this was a brilliant thread, i heartily encourage ET'ers to go read the whole thing. here's a taste from the last comment
McHoover against OHoover: Why you are just plain fucked this election | The Agonist
Most importantly I see in him a person who understands the limitations of public discourse. Stirling (I think) made the sweeping statement earlier that Americans have been wishing for liberal politics with conservative governance since 1968. Well, I have a problem with this assumption as it is basically based on a fallacy. The fact that if asked in polls they say that they do want a safety net is irrelevant for as long as words like "taxes" and "government" conjure negative associations, there is no way to build this safety net. If a person says he wants health-care but is ready to renounce it the moment (s)he hears the word taxes, then that person is not ripe for the picking by the Democrats, unless (s)he is scared shitless (as is the case now) This is what makes any democrat's position difficult. It is amazing to even think that people are finally talking about the death of trickle down and that government has a role. It is amazing that the New Deal is once again a part of our discourse. It is this reality that will likely steer Obama towards policies more liberal than the ones he openly expresses. Not because he is ideologically inclined, but because he will find them practical and because they will slowly become part of the public discourse. His campaign is a good guide as to his ability to adapt. Moreover, the presidency has a unique ability of amplifying the elements of the discourse that are useful for its own needs through its privileged position in the media circus.
Most importantly I see in him a person who understands the limitations of public discourse. Stirling (I think) made the sweeping statement earlier that Americans have been wishing for liberal politics with conservative governance since 1968. Well, I have a problem with this assumption as it is basically based on a fallacy. The fact that if asked in polls they say that they do want a safety net is irrelevant for as long as words like "taxes" and "government" conjure negative associations, there is no way to build this safety net. If a person says he wants health-care but is ready to renounce it the moment (s)he hears the word taxes, then that person is not ripe for the picking by the Democrats, unless (s)he is scared shitless (as is the case now)
This is what makes any democrat's position difficult. It is amazing to even think that people are finally talking about the death of trickle down and that government has a role. It is amazing that the New Deal is once again a part of our discourse. It is this reality that will likely steer Obama towards policies more liberal than the ones he openly expresses. Not because he is ideologically inclined, but because he will find them practical and because they will slowly become part of the public discourse. His campaign is a good guide as to his ability to adapt. Moreover, the presidency has a unique ability of amplifying the elements of the discourse that are useful for its own needs through its privileged position in the media circus.
which made a nice reply to stirling's sapient pessimism... ~"When an inner situation is not made conscious, it appears outside as fate." Karl Jung~
JOB CREATION: A New American Jobs Tax Credit. Obama is calling for a temporary tax credit for firms that create new jobs in the United States over the next two years. RELIEF TO FAMILIES: Penalty-Free Withdrawals from IRAs and 401(k)s in 2008 and 2009. Obama is calling for new legislation to allow families to withdraw 15% of their retirement savings - up to a maximum of $10,000 - without facing a tax-penalty this year (including retroactively) and next year. RELIEF TO HOMEOWNERS: 90 day foreclosure moratorium for homeowners that are acting in good faith. Financial institutions that participate in the Treasury's financial rescue plan should be required to adhere to a homeowners code of conduct, including a 90-day foreclosure moratorium for any homeowners living in their homes that are making good faith efforts pay their mortgages. RESPONDING TO THE FINANCIAL CRISIS: A Lending Facility to Address the Credit Crisis for States and Localities. Obama is calling on the Federal Reserve and the Treasury to work to establish a facility to lend to state and municipal governments, similar to the steps the Fed recently took to provide liquidity to the commercial paper market.
Today I long for yesterday. Capitalism searches out the darkest corners of human potential, and mainlines them.
At first I thought it might be that I just have nothing interesting to say to this group. Now, I see it a bit differently.
I began this ET adventure a few years ago with a diary called "The Quiet Coup". I've read the same story written by others about five times since then, --here and elsewhere--, by people who are theoretically "Serious People". None did it much better, I think. There's a certain wry satisfaction in being right, even if one is still sitting in the burning house. But the workload is high, and I get more real satisfaction from telling a totally fictitious "wizard and dragon" story to my girls. With a lot less research.
Hm. Food for thought Capitalism searches out the darkest corners of human potential, and mainlines them.
But now, it's between McCain and Obama. And it is an obvious choice. "The womb that spawned that thing is fertile yet"
