And here’s the statement that sums it up:
In the long run, however, Democrats won’t be the only losers. What Republicans have just gotten away with calls our whole system of government into question. After all, how can American democracy work if whichever party is most prepared to be ruthless, to threaten the nation’s economic security, gets to dictate policy? And the answer is, maybe it can’t.
[Source, The New York Times, The President Surrenders by PAUL KRUGMAN]
I am deeply troubled by the state of politics in America. Our Congress is embarrassing. Our President needs a backbone transplant. The Tea Party needs history and economic lessons. The Republicans need morals. The middle class and poor need a champion. And I need antacid.
Maybe this would help!
And here’s some more:
Anyone who characterizes the deal between the President and Republican leaders as a victory for the American people over partisanship understands neither economics nor politics.
[Source, Business Insider, Anyone Who Thinks The Debt Deal Is A Victory For America Understands Neither Economics Nor Politics by Robert Reich]
See also I’m a Canadian watching the whole "debt crisis" from the outside – I was just wondering: Why aren’t there mass protests over what is happening? Your politicians are blatantly subverting your democracy for a quite blatant corporatist agenda. Good question!
And from CNN’s Republican David Frum:
I’m a Republican. Always have been. I believe in free markets, low taxes, reasonable regulation and limited government. But as I look back at the weeks of rancor leading up to Sunday night’s last-minute budget deal, I see some things I don’t believe in:
- Forcing the United States to the verge of default.
- Shrugging off the needs and concerns of millions of unemployed.
- Protecting every single loophole, giveaway and boondoggle in the tax code as a matter of fundamental conservative principle.
- [Read more…]
There was another way. There still is.
- Unemployment is a more urgent problem than debt.
- The deficit is a symptom of America’s economic problems, not a cause. … Cut the deficit first, and the economy will get even sicker.
- The time to cut is after the economy recovers.
- The place to cut is health care, not assistance to the unemployed and poor. … The problem is that Americans pay too much for the medicine they use.
- We can collect more revenue without raising tax rates.
- Passion does not substitute for judgment.
- You can’t save the system by destroying the system.
[Source, CNN, Wake up GOP: Smashing system doesn’t fix it]
