While economic policy and national politics have always been a couple, sometimes the relationship can be strained by the injection of partisanship. The current crisis requires insight into the actual issues to make policy suggestions. The United States is running a risk by having its economics so colored by bitter partisan divisions, as this is one area where there needs to be solidarity.

In a thought provoking GPS episode, Fareed Zakaria interviews two very different schools of thought on the actions necessary. His conclusions are that we must meet in the middle of the political agendas and look at the economic possibilities. Essentially, his view is that the U.S. government needs to spend more now while also reviewing entitlement programs to make sure each dollar is spent in the most efficient manner – a classic centrist approach.

It is always a risk for a country when political in-fighting colors international economic policy. That is true for Greece, Spain, China, Iceland, and, of course, the United States.