After so much anticipation and so much "controversy", it finally happened. And surprise, it raised money for UNLV! Who could have guessed?
Oh, yes. That's right. We've been saying all along that the Hillary Clinton UNLV fundraiser will raise money for UNLV. And whaddya know, the event itself turned in at least a $10,000 profit for the UNLV Foundation. In addition, the announcement was made of a $12 million gift to the school outside the Bellagio fundraiser.
Of course, speculation is running rampant today about why Hillary Clinton came and what she will be doing next time she returns to Nevada. Ironically, hardly anyone is talking about the reason why this event occurred in the first place.
Why, oh why, did UNLV (Foundation) have to pay Hillary Clinton to show up at some fancy Bellagio fundraiser? Look no further than Governor Brian Sandoval (R), Former Governor Jim Gibbons (R), and the severe budget cuts that UNLV endured in 2009 & 2011. And even before then, UNLV and the other public colleges in Southern Nevada were underfunded.
So what are public colleges supposed to do when confronted with severe state budget cuts? Ironically, they've been turning to private donors to try to fill as many gaps as possible. And due to rising tuitions and dwindling financial aid resources for poorer students, we're seeing a growing education gap exacerbate the already alarming inequality crisis.
Keep this in mind today as you read commentary from certain media pundits on the "optics" of last night's UNLV Foundation fundraiser. If you hear from someone who's "disturbed" by Hillary Clinton's visit, ask that someone if one truly believes public institutions of higher education should serve the public. If so, then shouldn't those institutions receive better public support? If so, shouldn't our public colleges receive better finding from our state & federal government?
If UNLV could count on better public funding, it wouldn't have to do so many of these private fundraisers.
Showing posts with label austerity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label austerity. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
"Count on Joe"
Today, let's take another trip to the always exciting Nevada Progressive archives. This time, we're traveling back to September 2011. Rep. Joe Heck (R-Henderson) was caught doing a rare town hall meeting in Summerlin. And he had to answer a tough question from the audience on his vote for Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-Wisconsin) Medicare busting austerity budget earlier that year.
Ouch. He had to resort to rhetorical pretzel twists to defend that vote... Yet he voted for another Paul Ryan austerity budget in March 2012. But after he caught some political heat for those votes later that year, Rep. Joe Heck turned around and voted against the third Paul Ryan austerity budget last year.
Now, Heck seems to be feeling the "Ryan-mentum" again. This past June, Rep. Heck had Paul Ryan write a fundraising letter for his reelection campaign. Of course, the letter contains all the usual accusations of President Obama, Senator Harry Reid (D), and Nancy Pelosi being such meanie poopyheads who won't let the "YOUNG GUNS!!!" have any fun on Capitol Hill. Oh, and Rep. Ryan "can count on Joe as a leader in the struggle to revive our economy".
How so? Was he talking about the government shutdown that yanked $26 billion out of our economy? Is he talking about the continuing denial of unemployment insurance (UI) that's hut over e million Americans (including over 37,000 Nevadans)? Is he talking about the denial of a minimum wage increase that could have given our economy the extra boost we all need? Or is he just talking about his austerity program that's been suppressing economic growth?
Income inequality is a serious problem in this nation. Don't believe us? See the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Standard & Poors (S&P) reports. Income inequality hinders economic growth.
And Paul Ryan's austerity regime is worsening our income inequality problem. Is that what he meant when he "can count on Joe as a leader in the struggle to revive our economy"? He can certainly "count on Joe" to vote for his policies that harm the economy and hurt working families. And if that's the message they want to share with Nevada voters, we won't stand in the way of that.
Ouch. He had to resort to rhetorical pretzel twists to defend that vote... Yet he voted for another Paul Ryan austerity budget in March 2012. But after he caught some political heat for those votes later that year, Rep. Joe Heck turned around and voted against the third Paul Ryan austerity budget last year.
Now, Heck seems to be feeling the "Ryan-mentum" again. This past June, Rep. Heck had Paul Ryan write a fundraising letter for his reelection campaign. Of course, the letter contains all the usual accusations of President Obama, Senator Harry Reid (D), and Nancy Pelosi being such meanie poopyheads who won't let the "YOUNG GUNS!!!" have any fun on Capitol Hill. Oh, and Rep. Ryan "can count on Joe as a leader in the struggle to revive our economy".
How so? Was he talking about the government shutdown that yanked $26 billion out of our economy? Is he talking about the continuing denial of unemployment insurance (UI) that's hut over e million Americans (including over 37,000 Nevadans)? Is he talking about the denial of a minimum wage increase that could have given our economy the extra boost we all need? Or is he just talking about his austerity program that's been suppressing economic growth?
Income inequality is a serious problem in this nation. Don't believe us? See the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Standard & Poors (S&P) reports. Income inequality hinders economic growth.
And Paul Ryan's austerity regime is worsening our income inequality problem. Is that what he meant when he "can count on Joe as a leader in the struggle to revive our economy"? He can certainly "count on Joe" to vote for his policies that harm the economy and hurt working families. And if that's the message they want to share with Nevada voters, we won't stand in the way of that.
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Yo, Dean
Yo. Yo! Yo?
No really, Yo. It's the hottest mobile app to hit the app stores this week. And it's reigniting debate on whether Silicon Valley is entering the next golden age of high tech innovation... Or another "bubble" that's this close to bursting (a la the 1990s' ".com Bubble").
We must admit, Yo has us thinking. What's the difference between "a simplistic yet revolutionary idea" and just another crazy fad that will expire once its 15 minutes of fame are up?
Back in 2011, we were thinking about this as well. Back then, Senator Dean Heller (R) unleashed perhaps the most ridiculous gimmick ever to roam Capitol Hill. It's an austerity powered train wreck that would wreck our economy if enacted. And Senator Heller refuses to let go of it because he thinks "it polls well".
In 2012, Senator Heller then tried to one-up himself with a gimmick that's so outrageous it's unconstitutional. But because "it polls well", Heller keeps riding this one trick pony whenever he thinks it will throw his name back into headline news.
Senator Heller still refuses to give up either ridiculous gimmick. Instead, he's taking his "No Scruples No Sense" hobby horse out for another ride... To the point of voting against much needed budget legislation. Oh, and only 2 of the most radical G-O-TEA Senators (Rand Paul [R-Kentucky] & Mike Lee [R-Utah]) joined Senator Heller in his pointless filibuster over his unconstitutional proposal.
It's debatable whether Yo is useful. However, it's not really debatable whether Senator Heller's fiscal gimmicks are useful. They're not. And there are far better ways for Senator Heller to be spending our time.
Now, if only there was a way for us to condense this message into a "yo" to send to Senator Heller...
No really, Yo. It's the hottest mobile app to hit the app stores this week. And it's reigniting debate on whether Silicon Valley is entering the next golden age of high tech innovation... Or another "bubble" that's this close to bursting (a la the 1990s' ".com Bubble").
We must admit, Yo has us thinking. What's the difference between "a simplistic yet revolutionary idea" and just another crazy fad that will expire once its 15 minutes of fame are up?
Back in 2011, we were thinking about this as well. Back then, Senator Dean Heller (R) unleashed perhaps the most ridiculous gimmick ever to roam Capitol Hill. It's an austerity powered train wreck that would wreck our economy if enacted. And Senator Heller refuses to let go of it because he thinks "it polls well".
In 2012, Senator Heller then tried to one-up himself with a gimmick that's so outrageous it's unconstitutional. But because "it polls well", Heller keeps riding this one trick pony whenever he thinks it will throw his name back into headline news.
Senator Heller still refuses to give up either ridiculous gimmick. Instead, he's taking his "No Scruples No Sense" hobby horse out for another ride... To the point of voting against much needed budget legislation. Oh, and only 2 of the most radical G-O-TEA Senators (Rand Paul [R-Kentucky] & Mike Lee [R-Utah]) joined Senator Heller in his pointless filibuster over his unconstitutional proposal.
It's debatable whether Yo is useful. However, it's not really debatable whether Senator Heller's fiscal gimmicks are useful. They're not. And there are far better ways for Senator Heller to be spending our time.
Now, if only there was a way for us to condense this message into a "yo" to send to Senator Heller...
Thursday, April 24, 2014
The Real War Behind #BundyRanch
So now, America has a better sense of who Cliven Bundy truly is. Not only has he broken the law, but he has some rather repulsive racist "ideas". And all the Republican politicians & pundits who have rushed to Bundy's defense must now defend their own shortsighted comments in support of Bundy.
And yes, they now have no choice but to face the cold, hard truth. Media Matters now has the video. And Cliven Bundy himself has doubled down on his outrageously racist remarks.
The Washington Post's Paul Waldman sees this as a wakeup call to America that racism still hasn't died just yet. Salon's Joan Walsh sees this as the result of "TEA" powered media outlets fanning the flames of "Culture War". And both Washington Monthly's Ed Kilgore & Maddow Blog's Steve Benen just see this as Republicans having to own their own beloved "Range War Folk Hero".
And really, they're all correct. Race still matters. "The Culture War" doesn't. And Republicans here in Nevada & elsewhere must now deal with the consequences of endorsing Cliven Bundy's "Range War".
However, there's another factor at play here. It's one that Digby pointed out at Salon earlier today. And it's one that we've explored here from time to time.
There's a reason why so many Republican politicians have become merry Culture Warriors. They're pandering to the 21st Century Know Nothings. They've been using these "Culture War" issues to pander to culturally conservative white voters since the 1960s, and they've been hoping they can continue using this trick to win elections.
After all, this trick had been helping them distract voters from the issue they'd rather not talk about: their ineffective & unpopular economic policies. Not only has austerity handicapped economic growth, but it's also proving to be a rather big loser among voters. With federal unemployment insurance (UI) left in tatters for nearly four months and overall federal investment only slightly above the severe austerity levels it's been forced into since 2011, the American people are finally fed up with "The Hunger Games: Real Life Edition".
And Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) gets it.
This is the reality behind #BundyRanch and all the other G-O-TEA attempts to prolong their "Culture War". It's not actually about "range warfare", at least not to the G-O-TEA political operatives who made this into a national story. It's just another "Culture War" campaign to direct anger away from the class warfare we've endured for over 30 years, and in particular from the G-O-TEA austerity regime we've had in place since 2011.
Cliven Bundy was supposed to be a convenient pawn for ambitious G-O-TEA politicians. Instead, he's become an inconvenient scandal. And the "Range War" he was supposed to win has only become another reminder of the "war" the G-O-TEA is losing.
And yes, they now have no choice but to face the cold, hard truth. Media Matters now has the video. And Cliven Bundy himself has doubled down on his outrageously racist remarks.
The Washington Post's Paul Waldman sees this as a wakeup call to America that racism still hasn't died just yet. Salon's Joan Walsh sees this as the result of "TEA" powered media outlets fanning the flames of "Culture War". And both Washington Monthly's Ed Kilgore & Maddow Blog's Steve Benen just see this as Republicans having to own their own beloved "Range War Folk Hero".
And really, they're all correct. Race still matters. "The Culture War" doesn't. And Republicans here in Nevada & elsewhere must now deal with the consequences of endorsing Cliven Bundy's "Range War".
However, there's another factor at play here. It's one that Digby pointed out at Salon earlier today. And it's one that we've explored here from time to time.
There's a reason why so many Republican politicians have become merry Culture Warriors. They're pandering to the 21st Century Know Nothings. They've been using these "Culture War" issues to pander to culturally conservative white voters since the 1960s, and they've been hoping they can continue using this trick to win elections.
After all, this trick had been helping them distract voters from the issue they'd rather not talk about: their ineffective & unpopular economic policies. Not only has austerity handicapped economic growth, but it's also proving to be a rather big loser among voters. With federal unemployment insurance (UI) left in tatters for nearly four months and overall federal investment only slightly above the severe austerity levels it's been forced into since 2011, the American people are finally fed up with "The Hunger Games: Real Life Edition".
And Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) gets it.
This is the reality behind #BundyRanch and all the other G-O-TEA attempts to prolong their "Culture War". It's not actually about "range warfare", at least not to the G-O-TEA political operatives who made this into a national story. It's just another "Culture War" campaign to direct anger away from the class warfare we've endured for over 30 years, and in particular from the G-O-TEA austerity regime we've had in place since 2011.
Cliven Bundy was supposed to be a convenient pawn for ambitious G-O-TEA politicians. Instead, he's become an inconvenient scandal. And the "Range War" he was supposed to win has only become another reminder of the "war" the G-O-TEA is losing.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Why Can't They?
It's hard for us to think of any other House Freshman who's been out to accomplish so much during his first term in Congress. Rep. Steven Horsford has been working it like hardly anyone else has even tried. And not only is he working it, but he's now working on critical legislation that can make our economy work better while providing a critical lifeline for those Americans who are still looking for work.
Last week, Rep. Horsford joined several other House Democrats to urge their Republican colleagues to pass the federal unemployment insurance (UI) extension bill that the Senate has already passed.
Just yesterday, Reps. Horsford & Matt Cartwright (D-Pennsylvania) took to The Huffington Post to make their case for bipartisan backed legislation that stands to create 300,000 jobs and increase national GDP by 0.3% while preventing 2.3 million Americans from succumbing to financial catastrophe. And they're not alone. None other than Senator Dean Heller (R) has asked his Republican colleagues on the House side to #RenewUI. And now, none other than Governor Brian Sandoval (R) is asking House Republicans to stop wasting time & #RenewUI already.
Over 34,000 Nevadans are needlessly suffering due to the federal UI lapse. It's now lasted nearly 4 months, and our economy has taken an unnecessary hit. What's the point of all this unnecessary hardship?
There's a reason why both Senator Heller & Governor Sandoval are speaking up now. They realize this is bad policy. And they know this is bad politics.
The ball is now in House Republicans' court. And if House Republican "leaders" refuse to allow a floor vote, then individual Republican members need to do step up to ensure a floor vote. And if that means a discharge petition, then they should prepare to sign (cough- Joe Heck- cough). If a handful of House Freshmen can bring this issue to the forefront, why can't more senior House members (particularly those in the Speaker's party) do everything they possibly can to pass legislation they say they want?
Last week, Rep. Horsford joined several other House Democrats to urge their Republican colleagues to pass the federal unemployment insurance (UI) extension bill that the Senate has already passed.
Just yesterday, Reps. Horsford & Matt Cartwright (D-Pennsylvania) took to The Huffington Post to make their case for bipartisan backed legislation that stands to create 300,000 jobs and increase national GDP by 0.3% while preventing 2.3 million Americans from succumbing to financial catastrophe. And they're not alone. None other than Senator Dean Heller (R) has asked his Republican colleagues on the House side to #RenewUI. And now, none other than Governor Brian Sandoval (R) is asking House Republicans to stop wasting time & #RenewUI already.
Over 34,000 Nevadans are needlessly suffering due to the federal UI lapse. It's now lasted nearly 4 months, and our economy has taken an unnecessary hit. What's the point of all this unnecessary hardship?
There's a reason why both Senator Heller & Governor Sandoval are speaking up now. They realize this is bad policy. And they know this is bad politics.
The ball is now in House Republicans' court. And if House Republican "leaders" refuse to allow a floor vote, then individual Republican members need to do step up to ensure a floor vote. And if that means a discharge petition, then they should prepare to sign (cough- Joe Heck- cough). If a handful of House Freshmen can bring this issue to the forefront, why can't more senior House members (particularly those in the Speaker's party) do everything they possibly can to pass legislation they say they want?
Monday, April 7, 2014
Stop Wasting Time. Just #RenewUI
Earlier today, we noted the inexcusable reality of House Republicans' stealth campaign to shut down any last chance of passing comprehensive immigration reform. We also noted their decision to instead focus on... Mindless crap. Last week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Fierce) again took to the Senate floor to condemn House Republicans' latest time wasting gambit. And of course, he pointed out why they're so eager to waste our time (& taxpayer dollars).
As usual, the G-O-TEA Culture Warriors are taking their marching orders from the Kochs. And the Kochs just happen to love Rep. Paul Ryan (R-P90X), his austerity poisoned fiscal policies, and his willingness to subject the entire nation to manufactured crises in order to further the Kochs' radical ideological agenda.
Of course, the above mentioned G-O-TEA Culture Warriors don't like it when Senator Reid (or anyone else, for that matter) speaks the truth about their relationship with the Kochs. So they're now resorting to personal attacks on Senator Reid. And as always, they're running to the media and claiming victimhood in the most pathetic way possible.
Yet while the Kochs and their "TEA" powered ideological soulmates claim to be "victims" of people telling the truth about them, we now have over 34,000 Nevadans and 2.3 million Americans who have become real victims thanks to House Republicans holding federal unemployment insurance (UI) extension hostage. And we're supposed to be "OUTRAGED!!!" over Senator Reid speaking the obvious truth?
The Senate is set to pass its UI extension bill later today. Yet even with the Senate approving its UI extension deal, the lower House of Congress may still be nowhere near approving this deal. And why's that? It's still wasting time on legislation to hurt Paul Ryan's own constituents.
Once again, Senator Dean Heller (R) is asking his former House G-O-TEA colleagues to stop wasting time and join the Senate to #RenewUI already.
Perhaps the Kochs enjoy watching House Republicans waste our time & money on their ideological circle jerks, but the rest of us don't. We've already lost nearly $5 billion worth of economic activity thanks to the G-O-TEA's Koch addiction. Must they waste even more time & money while so many Americans suffer needlessly?
As usual, the G-O-TEA Culture Warriors are taking their marching orders from the Kochs. And the Kochs just happen to love Rep. Paul Ryan (R-P90X), his austerity poisoned fiscal policies, and his willingness to subject the entire nation to manufactured crises in order to further the Kochs' radical ideological agenda.
Of course, the above mentioned G-O-TEA Culture Warriors don't like it when Senator Reid (or anyone else, for that matter) speaks the truth about their relationship with the Kochs. So they're now resorting to personal attacks on Senator Reid. And as always, they're running to the media and claiming victimhood in the most pathetic way possible.
Yet while the Kochs and their "TEA" powered ideological soulmates claim to be "victims" of people telling the truth about them, we now have over 34,000 Nevadans and 2.3 million Americans who have become real victims thanks to House Republicans holding federal unemployment insurance (UI) extension hostage. And we're supposed to be "OUTRAGED!!!" over Senator Reid speaking the obvious truth?
The Senate is set to pass its UI extension bill later today. Yet even with the Senate approving its UI extension deal, the lower House of Congress may still be nowhere near approving this deal. And why's that? It's still wasting time on legislation to hurt Paul Ryan's own constituents.
Once again, Senator Dean Heller (R) is asking his former House G-O-TEA colleagues to stop wasting time and join the Senate to #RenewUI already.
Perhaps the Kochs enjoy watching House Republicans waste our time & money on their ideological circle jerks, but the rest of us don't. We've already lost nearly $5 billion worth of economic activity thanks to the G-O-TEA's Koch addiction. Must they waste even more time & money while so many Americans suffer needlessly?
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Imagery
Apparently, once wasn't enough. House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) is back in Las Vegas today. This time, he's doing a fancy Strip fundraiser. And once again, he's refusing to do any media.
Hmmm... We wonder why. Could it be the troubling optics of doing a glitzy Wynn fundraiser while our Republican Senator, Dean Heller, & four other Senate Republicans demand he allow a floor vote in his chamber on the unemployment insurance (UI) extension bill that's about to pass the Senate? Perhaps that wouldn't be the best image to present to the media?
And oh, yes. That's right. It's finally about to pass the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) just filed for cloture. And he should now have at least 60 Senate votes for it.
So far, House Republican "leaders" have said they're "not worried" about UI extension. Are they that unaware of the over 2 million Americans (including over 26,000 Nevadans) who are suffering due to their intransigence? Are they that unwilling to end the unnecessary hardship of these people, many of whom live in their districts?
Rep. Joe Heck (R-Henderson) should know better. He represents a wide swath of one of states hit hardest by the Great Recession. He must realize the economic impact of leaving over 26,000 Nevadans unable to pay their bills, buy groceries, and keep roofs over their heads. And he must realize how even more Nevadans will feel about the 113th Congress he's serving in should Congress go to recess without a House #RenewUI vote.
Lately, we've seen Republican "leaders" feign concern over their public image. We've seen them deliver flowery speeches on "fighting poverty". Yet when we compare their language to their votes, we find a huge disconnect. While they claim they want to alleviate poverty, they're promoting policies that worsen it. And their resistance to #RenewUI only further cuts down that "rebranded" image they're trying to present to us.
We really don't want to sound like a broken GIF. And we're sure you're doing this now. But really, this is the reaction we have when Republican "leaders" talk about cosmetic political imagery while failing to do something to alleviate the unnecessary hardship of way too many Americans.
And really, we couldn't stay silent on this when Speaker Boehner came into town to headline another swanky fundraiser while even our Republican US Senator is begging him (& Rep. Heck) to schedule a #RenewUI vote already. No really, that's some f**ked up imagery right there.
Hmmm... We wonder why. Could it be the troubling optics of doing a glitzy Wynn fundraiser while our Republican Senator, Dean Heller, & four other Senate Republicans demand he allow a floor vote in his chamber on the unemployment insurance (UI) extension bill that's about to pass the Senate? Perhaps that wouldn't be the best image to present to the media?
And oh, yes. That's right. It's finally about to pass the Senate. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) just filed for cloture. And he should now have at least 60 Senate votes for it.
So far, House Republican "leaders" have said they're "not worried" about UI extension. Are they that unaware of the over 2 million Americans (including over 26,000 Nevadans) who are suffering due to their intransigence? Are they that unwilling to end the unnecessary hardship of these people, many of whom live in their districts?
Rep. Joe Heck (R-Henderson) should know better. He represents a wide swath of one of states hit hardest by the Great Recession. He must realize the economic impact of leaving over 26,000 Nevadans unable to pay their bills, buy groceries, and keep roofs over their heads. And he must realize how even more Nevadans will feel about the 113th Congress he's serving in should Congress go to recess without a House #RenewUI vote.
Lately, we've seen Republican "leaders" feign concern over their public image. We've seen them deliver flowery speeches on "fighting poverty". Yet when we compare their language to their votes, we find a huge disconnect. While they claim they want to alleviate poverty, they're promoting policies that worsen it. And their resistance to #RenewUI only further cuts down that "rebranded" image they're trying to present to us.
We really don't want to sound like a broken GIF. And we're sure you're doing this now. But really, this is the reaction we have when Republican "leaders" talk about cosmetic political imagery while failing to do something to alleviate the unnecessary hardship of way too many Americans.
And really, we couldn't stay silent on this when Speaker Boehner came into town to headline another swanky fundraiser while even our Republican US Senator is begging him (& Rep. Heck) to schedule a #RenewUI vote already. No really, that's some f**ked up imagery right there.
Monday, March 24, 2014
Cutting Sophistry
Even though they've failed before, they're about to try, try again. But can they actually succeed this time? Or will over 2 million Americans (including over 26,000 Nevadans) continue to be left in the cold?
It's been nearly 3 months since the federal unemployment insurance (UI) extension lapsed. Since then, thousands of Nevada families have been enduring unnecessary hardship. And they, along with many more Americans throughout the nation, have been struggling to survive while the usual suspects on Capitol Hill fiddle around.
Earlier this month, the Senate reached a deal to #RenewUI. Yet as soon as the bipartisan backed Senate UI extension deal was announced, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Cointreau) quickly dismissed it. And last week, he pretty much declared any #RenewUI deal dead in his lower House of Congress.
But this week, Senators are moving forward with it anyway. And this time, even Senator Dean Heller (R) has urged Speaker Boehner to drop the excuses and cooperate with the Senate.
Will this bipartisan Senate pressure campaign work? First, we must wait & see how many votes the Senate deal will attain. Then, we must wait & see while the House works on...
Another G-O-TEA fantasy budget that not even House Republicans can agree on?! Really? Does he truly value Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-Hunger Games) austerity fetish over the plight of 2,000,000+ Americans? (And will Rep. Joe Heck [R-Backbencher] really go along with this?) Perhaps so.
After all, House Republican "leaders" are still engaging in their most cutting sophistry while they're cutting so many Americans out of the chance to rebuild their lives... Or even survive. It's certainly the most cutting sophistry we've ever encountered. And for far too many Americans, it's cutting them into so much unnecessary pain.
It's been nearly 3 months since the federal unemployment insurance (UI) extension lapsed. Since then, thousands of Nevada families have been enduring unnecessary hardship. And they, along with many more Americans throughout the nation, have been struggling to survive while the usual suspects on Capitol Hill fiddle around.
Earlier this month, the Senate reached a deal to #RenewUI. Yet as soon as the bipartisan backed Senate UI extension deal was announced, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Cointreau) quickly dismissed it. And last week, he pretty much declared any #RenewUI deal dead in his lower House of Congress.
But this week, Senators are moving forward with it anyway. And this time, even Senator Dean Heller (R) has urged Speaker Boehner to drop the excuses and cooperate with the Senate.
Will this bipartisan Senate pressure campaign work? First, we must wait & see how many votes the Senate deal will attain. Then, we must wait & see while the House works on...
Another G-O-TEA fantasy budget that not even House Republicans can agree on?! Really? Does he truly value Rep. Paul Ryan's (R-Hunger Games) austerity fetish over the plight of 2,000,000+ Americans? (And will Rep. Joe Heck [R-Backbencher] really go along with this?) Perhaps so.
After all, House Republican "leaders" are still engaging in their most cutting sophistry while they're cutting so many Americans out of the chance to rebuild their lives... Or even survive. It's certainly the most cutting sophistry we've ever encountered. And for far too many Americans, it's cutting them into so much unnecessary pain.
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Quality Time
Earlier this month, NV-04 G-O-TEA hopeful Niger Innis fell into some very hot water over comments he made about making "the ultimate sacrifice" when he decided to run for Congress. Hello, when did a glorified paid vacation become "the ultimate sacrifice"? And what made this comment sound even worse was the reminder of his party's "leadership" committing to an agenda of nothing. So far, the only sacrifices House Republican "leaders" are making involve burning sound policy at the stake.
Wouldn't it be nice if these politicians (especially the "TEA" drinking ones) could learn about real sacrifice? Perhaps they should try following the lead of Rep. Jackie Speier (D-California). Last month, she spent a night in a homeless shelter. And instead of lecturing the other guests there on "moral values", she listened to the stories they had to tell. And she learned about the real sacrifices they had to make just to survive.
While Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) blames poor lazyblack people for poverty and extols the virtues of child starvation, he continues to neglect the reality of poverty in America. News flash: Poor people work hard. And those who aren't working can't find work.
Perhaps it would help if Rep. Ryan and other privileged Members of Congress take up Rep. Speier's challenge and spend some quality time with the underprivileged Americans who are bearing the brunt of the American austerity regime. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) did. During the holidays, he spent a day with a homeless constituent and followed him as he looked for work and housing. This person was caught in a "Catch 22" situation where he couldn't find a job because he didn't have a home... And he couldn't find a home because he didn't have a job.
This Connecticut man lost his unemployment insurance (UI) when Congress failed to extend it. Even when Senator Dean Heller (R) and a few other Congressional Republicans urged their colleagues to pass UI extension, those G-O-TEA colleagues tried to filibuster it to death. And in doing so, they made life that much harder for the impoverished Americans Senator Murphy and Rep. Speier recently spent time with.
We can't help but wonder if more in Congress would be more responsive to the real needs of America if they were to follow the example set by Rep. Speier & Senator Murphy. It's almost inexplicable to think that it's taken this long for Senator Heller to reach a potential deal on UI extension. And it's completely inexcusable to think that Senator Harry Reid (D) had to shame his & Heller's Republican colleagues until just enough of them agreed to #RenewUI.
This is the least we can do for those who have the most to lose. And it's too bad & so sad that so many on Capitol Hill fail to realize this. While they're cozying up to the Koch-topus of dirty money, they fail to notice their own constituents, especially the ones who may not have enough money to pay the rent and buy groceries.
We can't help but wonder what would happen if more of those G-O-TEA politicians were to step away from Capitol Hill more often to see how all the rest of us are living. Would it have taken them this long to realize what all of us knew from the start?
Wouldn't it be nice if these politicians (especially the "TEA" drinking ones) could learn about real sacrifice? Perhaps they should try following the lead of Rep. Jackie Speier (D-California). Last month, she spent a night in a homeless shelter. And instead of lecturing the other guests there on "moral values", she listened to the stories they had to tell. And she learned about the real sacrifices they had to make just to survive.
While Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) blames poor lazy
Perhaps it would help if Rep. Ryan and other privileged Members of Congress take up Rep. Speier's challenge and spend some quality time with the underprivileged Americans who are bearing the brunt of the American austerity regime. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) did. During the holidays, he spent a day with a homeless constituent and followed him as he looked for work and housing. This person was caught in a "Catch 22" situation where he couldn't find a job because he didn't have a home... And he couldn't find a home because he didn't have a job.
This Connecticut man lost his unemployment insurance (UI) when Congress failed to extend it. Even when Senator Dean Heller (R) and a few other Congressional Republicans urged their colleagues to pass UI extension, those G-O-TEA colleagues tried to filibuster it to death. And in doing so, they made life that much harder for the impoverished Americans Senator Murphy and Rep. Speier recently spent time with.
We can't help but wonder if more in Congress would be more responsive to the real needs of America if they were to follow the example set by Rep. Speier & Senator Murphy. It's almost inexplicable to think that it's taken this long for Senator Heller to reach a potential deal on UI extension. And it's completely inexcusable to think that Senator Harry Reid (D) had to shame his & Heller's Republican colleagues until just enough of them agreed to #RenewUI.
This is the least we can do for those who have the most to lose. And it's too bad & so sad that so many on Capitol Hill fail to realize this. While they're cozying up to the Koch-topus of dirty money, they fail to notice their own constituents, especially the ones who may not have enough money to pay the rent and buy groceries.
We can't help but wonder what would happen if more of those G-O-TEA politicians were to step away from Capitol Hill more often to see how all the rest of us are living. Would it have taken them this long to realize what all of us knew from the start?
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
The Real "Joe Heck Scandal"
As of late, G-O-TEA politicians have been very eager to investigate phony nonexistent baseless bullshit "OBAMA SCANDALZZZZ!!!111111!!!!" And few have been as eager to waste time on investigate them as Rep. Joe Heck (R-Benghazi). Whenever asked, he's rejoiced responded that he's completely ready & able to investigate all these "scandals" to death.
Suffice it to say, this week offers an interesting turn of events for Rep. Heck. And why is that? Oh, some media personalities are now chortling over the new scandal involving Heck's campaign manager and the scene he created at a UNLV v. UNR basketball game in Reno.
Yet even as this scandal is cooking, some pundits continue to whisper about Heck's political future. Will he or won't he? Should he or shouldn't he?
With all this media buzz surrounding Heck's political team and political career, we can understand why some forget that he's still a sitting Member of Congress who's supposed to make critical decisions on a number of important policies. And with all the crazy that's come to define the 113th Congress, we can understand why many find it hard to believe that Congress makes any critical decisions on any important policies. Nonetheless, some important decisions seem to be flying under the radar.
One just happens to be the extension of unemployment insurance (UI). Since the federal UI extension lapsed in January, just over 26,000 Nevadans & 2,000,000 Americans have lost UI. And that means these families have lost a critical lifeline for survival. In the Senate, both Harry Reid (D) & Dean Heller (R) have been trying to round up 60 votes to pass UI extension in that chamber. And in the House, Reps. Dina Titus (D-Paradise) & Steven Horsford (D-North Las Vegas) have both made #RenewUI a key priority.
Yet when we check @RepJoeHeck...
While Rep. Heck has been touting an education & workforce hearing he's bringing to Las Vegas next week, he's been supporting the very austerity regime that's hurt higher education in Nevada and elsewhere. And even as he's occasionally noted the economic struggles that remain in Southern Nevada, he's yet to offer any meaningful action. But now that House Democratic leaders are planning to start a discharge petition to #RenewUI, Rep. Heck now has a chance to match his words with concrete action.
So will he choose to act? Or will he choose more of the same austerity that's hindering economic growth? Believe it or not, this is the real scandal. The unnecessary suffering of all these American families, the unnecessary hit our economy is taking thanks to this newest "austerity bomb", is far more scandalous than any haute faux "OBAMA SCANDAL!!!" or idle 2016 speculation or UNR altercation.
So does Rep. Heck really want to raise all the fake scandals with a real one? Or can he recognize that it's long past time to #RenewUI?
Suffice it to say, this week offers an interesting turn of events for Rep. Heck. And why is that? Oh, some media personalities are now chortling over the new scandal involving Heck's campaign manager and the scene he created at a UNLV v. UNR basketball game in Reno.
Yet even as this scandal is cooking, some pundits continue to whisper about Heck's political future. Will he or won't he? Should he or shouldn't he?
With all this media buzz surrounding Heck's political team and political career, we can understand why some forget that he's still a sitting Member of Congress who's supposed to make critical decisions on a number of important policies. And with all the crazy that's come to define the 113th Congress, we can understand why many find it hard to believe that Congress makes any critical decisions on any important policies. Nonetheless, some important decisions seem to be flying under the radar.
One just happens to be the extension of unemployment insurance (UI). Since the federal UI extension lapsed in January, just over 26,000 Nevadans & 2,000,000 Americans have lost UI. And that means these families have lost a critical lifeline for survival. In the Senate, both Harry Reid (D) & Dean Heller (R) have been trying to round up 60 votes to pass UI extension in that chamber. And in the House, Reps. Dina Titus (D-Paradise) & Steven Horsford (D-North Las Vegas) have both made #RenewUI a key priority.
Yet when we check @RepJoeHeck...
While Rep. Heck has been touting an education & workforce hearing he's bringing to Las Vegas next week, he's been supporting the very austerity regime that's hurt higher education in Nevada and elsewhere. And even as he's occasionally noted the economic struggles that remain in Southern Nevada, he's yet to offer any meaningful action. But now that House Democratic leaders are planning to start a discharge petition to #RenewUI, Rep. Heck now has a chance to match his words with concrete action.
So will he choose to act? Or will he choose more of the same austerity that's hindering economic growth? Believe it or not, this is the real scandal. The unnecessary suffering of all these American families, the unnecessary hit our economy is taking thanks to this newest "austerity bomb", is far more scandalous than any haute faux "OBAMA SCANDAL!!!" or idle 2016 speculation or UNR altercation.
So does Rep. Heck really want to raise all the fake scandals with a real one? Or can he recognize that it's long past time to #RenewUI?
Monday, March 3, 2014
The Awful Truth Behind the Hot Air
It's that time of the year again. Plenty of black ink and red ink will be spilled. Plenty of pie charts will be unveiled. And all the talk on Capitol Hill will revolve around dollars and sense.
Oh, yes. That's right. It's budget season again.
But wait, didn't Congress already pass a budget? Why yes, it actually did a few weeks ago. And it even managed to pay for its own budget. And that's quite an accomplishment for a Congress notorious for its agenda of nothing, particularly in the lower G-O-TEA run house.
So why is DC now buzzing over budgets? Since Congressional Republican "leaders" have admitted they plan to do nothing else this year, all they have left are haute faux scandals and mythical budgets (along with the usual Obamacare repeal votes and abortion/contraception ban votes). After all, they know they must do this in order to placate the 21st Century Know Nothings they need to stay in power.
Enter Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin). Ever since he took control of the House Budget Committee and muscled his way into House G-O-TEA "leadership", he's been pushing his "signature" of a middle class busting budget plan. That's why the G-O-TEA faithful have been eagerly awaiting "RyanCare 4.0"...
But alas, it may not happen this time. And why not? For one, Rep. Ryan already put his name on the two year budget agreement he made with Senate Budget Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-Washington). Why would Ryan rip up the compromise he himself negotiated with his Senate counterpart to promote an exclusively G-O-TEAideological wish list budget that would be dead on arrival in the Senate?
And then, there's the matter of his own G-O-TEA Caucus. Basically, they've fallen apart like Humpty Dumpty, and no one (not even Paul Ryan) can figure out how to put them back together again. And G-O-TEA "leaders" are already fearing that another "Austerity on Steroids" Ryan Budget will (again) expose the division between the (general election minded) Republican politicians trying to avoid accusations of starving Grandma to death and the "true believers" (along with those who must "fake it to make it" to win their primaries) who want even more Grandma starving austerity.
We've seen it from them before, and we're seeing it again today. It's easy for G-O-TEA politicians to criticize what they don't like, but it's rather difficult for them to offer any realistic solutions. And it's far easier to simply play politics and point fingers on Capitol Hill than actually govern in good faith.
So don't be surprised if/when the 2014 budget season on Capitol Hill turns out to be a collection of hot air. After all, G-O-TEA politicians' lofty rhetoric tends to fall flat when it becomes reality. That's the awful truth behind the hot air.
Oh, yes. That's right. It's budget season again.
But wait, didn't Congress already pass a budget? Why yes, it actually did a few weeks ago. And it even managed to pay for its own budget. And that's quite an accomplishment for a Congress notorious for its agenda of nothing, particularly in the lower G-O-TEA run house.
So why is DC now buzzing over budgets? Since Congressional Republican "leaders" have admitted they plan to do nothing else this year, all they have left are haute faux scandals and mythical budgets (along with the usual Obamacare repeal votes and abortion/contraception ban votes). After all, they know they must do this in order to placate the 21st Century Know Nothings they need to stay in power.
Enter Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin). Ever since he took control of the House Budget Committee and muscled his way into House G-O-TEA "leadership", he's been pushing his "signature" of a middle class busting budget plan. That's why the G-O-TEA faithful have been eagerly awaiting "RyanCare 4.0"...
But alas, it may not happen this time. And why not? For one, Rep. Ryan already put his name on the two year budget agreement he made with Senate Budget Committee Chair Patty Murray (D-Washington). Why would Ryan rip up the compromise he himself negotiated with his Senate counterpart to promote an exclusively G-O-TEA
And then, there's the matter of his own G-O-TEA Caucus. Basically, they've fallen apart like Humpty Dumpty, and no one (not even Paul Ryan) can figure out how to put them back together again. And G-O-TEA "leaders" are already fearing that another "Austerity on Steroids" Ryan Budget will (again) expose the division between the (general election minded) Republican politicians trying to avoid accusations of starving Grandma to death and the "true believers" (along with those who must "fake it to make it" to win their primaries) who want even more Grandma starving austerity.
We've seen it from them before, and we're seeing it again today. It's easy for G-O-TEA politicians to criticize what they don't like, but it's rather difficult for them to offer any realistic solutions. And it's far easier to simply play politics and point fingers on Capitol Hill than actually govern in good faith.
So don't be surprised if/when the 2014 budget season on Capitol Hill turns out to be a collection of hot air. After all, G-O-TEA politicians' lofty rhetoric tends to fall flat when it becomes reality. That's the awful truth behind the hot air.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Tonight's Challenge
It's that time of the year again. We're about to end the first month of the new year. And we're entering the sixth year of Barack Obama's Presidency.
So of course, we will all be treated to another State of the Union address. So what will be in tonight's speech? And what should President Obama say to Congress & to the American people?
Does the President need to directly confront Republican "leaders" over their record of indulging G-O-TEA obstruction fantasies? Does he need to "go big" and offer bold policy proposals that will probably never pass through this Congress? Or does he need to go beyond just the reputation of the 113th Congress?
Every so often, we're reminded that economic inequality remains a serious problem. And not only is it just any problem, but it's a particularly dangerous threat to the future of this nation. Why? Our economy is built on the foundation of a solid middle class. Without that, we've lost the foundation.
And now, that foundation is more unstable than ever before. And even more attacks to that foundation lie ahead. As Congress continues to tear into the very social safety net meant to keep Americans out of poverty, more Americans are now at risk of falling deep into poverty.
To be fair, not all the news on this front is bad. Thanks to Obamacare (aka the ACA), the poorest Americans will see their incomes rise due to health care savings. Lower unemployment obviously means more people are working today (than during the depths of the Great Recession 5 years ago). Hard fought tax reform in recent years is resulting in a more progressive tax system. And if President Obama indeed vows to raise the minimum wage for federal contractors, that will help in reducing extreme poverty & inequality.
Still, there's far more to do to restore the foundation of America's economy... And the American people's trust in it. That's tonight's challenge for the President. Can he rise to this occasion?
So of course, we will all be treated to another State of the Union address. So what will be in tonight's speech? And what should President Obama say to Congress & to the American people?
Does the President need to directly confront Republican "leaders" over their record of indulging G-O-TEA obstruction fantasies? Does he need to "go big" and offer bold policy proposals that will probably never pass through this Congress? Or does he need to go beyond just the reputation of the 113th Congress?
Every so often, we're reminded that economic inequality remains a serious problem. And not only is it just any problem, but it's a particularly dangerous threat to the future of this nation. Why? Our economy is built on the foundation of a solid middle class. Without that, we've lost the foundation.
And now, that foundation is more unstable than ever before. And even more attacks to that foundation lie ahead. As Congress continues to tear into the very social safety net meant to keep Americans out of poverty, more Americans are now at risk of falling deep into poverty.
To be fair, not all the news on this front is bad. Thanks to Obamacare (aka the ACA), the poorest Americans will see their incomes rise due to health care savings. Lower unemployment obviously means more people are working today (than during the depths of the Great Recession 5 years ago). Hard fought tax reform in recent years is resulting in a more progressive tax system. And if President Obama indeed vows to raise the minimum wage for federal contractors, that will help in reducing extreme poverty & inequality.
Still, there's far more to do to restore the foundation of America's economy... And the American people's trust in it. That's tonight's challenge for the President. Can he rise to this occasion?
Monday, January 6, 2014
Looking Up to the Heavens (Then Down to Hell)
Imagine a world without smartphones. And one without weather forecasts. And one without contemporary air travel. And one without cable & satellite TV... Wait, no "Honey Boo Boo" and "Real Housewives"??!! ZOMG!!!
Believe it or not, none of these would be possible without NASA. If one has ever asked why space programs matter these days, one need not wonder any more. Without the research, development, and technological advances that NASA has nurtured, we wouldn't have the 21st century as we now know it.
So why is NASA again on the chopping block on Capitol Hill? During last fall's epic Shutdown Shitfest, NASA nearly had its Mars exploration program derailed. And it was forced to pull the plug on its TV channel (until the shutdown finally ended). After all, educational programming and space exploration aren't nearly as important as Real Housewives, Honey Boo Boo, and a certain storied "Dynasty" (/snark). It's just that none of those shows would appear on our TV's if NASA wasn't around to authorize satellite launches. And now, NASA launch authorization is being held up in that infamous lower house of Congress.
It doesn't make sense. Investment in NASA means investment in our economy and our future. Why has this become such a major fight?
Well, why has extending unemployment benefits become such a major fight? Remember when Congressional Republican "leaders" stood with their beloved "TEA drinkers" when they fought to exclude extension of longer term unemployment benefits from the Ryan-Murray Budget Deal last month? It turns out that it wasn't a fluke. They're now hell bent on letting the jobless suffer.
Why? Even Senator Dean Heller (R) supports the extension, for goodness sake! It wasn't that long ago when this kind of policy was easily bipartisan. This is probably why Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) is Furious today.
Like investment in space programs, aid to the jobless helps the economy. It helps to have more people spending money on such "luxuries" as housing and food. After all, we know what happens when people don't have money to pay for housing and food. (Hint: Stop by a local shelter some time.)
Once again, we seem to be cutting our own noses to spite our faces. And we're doing so because of the G-O-TEA's obsession with the very austerity policies that failed Europe. Why do they want to take us down the same dangerous path that's led to disaster for Greece, Spain, Ireland, and other troubled parts of the Eurozone? Are these G-O-TEA politicians really that allergic to sound economic policy, or does Brian Beutler have a point about the lengths many Republican politicians in DC will go to poison President Obama's reputation?
Whatever the motives behind their stunts, these latest G-O-TEA stunts threaten even more unnecessary pain & suffering. If we can't even think ahead and invest in the next frontier, what makes us think we'll ever conquer the future? And if we can't even invest in our own people when they're down on their luck and need only a helping hand to start climbing back up, then what good are we as a society?
Think about that. And by the way, Happy New Year. It's just too bad that the same old dunces on Capitol Hill don't want us to have one.
Believe it or not, none of these would be possible without NASA. If one has ever asked why space programs matter these days, one need not wonder any more. Without the research, development, and technological advances that NASA has nurtured, we wouldn't have the 21st century as we now know it.
So why is NASA again on the chopping block on Capitol Hill? During last fall's epic Shutdown Shitfest, NASA nearly had its Mars exploration program derailed. And it was forced to pull the plug on its TV channel (until the shutdown finally ended). After all, educational programming and space exploration aren't nearly as important as Real Housewives, Honey Boo Boo, and a certain storied "Dynasty" (/snark). It's just that none of those shows would appear on our TV's if NASA wasn't around to authorize satellite launches. And now, NASA launch authorization is being held up in that infamous lower house of Congress.
It doesn't make sense. Investment in NASA means investment in our economy and our future. Why has this become such a major fight?
Well, why has extending unemployment benefits become such a major fight? Remember when Congressional Republican "leaders" stood with their beloved "TEA drinkers" when they fought to exclude extension of longer term unemployment benefits from the Ryan-Murray Budget Deal last month? It turns out that it wasn't a fluke. They're now hell bent on letting the jobless suffer.
Why? Even Senator Dean Heller (R) supports the extension, for goodness sake! It wasn't that long ago when this kind of policy was easily bipartisan. This is probably why Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) is Furious today.
Like investment in space programs, aid to the jobless helps the economy. It helps to have more people spending money on such "luxuries" as housing and food. After all, we know what happens when people don't have money to pay for housing and food. (Hint: Stop by a local shelter some time.)
Once again, we seem to be cutting our own noses to spite our faces. And we're doing so because of the G-O-TEA's obsession with the very austerity policies that failed Europe. Why do they want to take us down the same dangerous path that's led to disaster for Greece, Spain, Ireland, and other troubled parts of the Eurozone? Are these G-O-TEA politicians really that allergic to sound economic policy, or does Brian Beutler have a point about the lengths many Republican politicians in DC will go to poison President Obama's reputation?
Whatever the motives behind their stunts, these latest G-O-TEA stunts threaten even more unnecessary pain & suffering. If we can't even think ahead and invest in the next frontier, what makes us think we'll ever conquer the future? And if we can't even invest in our own people when they're down on their luck and need only a helping hand to start climbing back up, then what good are we as a society?
Think about that. And by the way, Happy New Year. It's just too bad that the same old dunces on Capitol Hill don't want us to have one.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
The Year of Manufactured Crises
After all the huffing and puffing and strutting and screaming, it happened. A deal was struck. The votes were rounded up. And after weeks of mindless speculation, Congress' latest and greatest manufactured crisis finally came to an end.
How many times have we had to talk about it here? Frankly, I lost count some time in March. However, I remember that our very first conversation of 2013 was about "The Fiscal Cliff"... And what the end of that manufactured crisis revealed to us about how Congress would (not) work in 2013.
Actually, it is the key... But it's yet to be used to solve anything other than manufactured crises. Instead, we've seen Congress stuck in epic gridlock thanks to endless G-O-TEA intransigence.
Never mind that we actually have real crises to solve. Because Congressional Republican "leaders" long ago lost control of their Crazy Caucus, they've manufactured crises, such as "The Fiscal Cliff", the Shutdown Shitfest, and a slew of near default debacles, in a desperate attempt to mollify them. It hasn't worked. Instead, it's revealed just how reckless and feckless the G-O-TEA has become.
Ultimately, this and the other manufactured crises came to an end. Senator Harry Reid (D-The Boss) was able to find just enough not-so-crazy Republicans to force "leadership" to stand down at the 11th hour of each and every manufactured crisis of 2013. Yet with that being said, this string of crises has taken its toll on the nation. America has been forced into an era of austerity, and people are suffering as a result of this series of budget cuts. Even now, even more American families are about to become victims of the next round of austerity madness.
And speaking of austerity madness, the big 2014-15 Ryan-Murray Budget Deal is on track to pass the Senate today. It easily overcame a G-O-TEA led filibuster on a 67-33 vote. For the record, Senator Reid voted for cloture while Senator Dean Heller (R) voted to sustain the filibuster.
Even though this budget deal offers plenty of austerity, a number of Republicans (including Heller & Rep. Joe Heck) still oppose it. Why? It doesn't have enough austerity to please the Crazy Caucus, so expect another round of battles in the ongoing G-O-TEA Civil War as 2013 comes to a close.
And what about the new year? Believe it or not, 2014 may begin with (drumroll, please) yet another manufactured crisis over the debt ceiling thanks to continuing teabagger angst over the Ryan-Murray Sequester Remix. So this shitfest over manufactured crises built upon voodoo economics and political hogwash may not actually be completely over just yet. Happy Holidays!
How many times have we had to talk about it here? Frankly, I lost count some time in March. However, I remember that our very first conversation of 2013 was about "The Fiscal Cliff"... And what the end of that manufactured crisis revealed to us about how Congress would (not) work in 2013.
Even while "The Fiscal Cliff" has been averted, this is still just a temporary solution. G-O-TEA extremists will be demanding whole pounds of "fiscal flesh" when the debt ceiling istaken hostage yet againagain up for debate. So there will be another round of insanity to witness in the new Congress this spring.
Yet even with that being said, it may just end up being a bunch of meaningless Sturm und Drang. Why, you ask? Remember that for most of the past decade-plus in Congress (that is, when Republicans have controlled the House), Republicans have operated under the "Hastert Rule" of only bringing legislation to the House floor if it has the support of most of the Republican caucus. However, that did not happen last night. Instead, this bill passed despite most House Republicans opposing it. And in letting this happen, Boehner implicitly admitted that budget solutions can now be reached by actually reaching across the aisle for a change and bringing in Democratic votes (as opposed to simply grinding Congress to a halt just so he can engage in "tea party circle jerks").
This may be the key to unlocking the potential for better productivity in the new Congress. Both President Obama and Harry Reid see it. We'll just have to see how long House Republicans try denying this "new rule"... And how long we will have to endure the next round of meaningless "tea party circle jerks" before something (else) is actually accomplished.
Actually, it is the key... But it's yet to be used to solve anything other than manufactured crises. Instead, we've seen Congress stuck in epic gridlock thanks to endless G-O-TEA intransigence.
Comprehensive immigration reform (CIR)? Oh, no. They can't do that. It's too "big and complicated" for one bill (despite the fact that the Senate passed one in June).
Farm bill? Oh, no. They can't do that. They'd rather let American consumers suffer unnecessary higher food prices than let the working poor eat.
ENDA? Oh, no. They can't do that. They still refuse to accept that LGBTQ Americans exist, let alone contribute to the American Economy. [...]
Time and time again, Republican "leaders" have chosen cheap and crass political games over real governance. It's why major policy goals, such as CIR & ENDA, are about to be left unmet. And it's why we doubt this Congress can even "succeed" at such basic tasks as passing longer term budgets.
After all, some Republican politicians are now bragging about their vision of "government that does less". Why would they want to abandon that vision to allow for a government that actually functions properly?
Never mind that we actually have real crises to solve. Because Congressional Republican "leaders" long ago lost control of their Crazy Caucus, they've manufactured crises, such as "The Fiscal Cliff", the Shutdown Shitfest, and a slew of near default debacles, in a desperate attempt to mollify them. It hasn't worked. Instead, it's revealed just how reckless and feckless the G-O-TEA has become.
We've said it before, but we must say it again today. Sharron Angle likely has more control over the Nevada Republican Party than anyone who's actually supposed to be a "leader" in Carson City or DC. As much as Brian Sandoval would like to deny it and John Boehner would like to hide it, that's the awful and crazy truth that we saw unfold over the course of this year.
Never mind that Sharron Angle currently holds no elected office and has no official position with the Nevada Republican Party. She and her "TEA Party, Inc." BFFs have provided the ideology that's now the heart and soul of today's Republican Party. And as a result, many Republicans are still defending their crazy actions. [...]
It doesn't matter that this whole Shutdown Shitfest made for absolutely awful economics. And it doesn't matter that it ultimately made for crappy politics. For today's G-O-TEA, all that matters is that crazy is in charge. And that's what caused this whole crazy fiasco in the first place.
Ultimately, this and the other manufactured crises came to an end. Senator Harry Reid (D-The Boss) was able to find just enough not-so-crazy Republicans to force "leadership" to stand down at the 11th hour of each and every manufactured crisis of 2013. Yet with that being said, this string of crises has taken its toll on the nation. America has been forced into an era of austerity, and people are suffering as a result of this series of budget cuts. Even now, even more American families are about to become victims of the next round of austerity madness.
And speaking of austerity madness, the big 2014-15 Ryan-Murray Budget Deal is on track to pass the Senate today. It easily overcame a G-O-TEA led filibuster on a 67-33 vote. For the record, Senator Reid voted for cloture while Senator Dean Heller (R) voted to sustain the filibuster.
Even though this budget deal offers plenty of austerity, a number of Republicans (including Heller & Rep. Joe Heck) still oppose it. Why? It doesn't have enough austerity to please the Crazy Caucus, so expect another round of battles in the ongoing G-O-TEA Civil War as 2013 comes to a close.
And what about the new year? Believe it or not, 2014 may begin with (drumroll, please) yet another manufactured crisis over the debt ceiling thanks to continuing teabagger angst over the Ryan-Murray Sequester Remix. So this shitfest over manufactured crises built upon voodoo economics and political hogwash may not actually be completely over just yet. Happy Holidays!
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Season of the Scrooge
It's here! It's here. And it's arrived just in time for the holiday season.
Senator Patty Murray (D-Washington) and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) reached a budget deal yesterday. And so far, Congressional Republican "leaders" are signaling their approval. So are we free and clear for a 2014 (& 2015!) budget?
Not so fast. Already, G-O-TEA "movement leaders" like Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky), Senator Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma), and the usual "Tea Party, Inc." agitators have been arguing against the nascent budget compromise. Why? It's a compromise! It would ever so slightly raise federal investment in the economy above Sequester levels. They still want more economy-busting austerity, not less.
Oh, and it's not just the radical right railing against the Ryan-Murray deal. Progressives aren't happy with this budget proposal, either. While it would raise 2014 federal investment from a severely austere $967 billion to a somewhat less austere $1.012 trillion (and $1.014 trillion in 2015), it would do so while screwing over public servants and kicking the long-term unemployed where it really hurts. So even as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) has signaled his tentative approval, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-California) might as well have held her nose when she gave her statement on the tentative budget deal. And grassroots outrage is building over the possible end to the last lifeline available to those hit hardest by The Great Recession.
So both the activist right and the activist left are protesting the budget compromise. And while no top Democrats on Capitol Hill have threatened to blow it up, some Republicans are already starting to go there. While it's far from inevitable, a Shutdown S**tfest Sequel also isn't out of the equation just yet.
Unfortunately, what's starting to look probable is that at least some hard working Americans are about to get scrooged. And Congress has the gall to channel the spirit of Scrooge during the holiday season. What makes this even worse is that we're not even shocked any more.
Senator Patty Murray (D-Washington) and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) reached a budget deal yesterday. And so far, Congressional Republican "leaders" are signaling their approval. So are we free and clear for a 2014 (& 2015!) budget?
Not so fast. Already, G-O-TEA "movement leaders" like Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky), Senator Tom Coburn (R-Oklahoma), and the usual "Tea Party, Inc." agitators have been arguing against the nascent budget compromise. Why? It's a compromise! It would ever so slightly raise federal investment in the economy above Sequester levels. They still want more economy-busting austerity, not less.
Oh, and it's not just the radical right railing against the Ryan-Murray deal. Progressives aren't happy with this budget proposal, either. While it would raise 2014 federal investment from a severely austere $967 billion to a somewhat less austere $1.012 trillion (and $1.014 trillion in 2015), it would do so while screwing over public servants and kicking the long-term unemployed where it really hurts. So even as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) has signaled his tentative approval, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-California) might as well have held her nose when she gave her statement on the tentative budget deal. And grassroots outrage is building over the possible end to the last lifeline available to those hit hardest by The Great Recession.
So both the activist right and the activist left are protesting the budget compromise. And while no top Democrats on Capitol Hill have threatened to blow it up, some Republicans are already starting to go there. While it's far from inevitable, a Shutdown S**tfest Sequel also isn't out of the equation just yet.
Unfortunately, what's starting to look probable is that at least some hard working Americans are about to get scrooged. And Congress has the gall to channel the spirit of Scrooge during the holiday season. What makes this even worse is that we're not even shocked any more.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Less Isn't More
This morning, we cut past the BS and looked at the reality behind the "Obamacare SCANDAL!!!" hype. Surprise, surprise, there's really "no there there". And what's making matters even worse is that Congressional Republican "leaders" are using this as an excuse to ditch basic governance in a last ditch effort to score more political points going into the 2014 Election Cycle.
Don't believe us? Believe the Republicans boasting of their own record of failure!
Comprehensive immigration reform (CIR)? Oh, no. They can't do that. It's too "big and complicated" for one bill (despite the fact that the Senate passed one in June).
Farm bill? Oh, no. They can't do that. They'd rather let American consumers suffer unnecessary higher food prices than let the working poor eat.
ENDA? Oh, no. They can't do that. They still refuse to accept that LGBTQ Americans exist, let alone contribute to the American Economy.
Ending the nonsensical austerity regime that's only served as a solution (or more accurately, a problem) looking for a problem? Oh... Maybe?! Capitol Hill is buzzing today over talk of a possible budget deal. While it still wouldn't completely end the austerity madness that's gripped Capitol Hill (and hurt the rest of the nation), it would ease the pain a little. And frankly, even this represents major progress for this Congress.
So is it possible that the 113th Congress can finally pass a longer term budget and drop the austerity laced crack pipe? Perhaps, but let's not get our hopes too high. After all, we're still talking about the 113th Congress, the Congress that's now on track to beat the record of "Least Productive Session of Congress Ever" (set by the 112th Congress last year). And as Salon's Joan Walsh reminds us, Congressional Republican "leaders" will face intense pressure from their 21st Century Know Nothing base to put up a(nother) fight rather than compromise over anything. They'd rather force America into a Shutdown S**tfest Sequel than admit defeat.
So this is what we're facing as 2013 comes to a close. Time and time again, Republican "leaders" have chosen cheap and crass political games over real governance. It's why major policy goals, such as CIR & ENDA, are about to be left unmet. And it's why we doubt this Congress can even "succeed" at such basic tasks as passing longer term budgets.
After all, some Republican politicians are now bragging about their vision of "government that does less". Why would they want to abandon that vision to allow for a government that actually functions properly?
So much for that old saying, "Less is more"...
Don't believe us? Believe the Republicans boasting of their own record of failure!
“I ran on a government that did less,” said Representative Reid Ribble, Republican of Wisconsin. “I felt the government was overreaching, and the citizens that sent me didn’t want me to be overaggressive in writing new laws. The Affordable Care Act launch is actually demonstrating the ineptitude of the federal government in handling these big programs.”
The 113th Congress has passed all of 55 laws so far this year, seven fewer at this point than the 112th Congress — the least productive Congress ever. House and Senate negotiators will meet on Wednesday to try to come to terms on a farm bill, but they remain far apart, especially on food-stamp cuts that the House is demanding. The leaders of the House and Senate budget committees will also meet this week, and they appear to be closing in on a modest deal that would set spending levels for the next two years while relieving some of the pain from the across-the-board spending cuts known as sequestration. [...]
“Republicans are using their political attacks on the Affordable Care Act as cover to do nothing else,” said Representative Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, the senior Democrat on the House Budget Committee.
Comprehensive immigration reform (CIR)? Oh, no. They can't do that. It's too "big and complicated" for one bill (despite the fact that the Senate passed one in June).
Farm bill? Oh, no. They can't do that. They'd rather let American consumers suffer unnecessary higher food prices than let the working poor eat.
ENDA? Oh, no. They can't do that. They still refuse to accept that LGBTQ Americans exist, let alone contribute to the American Economy.
Ending the nonsensical austerity regime that's only served as a solution (or more accurately, a problem) looking for a problem? Oh... Maybe?! Capitol Hill is buzzing today over talk of a possible budget deal. While it still wouldn't completely end the austerity madness that's gripped Capitol Hill (and hurt the rest of the nation), it would ease the pain a little. And frankly, even this represents major progress for this Congress.
So is it possible that the 113th Congress can finally pass a longer term budget and drop the austerity laced crack pipe? Perhaps, but let's not get our hopes too high. After all, we're still talking about the 113th Congress, the Congress that's now on track to beat the record of "Least Productive Session of Congress Ever" (set by the 112th Congress last year). And as Salon's Joan Walsh reminds us, Congressional Republican "leaders" will face intense pressure from their 21st Century Know Nothing base to put up a(nother) fight rather than compromise over anything. They'd rather force America into a Shutdown S**tfest Sequel than admit defeat.
So this is what we're facing as 2013 comes to a close. Time and time again, Republican "leaders" have chosen cheap and crass political games over real governance. It's why major policy goals, such as CIR & ENDA, are about to be left unmet. And it's why we doubt this Congress can even "succeed" at such basic tasks as passing longer term budgets.
After all, some Republican politicians are now bragging about their vision of "government that does less". Why would they want to abandon that vision to allow for a government that actually functions properly?
So much for that old saying, "Less is more"...
Monday, December 2, 2013
The Cost of Silence
Today marks a major milestone. And no, we're not talking about Cyber Monday.
Today marks 25 years of the world commemorating World AIDS Day. And yes, this also means we can celebrate 25 years of progress. Since the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, more people have been surviving as detection and treatment have improved.
However, today is also a day to note what still must be done to save more lives. Just here in the US, over 1.1 million people are living with HIV... And 18% of them don't even know it. And while the plurality of these people are gay and bisexual men, women, communities of color, and even heterosexuals are far from immune from HIV. And to make matters worse, infection rates are rising rapidly among Americans aged 13-24.
So what can we do about this? Clearly, we can't forget that AIDS is still around... And still hurting people. In recent years, far too many of us have been lulled into a false sense of complacency. After all, "it's not a big deal any more" since "it can be treated".
Yes, it can be treated... If it's detected early enough. And even then, life as one knows it forever changes upon contracting HIV. We can't forget that more people have been able to survive HIV contraction due to the "cocktail" drugs now available. And let's just say that those "cocktails" are neither cheap nor easy.
That won't be changing any time soon. Sadly, the current austerity regime has forced budget cuts upon federal HIV/AIDS assistance & prevention programs. This has only led to further pressure on private AIDS charities that were already being greatly pressured by the aftermath of the Great Recession.
We have seen progress in the last 25 years, but that progress only materialized after we as a society realized we could no longer allow our family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to suffer in silence. We can't afford to let people fall back into that trap of silence 25 years later. We can't afford to undo the past 25 years of progress simply because it's "too inconvenient" and/or "too expensive" to save lives.
Today, we need to think about the cost of silence. And then, we need to speak up and take action. Oh, and we need to educate. The last thing we need now is silence.
Today marks 25 years of the world commemorating World AIDS Day. And yes, this also means we can celebrate 25 years of progress. Since the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, more people have been surviving as detection and treatment have improved.
However, today is also a day to note what still must be done to save more lives. Just here in the US, over 1.1 million people are living with HIV... And 18% of them don't even know it. And while the plurality of these people are gay and bisexual men, women, communities of color, and even heterosexuals are far from immune from HIV. And to make matters worse, infection rates are rising rapidly among Americans aged 13-24.
So what can we do about this? Clearly, we can't forget that AIDS is still around... And still hurting people. In recent years, far too many of us have been lulled into a false sense of complacency. After all, "it's not a big deal any more" since "it can be treated".
Yes, it can be treated... If it's detected early enough. And even then, life as one knows it forever changes upon contracting HIV. We can't forget that more people have been able to survive HIV contraction due to the "cocktail" drugs now available. And let's just say that those "cocktails" are neither cheap nor easy.
That won't be changing any time soon. Sadly, the current austerity regime has forced budget cuts upon federal HIV/AIDS assistance & prevention programs. This has only led to further pressure on private AIDS charities that were already being greatly pressured by the aftermath of the Great Recession.
We have seen progress in the last 25 years, but that progress only materialized after we as a society realized we could no longer allow our family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers to suffer in silence. We can't afford to let people fall back into that trap of silence 25 years later. We can't afford to undo the past 25 years of progress simply because it's "too inconvenient" and/or "too expensive" to save lives.
Today, we need to think about the cost of silence. And then, we need to speak up and take action. Oh, and we need to educate. The last thing we need now is silence.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Grow Up
We have some good news this morning. Believe it or not, the US economy (as measured by GDP) has grown 2.8% so far this year. And the catch? It has only grown 2.8% so far this year.
Wonkblog's Neil Irwin dug into the numbers some more and found that an improving housing market, steady corporate investment, and increased state and local investment boosted GDP. Meanwhile, federal budget cuts and fearful consumers held back growth.
So the economy is growing... But it's growing more slowly than it should because of ongoing austerity. This is why the Federal Reserve has been holding back on "tapering" its bond buyback stimulus program.
And keep in mind that this was just before the Great G-O-TEA Shutdown S**tfest of 2013. We can't help but wonder if this was on Jon Runyan's mind recently. He was a top NFL offensive tackle who played for the Houston Oilers, Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles, and San Diego Chargers... Before getting elected to Congress in the G-O-TEA Wave in 2010. But all of a sudden and just before his 40th birthday, Rep. Jon Runyan has announced he's retiring from Congress.
Why?
As we discussed yesterday, G-O-TEA Culture Warriors are having way too much fun grinding Congress to a halt and holding back economic recovery. While they play with their austerity fetish and refuse to accept the America of the 21st Century, the rest of us are wondering why we can't already give this economy a chance to heal and put more people back to work. Apparently, this was even becoming too tough for a former star football player to tackle.
As usual, Congressional Republican "leaders" are dismissing Senator Harry Reid's helpful advice. That may turn out to be a big mistake. Their obstruction agenda isn't impressing anyone. It's time for them to grow up.
Gross domestic product rose at a 2.8 percent annualized rate after a 2.5 percent gain the prior three months, a Commerce Department report showed today in Washington. The median forecast of economists surveyed by Bloomberg called for a 2 percent advance. Consumer spending climbed 1.5 percent, the smallest increase since 2011.
The biggest gain in inventories since the first three months of 2012 risks holding back production in the current quarter, which began with a 16-day partial shutdown of the federal government. Jobs data tomorrow are projected to show hiring slowed in October, helping explain why Federal Reserve policy makers are pressing on with stimulus.
“Growth is steady but not that great,” Jonathan Basile, an economist at Credit Suisse in New York, said before the report. “The shutdown will have a temporary effect on this quarter’s growth.”
Wonkblog's Neil Irwin dug into the numbers some more and found that an improving housing market, steady corporate investment, and increased state and local investment boosted GDP. Meanwhile, federal budget cuts and fearful consumers held back growth.
So the economy is growing... But it's growing more slowly than it should because of ongoing austerity. This is why the Federal Reserve has been holding back on "tapering" its bond buyback stimulus program.
And keep in mind that this was just before the Great G-O-TEA Shutdown S**tfest of 2013. We can't help but wonder if this was on Jon Runyan's mind recently. He was a top NFL offensive tackle who played for the Houston Oilers, Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles, and San Diego Chargers... Before getting elected to Congress in the G-O-TEA Wave in 2010. But all of a sudden and just before his 40th birthday, Rep. Jon Runyan has announced he's retiring from Congress.
Why?
[... O]ne New Jersey Republican said Runyan's frustration began early this year when conservatives blocked a vote on aid for superstorm Sandy – a storm that hammered his district – and continued during the recent government shutdown, which he opposed. Another GOP source said he had become frustrated with Washington's gridlock.
[Democrat Aimee] Belgard pointed to those same incidents in announcing her run.
"We have more political gamesmanship and irresponsible discord than I can ever remember in Washington," Belgard said in her announcement. "We need a change from the ego-driven politics that shutdown the government and brought our nation to the brink of default."
As we discussed yesterday, G-O-TEA Culture Warriors are having way too much fun grinding Congress to a halt and holding back economic recovery. While they play with their austerity fetish and refuse to accept the America of the 21st Century, the rest of us are wondering why we can't already give this economy a chance to heal and put more people back to work. Apparently, this was even becoming too tough for a former star football player to tackle.
As usual, Congressional Republican "leaders" are dismissing Senator Harry Reid's helpful advice. That may turn out to be a big mistake. Their obstruction agenda isn't impressing anyone. It's time for them to grow up.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Crazy Silly Stupid
So they're still not paying attention. They've had multiple warnings. But instead of taking heed, they're just tripling and quadrupling down on the crazy.
Of course, we're talking about Congressional Republican "leaders"... And their sordid relationship with the 21st Century Know Nothings who demand all crazy all the time. And this time, Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) accidentally told a little too much truth about G-O-TEA plans for the next year.
So Congressional Republican "leaders" are making bold statements about their awe-inspiring plans to accomplish... Absolutely nothing. Wow.
OK, we were perhaps a little too harsh. Congressional Republicans have accomplished something so far. They have succeeded in forcing more austerity on the nation. Never mind that austerity has led to less economic growth and continued weakness in the labor market. They're set to demand more starving families for the holidays!
Seriously, when did Republicans suddenly start following European trends this closely? Inquiring minds want to know.
But in the mean time, we just have to ask why Republican "leaders" think austerity is such a "great accomplishment". It hurts people. Yet all they do is manufacture more crises and create more unnecessary drama to demand more of it.
Why not consider pursuing great accomplishments that actually help people, like comprehensive immigration reform, action on workplace discrimination, climate action, and programs that allow for more job creation (instead of less)? They may not like what Senator Harry Reid has to say, but he is offering them some awfully good advice at exactly the right time.
Again, it's Republicans' choice to keep or ditch "The Stupid Party" label.
Of course, we're talking about Congressional Republican "leaders"... And their sordid relationship with the 21st Century Know Nothings who demand all crazy all the time. And this time, Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas) accidentally told a little too much truth about G-O-TEA plans for the next year.
"Everything we do in this body should be about messaging to win back the Senate,” Sessions said. “That’s it. If you don’t want Benghazis to happen or you want an investigation for Benghazi, if you want an investigation on the IRS as opposed to the excuses that [Senate Majority Leader] Harry Reid [D-Nev.] is all about, if you do not like what’s happening at the [National Security Agency], then you gain the Senate.”
While Democrats did praise Sessions in the Roll Call story, the fact that the Republican controlling the flow of legislation into the House is primarily focused on "messaging" and wresting control of the Senate from Democrats suggests that the comatose pace of business in Washington will remain ahead of the 2014 midterm elections.
So Congressional Republican "leaders" are making bold statements about their awe-inspiring plans to accomplish... Absolutely nothing. Wow.
OK, we were perhaps a little too harsh. Congressional Republicans have accomplished something so far. They have succeeded in forcing more austerity on the nation. Never mind that austerity has led to less economic growth and continued weakness in the labor market. They're set to demand more starving families for the holidays!
Seriously, when did Republicans suddenly start following European trends this closely? Inquiring minds want to know.
But in the mean time, we just have to ask why Republican "leaders" think austerity is such a "great accomplishment". It hurts people. Yet all they do is manufacture more crises and create more unnecessary drama to demand more of it.
Why not consider pursuing great accomplishments that actually help people, like comprehensive immigration reform, action on workplace discrimination, climate action, and programs that allow for more job creation (instead of less)? They may not like what Senator Harry Reid has to say, but he is offering them some awfully good advice at exactly the right time.
Again, it's Republicans' choice to keep or ditch "The Stupid Party" label.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Cuts Aren't Smart
No one can say we didn't try to warn everyone. As the latest and greatest G-O-TEA induced manufactured crisis was underway, we were warning of the consequences it would have on an already fragile economic recovery. And now, we have a better sense of just how fragile our economy was going into the manufactured crisis.
Since that very crisis delayed the release of the official US unemployment numbers, we had to wait until this morning to see them. But now, we know that the American labor market added 148,000 jobs (non-farm) last month as the unemployment rate slipped slightly to 7.2%. The good news here is that all those jobs were added. In addition, it looks like the unemployment rate did not drop as a result of dropping workforce participation (as it has occasionally before).
Yet with this being said, these numbers indicate continued slow recovery and meddling jobs improvement. And remember, this is before the latest and greatest manufactured crisis kicked in.
We've talked about this before. Austerity is holding us back. It's difficult for the economy to grow if the federal government keeps cutting investment in the nation. That means fewer sales and fewer jobs.
After all, investment begets growth. So why is the fiscal conversation in Washington revolving around cuts and contraction? Wonkblog's Neil Irwin has been asking the same question this morning.
So why are G-O-TEA politicians demanding even more austerity? And why is anyone in Washington taking their seriously as "smart fiscal policy"? It's not. In fact, this is the stupidi-TEA that's holding us back.
Since that very crisis delayed the release of the official US unemployment numbers, we had to wait until this morning to see them. But now, we know that the American labor market added 148,000 jobs (non-farm) last month as the unemployment rate slipped slightly to 7.2%. The good news here is that all those jobs were added. In addition, it looks like the unemployment rate did not drop as a result of dropping workforce participation (as it has occasionally before).
Yet with this being said, these numbers indicate continued slow recovery and meddling jobs improvement. And remember, this is before the latest and greatest manufactured crisis kicked in.
We've talked about this before. Austerity is holding us back. It's difficult for the economy to grow if the federal government keeps cutting investment in the nation. That means fewer sales and fewer jobs.
After all, investment begets growth. So why is the fiscal conversation in Washington revolving around cuts and contraction? Wonkblog's Neil Irwin has been asking the same question this morning.
The sequestration policy of automatic spending cuts that went into effect in March really are having an effect. It hasn't showed up much in the jobs reports in ways that can be easily measured (though federal government employment excluding the Postal Service is down 73,000 jobs over the last year, a 3.4 percent decline).
But the workhorse economic models used in places like the Congressional Budget Office and Federal Reserve and private sector forecasters all show that the spending cuts should ripple through the economy and translate into less economic activity, and the soft job growth of the last few months fits that story to a tee.
Perhaps the best evidence for federal spending cuts as the culprit behind weak growth is this: It's the only culprit left standing when you consider the other possibilities. Financial markets have been on a tear, and business and consumer confidence has been strong this year (at least until the October shutdown). Consumers have made major progress reducing their debt burdens. The housing market has stabilized, and is no longer a drag on the economy. [...]
In other words, there's every reason to think this should have been a good year for the American economy. Yet here we are back in the doldrums, experiencing the same ambling pace of recovery that has been all too common since the technical end of the Great Recession in the summer of 2009. Americans can probably look to Washington to assign blame -- and that's before the tumultuous last few weeks exact whatever toll they will exact on growth.
So why are G-O-TEA politicians demanding even more austerity? And why is anyone in Washington taking their seriously as "smart fiscal policy"? It's not. In fact, this is the stupidi-TEA that's holding us back.
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