Something Has Been Lost

[phantom power]

I have to agree. It wasn't always like this, and it disturbs me to see it happening in these latter days. I post a lot on how our govt and industry seem to have been captured by sociopaths, but every so often it hits me what that really means

Just to amplify an issue related to Mistermix’s post below about austerity peacock Tom Coburn’s announcement that he would seek to offset federal disaster relief funds to Oklahoma with budget cuts elsewhere (Pentagon exempted, naturally). Let’s pause to consider what it means that Coburn issued this statement while bodies were still being pulled from the rubble in his home state, an activity that is ongoing.

A spokesman for the senator claimed that Coburn was merely being consistent about his position on federal disaster aid. That’s a lie: Mrs. Polly at Rumproast provides links to accounts of Coburn questioning and delaying disaster relief to other states while accepting funds for Oklahoma. It’s no surprise that Coburn is a liar and a hypocrite: That’s what we expect from politicians. It’s what our grandparents expected, and their grandparents too.

But what does seem somewhat novel — to me, at least — is the brazen callousness in today’s breed of Republicans, a rigid orthodoxy combined with a rich man’s insulation from trouble that renders them utterly indifferent to the fate of others, even those who look like them and share their origins and cultural pretensions.

Coburn is retiring after his current term: Maybe he’d be less quick to rush before the cameras to display his austerity plumage if he had to stand for another election. But I don’t think that’s necessarily true anymore. His real political masters, Koch Industries, et al, will applaud his haste to emphasize what’s really important in the face of a natural disaster, which is to keep corporate tax rates low and gut regulations on industries that contribute to extreme climate events.

http://www.balloon-juice.com/2013/05/21/something-has-been-lost/

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. Yesterday at 4:30 PST I predicted this shit in DC was already going on

I also said the upcoming aid votes and speeches in Congress will tell me just how divided we are as a country.

I almost expect members from States affected by Sandy, to at least comment on how red States, and people like Tom Coburn, voted when they needed help.

It will tell us just how much of a country we no longer are.

[phantom power]

2. I feel like if you scratch the surface you'd find a hyperalloy chassis and 120 year power supply

It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. The sad part is that I even understand the ideology

Behind some of this. But we are very close to something really ugly in this country.