Getting to Crazy

the modern G.O.P. fundamentally does not accept the legitimacy of a Democratic presidency — any Democratic presidency. We saw that under Bill Clinton, and we saw it again as soon as Mr. Obama took office. As a result, Republicans are automatically against anything the president wants, even if they have supported similar proposals in the… Continue reading Getting to Crazy

America’s creditor identifies its budget problem

The chief of the General Staff of the People’s Liberation Army, Chen Bingde, told reporters he thought the U.S. should cut back on defense spending for the sake of its taxpayers. He was speaking during a joint news conference in which he traded barbs with visiting U.S. counterpart Adm. Mike Mullen. “I know the U.S.… Continue reading America’s creditor identifies its budget problem

we have turned good workers into criminals and turned criminals into bad workers

Jose Ranye, 37, bragged he’s the best picker in Americus, the largest community near the farm. His whirling hands filled one bucket in 25 seconds. He said he dumped about 200 buckets of cucumbers before lunch, meaning he earned roughly $20 an hour. He expected to double his tickets before the end of the day.… Continue reading we have turned good workers into criminals and turned criminals into bad workers

Michigan Woman Faces Jail Time For Vegetable Garden

The fact that this kind of thing doesn’t seem to prompt much in the way of outrage from the very same people who are scandalized by increased regulation of light bulbs tells you a lot about American politics. For one thing, there are several giant industries willing and eager to put up lots of money… Continue reading Michigan Woman Faces Jail Time For Vegetable Garden

The Obama-Keynes Mystery

here’s an unprofessional speculation: maybe it’s personal. Maybe the president just doesn’t like the kind of people who tell him counterintuitive things, who say that the government is not like a family, that it’s not right for the government to tighten its belt when Americans are tightening theirs, that unemployment is not caused by lack… Continue reading The Obama-Keynes Mystery

David Brooks realizes GOP no longer a “normal” political party

A normal Republican Party would seize the opportunity to put a long-term limit on the growth of government. It would seize the opportunity to put the country on a sound fiscal footing. It would seize the opportunity to do these things without putting any real crimp in economic growth. The party is not being asked… Continue reading David Brooks realizes GOP no longer a “normal” political party