It may be a case of trying to rumor something into existence. If you say something often enough, speech has logic; eventually, people will believe it despite all evidence to the contrary.
But do the Republicans really believe taxing the rich at a level which is where they were taxed when our economy really was booming--under Clinton--will poison the "job creators" and stall the economy?
Do they really believe Medicare is dying and needs to be resuscitated? And only by draconian cuts to benefits?
Do they really believe Social Security is fatally ill and can only be saved by spending cuts?
Or do they simply want to believe this and if they all hold hands around Grover Norquist's oval table, it will all be true and they will hear the voice of Milton Friedman, speaking from the dead, saying, "Cut spending!"
It's as if November 6 never happened.
What Mad Dog would like to see is President Obama announcing no more Mr. Nice guy, in fact no more President Doormat and cut off negotiations. Then, Ronald Reagan like, take to the road and to the airwaves and every day hammer away at the fact the Republicans refuse to tax billionaires and say, "I tried, but we're going over the cliff. In January with the new Congress, I am sure enough Republicans will come to their senses to vote for at least middle class tax cuts. But don't send me a bill with tax cuts for billionaires. I won't sign it. We've compromised enough at this end of Pennsylvania Avenue. And the American people have spoke with this election. We have listened. It's time for the Republicans in Congress to stop listening to Grover Norquist. It's time for Republicans to be loyal to their own constituents.
Or words to that effect. Remember the Denver Debate. Nice guy gets you nowhere with these people.
And take a page from the Republican playbook and name names: The Speaker of the House, Mr. Boehner is putting party loyalty before his country. Mr. McConnell, the Republican leader of the Senate is stubbornly thwarting every effort at reasoning together--all he cares about are his billionaire benefactors. Mr. Cantor is owned by the billionaire lobby. Mr. Ryan is in the pocket of millionaires. The have put their loyalty to the ruling class, to the one percent ahead of any notion of patriotism. They have sold out their country for their own sense of aristocratic entitlement.
Ram it down their throats and keep ramming them for the next four years. Do not try to drink beer with these guys. They don't like you and they never will and don't even try to cooperate with them. Make sure you give speeches in front of that bridge between Ohio and Kentucky which is falling apart and stalling trucks back to Michigan and which is hurting the economy of both states on either side of the bridge.
Go get them.
Mad Dog,
ReplyDeleteThere may be a couple of Republicans out there that have been drinking the Grover Kool-Aid for so long they can no longer think straight, but the rest all know there can't be a plausible fiscal solution that doesn't include generating more revenue. They don't believe their party line any more than we do- they just fear the wrath of their fellow "patriots" to much to do the right thing. I think you're right-time to start playing hard ball.
What did you think of that story about the covert US government plot to detonate a nuclear bomb on the moon in the late 1950's. It was intended to send a message to the Russians during the cold war that we were tough(that we'll track you down anywhere even in outer space??) Talking about raising chest thumping to a new level(literally). Makes you wonder what crazy idea some small secret government team could be cooking up today doesn't it..Did you see "Lincoln"?
Maud
Maud,
ReplyDeleteI have not seen Lincoln, much to my chagrin. Every time I think I have 2 1/2 hours, I am informed that I do not. But I will.
I had not heard of the blow up the moon caper. Sounds like an American thing. We are all about marketing.
Currently, like Gail Collins, I have transferred my angst from the election to "Homeland." This is not a plausible or even, at times, a very well written diversion, but like OC and 24, it somehow grips you, especially if you liked Band of Brothers and Damien Lewis.
I do yearn for the days when you could look at Republicans like Everett Dirkson, Edward Brooke, Nelson Rockefeller, Mac Mathias (Maryland), and imagine having an actual discussion with them.
Belief is a Russian doll, with many dolls fitted inside the one you see. There is an article about Thomas Jefferson in the NY Times Thursday, enumerating all the ways he demonstrated his profound, intractable and vitriolic racism--he never freed his slaves, as many of his cohort (including Washington) did; he sold slaves off and away from their families so he could buy wine or European art; he sponsored a bill in the Virginia legislature to exile the offspring of inter racial marriages from the state of Virginia (sorry, Sally Hemmings) and he said things like Negroes really do not feel any sort of pain or sadness for very long, and they do not feel real love. So, he was a "man of his times," when others were not, in particular John and Abigail Adams, and even Washington. (Although if you visit Mount Vernon the reality of what owning slaves meant to Washington is pretty shocking.)
So, we believe what is in our own interests to believe, unless of course, we have a conscience. And, as Butchie told Omar (The Wire) "Conscience do cost."
Mad Dog
ReplyDeleteI just read the piece in the Times about Jefferson you mentioned. It's strange how a person that contributed so much that was exemplary could have such a cruel, brutal side. It's like some of the Nazis who I've read could be such loving fathers and good family men. Their kindness only extends to those they considered their equal or as fully human as themselves. I like your Russian doll analogy--I think that's true..
Maud