Category Archives: Congress

To D.C. Dems, compromise means capitulate


Unfortunately, the efficacy of slashing spending and taxes on the wealthy will become conventional wisdom now that Democrats have signed on to the program and the disaster capitalists will have won their war against egalitarianism and redistribution. The Democrats didn’t … Continue reading

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The Great Oz explains the state of the union


Practicing civility means never having to say you’re sorry. It mostly involves learning to speak in a civil manner, never using words that might cause anger or tears or indigestion. This takes time and effort and — the hard-to-learn part … Continue reading

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Boehner is so loathsome, he could cry


Sentimentality, the ostentatious parading of excessive and spurious emotion, is the mark of dishonesty, the inability to feel… – James Baldwin, Notes of a Native Son Speaker of the House John Boehner looks and talks like one of those Hollywood … Continue reading

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A holiday fairy tale about lame ducks


It’s depressing to think that there was no way to win that would not have involved giving away billions of dollars to people who don’t need it. But it’s kind of cheery to think we have a president who actually … Continue reading

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More mumbo jumbo from Ishmael Reed


Unlike white progressives, blacks and Latinos are not used to getting it all. They know how it feels to be unemployed and unable to buy your children Christmas presents. They know when not to shout. The president, the coolest man … Continue reading

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Obama’s bottom line: No, we can’t


If life were a Frank Capra movie, Barack Obama would have looked across the table at Mitch McConnell and said, “OK, Turtle Face, I’ll take this issue to the people and lay out the facts. You’re trying to blackmail Democrats. … Continue reading

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Ugly old white men still rule!


It is hard to believe, as the holidays approach yet again amid economic hard times, but Congress looks as if it may let federal unemployment benefits lapse for the fourth time this year. — Nov. 28 New York Times editorial … Continue reading

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Kristof to Obama: Do you sweat?


“Mr. Obama has a far better product to sell than Tea Partiers like Mr. [Jim] DeMint. But Mr. Obama needs to connect better with American voters. He needs to lose the cool and start sweating — and slugging.” — Nicholas … Continue reading

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She voted to burn down her house


“‘I voted Republican, which is unusual for me,’ said one woman… ‘My main concern is the economy. I couldn’t stand by and watch it continue to crumble.’” — from the Nov. 3 Philadelphia Metro. You have to love the logic. … Continue reading

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Where’s the sanity, dude?


Memo to Stewart: There’s no point to rallying about nothing. Jon Stewart should stick to mild satire. His interviews can be politely irreverent, and he does an amusing job of using news clips to show that the media is, by … Continue reading

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