The Middle is Muddled

There are two conflicting and antithetical philosophies of government at work in America today.

One is the progressive philosophy of government, which says that intervention by a democratic government is morally necessary to ensure that the market and the economy effectively support the general welfare of the populace.

The other is the Teabag Republican philosophy of government, which says that intervention by a democratic government in the market and the economy is immoral and unnecessary, and people need to effectively look out for their own damn welfare.

So what do you get when you compromise? Something that is a little immoral and to little effect in either direction.

To quote Jim Hightower of Texas, "The middle of the road is for yellow lines and dead armadillos."

Alex Budarin

America Held Hostage: Day 10 Update

The news from Washington, D.C., includes a report that former President Bill Clinton joined President Obama in the White House today, to support the plan to pay the Tax Cut Ransom to the rich Republican pirates in exchange for their release of humanitarian aid to America's long-term unemployed.

This reminds me: if I had wanted another Clinton in the White House, I would have voted for Hillary in the primary. I voted for Obama, instead. I thought Obama would be "change I could believe in," not a reprise of the Clinton years.

Alex Budarin

America Held Hostage: Day 10

The rich Republican pirates continue to hold unemployed Americans hostage. The suffering of long-term unemployed Americans means nothing to them. In fact, the Republican pirates mock the unemployed, and sneer at them for being unemployed -- in the worst economy since the 1930's!

If they have no bread, let them eat cake! If their well-being means so much to you, you must give us tax cuts as ransom! Then and only then will we release them to your mercy!

The President has suggested that we must give these rich pirates what they want, because they truly are that callous and cutthroat. But I favor the response of the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. To paraphrase:

Not one cent for tribute!

Thank you, Nancy

[photo is from her official website]

America Held Hostage: Day 9

For nine days now, jobless Americans have been held hostage by wealthy Republican Pirates in Congress. The unemployment benefits for the jobless Americans have run out. And the wealthy Republican Pirates will let them starve -- unless they are given a ransom: tax cuts to make them even richer, and estate tax cuts to make their children richer still.

The President tells us that we must give the wealthy Republican pirates what they want, because they just might be willing to let jobless Americans starve.

Somehow this does not seem to me to be an effective way of dealing with pirates and extortionists.