The Party That Lost Its Mind

[Duckus]

http://www.newmajority.com/ShowScroll.aspx?ID=fff3278f-1d5c-4c86-abc1-a821e742ea06

David Frum

THE PARTY THAT LOST ITS MIND

Sunday, February 15, 2009 7:13 AM

Have you heard about the marsh mouse? The little swamp critter that got $30 million of stimulus bill spending thanks to Nancy Pelosi? Of course you have! The mouse was highlighted on Drudge and chortled over by Glenn Beck. One Republican congressman actually dandled a toy mouse in debate.

The story’s not false exactly. The stimulus money really does contain money for wetlands restoration. One of the wetlands that might benefit really is located on San Francisco Bay. And the marsh mouse really does live there.

So the Republicans who promoted the mouse story came closer to the truth than Nancy Pelosi’s spokesmen did when they blasted the story as a “fabrication.” I’m prepared to bet my share of the Obama tax cuts that the mouse will indeed get its money in the end.

The problem with the story is not that it was false. The problem with the story is that it was stupid.

The US economy has plunged into severe recession (94% of Americans describe economic conditions as “bad,” according to the Feb 2-4 CBS poll, and 51% say conditions are getting even worse).

President Obama and the Democrats have responded by steering the US radically to the left. Since World War II, the federal government has most years spent less than one dollar in five of national income. Once the stimulus gets underway, the federal government will spend more than one dollar in four. The cost of everything the Democrats want to do comes closer to one dollar in three.

We’re facing more regulation of everything from high finance to the ordinary workplace. The Democrats are expanding Medicaid to crowd out private insurance. The federal government wants a huge new role in redirecting private investment in transportation and energy in the name of “green jobs.”

And facing all this – we’re talking about mice?

Could we possibly act more inadequate to the challenge? More futile? More brain dead?

We in fact have a constructive solution to offer, one that would deliver more jobs faster: the payroll tax holiday, an idea endorsed by almost every reputable right-of-center economist. But that’s not the solution being offered by Republicans in Congress. They are offering a clapped-out package of 1980s-vintage solutions, including capital gains tax cuts. Capital gains! Who has any capital gains to be taxed in the first place?

Almost 70% of Americans say that President Obama will change the country for the better, the CNN poll found Feb. 7-8. Asked whether President Obama is doing enough to cooperate with Republicans, 74% said yes. Asked whether Republicans are doing enough to cooperate with President Obama, 60% said no.

In every poll I’ve seen, hefty majorities approve of President Obama’s economic performance. Approval numbers for congressional Republicans remain dismal.

If we’re to make progress in 2010, we have to look serious. This week we looked not only irrelevant, but clueless and silly. Quite a job for a little mouse.

[D'KanSkinFan]

How does one get to vote in one of these polls?

The only thing my Congressional reps do is call with a voting poll in a townhall teleconference.

I feel slighted, I've not been asked to vote in one of these polls:doh:

[headexplode]

The GOP does seem to be flailing right now. Instead of offering viable and reasonable alternatives, they are whining over minutia. One great example of this was the congressman who used a graphic explaining the cost of the stimulus package in terms of how high one could stack thousand-dollar bills, and how many times it could circle the earth. It really does seem the GOP strategy is to sit back, hope everything falls apart, and then step in and say, "Hey, we were opposed to this all along. Vote for us."

[Burgold]

The Party that lost its mind...

You know, I came into this thread expecting a "Girls Gone Wild" extravaganza

[isle-hawg]

The GOP does seem to be flailing right now. Instead of offering viable and reasonable alternatives, they are whining over minutia. One great example of this was the congressman who used a graphic explaining the cost of the stimulus package in terms of how high one could stack thousand-dollar bills, and how many times it could circle the earth. It really does seem the GOP strategy is to sit back, hope everything falls apart, and then step in and say, "Hey, we were opposed to this all along. Vote for us."

That is what both parties do.. Which is why we need a legitimate contender 3rd or 4th or 5th party. Because the two we have neither have our best interests in mind over their political power.

[headexplode]

That is what both parties do.. Which is why we need a legitimate contender 3rd or 4th or 5th party. Because the two we have neither have our best interests in mind over their political power.

I agree with you, here. But, since we don't have a legitimate third, fourth, or fifth, we need a legitimate second, at least, and the GOP right now is out to lunch.

[ljs]

so the excuse is that $30 mil for wetlands restoration will create jobs??? uh...yeah

[Duckus]

so the excuse is that $30 mil for wetlands restoration will create jobs??? uh...yeah

No. Not sure where you got that from the article, that's not his point. He is against the stimulus plan and against the $30 million to spend for Westlands restoration.

[isle-hawg]

I agree with you, here. But, since we don't have a legitimate third, fourth, or fifth, we need a legitimate second, at least, and the GOP right now is out to lunch.

I agree with you unfortunately I don't see it (a good 2nd party). I fear that the Dems payback to the Reps earlier election "mandate" is to become more socialist. This enables me to relate more to your screen name than I want too.

[PiLfan]

No. Not sure where you got that from the article, that's not his point. He is against the stimulus plan and against the $30 million to spend for Westlands restoration.

Basically, the GOP in general is doing the right thing by questioning the questionable aspects of this "stimulus" bill...but they are coming up short with viable alternatives that will actually make a difference. The payroll tax cut is a great example used in the article. Talk about instant stimulus...putting extra cash into everyone's pocket twice a week (at least those still on a payroll). If we're going to spend billions in investments and tax cuts anyway, then at least make those cuts have some bloody impact.

But the milieu of crap that is in this bill, e.g. the $30M restoration, $50M for the NEA, has absolutley NOTHING to do with stimulating the economy and serves just to get politican X votes from select constituents and special interests. Such line items belong in an entirely different bill, appropriations, or better yet, left to state/private funding sources, but we know that's not how things work in Washington. Everyone from Obama to the press to the crazy guy on the corner ringing a bell and crying "bring out your dead" is selling the urgency of passing "something", so everyone in Congress sees an opportunity to attach their own little bit of crap to it, knowing that no matter how stupid it is, if comparatively small enough with respect to the bill's total as a whole (as the article says, why quibble over $30M when the price tag is nearly a trillion?) it won't stop the train...and neither will the bill's oppponents (Republicans), mainly because they haven't come up with something better.

[SnyderShrugged]

The majority of the GOP is in a bind now because they abandoned their supposed principles long ago and now they are trying to claim them back.

It doesnt work that way fella's. I hate to say it but the GOP has lost its credibility from one poor decsion to the next.

They are at least saying the right things now, but it will take much more than words for me to ever believe they are real conservatives and not the "Neo" versions, again.

[Burgold]

It's really weird to me what people say won't create jobs.

NEA-- you mean giving money to museums, artists, theatres won't create jobs? Operas don't hire anyone? The Smithsonian is an automated ghost town? Local theatre doesn't support tens of thousands of actors, techs, artists, costumers, make up artists, printers, graphic artists, craftsmen, etc? Have you ever watched the end credits on a movie? Documentaries which might be supported by NEA grants help to support many as well.

Your definitions of jobs is so limited and false.

[SkinsHokieFan]

The majority of the GOP is in a bind now because they abandoned their supposed principles long ago and now they are trying to claim them back.

It doesnt work that way fella's. I hate to say it but the GOP has lost its credibility from one poor decsion to the next.

They are at least saying the right things now, but it will take much more than words for me to ever believe they are real conservatives and not the "Neo" versions, again.

That and they all, but a select few, lack any economic literacy.

They cannot argue why what is being done is incorrect

[JohnLockesGhost]

The majority of the GOP is in a bind now because they abandoned their supposed principles long ago and now they are trying to claim them back.

It doesnt work that way fella's. I hate to say it but the GOP has lost its credibility from one poor decsion to the next.

They are at least saying the right things now, but it will take much more than words for me to ever believe they are real conservatives and not the "Neo" versions, again.

And indeed, it was schmucks like David Frum who pushed them down that road from the get-go. Now he has the gall to chide them for voting against this monstrosity of a bill.

David Frum is in survival mode. He's been completely discredited. So now his plan is to throw the Republicans over the side to enhance his moderate credentials.

As far as Republicans not offering alternatives, that's sort of revisionist nonsense. They tried to pare it down, put in more tax cuts, and trim some waste. They succeeded in some things, but were shut out of the final negotiations.

Frum's complaint is that Republicans should adopt the Democrats goals, but just modify the means. That is, they should offer conservative ways we can socialize health care. That may or may not be good politics, but I don't think that's good for the country.

[SnyderShrugged]

It's really weird to me what people say won't create jobs.

NEA-- you mean giving money to museums, artists, theatres won't create jobs? Operas don't hire anyone? The Smithsonian is an automated ghost town? Local theatre doesn't support tens of thousands of actors, techs, artists, costumers, make up artists, printers, graphic artists, craftsmen, etc? Have you ever watched the end credits on a movie? Documentaries which might be supported by NEA grants help to support many as well.

Your definitions of jobs is so limited and false.

To me, its a problem that they are not "sustainable" jobs for the most part.

[JohnLockesGhost]

It's really weird to me what people say won't create jobs.

NEA-- you mean giving money to museums, artists, theatres won't create jobs? Operas don't hire anyone? The Smithsonian is an automated ghost town? Local theatre doesn't support tens of thousands of actors, techs, artists, costumers, make up artists, printers, graphic artists, craftsmen, etc? Have you ever watched the end credits on a movie? Documentaries which might be supported by NEA grants help to support many as well.

Your definitions of jobs is so limited and false.

Government can't create jobs, because government has no resources. All it can do is move resources around. So for every opera singer it "creates" a job for, it destroys one for some nameless schlub who isn't lucky enough to have a congressman's email address.

[SnyderShrugged]

That and they all, but a select few, lack any economic literacy.

They cannot argue why what is being done is incorrect

very true. They cant make cogent arguments because they betrayed the very arguments they wage in the recent past.

[Smoot Point Really]

The GOP does seem to be flailing right now. Instead of offering viable and reasonable alternatives, they are whining over minutia.

Did you have an opportunity to read the McCain stimulus plan?

[Burgold]

Now, you're arguing something different. You're arguing which jobs have more value instead of arguing that it won't create jobs. I think the grant process is generally fair. If you prove you can produce a product the community wants or needs than you get some funding.

Now, if you hire that opera singer, you are also hiring a director, carpentar, painters, set designer, lighting designer, techs, artistic director, cast, orchestra, conductor, musical director, choreographer, stage manager, prop manager, computer programmer, audio tech, engineers, make-up artists, costumer, costume designer, and you are making the theatre buy lumber, clothes, props, and any number of assorted goodies from the community. More, when the show goes up many will want to go to a restaurant before the show or for drinks after.

Funding that one opera singer winds up employing hundreds.

[DeanCollins]

We in fact have a constructive solution to offer, one that would deliver more jobs faster: the payroll tax holiday, an idea endorsed by almost every reputable right-of-center economist. But that’s not the solution being offered by Republicans in Congress.

Cool, I only pay myself once a year ($30k salary, the rest is owner's draw), I'll pay myself my whole year's salary (all of my profits) in that week. :doh:

My point is, that all other wealthy and/or self employed corp. execs. individuals can arrange to do the same. Just another attempt to make the rich richer.

[Dictator]

Funding that one opera singer winds up employing hundreds.

Burgold,

That's quite an optimistic view you have of the effect of hiring one Opera Singer. Sadly, the hiring of that one person will not have a drastic effect.

[Smoot Point Really]

It's really weird to me what people say won't create jobs.

NEA-- you mean giving money to museums, artists, theatres won't create jobs? Operas don't hire anyone? The Smithsonian is an automated ghost town? Local theatre doesn't support tens of thousands of actors, techs, artists, costumers, make up artists, printers, graphic artists, craftsmen, etc? Have you ever watched the end credits on a movie? Documentaries which might be supported by NEA grants help to support many as well.

Your definitions of jobs is so limited and false.

First... Michael Steele said it best... The stimulus plan is good at creating work, but not jobs...

In response to the NEA... If art is good, it will support itself. If art is bad, it asks for the Government to support it.

Have you even looked at the NEA "grants"? They are on the web... Feel free to peruse... NEA Grants

Here is an example:

Dancing in the Street, Inc. (aka Dancing in the Streets)

New York, NY

$20,000

To support the second annual Hip-Hop Generation Next. The full-day block party at Coffey Park in Red Hook, Brooklyn, will feature a variety of hip-hop artists.

Should the federal government really be supporting a hip-hop block party in New York?

Take money that belongs to profitable Americans and distribute it to people who feel they have a RIGHT to choose a career path that is less employable and must be supported through federal funds... If the hip-hop is good and the party is good, the people of NY will pay to be there.

[Burgold]

To get an opera up and on its feet requires dozens if not hundreds of people and there is always spillover effect via restaurants, caterers, etc. It's actually not far fetched at all.

The list I gave is a minimal list of people you need to put a theatrical show of the quality that would qualify for a NEA grant.

[@DCGoldPants]

That's the trick.

If they find something that would sound stupid. Even if its less than .5% of the total bill. That will be what the bill is about in their minds. Which is fine. That's how you fool dumb people.

[Smoot Point Really]

Back to Michael Steele... The stimulus plan is good at creating work, not jobs... That means that when the stimulus runs out, the contract/job runs out... Either you have to create another stimulus or you face the political consequences. A true stimulus would be supporting areas of the economy that are self-sustaining... Like dropping corporate tax-rate to 0? Helps the economy, serves as a tax-cut to everyone (since cost of goods and services go down), and encourages companies to do business inside the United States.... The only downside would be some corporate accountants may have to find new work. It's a risk we all take when choosing a profession.