Patterico's Pontifications

2/21/2014

Great News Comrades! WaPo Says Obama Seeks An End to Our Long National Nightmare of . . . Austerity

Filed under: General — Patterico @ 7:48 am



Austerity?? Yes, “austerity”:

With 2015 budget request, Obama will call for an end to era of austerity

President Obama’s forthcoming budget request will seek tens of billions of dollars in fresh spending for domestic priorities while abandoning a compromise proposal to tame the national debt in part by trimming Social Security benefits.

With the 2015 budget request, Obama will call for an end to the era of austerity that has dogged much of his presidency and to his efforts to find common ground with Republicans. Instead, the president will focus on pumping new cash into job training, early-childhood education and other programs aimed at bolstering the middle class, providing Democrats with a policy blueprint heading into the midterm election

This is why we love Big Media. They just report any lie as if it were true.

152 Responses to “Great News Comrades! WaPo Says Obama Seeks An End to Our Long National Nightmare of . . . Austerity”

  1. Because federal spending has been cut to the bone. Yup.

    ukuleledave (c59551)

  2. I saw that in a headline on a news aggregator and didn’t click it because I thought it was a spoof. Austerity? SCOAMF, I doan theenk that wort means hwat joo theenk eet means.

    nk (dbc370)

  3. New York Times columnist Paul Krugman said today there had been austerity in Europe, not in the USA:

    http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/21/opinion/krugman-the-stimulus-tragedy.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

    Even more important, I’d argue, is the huge natural experiment Europe has provided on the effects of sharp changes in government spending. You see, some but not all members of the euro area, the group of countries sharing Europe’s common currency, were forced into imposing draconian fiscal austerity, that is, negative stimulus.

    Paul Krugman argued that the stimulus was too small:

    So why does everyone — or, to be more accurate, everyone except those who have seriously studied the issue — believe that the stimulus was a failure? Because the U.S. economy continued to perform poorly — not disastrously, but poorly — after the stimulus went into effect.

    There’s no mystery about why: America was coping with the legacy of a giant housing bubble. Even now, housing has only partly recovered, while consumers are still held back by the huge debts they ran up during the bubble years. And the stimulus was both too small and too short-lived to overcome that dire legacy.

    This is not, by the way, a case of making excuses after the fact. Regular readers know that I was more or less tearing my hair out in early 2009, warning that the Recovery Act was inadequate — and that by falling short, the act would end up discrediting the very idea of stimulus. And so it proved.

    Sammy Finkelman (3015b5)

  4. What’s the step beyond ‘jumping the shark’?

    So far his ‘budgets’ have garnered like zero votes in Congress, now he’s going for peals of laughter.

    gary gulrud (e2cef3)

  5. Ah yes.. more of the make believe word of the National Socialist Left.. make some thing up knowing that no one will dare challenge the lies.

    kar dew (2f1dce)

  6. #3: Samuel, Krugman gets more than enough paper and bandwidth, no need to dump three paragraphs here. A sentence would have been enough. His argument in favor of his policy is nothing more than a dismissal of anyone who whould dare to disagree with him: “So why does everyone — or, to be more accurate, everyone except those who have seriously studied the issue – ” blab blab blab.

    Nuff said. Ignore him or treat him to the same ridicule that he affords his critics. Too many decent people are wasting their lives trying to demostrate that his “political ecomomics” isn’t economics at all. He wouldn’t call himself a political economist if it didn’t serve a purpose. Political economists don’t need to support their proclamations with facts and figures. They have a unique gift … they instinctively know how to be useful fools supporting those who seek power over the great unwashed.

    bobathome (c0c2b5)

  7. Our long national nightmare is over!

    Colonel Haiku (f5f7a0)

  8. Colonel! Wake up! Wake up! You’re having another one of your dreams. Have a nice hot tea and spend some time mediating in the garden. You need to preserve your powers for your poems.

    bobathome (c0c2b5)

  9. spending idiots
    throw more paper on the fire
    expect new outcome

    /w/apologies to the Col. 😎

    redc1c4 (abd49e)

  10. One more sunny day
    these people are quite insane
    ain’t no money tree

    Colonel Haiku (f5f7a0)

  11. The headline in the Wall Street Journal is:

    Obama Budget Sets Up Battle

    President Barack Obama’s 2015 budget will abandon overtures to Republicans, and call for a large expansion in spedning on education and job training, in a push certain to ratchet up tensions in the already-fractured capital ahead of November’s elections.

    The proposal – which will serve more as a political treatise than a fiscal blueprint – won’t include a call to slow the growth of Social Security spending by changing how the program accounts for inflation, White house officials said on Thursday. Such a change is favored by the GOP and had been included in Mr. Obama’s budget plan last year.

    Instead, Mr. Obama’s budget, which will be released in full early next month, will propose $56 billion in new government spending on programs such as education, manufacturing and job training, which would be offset by spending cuts and tax increases on high-income earners.

    An online article says that what it will include is something “the White House has dubbed the Opportunity, Growth, and Security Initiative, which proposes new spending on education, manufacturing and job training programs that would be paid for by closing certain tax loopholes and cutting $28 billion from defense and nondefense spending.”

    Sammy Finkelman (d22d64)

  12. With a few exceptions, this “media” doesn’t even understand what their roles/responsibilities are. They have effectively abdicated any and all. Of what use are they? A goddam propaganda wing of the Democrat Party and they can’t wither and die fast enough.

    Colonel Haiku (f5f7a0)

  13. So he’s lighting the fuse.

    https://patterico.com/2014/02/18/thomas-sowell-ted-cruz-is-somehow-hurting-the-cause-he-stands-for/

    21. … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqyOAG521ZY

    Fred Siegel “The Revolt Against The Masses: How Liberalism Has Undermined The Middle Class”

    I think you’ll have a far better idea of who Barack Obama is after you watch that video. Certainly I know I do. I also think that Ted Cruz is one of the very few people in Congress who does understand who Barack Obama is. The problem is that the majority of the GOP congresscritters do not. Moreover as we’ve seen they are not equipped to deal with him even if they could open their eyes to who he and his fellow travelers are. The leadership and the Senior members of both chambers are hopeless in the latter regard; John McCain is the poster child for completely failing to understand what’s going on around him.

    Maybe you might not be so offended by Sowell’s analogy after you watch that hour long video of Siegel’s presentation.

    …Particularly since, as Siegel points out, if the GOP takes the Senate then Obama will really try to govern without Congress entirely. Obama has contempt for republicanism (not the GOP per se but but the separation of power, federalism, and counties and cities have local control over anything). What he wants is obviously centralization. He also has the same attitude towards democracy as his one close friend among foreign leaders, Recep Erdogan.

    “Democracy is like a streetcar. When you come to your stop, you get off.”

    …Siegel predicts that Obama will force some very ugly confrontations with Congress. And he has Boehner and McConnell so thoroughly intimidated they will probably let him get away with it. Of course, they’ll try to lie to their base about it as they did with this debt ceiling vote. And as they are were and still are trying to do on immigration.

    Comment by Steve57 (a7ff60) — 2/19/2014 @ 12:34 am

    I really don’t think Sowell’s references to what the Nazis did to consolidate power in 1933 were offensive. They were entirely apt.

    Also recall that Obama’s first venture into foreign policy was to back Zelaya following his unconstitutional power grab in Honduras.

    Steve57 (a7ff60)

  14. “Never let a crisis go to waste” is a good reason to create crises.

    Especially when quislings like Boehner will admit it’s all their fault when their abusers blame them for the abuse.

    Steve57 (a7ff60)

  15. If there is no truth, there is no lie. There is only manipulation and power.

    Amphipolis (d3e04f)

  16. Patterico – it was difficult to sort out all of the lies, spin, and distortions in that article. It was extraordinarily mendoucheous.

    JD (c0a33e)

  17. Farewell, “austerity” — we hardly knew ya…

    Man, Obama is already just counting down the hours until his term ends, he can move on to reaping substantial lucre from various ventures, and the country will be left to spend decades undoing the catastrophic damage which he has wrought to its finances.

    Guy Jones (50d1c1)

  18. Well geez, people–they can’t buy votes with nothin’.

    elissa (7d21db)

  19. Yes, that austerity sure has dogged his presidency. What planet is the Post printed on?

    the wolf (7befac)

  20. Ceti Alpha 6

    narciso (3fec35)

  21. Well, as long as choco rations go up, I’m all for it.

    Kevin M (dbcba4)

  22. Geidi Prime

    Kevin M (dbcba4)

  23. Although Obama wishes it were Trantor.

    Kevin M (dbcba4)

  24. Arrakis…

    redc1c4 (abd49e)

  25. our SCOAMF is going to have to print the money he wants to spend… because the economy isn’t going to provide the revenue

    http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-02-21/it-really-just-weather

    redc1c4 (abd49e)

  26. well brainslugs that’s why Ceti Alpha 6

    narciso (3fec35)

  27. “Early childhood education” = mandatory pre-school nationwide = taxpayer funded daycare

    The “party of science” just loves to ignore the results of many studies that show Head Start pre-school academic gains evaporate by the 3rd grade. So, if there is no education benefit, why should the nation create yet another union jobs program? Oops – see that? I answered my own question!

    This administration breeds cynicism in the citizens of this country.

    in_awe (7c859a)

  28. “Early childhood education” = mandatory pre-school nationwide = child indoctrination

    FTFY!

    redc1c4 (abd49e)

  29. Early childhood education means

    1) wiping out the private preschool/daycare industry

    2) providing full employment for teacher’s union members who can’t get a job that actually requires teaching.

    Don’t be fooled: this is government daycare, pure and simple.

    Kevin M (dbcba4)

  30. 30 is correct, not 29, except that I think they will be new members of the teachers’s union, specially certified for this.

    Sammy Finkelman (3015b5)

  31. Cursed money, Progressive elixir
    Created freely, their problem fixer
    More not less and problem solved
    We’ll all be rich and paying taxes
    So sayeth Krugman, Stalin and Hilter
    What could possibly go wrong?

    bobathome (c0c2b5)

  32. Sammy, you need to stop smoking that cheap contaminated crack and face reality: Common Core is all about two things…

    1. raise generations of voters with no independent thinking skills so they never ask questions or think bad thoughts

    2. indoctrinate them early with “approved” ideas so they know how to vote when they are instructed to vote.

    redc1c4 (abd49e)

  33. This type of propaganda published by the Washington Compost makes me think that the government monitors in the newsroom actually wrote the article.
    Or something.

    Elephant Stone (6a6f37)

  34. This just goes to show you that one person’s nightmare is another person’s dream. From his father.
    Or whomever. Or something.

    Elephant Stone (6a6f37)

  35. I can’t wait for our buddy Dustin to drive through here again to educate us on politics and explain how a flip-flopping “democrat” Romney administration would really be no better than a second Obama term. Right-o.

    elissa (7d21db)

  36. You are all missing one of the main points of Obama’s push for early childhood education. Tens if not hundreds of thousands of new dues paying teacher’s union members. This defunds his opponents by taxing them, laundering the money through the NEA, and then via campaign contributions to the Democrats. A forced wealth transfer from his enemies to his political allies.

    Steve57 (9a02b6)

  37. Average federal spending from 1947 to 2008: 19.7% of GDP.

    Average federal spending during Bush’s last six years in office: 19.8% of GDP.

    Average federal spending during Obama the Magnificent’s first six years in office: 23.5% of GDP.

    Obama is spending 19.3% more than the long term average and 18.7% more than Bush.

    PerfectSense (4d5c72)

  38. 37. No we’re not missing it, Steve. It’s ugly and it’s vintage leftist modus operandi. You did a good job of describing it succinctly and clearly for the few who have not caught on yet with respect to who the real enemies of this country are, and the depth of the immediate crisis we are dealing with.

    elissa (7d21db)

  39. Obama would have to CUT spending by about $650 billion per year to revert to the long term average of federal spending at 19.7% of GDP.

    PerfectSense (4d5c72)

  40. You take away the debt ceiling it becomes a floor, of course, he’s going to take his shot, his purpose in life is to tear the country down, like Maduro, down south, like Kirschner, Zelaya,

    narciso (3fec35)

  41. elissa, the irony of the moral equivalency game that some of our friends use (i.e., “Romney = Obama !!!”) is that moral equivalency is verse and chapter from the Left Wing Playbook.
    In fact, moral equivalency is the foundation of the income redistribution argument.

    I’ve never known anyone who has a perfect job, perfect spouse, perfect children, perfect car, perfect health, and a perfect house, but despite that, some people on our team are holding out for a perfect Presidential candidate.
    Oy vey.

    Elephant Stone (6a6f37)

  42. And on top of all of our dreadful domestic issues, I’m afraid that Obama and John Forbes Kerry will just go golfing and windsailing respectively while Putin’s machinations continue at work in the Ukraine.

    To quote the Greatest Secretary of State of All-Time, “What difference, at this point, does it make ?”

    Elephant Stone (6a6f37)

  43. narciso, good timing on the HotAir link.
    Do you think he really fled Kiev, or could it be a head-fake ?

    Elephant Stone (6a6f37)

  44. hard to say, sometimes as in 2004, they do pull back.

    narciso (3fec35)

  45. elissa 39:

    37. No we’re not missing it, Steve. It’s ugly and it’s vintage leftist modus operandi. You did a good job of describing it succinctly and clearly for the few who have not caught on yet with respect to who the real enemies of this country are, and the depth of the immediate crisis we are dealing with.

    Can you clarify who you are referring to by “the few who have not caught on yet”? I assume you aren’t referring to Obama voters, because that’s far more than a few.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  46. I think it’s those who are disapointed by a blanc mange rear guard action as we saw in 2012,

    narciso (3fec35)

  47. in light of this,

    http://20committee.com/2014/02/03/meet-moscows-new-ukrainian-front/

    it’s not very reassuring;

    narciso (3fec35)

  48. ” … and to his efforts to find common ground with Republicans …”
    = = = = =

    Unhhh… when did Prezzefink “I WON” ever –EVER!– try to find common ground with Republicans?

    … ’cause I must have blinked during that milli-second.

    A_Nonny_Mouse (57cacf)

  49. “I can’t wait for our buddy Dustin to drive through here again to educate us on politics and explain how a flip-flopping “democrat” Romney administration would really be no better than a second Obama term. Right-o.”

    Yes, elissa… The li’l sh*t disturber is a must-read for some.

    Colonel Haiku (ec37e2)

  50. “pumping new cash into job training, early-childhood education and other programs aimed at bolstering the middle class”

    Better idea-Daddy Fed can buy us all a kick ass fireworks display. If your going to “bolster the middle class” by indebting them and their children and grandchildren at least give them a show for their impovrishment.

    Bugg (f0dbc7)

  51. Felipe: “Hey Colonel, look at that”! (points to the Colonel’s left. Colonel takes bait and gets sucker punched by Felipe.

    Colonel: (in great pain) :What the he-” (Felipe kicks colonel in the nads)

    Felipe: Remember the Alamo! (Felipe proceeds to kick the Colonel who is now on the ground in the ribs)

    Felipe “And this is for Dustin”!

    Colonel: ( protecting ribs) Are you guys friends?

    Felipe: “NO! TEXANS! (Felipe begins to chant to himself)

    Felipe: “Texas! Fight! Texas! Fight! Texas”…

    felipe (6100bc)

  52. Oh, and now that Dana is an honorary Texan, she is under “Our” protection. Yes, I speak for Texas!

    felipe (6100bc)

  53. “I can’t wait for our buddy Dustin to drive through here again to educate us on politics and explain how a flip-flopping “democrat” Romney administration would really be no better than a second Obama term. Right-o.”

    Yes, elissa… The li’l sh*t disturber is a must-read for some.

    I’m disappointed by both of these comments. I have met very few readers and commenters, but there are a handful of people I have “known” for years on this site — people who have stuck by me, through a lot of very tough times. Dustin is on that short list. He is a stand-up guy, and a good friend. Please don’t insult him.

    Patterico (9c670f)

  54. I do like felipe’s simpler response. Texans gotta stick together.

    Patterico (9c670f)

  55. DRJ– I don’t believe you were participating in it much and I left early, so I’ll refer you to the second Sowell post which had a lot of activity yesterday and evening.

    elissa (7d21db)

  56. I apologize to you Patterico for causing you any disappointment since I highly value the canvas you provide for us to paint on.

    elissa (7d21db)

  57. Rush was making the point today, sorrowfully, that you can barely detect any discontent re Benghazi,
    or the IRS, or the Obamacare mess, yes a story here and there, but really no public presence, so he asked rhetorically, why would they change,

    then you see a wretched rat, like Latourette, wondering why we haven’t totally capitulated,

    narciso (3fec35)

  58. they are using our institutions like kindling, even feel confident in ridiculing the schlubs that voted for them, where’s the outrage, the outrage seems to be that there is any outrage,

    narciso (3fec35)

  59. I apologize to you Patterico for causing you any disappointment since I highly value the canvas you provide for us to paint on.

    Thank you, but I think Dustin is the one more deserving of the apology. I’m not sure that most readers here understand what a good friend Dustin has been to me. I have been though some difficult episodes in over 10 years with this blog, and during some of the hardest times, when I felt like there were armies of people doing their level best to misrepresent who I am and things I had said, Dustin always supported me and worked tirelessly to set the record straight and get out the truth. I won’t ever forget that.

    Patterico (9c670f)

  60. Point taken Mr. Frey, but call me and a few others Democrat and I find that to be a gross insult, as well. It serves no purpose other than to disturb what is an otherwise interesting discussion. There are some who view their motivation as pure and that of others, much less so. We get it.

    Colonel Haiku (ec37e2)

  61. Has my Cabal been misbehaving?

    SPQR (768505)

  62. This is what the ne’er-do-well in the White House views as austerity… Food Stamp Nation! http://kaching.tumblr.com/post/63011092756/ratak-monodosico-percent-of-people-of-food

    Colonel Haiku (ec37e2)

  63. Patterico, I think I’m going to pass on that second apology. In the same spirit of the Sowell threads you wrote where you say you admire and respect Sowell but felt compelled to criticize him where you felt he was wrong, I feel much the same about Dustin. I have long admired Dustin’s patriotism and his writing on this blog, and I am sure he is a good man and a loyal friend to you. But he posted some things yesterday that needed to be questioned /challenged and I (as well as others) did so. I’m pretty sure you would not have needed to write your “comrades” post today if President Romney were in the White House.

    ==You’ll see the Chris Christie Jeb Bush wing of the party grin a bit at the prospect of the IRS kneecapping the Tea Party, especially as the primaries heat up.
    Comment by Dustin (303dca) — 2/20/2014 @ 4:12 pm==

    ==My views are simply sufficiently different from someone who thought Romney was an acceptable or even ideal candidate that I think his supporters might as well be democrats. They certainly are not after what I’m after. They are political opponents, not allies, and it is no surprise that reform and limited government that the Tea party wants has them so upset and full of sophist objections about tactics. They don’t want to just up and admit how much they hate the idea of cutting entitlements now (and coincidentally, they are mostly boomers who are getting the sweet end of the generational theft in progress).
    Anyway, Texas has almost no say in the primaries, which is a big reason why the GOP has picked a lot of losers.
    Comment by Dustin (621e43) — 2/20/2014 @ 10:26 pm

    elissa (7d21db)

  64. national nightmare
    some sit on hands and complain
    and impugn others

    Colonel Haiku (ec37e2)

  65. I say we agree
    on more than you seem to think
    so why fan the flames?

    Colonel Haiku (ec37e2)

  66. Felipe: :Hey Elissa, look over there”!…

    Just kidding. I would never entertain the thought of striking a woman.

    felipe (6100bc)

  67. call me Democrat
    my blood boils and I turn RED
    I blow an O-ring

    Colonel Haiku (ec37e2)

  68. Call him Democrat
    his blood boils and he turn red
    Texas turn him black, blue

    Just kidding colonel, I love you like a brother.

    felipe (6100bc)

  69. Dang, one syllable too many. I lose.

    felipe (6100bc)

  70. Felipe and a grasshopper walk into a bar and Felipe orders orders a drink for him and his li’l friend.

    The bartender says, “Hey! We’ve got a drink named after you!” Surprised, Felipe replies, “You’ve got a drink named Felipe?”

    Colonel Haiku (ec37e2)

  71. It’s an opinion, Colonel, I think the New Hampshire primary, is no longer an effect determinant, as it has become a colony of Massachussets, alternately Iowa has become too much a be all and end all, and as the state that gave us both Carter and Obama,
    ‘houston we have a problem’

    narciso (3fec35)

  72. Colonel: I know a man with a wooden leg named Smith.

    Felipe: What is the name of his other leg?

    felipe (6100bc)

  73. lol… that’s a good one.

    Colonel Haiku (ec37e2)

  74. H/T Mary Poppins!

    felipe (6100bc)

  75. Romney would have been better but not, I think, good enough. The situation is far too desperate to be saved by a careful politician.

    Allow Dustin his rhetorical flourishes. I think he is expressing a frustration that I share. We are speeding towards a cliff and a minor course correction means we fly off the cliff over there, at point A, rather than over there, at point B. We are past the point of course corrections. Time to slam the brakes. (Too late, in fact.)

    Patterico (9c670f)

  76. I think everyone is up for a dose of can’t we all just get along, which works for me.

    Patterico (9c670f)

  77. I was in middle aged white guy rock nerd heaven last night, watching a Genesis tribute band called The Musical Box. May do a post about it. Friday nights are good times for music posts like that.

    Patterico (9c670f)

  78. I am a fan of the people of the Southwest – Texas in particular – and most of the South, in general. I work with quite a few of them and I respect their opinions, work ethic and enjoy the friends I have made over the last 17 years of my career.

    There is one thing, though, that I can’t abide and that is the voice of a woman from Alabama. A woman from Georgia has a voice that to me is honey in my ear, but the Alabama woman’s voice if like 10,000 fingernails grating on a thousand chalkboards. I find myself wincing and looking at my watch every time I am on a conference call with a talkative woman from Alabama.

    It’s just one of my quirks.

    Just one of my quirks.

    Colonel Haiku (ec37e2)

  79. I’ll start… Sacramento’s own…

    http://youtu.be/taNCL5tXFPE

    Colonel Haiku (ec37e2)

  80. I guess I wasn’t that familiar with them until the 1980s

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlX4moDYEmA

    narciso (3fec35)

  81. Music and Alabama girls? No comment on Genesis… but Col Haiku,

    Alabama Shakes. She has a killer voice. A whiskey gravel sound coming from way down in the soul.

    http://www.alabamashakes.com/home

    Dana (9a8f57)

  82. Here’s my daughter’s drummer boyfriend’s band…

    http://youtu.be/KCr0q4I43Jo

    Colonel Haiku (ec37e2)

  83. Yeah, Dana… she does have a great voice, but the aversion stands!

    Colonel Haiku (ec37e2)

  84. This is the Peter Gabriel song that I’ve always dug… http://youtu.be/-oFOX3syIqU

    Colonel Haiku (ec37e2)

  85. Best guitarist and drummer I’ve ever seen…

    http://youtu.be/rD36-Zn2bA4

    Colonel Haiku (ec37e2)

  86. elissa,

    I don’t see anything in the second Sowell post that explains what you meant by “the few who have not caught on yet” in your comment 39, above:

    “37. No we’re not missing it, Steve. It’s ugly and it’s vintage leftist modus operandi. You did a good job of describing it succinctly and clearly for the few who have not caught on yet with respect to who the real enemies of this country are, and the depth of the immediate crisis we are dealing with.”

    I can’t read minds so I don’t know what you meant. Given the tenor of the discussion, however, I will guess that you and others like Colonel Haiku think this applies to Dustin, to me, and to commenters like us that you think have not supported Romney or McCain with the passion or loyalty you expect from Republicans. If that’s true, then I wish you would say so directly so we can discuss it. If that’s not true, then please clarify what you meant for me so I don’t have to keep guessing.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  87. It doesn’t happen often but not all media stories are bad, and this one is pretty funny.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  88. I don’t like to see elissa and Dustin, two of my favorite commenters at odds with one another – especially when I know they ultimately want the same thing: less government in our lives, a balanced budget, and all the standard conservative principles adhered to and respected by our elected officials.

    This is a small reflection of the chasm under the big tent and of the right at large. It’s not the core beliefs, rather it’s what is the best route to achieving that goal. I don’t know how that will resolve itself before the next election, but I suspect a party civil war is just what the doctor ordered and what we see unfolding. After the dust starts to settle, I wonder if we who hope that conservatism will become the stronghold in our country will have to learn to bend so as not to break and lose it all. Again.

    Dana (9a8f57)

  89. team r has folded on it’s core beliefs. They have morphed into progressive robots,

    mg (31009b)

  90. The Prevaricator in Chief has a thought, and the WaPo’s lips start to move.

    askeptic (2bb434)

  91. Comment by Dana (9a8f57) — 2/21/2014 @ 10:05 pm

    You have stuck the nail on the head, Dana. This is exactly how I see it. I want to join with the R’s to set this country aright “pun intended), but I see a family fight in progress and do not want to enter their doorway. You can call me and other independents after you settle your differences.

    Clarification: What I mean by “call me” is (dammit!) to count on me to donate cash, to knock on doors, to publicly support a republican candidate for office. Right now I feel those efforts would be futile.

    felipe (6100bc)

  92. You see the efforts of Maidan, and the actions of Lopez and this lady,

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrBeRQYyFvU

    and the opposition seems unimpressive,

    narciso (3fec35)

  93. No, mg. Not until I see an RNC actively “boo” G*D, will I accept that the R’s have folded on their core beliefs. I wonder, was the good Lord ever a Dem core belief?

    felipe (6100bc)

  94. Dos ucranias. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dos_ucranias.png It’s an Indo-European language, guess what it means.

    nk (dbc370)

  95. Asset deflation with food and energy inflation, drink deep peoples.

    http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-02-21/feds-withhold-water-california-farmers-first-time-54-years

    Central MN is 18 inches over on snow fall but the surfeit will just run off frozen ground in spring, July, maybe.

    Ogabe’s capitulation to Iran sure has depressed oil prices, eh?

    gary gulrud (5c58f6)

  96. WaPo is Lambchop
    Obama’s Shari Lewis
    we know how that works

    Colonel Haiku (ec37e2)

  97. Applaud your keeping the faith, felipe.

    mg (31009b)

  98. Greeks have the gift of prophecy, you might have heard. This is what will happen:

    “Putin is now fully invested in Syria’s CW (chemical weapons) disarmament Ukraine,” a senior White House official told CNN’s Jake Tapper ….

    “He put this proposal forward and he’s now invested in it. That’s good. That’s the best possible reaction. He’s fully invested in Syria’s CW disarmament Ukraine and that’s potentially better than a [US] military strike – which would deter and degrade but wouldn’t get rid of all the chemical weapons political chaos. He now owns this. He has fully asserted ownership of it and he needs to deliver.”

    Our SCOAMF washing his hands, passing the buck, eating his waffle. BTW, I think that would be a very good thing from any point of view except America’s prestige. We should not start trouble with Russia because all we’ll get out of it is a bloody nose.

    nk (dbc370)

  99. 79. This succinctly sums up my position.

    Our task isn’t to dwell on the Republican past and coulda shouldas but to try to visualize the likely shape of our future and act such that we positively affect events to our children’s, or their children’s, benefit.

    Government will be no part of a solution but a tenacious adversary.

    Hoping and working for incremental amelioration is counterproductive at best, freaking daft from any vantage, and, at worst, an insidious evil.

    gary gulrud (5c58f6)

  100. 65. I’ve said some questionable things and abused individuals carelessly and with relish.

    What is a cabal for if not to leach some joy from our circumstances?

    gary gulrud (5c58f6)

  101. 63. cff. What we are seeing in the US and the Ukraine, Syria, Pakistan, indeed, the world over is a universal Balkanization following the failure of centralization, possibly a recurrent cycle.

    The Red states have come to view the Democrat/Republican death grip as an Blue state internecine battle to be played out indefinitely without reference to themselves.

    The consequences of this fact are unwelcome, particulary to the weakest playa.

    Yet, what is unmistakable, is that major parties’ coalitions are disintegrating.

    What to do, what to do?

    gary gulrud (5c58f6)

  102. Balkanization of CA, CO, NY and others have already been mooted.

    Secession is seriously discussed. Why should national parties not follow suit. MN has a DFL party, in the Democrat orbit, but ostensibly marching to its own drum.

    I hope, actually, the Republicans in TX can take a lead in a wider TEA grassfire among the Red states.

    But a break with the RNC and the DC GOP must be complete, and characters like Sessions and McCaul cast doubt on that prospect.

    That hope seemingly fell on rocky ground with WI.

    The rough sledding of TEAs fighting both parties at every level is more likely.

    gary gulrud (5c58f6)

  103. How the collapse will touch us all.

    http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-02-21/china-faces-vicious-circle-commodity-collateral-collapses

    Rehypothecation, the reuse of collateral to cover multiple loans, is a huge problem for London and EU markets and hedges world-wide.

    The rich are going to lose 90 cents on their dollar. You will pay.

    gary gulrud (5c58f6)

  104. and here in the next ring:

    Cuba flies troops to Venezuela to suppress democracy uprising “@Lauralafuente4: Ejercito Cubano en la Carlota pic.twitter.com/6MctC7OMrc””

    narciso (3fec35)

  105. Last essay: Why we are screwed near term.

    http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-02-21/why-banks-are-doomed-technology-and-risk

    Once you eliminate the “risk” of weak bacteria, you perfect the threat that will kill the host.

    The Lehman failure was one of the totally safe money markets.

    gary gulrud (5c58f6)

  106. On a lighter note;

    http://tiny.cc/y7wobx

    narciso (3fec35)

  107. This is a small reflection of the chasm under the big tent and of the right at large. It’s not the core beliefs, rather it’s what is the best route to achieving that goal. I don’t know how that will resolve itself before the next election, but I suspect a party civil war is just what the doctor ordered and what we see unfolding. After the dust starts to settle, I wonder if we who hope that conservatism will become the stronghold in our country will have to learn to bend so as not to break and lose it all. Again.

    You hit upon exactly why I despair that our country’s center-right party will not retake the Senate in this November’s election, and why I live in abject fear that we will end up with President Hillary Rodham Clinton in three years’ time.

    JVW (709bc7)

  108. 112. Seriously, Indies wish the GOP well in 2016. We hope they can take some Blue state electoral votes.

    Its the only way Red states can win a national election.

    But anyway you cut open the specimen, auguring reveals a GOP loss. Get used to it.

    gary gulrud (5c58f6)

  109. We are speeding towards a cliff and a minor course correction means we fly off the cliff over there, at point A, rather than over there, at point B. We are past the point of course corrections. Time to slam the brakes. (Too late, in fact.)

    Jump out ‘the car. Save yourself, if not Sal Mineo.

    SarahW (267b14)

  110. Dave Weigel thinks the TEA is weak at best, specifically in Texas.

    In Texas, the Tea Party doesn’t have much beyond Sen. Ted Cruz’s name and a long shot for Congress.

    This year’s Republican candidates are clinging to the Cruz name like it’s the last life raft on a sinking yacht.

    http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2014/02/the_tea_party_is_weak_in_texas_katrina_pierson_is_the_best_the_grassroots.2.html

    Dana (9a8f57)

  111. Yes, Wiegel, who signed onto Klein and Yglesias vanity project, yes let’s take his word on it,
    maybe we can get Tommy Christopher to join in,

    narciso (3fec35)

  112. I think if there’s any time in modern US history when tempers can be understandably heated, or strong disagreements can understandably flare among generally like-minded people — and such reactions will make complete sense to me — is now, in 2014.

    I read the comments of just about everyone here and find myself thinking, yep, that makes perfect sense, and I know how you feel. So if forumers find themselves tussling with one another, why shouldn’t they?

    We’re like people stranded in a house full of termites, with a collapsing roof, holes in the walls, crumbling floors, who’ve been dealing with a deluge of rain, and now we’re hearing a forecast of a hurricane on the horizon.

    Those “termites” and “rain” have been modern-day liberalism causing the house to fall in on itself, and the “hurricane” is the lunacy of even more I’m-okay-you’re-okay-progressive wonderfulness sinking its teeth further into so much of not just the US but many other parts of the world.

    Through all of this, the one thing I do keep in mind, however, is that ideology — in my case, rightism or conservatism — cannot exist in a vacuum. That politics need to be paired with a firm awareness of the complexity of what is or isn’t (or will be or won’t be) a correct strategy too. And, yea, I admit that’s easier said than done.

    For example, if Romney had a winning strategy in 2012, would the US, ironically enough, still have ended up as nonsensically leftwing, if not more leftwing, in the long (repeat: long) run? And so on and so forth.

    Mark (aea093)

  113. end of the “era of austerity that has dogged much of his presidency”

    http://i.perezhilton.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/sunny-and-bo-obama-get-ready-for-white-house-state-dinner__oPt.jpg

    SarahW (267b14)

  114. Well not a few in the exile community, though Capriles was too milquetoast, hence they would prepare the more bracing efforts of a Maria Corina,

    narciso (3fec35)

  115. we will end up with President Hillary Rodham Clinton in three years’ time.

    Another example of what my metaphor of “hurricane on the horizon” means or implies.

    And, sheesh, that it’s not overly cynical to seriously entertain the notion that such a flimsy, two-bit, two-faced, corrupt person like her has the upper hand in 2016 says what about the assumed sanity (or lack of such) of a large percentage of the American public?

    People of the left throughout the US: “We is [sic] becoming Argentina, baby, and we love it!”

    Mark (aea093)

  116. Dana,

    Democrats like Weigel are delighted to use what may be a poor showing by the Tea Party candidates in Texas to reinforce their claim that the establishment Republican Party is the only answer for conservatives. But the fact is that Texas is a huge state with multiple media markets. It takes a lot of preparation, money and luck for any candidate to win, let alone someone who doesn’t have establishment money and backing.

    Cruz is immensely talented and qualified and he had been working on his campaign for years. In addition, he had support and money, but he still came in a distant second to David Dewhurst in the GOP primary to replace Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. The establishment candidate, Dewhurst, was the clear leader and only had to face a run-off because he failed to get 50% of the vote in the primary. I’m not sure if that will happen in the 2014 election — although, if it does, it may well be in the Lt Gov’s race with the very same Dewhurst. What people should take note of is that Dewhurst has adopted Cruz’s rhetoric and conservatism in his current campaign. He has completely reinvented himself from 2012.

    If any incumbent fails to get 50% of the vote and has to face a run-off, I think we will see a lot of money flow into the Tea Party candidate’s campaign and the race will be tight. Even if that doesn’t happen, however, the Tea Party has already won because every candidate is talking the Tea Party talk. If we’re lucky, the winners will walk the walk, too.

    In short, Weigel doesn’t know what he’s talking about. The Tea Party is alive and well in Texas but it will take time for the best candidates to surface. Furthermore, the fact that every major candidate is parroting the Tea Party positions and policies tells me that Weigel’s point is wrong.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  117. Our esteemed President announced early in his term that “we’re not the World’s policeman”.
    We now know what the neighborhood looks like when the beat cop spends all of his time in Winchell’s.

    askeptic (2bb434)

  118. I find this both amusing and sad. Sad that it takes forever — if ever — for a sort of epiphany to strike various people throughout the US. Sad because so few members of popular culture (who, like it or not, influence public opinion) have a clue, that when one of them finally gets one, he or she is an outlier, similar to the rarity of a member of showbiz, Clint Eastwood, pointing to an empty chair at the RNC convention in 2012.

    tellmenow.com, February 21: Howard Stern, who backed such left-wingers as Clinton, Gore, and Kerry, has finally had enough of their shenanigans it seems. On his radio show, he relayed to listeners what he had already told his ubber-liberal manager:

    “I have vowed, I will never vote for a Democrat again. No matter who they are. I don’t care if God becomes a Democrat. These Democrats are communists. This is communism. This is gangsterism. This is crazy.”

    Mark (aea093)

  119. China, headed for the pit losing oil:

    The main features of the [China’s Five Year Plan are] as follows: converting China from being the “world’s manufacturer” to becoming the “world’s consumer,” upgrading its scientific and technological capabilities with an emphasis on innovation, expanding educational coverage, and improving the living conditions and increasing the wages of the people, especially those in the rural areas.

    GLWT, Uncle.

    http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2014/02/21/China-s-Employment-Index-Falls-to-5-Year-Low

    gary gulrud (384f70)

  120. 116. No Conor Friedersdork? Fail the search.

    gary gulrud (384f70)

  121. Wow, I just gained some respect for Howard Stern.
    Of course, not that God is Republican, He isn’t, but I doubt He will become a Democrat anytime soon, so Mr. Stern does not have to worry about that.

    I imagine it is possible that some situations are so serious some tongue in check humor is inappropriate, but I don’t think we have quite hit that yet, so…
    I keep thinking The Onion is safe because it made it past another too ridiculous to be parodied factual event,
    and then it is challenged yet again…
    I keep saying unbelievable!, but I’m starting to hear a voice ask me if that word means what I thought it meant.

    MD in Philly (f9371b)

  122. 121. …Even if that doesn’t happen, however, the Tea Party has already won because every candidate is talking the Tea Party talk. If we’re lucky, the winners will walk the walk, too.

    Comment by DRJ (a83b8b) — 2/22/2014 @ 9:13 am

    That will take a great deal of luck, DRJ. More than I trust in.

    McCain is an easy target because he’s been around so long and has generated so much material. But he typifies the type of Republican that Cruz is fighting.

    http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2013/06/24/flashback-when-john-mccain-pretending-to-care-about-border-security-n1626213

    In 2010 when McCain was actually in a fight for his seat someone joked he’d make a campaign ad showing him personally shooting an illegal alien trying to cross the border fence, so strong was his new found commitment to border security.

    It’s amazing what politicians will say to get elected and Arizona Senator John McCain is no exception. When he was running for re-election in 2010, McCain demanded the federal government “build the danged fence” but just last week, he voted down all amendments requiring the border fence be completed before amnesty.

    In June of last year McCain voted against the fence again. Even though the Thune amendment to the Gang of 8 bill simply required that current law (passed in 2006) simply be enforced (So it’s disingenuous for the GOP gangsters of 8 to argue they backed off their plan because they don’t trust Obama to enforce the law).

    Worse than McCain’s duplicity is his apparent reason for doing so; he despises the people he has to pander to with false promises like “build the danged fence.”

    The NSFW version from the man himself.

    http://www.diggersrealm.com/mt/archives/003305.html

    Or the cleaner version from his mini-me, Lindsey Grahamnesty.

    http://hotair.com/archives/2007/05/04/lindsay-graham-to-la-raza-were-gonna-tell-the-bigots-to-shut-up/

    Lindsay Graham to La Raza: “We’re gonna tell the bigots to shut up.”

    …You can watch the whole speech here, and I encourage you to do so. Graham comes off as a sincere, well-meaning but misguided fellow until the personal story professing such surprise that a man named Garza could be a great American–soft bigotry of low expectations, anyone?–and that late line about “bigots.”

    Who is he talking about?

    …I get it. He must be talking about them. And him. And all of us who support border enforcement.

    It reminds me of Bill Clinton’s defense of Robert Byrd at his funeral. If you wanted to get elected in West Virginny back in the day you had to pretend to be a Klansman.

    But the bottom line is that these people talking the TEA Party talk to get elected have no intention of walking the TEA Party walk. Which is why Cruz exposed them on the debt ceiling vote.

    Not to hijack the thread, but this is what’s so depressing about Sowell’s analysis. When he discusses the void that Cruz fills, he does speculate that the reason the establishment Republicans can’t or won’t communicate a conservative message is because they have no guiding principles. This corresponds to my view that the pretense of holding those views once every two or six years is sufficient for them to keep their seats. And they leave articulating those views to the consultants. In between they can pretty much do what they want.

    I’m afraid we’re out of luck, DRJ.

    Cheers!

    Steve57 (a7ff60)

  123. Steve57,

    I agree there’s no hope for people like Senator McCain but I was clearly talking about Texas politicians. A few incumbents may decide to walk the walk, if only because they care about being re-elected.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  124. Patterico,

    It is wonderful that Dustin has been a great friend to you, and we all appreciate the time and effort that you and some of the other moderators invest in making this a valuable (and fun) blog.
    But that should not exclude anyone from a little rhetorical blowback on the occasions when he/they refer to some of us “Democrats” or “closet liberals” simply because we express a different strategy for attaining the same-shared goal of limited Constitutional government.

    That may be the thing some of our friends here may not understand; we’re all for limited government. Government shutdowns and the like are just a difference of opinion about how to re-take a governing upper hand in the legislative branch and the Executive Branch.

    It’s like a football game, when the head coach wants to do X, but the quarterback thinks they should do Y.
    Now, nobody on that team accuses either of those guys of wanting the other team to win.
    But that does happen here; some of us think the team should do Y rather than X, and then we get accused of supporting the other team.
    Again, these are no so much ideological policy disputes as they are disputes about GOP strategy.
    Personally, I think some of the banter and snark and tongue-in-cheek teasing is fun.
    But let’s not establish special exclusion from criticism for certain people, but not others.
    After all, isn’t that what we object to in the way that Obama and the lamestream media do things ?

    Elephant Stone (6a6f37)

  125. Charles Krauthammer says that if Obama was really pursuing ‘austerity’ in his policies, that definition is an assault on the dictionary.

    http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2014/02/21/krauthammer_obamas_idea_of_austerity_an_assault_on_the_dictionary.html

    Elephant Stone (6a6f37)

  126. Elephant Stone,

    I’m so glad to see you say that o one should be exempt from criticism. I assume that means we won’t be reading any more complaints when commenters here criticize Romney, Christie, or other blue state GOP favorite sons.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  127. Of course, do you really think Dustin comparing some Republicans to Democrats is the equivalent of calling Dustin an expletive? I don’t, but maybe it’s cultural thing.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  128. DRJ,

    My friend, I really think the failure to communicate is where you want all of your criticisms of Romney or Christie to somehow go unchallenged.
    But that’s what primaries are for—intramural discussions and figurative brawls, which ultimately elicit in a party’s nominee.
    And then after we have a nominee, we take the fight to the Left.
    I personally subscribe to the William F. Buckley rule; identify the most conservative candidate who can win. Of course, that’s what the primary struggle will be about—“who” exactly is the most conservative ? And “who” exactly can win the general election ?
    But once the primaries are over, and we have a nominee, let’s go take the fight to the Left, rather than continue to fight within the party.

    Elephant Stone (6a6f37)

  129. I didn’t criticize McCain or Romney once they were the nominees, but I questioned both during the primaries. I also questioned whether they were the best choices after they lost their respective elections. So I think I’ve followed your rules, although I admit I also question why you get to make the rules.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  130. Or are you saying once nominees like McCain and Romney have lost, we shouldn’t question them or anything they did? Maybe that’s where I’ve gotten cross-ways with you, Colonel Haiku and elissa. Is that what you’re saying — that it’s disloyal to revisit past nominees to consider why they lost? If so, then I’m glad I’m no longer a Republican so I don’t have to follow that rule.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  131. DRJ,

    It’s Saturday, go do something fun.
    Stop stressing yourself out about the 2012 GOP primary.
    Let’s all band together to defeat the Left this November, and again in 2016.

    Elephant Stone (6a6f37)

  132. You are incredibly patronizing, Elephant Stone.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  133. Furthermore, I am definitely not part of your “band” anymore. I could care less whether Republicans like Boehner, McConnell, McCain, or Christie ever wins another election. I still admire Romney as a virtuous many of high character, but he was not an impressive politician and nominee.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  134. Finally, the way to win in 2014 and 2016 is to understand the results in 2008, 2010, and 2012. I can’t understand why you and your friends don’t realize that, but you clearly don’t.

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  135. When he discusses the void that Cruz fills, he does speculate that the reason the establishment Republicans can’t or won’t communicate a conservative message is because they have no guiding principles. This corresponds to my view that the pretense of holding those views once every two or six years is sufficient for them to keep their seats. And they leave articulating those views to the consultants.

    They get away with it by appealing to low-information voters.

    Michael Ejercito (906585)

  136. 142. …They get away with it by appealing to low-information voters.

    Comment by Michael Ejercito (906585) — 2/22/2014 @ 5:03 pm

    Which explains why they were so angry at Cruz for blowing their cover. He exposed them so thoroughly even some LIVs might have noticed.

    Steve57 (a7ff60)

  137. I freely admit that were the Blue Staters to choose an actual conservative, like Walker, who has been as loyal as could be to the Party, I would not merely be shocked but would need a serving of crow.

    I can understand the prospect, however remote, causes some who rail against quarters of said party, to be conflicted with feelings of separation anxiety.

    Let’s all get a grip. Its the GOP, we’ve nothing to worry about. Besides, crow prolly tastes like chicken.

    gary gulrud (384f70)

  138. 138. “Let’s all band together”.

    Don’t call us, our people will call you.

    gary gulrud (384f70)

  139. 33.Comment by redc1c4 (abd49e) — 2/21/2014 @ 2:24 pm

    Sammy,…Common Core is all about two things…

    1. raise generations of voters with no independent thinking skills so they never ask questions or think bad thoughts

    2. indoctrinate them early with “approved” ideas so they know how to vote when they are instructed to vote.

    I wasn’t speaking about “Common Core” but early childhood education, as I think you were in number 29.

    I wouldn’t trust any centrally devised curricullum. I am sure various kinds of ideas easily get smuggled into it. But you could worry aboiut anything being promoted, and even the correct answers on SAT and other tests.

    Sammy Finkelman (3015b5)

  140. In New York State, the Liberal Party, which lost ots ballot line in 2002, may make a comeback, if Governor Andrew Cuomo wants it to, and replace the Working Families Party as the party Democrats seek the cross endorsement of.

    And this would be a good thing.

    Sammy Finkelman (3015b5)

  141. 128. Comment by Steve57 (a7ff60) — 2/22/2014 @ 11:24 am

    It reminds me of Bill Clinton’s defense of Robert Byrd at his funeral. If you wanted to get elected in West Virginny back in the day you had to pretend to be a Klansman.

    That was a lie, though.

    Robert C. Byrd joined the Ku Klan Klan because he thought that they had an organziation, which they didn’t.

    Which is why Cruz exposed them on the debt ceiling vote.

    The thing about the debt ceiling is that low information voters have bene misinformed – theer is no way that cannot become law – the issue was if something could be attached to it. It was not going to be anything meaningful – that point had been given up early.

    The Democrats still resisted, and insisted oina “clean” debt ceiling resolution, because part of the Democratic campaign strategy is to make the idea of electing Republicans to Congress look futile – they don’t want them to bring anything back to tehir constituents, they don’t want them to achieve anything and they want to discourage people from running for office.

    Also doinmg something serious would have amounted to tryimg to force the Senate to pass something that they didn’t want to pass. The public will look at that and say: does this make sense? Is it worth not passing X because you didn’t get Y?

    Sammy Finkelman (3015b5)

  142. The Wapo’s characterization of Obama’s financial record is amazing. We’ve come such a long way down this orwellian road now. I wonder how many readers really bought that Obama’s financial record is in any way austere. I suspect we are so cynical now that many partisan democrats appreciated that characterization because of its obnoxious cleverness. We have so much cynical sentiment nowadays from partisans.

    Patterico, thank you for the generous comment. I have no regrets about my standing up for the truth against people who seek to silence through intimidation. That this truth vindicates you from lies is to your credit, not mine, but still, I am glad we’re friends and I have no regrets regardless of the flack I take (which I don’t care to discuss here).

    Felipe, you’re the man and there is a pitcher of whatever you drink for you in Austin, anytime. My only regret regarding this blog is that I couldn’t make it to meet JD when he passed through Dallas some time ago. Same applies for any commenter here ranging in likemindedness from DRJ to Leviticus. That includes Elissa, of course, as my candor about my opposition to the political goals of many republicans is not offered out of disrespect. But if someone cannot abide me having my opinions, that’s not my problem. Suspending the debt ceiling is the direct opposite of a balanced budget amendment. Ted Cruz helping show who supports that mistake is obviously the right thing to do. Those who take the other view, as is their right, are simply political opponents. There’s no reason for any conservative to support their candidates or goals, and if they were sincere about being moderates for electoral expediency, they will start trying to earn Tea Party votes. If they don’t, that should lead to a major political reorganization.

    Dustin (621e43)

  143. We need a moratorium on Democrat-in-the-media audacity

    steveg (794291)

  144. Thank you, Dustin. That is a generous and thoughtful offer.

    felipe (6100bc)

  145. The cost of “common ground”? Priceless.

    Bullright (4dfde5)


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