Two Bald Men Fighting Over a Comb

Edward Luce evaluates the quality of the political debate in the U.S. in today’s Financial Times.  Not a pretty sight.  He concludes with:

Which brings us to the final concern: America appears to be sleep-walking into an impoverished debate. Next year is gearing up to be a tussle over who will bear more of the fiscal burden in the era of austerity. Should the rich pay higher taxes? Or should the middle class accept deeper spending cuts? The stage is set for two bald men to fight over a comb. Consider this: 2012 could be the first presidential contest in a century that does not produce the most powerful figure in the world. Whether it would qualify as good or hard, America needs a much richer debate than the one that appears to be in store.