Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Udall's Lazy Cop Out on the Deficit and Tax Cuts

Via the Colorado Independent I see that Senator Mark Udall put out a press release this afternoon concerning the tax cut deal, he very predictably blasts the President but his messaging could use some work. As far as internal logic and consistency are concerned this release is pretty much an abortion.

First, we have Udall the fierce deficit hawk,

As I’ve said for many years, our looming debt is perhaps the greatest challenge to our economy and our national security. Now, exactly four days later, we are being asked by the President to add $900 billion to that debt over the next two years. 

But he closes with a smattering of populism and a baseless statement about the debt,

With our debt out of control, our troops battling two wars, and American families struggling every week in the recession, extending tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires makes no sense. And I’m willing to stay here in Washington and work weekends, nights and through the holidays rather than pass a compromise that I believe will weaken our economy for the long term.”

So on the one hand Mark Udall is concerned about American families struggling during the recession. But on the other hand he's too worried about long term debt to actually do anything to help those families right now. Oh and just to be clear his concerns are long term, except when he's worrying about families struggling every week.

This statement makes no sense whatsoever. It is as if the Senator and his staff just threw every argument they have heard in the last 2 weeks into the statement, just to make sure they blew every dog whistle that any interest group, left, right, or center, might be listening for.

If you don't like the proposal then say what you would do Senator. I would love to hear your magical plan for helping American families today, slashing the long term deficit and getting that package past an intractable Congressional GOP. Please, we're all ears Senator.

Michelle Rhee's Special Definition of Special Interests

Michelle Rhee is one of the more obnoxious figures in current politics and to me she epitomizes everything that is wrong with the so-called school reform movement right here,

She announced she would lead a new advocacy group, StudentsFirst, setting a highly ambitious target of raising $1 billion to promote "transformative reform," primarily by backing laws and political candidates, from local school boards to Congress. 

The group will solicit memberships for as little as $5 per month, but it will also take advantage of changes in campaign finance laws that allow it to broadcast political advertisements paid for by rich individuals and corporations. 

"The ultimate goal is to shift the power dynamic of education in this country, which I think for far too long has been dominated by special interests, whether the teachers' unions or textbook manufacturers," Ms. Rhee, 40, said in an interview.

You see in the school reform world teachers are special interests, wealthy business benefactors are just good citizens. 

H/T Ta-Nehisi Coates

Who's to Blame?

Jamie Boulle reminds us not to forget Congressional Democrats!

Monday, December 6, 2010

Obama the Populist?

My latest at TFT, "The Populism Gambit: Obama’s Opening Move for 2012"

A Well Rested Blogger

Just returned from our honeymoon, 10 days in Sayulita Mexico, we left on Thanksgiving morning. Amazing little town about 25 miles north of Puerto Vallarta. Best description I can offer is that if The Dude were to take a vacation he would go to Sayulita. Dusty old town, lots of friendly locals and surfing gringos. Extremely laid back.

Didn't read the news the entire time. Just kicked back with beers and margaritas on the beach and read, including some Chuck Klosterman on the beach, a biography of William Burroughs and a few back issues of the New York Review of Books. Started on the new Washington biography on the flight back (Chernow's book on Hamilton is fantastic, this looks to be as good or better).

As I assimilate back into American culture I'm hoping I can maintain my present level of Zen like calm. I'm not all that hopeful though as this country has some huge fucking problems.

I may just have to cash it all in and head back to Mexico.