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Opinions/Editorials Title: Why the GOP Aims to Sink the Economy
If our economy was the RMS Titanic, Republicans would be like an ambitious first mate, so eager to seize power from the captain that he steers the ship of state into an iceberg, thinking he'll take over when the captain goes down with the ship. Republicans have forgotten — or no longer care — they're on the boat too, and they're working very hard to ensure that the country will be nearly ungovernable should they succeed in seizing the reins of government.
If it seems like the White House is arranging deck chairs on the Titanic, the GOP is busy measuring the the captain's quarters for drapes, even as the ocean pours in. And the tea party orchestra plays on, with just one song on the playlist — "Under the Sea." You can take your pick for the moment the GOP noticably went off the rails. I have two favorites: when it fell to Peggy Noonan to be the Republicans' voice of reason following Sarah Palin's VP nomination, and when David Brooks warned the GOP that it "may no longer be a normal party". Together, they're the political equivalent of Courtney Love showing up at your intervention and Charlie Sheen offering you a ride to rehab. But this Republican party isn't likely to heed such sane voices as Noonan and Brooks, and would just as soon throw them overboard. The defining moment, as Carl Pope points out, is one that shows how disturbingly deep the GOP's current brand of crazy (that Noonan, Books and others are just noticing) runs, and how far back it goes.
There have been other moments, and debt deal debacle has spawned some real jaw-droppers — like Sen. John McCain, fresh from blaming Arizona's forest fires on illegal immigrants — calling the GOP's game of chicken on the debt limit "foolish" and "bizarre." One that was brought to my attention this morning, was former Club For Growth vice president, Sen. Pete Toomey's interview with CNN's Ali Velshi.
OK. Let's just stop right there, shall we? Notice that there is no hesitation on Toomey's part when Velshi asks whether it would be worth it to close a few corporate tax loopholes to avoid default and the immediate cessation of about 40% of government spending. He says, "No," without even pausing to think about it. If the GOP's and the tea party's corporate funders can't keep their tax loopholes wide open, there's no deal. Just to prove he's a reasonable man, Toomey proposed a partial shutdown that would keep Social Security checks and military paychecks flowing while everything else gets zeroed out. (I'm guessing this is the Michelle Bachmann legislation, which basically empowers the federal government to squeeze blood from turnips.) But it's not until you look at a list of what Toomey and the rest of his caucus are would rather see come to pass that you get a look at how deep this goes. Kevin Drum posted just such a list (borrowed from Megan McArdle) at Mother Jones. Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest Why the GOP Aims to Sink the Economy Rule of Disinformation #15. Fit the facts to alternate conclusions. This requires creative thinking unless the crime was planned with contingency conclusions in place. Rule of Disinformation #20. False evidence. Whenever possible, introduce new facts or clues designed and manufactured to conflict with opponent presentations as useful tools to neutralize sensitive issues or impede resolution. This works best when the crime was designed with contingencies for the purpose, and the facts cannot be easily separated from the fabrications.
Rule of Disinformation #18. Emotionalize, Antagonize, and Goad Opponents. If you can’t do anything else, chide and taunt your opponents and draw them into emotional responses which will tend to make them look foolish and overly motivated, and generally render their material somewhat less coherent. Not only will you avoid discussing the issues in the first instance, but even if their emotional response addresses the issue, you can further avoid the issues by then focusing on how “sensitive they are to criticism”. It used to be the leftists that had bumper-stickers that said things like "Question Authority.' Today they follow slogans from 1984: War is peace. They blindly LOVE Big Brother. They believe competition, pride & profiting from ones labor, are evil things to be banished. Stephen King observed, "The beauty of religion mania is that it has the power to explain everything... [so] logic can be happily tossed out the window. This describes socialists. They will ignore logic and "common sense." They will ignore REALITY. Because THEY are religious zealots... THEIR God... is the STATE. #2. To: Capitalist Eric (#1) Resorting to your old, tired "lists" again? Poor child getting desperate, eh? Never swear "allegiance" to anything other than the 'right to change your mind'! #3. To: Brian S (#2) You NEVER come up with anything original, always relying on the same DISINFO methods. It's always good to post your game, in plain terms. You're an asshole propagandist. It used to be the leftists that had bumper-stickers that said things like "Question Authority.' Today they follow slogans from 1984: War is peace. They blindly LOVE Big Brother. They believe competition, pride & profiting from ones labor, are evil things to be banished. Stephen King observed, "The beauty of religion mania is that it has the power to explain everything... [so] logic can be happily tossed out the window. This describes socialists. They will ignore logic and "common sense." They will ignore REALITY. Because THEY are religious zealots... THEIR God... is the STATE. #4. To: Capitalist Eric (#3) You're an asshole propagandist. Your list of rules makes you look like the propagandist. "...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly #5. To: lucysmom (#4) You wear rose-colored glasses... And ANYBODY that interferes with your delusions is to be attacked. In other news, it seems middle-aged women from 40-69 are increasingly committing suicide... a bump of something like 48%! So when do we celebrate your... "departure?" SOON, I hope. It used to be the leftists that had bumper-stickers that said things like "Question Authority.' Today they follow slogans from 1984: War is peace. They blindly LOVE Big Brother. They believe competition, pride & profiting from ones labor, are evil things to be banished. Stephen King observed, "The beauty of religion mania is that it has the power to explain everything... [so] logic can be happily tossed out the window. This describes socialists. They will ignore logic and "common sense." They will ignore REALITY. Because THEY are religious zealots... THEIR God... is the STATE. #6. To: lucysmom (#4) Eat your peas.... The Obama economic recovery plan... Peabaggers
Obama's watch stopped on 24 May 2008, but he's been too busy smoking crack to notice. #7. To: hondo68, borisY (#6) The Obama economic recovery plan... Peabaggers So you have now resorted to stealing photo shopped pictures and captions from byeltsin now. Or maybe you are byeltsin.
#8. To: Capitalist Eric (#5) You wear rose-colored glasses... And ANYBODY that interferes with your delusions is to be attacked. Looked in the mirror lately? Here, I'll hold it for you... In other news, it seems middle-aged women from 40-69 are increasingly committing suicide... a bump of something like 48%! So when do we celebrate your... "departure?" SOON, I hope. "...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly #9. To: lucysmom (#8) In other news, it seems middle-aged women from 40-69 are increasingly committing suicide... a bump of something like 48%! Maybe Eric is really Murron. Wouldn't that be a hoot.
#10. To: mininggold (#9) Maybe Eric is really Murron. Wouldn't that be a hoot. Do you think Murron is the expression of Eric's inner woman? Maybe it's the other way around. "...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly #11. To: lucysmom (#8) Strung together any coherent thoughts lately? You're one STUPID bitch, I'll give you that. It used to be the leftists that had bumper-stickers that said things like "Question Authority.' Today they follow slogans from 1984: War is peace. They blindly LOVE Big Brother. They believe competition, pride & profiting from ones labor, are evil things to be banished. Stephen King observed, "The beauty of religion mania is that it has the power to explain everything... [so] logic can be happily tossed out the window. This describes socialists. They will ignore logic and "common sense." They will ignore REALITY. Because THEY are religious zealots... THEIR God... is the STATE. #12. To: mininggold (#9) Maybe Eric is really Murron. Wouldn't that be a hoot. Having another conversation with your OTHER screen name, in a vain attempt to bolster yourself? Now THAT'S a hoot. Kindly shut your fucking yap. It used to be the leftists that had bumper-stickers that said things like "Question Authority.' Today they follow slogans from 1984: War is peace. They blindly LOVE Big Brother. They believe competition, pride & profiting from ones labor, are evil things to be banished. Stephen King observed, "The beauty of religion mania is that it has the power to explain everything... [so] logic can be happily tossed out the window. This describes socialists. They will ignore logic and "common sense." They will ignore REALITY. Because THEY are religious zealots... THEIR God... is the STATE. #13. To: Capitalist Eric (#12) Having another conversation with your OTHER screen name, in a vain attempt to bolster yourself? Let's see....both you and Murron act like you are perennially on the rag for one, while always trying to out shout other posters in extra large fonts rather than present a reasoned argument for two. And you both Bozo others quite readily for three. And seem to have almost the exact same opinion on every issue for four and even use many of the same nasty phrases for five, and wish posters to commit suicide for six. Yep... it's entirely possible.
#14. To: Brian S (#0) If our economy was the RMS Titanic, Republicans would be like... It's Obamas economy. Also, people that start off opinion pieces like that this are stupid, in this case,
#15. To: socalv8 (#14) The couple are frequent guests at Obama's White House. So what? "...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly #16. To: Capitalist Eric (#11) Strung together any coherent thoughts lately? Good morning to you CE. You're one STUPID bitch, I'll give you that.
Projecting again, I see. "...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly #17. To: mininggold (#13) Let's see....both you and Murron act like you are perennially on the rag for one, while always trying to out shout other posters in extra large fonts rather than present a reasoned argument for two. And you both Bozo others quite readily for three. And seem to have almost the exact same opinion on every issue for four and even use many of the same nasty phrases for five, and wish posters to commit suicide for six. Yep... it's entirely possible. You make a good case. "...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly #18. To: lucysmom (#15) So what? The author is a black, flaming homosexual and frequent guest to Obama's parties writing anti-GOP drivel.
#19. To: socalv8 (#18) (Edited) Fair to point that out, I think. Pointing out is one thing. Using it to obviate the observations made is another. Poe was an opium addicted drunken pedophile but his writing is still as brilliant today as it was then. America...My Kind Of Place... "I truly am not that concerned about [bin Laden]..." "THE MILITIA IS COMING!!! THE MILITIA IS COMING!!!" I lurk to see if someone other than Myst or Pookie posts anything... #20. To: lucysmom (#17) You make a good case. I forgot to add they are both totally lacking in the recognition of any insight into their own personal behavior, for seven.
#21. To: socalv8 (#18) The author is a black, flaming homosexual and frequent guest to Obama's parties writing anti-GOP drivel. Fair to point that out, I think. Again, so what? Remember the white, homosexual, journalist/prostitute, right-wing nut who was a frequent visitor to the Bush White House? "...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly #22. To: war (#19) Pointing out is one thing. Using it to obviate the observations made is another. Observations? Where? Poe wasn't a hack. This fella is... "If our economy was the RMS Titanic, Republicans would be like an ambitious first mate, so eager to seize power from the captain that he steers the ship of state into an iceberg, thinking he'll take over when the captain goes down with the ship." But it's not until you look at a list of what Toomey and the rest of his caucus are would rather see come to pass that you get a look at how deep this goes." I googled him because I wondered what kind of freak writes for Truth Out...he and his husband went to one Bush White House function and were "forced" to stand in the "lesbian tent".
#23. To: lucysmom (#21) Again, so what? Do you remember the Left saying, "So what?"
#24. To: mininggold (#20) I forgot to add they are both totally lacking in the recognition of any insight into their own personal behavior, for seven. That's for sure! Have they ever disagreed with each other? "...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly #25. To: socalv8 (#22) Observations? Where? Throughout the article. I googled him because I wondered what kind of freak writes for Truth Out...he and his husband went to one Bush White House function and were "forced" to stand in the "lesbian tent". Remind me why I'm supposed to care about this...next week. America...My Kind Of Place... "I truly am not that concerned about [bin Laden]..." "THE MILITIA IS COMING!!! THE MILITIA IS COMING!!!" I lurk to see if someone other than Myst or Pookie posts anything... #26. To: socalv8 (#23) Do you remember the Left saying, "So what?" I do remember the left wondering who the prostitute was visiting in the "family values" White House. "...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly #27. To: socalv8 (#23) Do you remember the Left saying, "So what?" Whgat I remember is "the left" laughing, again, at the blatant hypocrisy of the right. Gannon/Guckert/Drudge/Larry Craig...all in the Oscar Meyer Fan Club... America...My Kind Of Place... "I truly am not that concerned about [bin Laden]..." "THE MILITIA IS COMING!!! THE MILITIA IS COMING!!!" I lurk to see if someone other than Myst or Pookie posts anything... #28. To: war, lucysmom (#27) ...at the blatant hypocrisy of the right. The hypocrisy on this thread isn't mine...
#29. To: lucysmom, honda68, borisY (#24) That's for sure! Not to my knowledge. I also think it's a hoot that Honda and byeltsin are now posting some of the same photoshopped pictures with the same captions.
#30. To: socalv8 (#28) The hypocrisy on this thread isn't mine... Shall we debate that? Will the debate be relevant to the thread topic? If not, why bring it up? "...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly #31. To: socalv8 (#28) The hypocrisy on this thread isn't mine... What do past scandals have to do with the factors that shaped Terrance Heath's poorly written "opinion"? You tell us, since you used the tactic.
#32. To: mininggold (#29) I also think it's a hoot that Honda and byeltsin are now posting some of the same photoshopped pictures with the same captions. The pool of LF posters gets smaller and smaller. "...all of the equations in neoclassical economics are rubbish. The differential equations describe nothing. Economics is not about mathematics, it is about the human being." Sandeep Jaitly #33. To: socalv8 (#28) (Edited) What do past scandals have to do with the factors that shaped Terrance Heath's poorly written "opinion"? Nothing. Nor does his homosexuality nor what tent he was forced into by the self-loathing closet sausage jockeys that populated the Bush administration. Are you now ready to discuss his very valid premise which is that the GOP is focued on the election rather than getting anything done? America...My Kind Of Place... "I truly am not that concerned about [bin Laden]..." "THE MILITIA IS COMING!!! THE MILITIA IS COMING!!!" I lurk to see if someone other than Myst or Pookie posts anything... #34. To: mininggold, borisY (#29) it's a hoot that Honda and byeltsin are now posting some of the same photoshopped pictures Even a blind neocon pig like Boris finds an acorn now and then. Hey ya gotta admit it beats his gay klan pic?
Obama's watch stopped on 24 May 2008, but he's been too busy smoking crack to notice. #35. To: hondo68 (#34) Now it looks like we actually MIGHT BE governed by a bunch of selfish, incompetent wack-jobs who put their careers and politics ahead of the country's interests. I have I believe 'her' tagline on Bozo.
#36. To: Brian S (#0) Truth-out? LOL Will Karl Rove be sinking the economy in "24 business hours"? Obama has played at being a president while enjoying the perks … golf, insanely expensive vacations at tax-payer expense. He has ignored the responsibilities of the job; no plans, no budgets, no alternatives … just finger pointing; making him a complete failure as a president #37. To: mininggold (#13) Let's see....both you and Murron act like you are perennially on the rag for one, while always trying to out shout other posters in extra large fonts rather than present a reasoned argument for two. And you both Bozo others quite readily for three. And seem to have almost the exact same opinion on every issue for four and even use many of the same nasty phrases for five, and wish posters to commit suicide for six. Yep... it's entirely possible. You, OTOH, have admitted to being both loonymom AND Ming-bat. See HERE, to refresh your memory... LOL. So who you gonna' reply as, ming or loon? Or have you acquired MORE screen- names, to help bolster your vapid ideas...? It used to be the leftists that had bumper-stickers that said things like "Question Authority.' Today they follow slogans from 1984: War is peace. They blindly LOVE Big Brother. They believe competition, pride & profiting from ones labor, are evil things to be banished. Stephen King observed, "The beauty of religion mania is that it has the power to explain everything... [so] logic can be happily tossed out the window. This describes socialists. They will ignore logic and "common sense." They will ignore REALITY. Because THEY are religious zealots... THEIR God... is the STATE. #38. To: lucysmom (#30) The hypocrisy on this thread isn't mine... Sure. You said, "So what?" Then switched gears to, "...prostitute was visiting in the "family values" White House." So what, in deed. I brought up info on the author of this poorly written TruthOut article. How do prostitutes and family values fit into that?
#39. To: war (#27) Gannon/Guckert/Drudge/Larry Craig... Obama's new legal team?
#40. To: mininggold (#31) You tell us, since you used the tactic. Please elaborate.
#41. To: war (#33) Are you now ready to discuss his very valid premise which is that the GOP is focued on the election rather than getting anything done? Both sides are posturing...jeez.
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