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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsKrugman: Extremists and Enablers
Extremists and Enablers
These two stories are related:
1. Republicans are getting ready to hold American hostage again, refusing to raise the debt ceiling unless spending is cut drastically; basically, never mind the old-fashioned idea of actually passing legislation, theyll just blow up the country unless their demands are met.
2. Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein, two highly respected Congressional analysts with a reputation for being nonpartisan, have a book documenting the fact that our political dysfunction is very one-sided its Republican extremism, not both sides do it, thats at fault. Sales of their book have been very good, and theres a lot of public interest. But guess what? They cant get on TV to promote their book.
When future historians write about the fall of the American Republic, they will of course lay primary blame on the extremists of the right, who set out deliberately to destroy it. But they will also lay heavy blame on all the centrists and Serious People who not only refused to admit what was happening, but ostracized and silenced anyone who tried to point it out.
http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/16/extremists-and-enablers/
These two stories are related:
1. Republicans are getting ready to hold American hostage again, refusing to raise the debt ceiling unless spending is cut drastically; basically, never mind the old-fashioned idea of actually passing legislation, theyll just blow up the country unless their demands are met.
2. Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein, two highly respected Congressional analysts with a reputation for being nonpartisan, have a book documenting the fact that our political dysfunction is very one-sided its Republican extremism, not both sides do it, thats at fault. Sales of their book have been very good, and theres a lot of public interest. But guess what? They cant get on TV to promote their book.
When future historians write about the fall of the American Republic, they will of course lay primary blame on the extremists of the right, who set out deliberately to destroy it. But they will also lay heavy blame on all the centrists and Serious People who not only refused to admit what was happening, but ostracized and silenced anyone who tried to point it out.
http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/16/extremists-and-enablers/
The both sides do it" argument (see Americans Elect and the MSM) is what's killing this country, confusing the electorate and giving Republicans the pass they need to continue winning elections.
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Krugman: Extremists and Enablers (Original Post)
ProSense
May 2012
OP
FSogol
(45,468 posts)1. Agreed. We need to pressure the media to cover Thomas Mann and Norman Ornstein's book. n/t
spanone
(135,815 posts)2. the media benefits from the 'both sides do it' argument
it's in their interest to keep the horserace close.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)6. Yes, they do. n/t
NNN0LHI
(67,190 posts)3. The “both sides do it", gets a lot of play here
Usually begins with "Just to be fair ..."
Don
ProfessorGAC
(64,970 posts)4. Just To Be Fair. . .
. . .
Sorry, Don. I couldn't resist.
GAC
By the way Greg, how is that new pup doing? Remember you posting about it a year or two ago. Probably not a pup any more.
Don
ProfessorGAC
(64,970 posts)7. Stopped Growing, Finally
He topped at around 80 pounds. Still acts like a puppy, but getting more mellow. He'll be a year old next month.
Thanks for asking.
GAC