The "Doing Something" Theory Of Good Governance

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Other Politics
Posted on Thu Jan 06, 2011 at 10:41:59 AM EST
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Atrios writes:

David Ignatius:["]The best sign that the economic engine is really repaired would be a joint plan by the White House and congressional Republicans to trim the federal budget deficit over the next 10 years. [. . .]["]

Leaving aside the merits of such things, how the hell would some random policy decisions be a "sign that the economic engine is really repaired." [. . .I]n what possible sense would Congress doing some stuff prove that the economy is all better?

Of course Atrios is right, but you know who else plays the "a productive Congress means things are better" game? The Beltway Dem pundits and bloggers, led by Ezra Klein. How is their nonsense any less stupid than Ignatius'?

Speaking for me only

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The "Doing Something" Theory Of Good Governance | 12 comments (12 topical)

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Unless I'm missing something (and (5.00 / 2) (#1)
by Anne on Thu Jan 06, 2011 at 11:12:15 AM EST

that's possible, as I have a wicked cold and feel like crap), it would seem to me that if the economic engine were repaired, we'd be seeing increased revenues coming into the government coffers, making all this deficit hysteria look even more, well, hysterical. David Ignatious might want to check out how well the austerity programs are working in Ireland and Greece, and now, in England - he might learn something, unless he's one of those who thinks "America is different."

It's pretty depressing that we've abandoned the effort to make good policy - "that's too hard" - in favor of just doing things regardless of whether they make sense, whether they are what's needed, and whether they will be more than bullet points on some politician's power point presentation, and you know, actually work.

We are beginning to see the real effects from the "well, the other guy is worse" approach to electing people who have to make these decisions, and who have no interest in listening to the people.

It's just going to get worse.

: Until rich people are afraid for their (5.00 / 1) (#3)
by observed on Thu Jan 06, 2011 at 11:26:57 AM EST

safety---or that their vast wealth may be in danger, nothing will change. I'm not at ALL suggesting violence, but the fact is that the wealthy have sucked trillions from the lower classes in the last 30 years (Thank you, Alan Greenspan), and there's nary a peep in protest.
The wealthy control the parties and the media. There is absolutely no incentive for change.

Of course... (5.00 / 3) (#2)
by Jackson Hunter on Thu Jan 06, 2011 at 11:13:04 AM EST

I have come to the conclusion that nothing short of a complete flushing of the DC enviroment can improve this country. The hacks (both elected and non-elected) have actually convinced themselves that the only way to balance the budget is to destroy the safety net. You can't tax people who make over 250K, because all of those insiders earn at least that much (and a lot more) and so earning that amount seems normal for them. Doesn't everyone make that much? Beacause everyone they know does. Why should good, hard-working people like them have to care for the people of the abyss. Social justice is such a College thing you know. We're grown-ups now, and the world is a hard place.

It reminds me of a story about one of the Robber Barons during the Great Depression (I forget which one, sorry) and a media person asked him what he would advise the Average Joe to do during this rough time and he said that they should cut back on their domestic staff. The new Robber Barons on the Potomac are as out of touch and lost as that.

We're truly doomed.

Jackson

: Agreed the old robber barons (none / 0) (#8)
by KeysDan on Thu Jan 06, 2011 at 12:24:24 PM EST

were out of touch, and even clueless as evidenced by Nelson Rockefeller's comment in the 1970's: "Take the average American who makes $100,000 a year". Present day Wall Street and banker barons cut back on their thievery and shenanigans for a year until the heat is off. Now, it is back to business as usual.

: It's funny you say that (none / 0) (#9)
by jbindc on Thu Jan 06, 2011 at 12:57:19 PM EST

I have a friend who grew up around the DC area. Now she lived away from here for college and law school, but I had to point out to her the very point you made about salaries. She and her husband (and Air Force Captain) probably make $150,000 combined each year (of course, that doesn't count the $3000 / month or so they get for housing from the military). They have 3 small children.
We were having a conversation one day about taxes and student loan debt (she's a moderate Republican) and she was making the argument that $200K is not that much with a family. Well, no, not around here, but it's still a good income. I had to point out that a) most people in this country do not have a college degree, and hence no student loan debt (although it is a HUGE problem), and b) the average household income in the United States is around $55,000. She was shocked to hear that.
It is very easy to get in the bubble when you live here with over inflated housing prices and salaries.

Yes (5.00 / 2) (#4)
by TeresaInSnow2 on Thu Jan 06, 2011 at 11:29:18 AM EST

It's what I've said.

As long as the Democrats come up with a policy, ANY policy, they've won, things are fixed, and they've won with the biggest legislative victories EVUH!

Just give it a good name. How about, Affordable Economic Recovery Act LOL! Affordable is the current buzz word in all the garbage/scam policy they've already put forth (HAMP, ACA).

: How had I missed that? (5.00 / 1) (#5)
by sj on Thu Jan 06, 2011 at 11:48:55 AM EST

Affordable is the current buzz word in all the garbage/scam policy they've already put forth (HAMP, ACA).
Because they don't want to give citizens and residents the idea that the government should actually do something, right? The government is just there to make it easier for you to do it for yourself. And if you can't? Well there must be something wrong with you, right? Because it's affordable.
Feeling pretty grim today.

OT (none / 0) (#6)
by sj on Thu Jan 06, 2011 at 11:59:27 AM EST

We really haven't had an open thread since Tuesday morning?

We just recycle the previous days OT :) (none / 0) (#11)
by republicratitarian on Thu Jan 06, 2011 at 01:50:49 PM EST

: Yeah, but... (none / 0) (#12)
by sj on Thu Jan 06, 2011 at 01:59:31 PM EST

... it was dropping pretty far down on the page.

Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb (none / 0) (#7)
by Dadler on Thu Jan 06, 2011 at 11:59:52 AM EST

Geithner, now that the Tweedle Dumb Deal has doomed any chance this administration has to do anything meaningful (though it's high doubtful they really wanted to -- too much electoral risk, gasp), starts chirping about the debt ceiling. And all Boehner can talk is spending cuts, which of course he'll get, and with Obama he can be certain to get more than he would have with ANY other Prez. Hell, before he opens his mouth again, Obama will probably offer him MORE than he was going to suggest. Bank on it. Pun intended.

Meet the next two years. Worse than the first two, and more.

Another great policy decision (none / 0) (#10)
by MO Blue on Thu Jan 06, 2011 at 01:02:06 PM EST

Former Commerce Secretary and current JP Morgan executive Bill Daley will step in as the White House Chief of Staff, according to multiple reports. The man who will take over the key position managing the White House opposed pushing forward on health care in 2010, opposed the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, believed the Administration should move to the right in late 2009, joined the board of Third Way and worked for the Chamber of Commerce at eliminating post-Enron accounting regulations. link

The "business community" likes him so that is all that matters.