Frank Rich -- "The Moose Stops Here"

Columnist Frank Rich had a good article in yesterday's NY Times, taking apart the current Republican post-election desperate feeding frenzy. "The Moose Stops Here" cogently and accurately nails one of the most damning Republican party traits, the overwhelming racial-divide that formed a lot of their rabid rhetoric -- see Saxby Chambliss' campaign -- and that managed to secure their win in the South among voters who still obviously mourn Gen. Lee's surrender at Appomattox. (I lived in Georgia for well over a decade -- you didn't have to drive far out of Atlanta to find bastions of dejected Confederates with rebel flags plastered on their trucks, searching in vain for a CSA recruiting station.)

For a great read on the current economic mess, read NY Times vet Thomas Friedman's column from yesterday, too, entitled "Gonna Need a Bigger Boat". Friedman skillfully gives us the really bad news, using a nifty -- and completely appropriate -- Jaws analogy to make his point. I've seen Friedman on many TV news shows, including yesterday's Meet The Press, and he's always really smart and on the nose, plus delightful. (He and Paul Krugman both have tremendous telegenic presences, combining brilliant erudition and natural wit that makes them must-sees in any appearance.)

Whoever thought things were going to simmer down after the election didn't foresee a nation vitally interested in its future and wanting to learn. That's what happens when you have a smart President-elect. Lovely, isn't it?

NY Times on Obama-Inspired Voters!

An important and heartening article from today's The New York Times -- read it here!

It captures one reason why this election is so vitally important and what a positive effect it's going to have for so many people.

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Good Maureen Dowd Column Today in NY Times

"Mud Pies for 'That One'" -- about the degradation of McCain and Palin's campaign. In examining McCain's descent into a steamy cesspool of lies and vicious attacks, she makes this point about Republican tactics, specifically the philosophy espoused by the late Lee Atwater, the Republican strategist who inspired Karl Rove (and who died of a brain tumor at 40 years of age, not before apologizing for some of his most egregious campaign smears):

"Atwater relished teaching rich, white Republicans to feign a connection to the common man so they could get in office and economically undermine the common man."

This is a point that I keep making to anybody who isn't a billionaire and still supports the Republicans. How can you people tolerate being chumps for this gang of economic robber barons? The Republicans will say anything, give lip-support to whatever homey platitude makes "regular folks" feel comfortable, all the while plundering the U.S. and taking whatever they can for their well-heeled and overwhelmingly greedy high-income base. Throwing a religious fanatic like Sarah Palin into the mix is a classic example of misdirection. At the same time as they are wailing "Praise Jesus" and assuring you that under their rule we'll win wars and win 'em good and stop men kissing other men, they are stealing your future, picking your pockets and laughing all the way to the bailout...er, bank.

The vast majority of those supporting McCain-Palin -- those who are doing so only because they believe that this carefully crafted duo is "just like me" and that Sarah Palin could keep America safe and sound until the Armageddon -- and who are certainly not economically benefitting from Republican rule are simply being fleeced like the rubes at a slick traveling carnival. The McCain-Palin ticket is a perfect representation of the two sides of the Republicans: the over-stuffed, extremely well-off rich white men, who will sell their souls to keep what they've got, country and honor and everything else be damned -- the "I've Got Mine, Fuck You" contingent -- and the overly-religious, scared-to-death, non-thinkers who are willing to exchange superstition for cogent thinking. That the latter half of the party can't understand what the former half is doing to them is mind-boggling.

You're being used, suckers. And you're falling for it, again. Don't you ever learn? Can't you think clearly for at least a few minutes and figure out how you've being bamboozled? Sarah Palin isn't like you, not unless you are a conniving, vicious, know-nothing-and-proud-of-it kook with far more pure seething ambition than either principles or brains.

All the rest of us can do is shake our heads and hope that these deluded folks will come to their senses. After Obama's impressive performance in last night's debate, and more importantly, McCain's far less impressive one, it is so clear which one of these gentlemen is equipped with the wisdom, knowledge and temperament to lead this nation in this most trying of times. We need someone whose every aspect of mind and heart will be working for us full-time.

We need Barack Obama.

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Frank Rich on John McCain's Frayed Record on Economics

Please read Frank Rich's column "Truthiness Makes a Comeback" in the NY Times. It's a sobering examination of John McCain's involvement in the Keating financial scandal in 1989, and his distancing of himself from it and its lessons as the U.S. spirals down into a not-dissimilar crisis. Rich also skewers McCain's continued lying about Obama's policies; if we could count on voters to learn the truth for themselves we wouldn't have to worry about stuff like that, but we can't let up.

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Palin Heavy into Cronyism -- Surprised?

Take a look at this investigative article from the NY Times entitled "Once Elected, Palin Hired Friends and Lashed Foes". Within her limited sphere of influence she went beyond the bounds of intelligent governance -- read the article to learn specific details of her administrative style. If it sounds a lot like "Heckuva job, Brownie" Bush tactics, you're reading it right.

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Paul Krugman: "Blizzard of Lies"

And while you're at it, please read Paul Krugman's column "Blizzard of Lies" also in the NY Times. This stuff isn't smelling any better, but at least it's getting out in the open.

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Sarah Palin : "She's Not Ready"

Please read this intelligent, well-argued column by Bob Herbert of the NY Times entitled simply "She's Not Ready." I think we know who she is, and all the points he makes are ones that should chill not only those who wouldn't vote for her in a million years, but even those who thinks she's just what the doctor of divinity ordered. She's woefully inadequate for the job that McCain would have her fill. Period. Don't even try to make excuses for her. She's a ludicrous choice. McCain should be ashamed. A very bad judgment made for clearly -- and clearly cynical -- political reasons.

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History on the Side of Obama's Economic Plan

For a detailed yet emminently readable assessment of the differences between the economic policies of Obama and McCain, and what history has to say about the probable outcome, check out this terrific article in the New York Times by Alan Blinder, a professor of economics at Princeton.

The issues discussed include the overall growth of the economy and the incredible income inequality which has been exacerbated by recent policies.

This is particularly pertinent since McCain is out on the campaign trail lying about Obama's plan to raise taxes -- the Democratic plan would only raise them on incomes over $250,000 -- versus the Republican plan to keep in place indefinitely the current Bush tax code which offers preferential rates to the very wealthy and penalizes the middle class. It all boils down to math, kids, and unless you're a multi-millionaire, the Republicans are screwing you and giving a boost to their billionaire buddies. How does it feel to be played like a chump, anyway?

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