Have U.S. lawmakers lost the plot over the last few weeks? This editorial from Sweden's Upsala Nya Tidning offers members of the U.S. Congress some practical advice about what to do about the U.S. debt ceiling, and some comparative politics just to remind them that America isn't the only developed country struggling with debt and social safety net reform. The Upsala Nya … [Read more...] about U.S. Must Choose Practical Patriotism Over Party Tactics (Upsala Nya Tidning, Sweden)
What a Waste Edition: Network and Cable filled with Representatives and Senators Now, Gorilla Chest-Flashing Some More.
The Bus is hanging over the edge of the ravine. The Bus is crammed with human beings. The driver behind the wheel, steps away from the crisis, leaving others hanging... At the moment, on cable and network tv, many reps and senators are hedging now about how they will vote on the agreement just announced to not default et al. They are right now, to a person, saying, "I havent … [Read more...] about What a Waste Edition: Network and Cable filled with Representatives and Senators Now, Gorilla Chest-Flashing Some More.
Another Botched Drug Raid
Another innocent family is terrorized courtesy of the War on Drugs. More details here. Thanks goes to Radley Balko for bringing this story to my attention. … [Read more...] about Another Botched Drug Raid
When Momma Aint Happy, Aint Nobody Happy: Nancy Pelosi
It will be interesting to see what Nancy Pelosi decides to say and do. Apparently she has been missing from the cameras and airwaves since Obama announced a compromise had, in plan, been reached just an hour ago. She could come out slugging, or in Throw Mama From the Train persona. Reasoned hope says for many of us, let the posturing be over now, there's been so much of … [Read more...] about When Momma Aint Happy, Aint Nobody Happy: Nancy Pelosi
President Obama says Agreement has been Reached to Reduce Deficit, Avoid Default, and Boost Ecomony
Lowest level of spending since Eisenhower, says the President, just now breaking into regular programming on tv to make this announcement: The Congress and President are seeking balanced books. Have to ask wealthiest americans and corporations to pay more. Have to cut entitlements. Most important to get out your yellow highlighter: second part of agreement: By Nov, bipartisan … [Read more...] about President Obama says Agreement has been Reached to Reduce Deficit, Avoid Default, and Boost Ecomony
A good place to start
Want to cut spending? A good way to start would be to end The Global War On Terror: Ground the U.S. drone war in Pakistan. Rethink the idea of spending billions of dollars to pursue al-Qaida. Forget chasing terrorists in Yemen and Somalia, unless the local governments are willing to join in the hunt. Those aren’t the words of some human rights activist, or some far-left … [Read more...] about A good place to start
Take Decisive Action on Debt Ceiling! Just Do it, Barack! (Financial Times Deutschland, Germany)
Should President Obama stop allowing himself to be 'made a fool of' and present Republicans with a 'fait accompli' on the U.S. debt ceiling? For Germany's Financial Times Deutschland, Matthias Ruch argues that Republicans have only one goal - to defeat Obama - so he implores the president to stop playing the 'fool' and resort to the 14th Amendment of the Constitution to end … [Read more...] about Take Decisive Action on Debt Ceiling! Just Do it, Barack! (Financial Times Deutschland, Germany)
America Is Not Faring Well On Welfare
Over the last two generations, most of the improvements in the material standard of living of America's poor have proceeded not from the welfare system per se but by advances in technology and the affordability of goods that have come through the normal workings of free markets. As of the middle of the previous decade, for example, • 46% of all poor households (defined by … [Read more...] about America Is Not Faring Well On Welfare
American Default and the End of ‘Zero Risk’ (Jornal Do Brasil, Brazil)
Are people who warn of serious consequences in case of a U.S. default exaggerating? Not according to economist Sergio Sebold, who tells readers of Jornal Do Brazil of the dire consequences which will ensue if America fails to maintain the reliability of the world's sole 'zero-risk asset': U.S. Treasury bonds. For Jornal Do Brazil, economist Sergio Sebold writes in … [Read more...] about American Default and the End of ‘Zero Risk’ (Jornal Do Brasil, Brazil)
Joe Gandelman Will Appear on CNN Panel Tonight
Unless there's some last minute change, Joe Gandelman is slated to appear on CNN tonight at 7 p.m. EST on Don Lemon's independent voter analyst panel which also includes Omar Ali, the historian and independent voting analyst and Nicole Kurokawa, an independent voting analyst in Washington. … [Read more...] about Joe Gandelman Will Appear on CNN Panel Tonight
Cautionary Note: Debt Ceiling Limit Deal is NOT Definite Yet
Several commentators and journalists including Time's Mark Halperin are cautioning speculation on any debt ceiling limit deal. The reason: there is still a good chance GOPers could reject any deal Republican leaders and Barack Obama produce. Remember that some Republicans a)don't want even a shred of compromise b)don't think it'd be a big deal if there is a default. It ain't … [Read more...] about Cautionary Note: Debt Ceiling Limit Deal is NOT Definite Yet
Quote of the Day II: Andrew Sullivan On the (Supposedly) Emerging Budget Deal
Our political Quote of the Day #2 comes from Andrew Sullivan on (guarded) reports about what is a possible debt ceiling limit deal: The good news for the economy: there will be no further debt ceiling moment until after the next election. It's not done till it's done, of course. And the magic moment will be when Boehner tries to sell this to his caucus. But this is a good … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day II: Andrew Sullivan On the (Supposedly) Emerging Budget Deal
What will America look like once we’ve finally escaped the last vestiges of the recession?
Richard Florida attempts to answer this question in The Great Reset: The world is undergoing the largest wave of migration back to cities in history; markets are listening to the needs and wants of Generation Y; and Seattle will become an epicenter of ideas and creative energy. How will new housing products respond to this convergence? In Richard Florida’s book “The … [Read more...] about What will America look like once we’ve finally escaped the last vestiges of the recession?
A Contrarian Case for Government
This of all weekends might not be the time for this, but as George Will piles on with a column arguing that “government and the sectors it dominates have made themselves ludicrous” and “opened minds to the libertarians’ argument,” someone should defend a beleaguered political system that has kept this country the most free and prosperous in the world for centuries. In the … [Read more...] about A Contrarian Case for Government
Iraq’s New Wiretapping System
The “lead” in a Washington Post story this morning reads: The United States is planning to provide the Iraqi government with a wiretapping system to eavesdrop on cellular calls and messages “to assist in combating criminal organizations and insurgencies,” according to a U.S. Air Force contract solicitation. And continues with: The proposed system would allow … [Read more...] about Iraq’s New Wiretapping System
Watch Live Video: Senate Debates Debt Limit Ceiling
Watch the Senate debate the debt limit ceiling live: Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy … [Read more...] about Watch Live Video: Senate Debates Debt Limit Ceiling
Quote of the Day: Bring Back Poppy
Our political Quote of the Day comes from the New York Times' Thomas Friedman who says he misses George H.W. Bush and the "kinder, gentler" brand of Republicanism he represented.. His piece does reflect sentiment I have picked up in the past few months from some who were for a while or long time Republicans and no longer are: Watching today’s Republicans being led around … [Read more...] about Quote of the Day: Bring Back Poppy
Real Leaders Lead In A Crisis; Others Do An Obama
I didn't vote for George Bush in 2000. During his first few months in office I thought he was a joke — a bad joke. After he invaded Iraq and in tandem with a Republican congress pushed the country hard to the right, his policies made me angry. But I have to give the man credit, too. When 9/11 struck and America was in shock, he stepped up big-time. I remember the night … [Read more...] about Real Leaders Lead In A Crisis; Others Do An Obama
News and Blog Roundup: the Debt Limit Ceiling Crisis
Here's a cross section of reporting and blog commentary on the debt limit ceiling crisis, including the latest development: that with time quickly running out before the U.S. slips into a politically-derived default there are reports that a compromise may soon be at hand. --National Journal: Here are the outlines of a debt-ceiling deal that congressional leaders and the … [Read more...] about News and Blog Roundup: the Debt Limit Ceiling Crisis
What Is So Infuriating About This Debt Ceiling Crisis
We may or may not be close to a debt ceiling deal. But the damage has already been done. This crisis was utterly and completely unnecessary. The national debt has been built up over many decades and both parties contributed to it. I won't get involved in the pointless argument over which party is more at fault - Republicans and their constant tax cuts, Medicare Part D and … [Read more...] about What Is So Infuriating About This Debt Ceiling Crisis