will irreparably damage this country. We’re facing some big issues, a falling currency that will have global ramifications, a complex situation in the Middle East that defies the simplistic framework Bush and Giuliani’s advisors put forward, and impending crises in oil and energy in general.

In other words, we need leadership that actually leads our country, not tries to win elections constantly. These are serious problems that need serious solutions and serious people to solve them. Unfortunately for him, Giuliani shows the same tendencies as Bush in governing and in his personality. Please, Republicans, nominate someone else…