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- One of the consequences of having an enormous defense budget, as the United States does, is that a host of programs related to defense but less tangible (and less expensive) than fighter jets and aircraft carriers get funded, even though they would ordinarily be axed by Congress' deficit hawks. But if you want to get serious about reining in defense spending, you worry less about funding social science research and more about reducing a globalized military presence and ending foreign engagements. It's clear by now, as Paul wrote earlier, that the Obama administration is not prepared to do that.
- While I firmly believe that Democrats need to start playing hardball politics if they actually want to enact their governing agenda, it is undeniable that the Republicans' ability to leverage and exploit the flaws of our political institutions to generate legislative gridlock is at least as big, if not a bigger problem. And when it comes to fiscal policy, Jon Chait grimly contends that "there really [is] no solution to the problem of American fiscal policy until the GOP can reform itself." The key word in there is "until" -- an assumption that the GOP will change -- and one in which I don't see any incentive for Republicans to embrace. But don't hold your breath for Democrats to acknowledge this reality and grab the mantle of leadership for themselves.
- There's no question Democrats will lose seats in November, but what's striking is that even after their "crisis of confidence" following a loss in deep-blue Massachusetts, the data on a state-by-state basis still shows a Democratic party ID advantage across the board, if a bit chipped away from a high point in 2008. Moreover, the Republican base still appears intolerant to moderate, mainstream positions, and highly receptive to fringe conspiracy views. I still don't see what platform Republicans will run on this fall other than vague rants about debt and deficits, coupled with zero solutions to the problem.
- Weekend Remainders: The 111th Congress is "one of the most productive since the Great Society 89th Congress in 1965-66"; why the IPCC needs fixing; Harold Ford Jr. feels the economic pinch of the typical American family; Mike Pence (R-IN) does not comprehend what the word "compromise" means; Ronald Brownstein believes it's futile to even attempt fixing large national problems; the efficient markets hypothesis dies at Davos; beyond axiomatically believing in a permanent silent majority, conservatives also fundamentally believe in a pervasive liberal conspiracy to indoctrinate philosophy majors; and what is it about the Clintons that makes right-wingers lose their freakin' minds?
--Mori Dinauer
