Can't Spell Disease without DC

Nod and point time. Steve Goldman is back at his blog Wholesome Reading, and not just busy at work at BP and Pinstriped Blog, so that means one more sharp cookie is on the political shelf. (OK, nowhere to go with that metaphor--it's kind of like health care reform, or HCR, as they like to call it, which, tellingly is an anagram of HRC or Hillary Rodham Clinton, a symbol for the last time the Dems started "reform" by selling out to the monied interests.) Here's part of how he kicked off his return, and proof you should be paying attention. He says exactly what I feel, so thanks for doing it so well, Mr. Goldman.

Beyond Obama and the ineptitude of an administration that would lead and won’t counter-punch, the paramount reason for my frustration is this: while there has been jockeying between political factions for the hearts of the voters virtually since day one of the Republic, there used to be more of a sense that election season was election season but in between you had to accept the results and get on with the business of running the country. That obviously didn’t mean 100 percent cooperation, but you picked your battles. The basic maintenance of the country wasn’t neglected to score political points. That has changed. On one side of the aisle, we have a party that only says no, which means its loyalty is to party first, country second, and of course the Constitution not at all. On the other side, the Democrats (in case you were confused as to who was who) are, in the words of Winston Churchill, decided only to be undecided, resolved to be irresolute, adamant for drift, solid for fluidity, all-powerful to be impotent. Putting your trust in these guys is like rooting for the Kansas City Royals. Who would want to who didn’t have to?

So the country, and by extension us, is a priority for no one, and we’re reduced to being the audience for a kind of masturbatory reality show version of a government while Rome burns. The Democrats have won and haven’t shown that they have a plan. The Republicans will win in November on a nihilistic platform that won’t lead anywhere either. There’s nothing left to hope for. As such, I’ve found that even when I’ve had time to write something here, I’ve felt too discouraged to try. What use would it be, when we’ve given up as a country? Karl Marx wrote of history, the first time as tragedy, the second time as farce. I’m not sure which version of the fall of an empire we’re in here, but I’m leaning towards farce. Imagine the ad for the movie: “The United States is a zany romp!–Gene Shalit.”

Still, even if our leaders have quit on us, we can’t quit. I’m going to stick with it if you will. Let’s light a candle and curse the darkness. Who’s with me?

I have to admit I'm worried my matches are damp....

The Business of America Is Giving Americans the Business

Time for one of those point and nods, although this time the nod is pretty much immediately followed by weeping, gnashing of teeth, and the ripping up of my voter registration card. I mean, really, is there a point in voting? I "love" the line in here that a constituent is someone who can afford a lobbyist. I don't have enough money to matter.

Think I despair too much? For those of you who don't want to read the entire Matt Taibbi article, here's the very late in the game kicker (that should make you start from word one):

There's no other way to say it: Barack Obama, a once-in-a-generation political talent whose graceful conquest of America's racial dragons en route to the White House inspired the entire world, has for some reason allowed his presidency to be hijacked by sniveling, low-rent shitheads. Instead of reining in Wall Street, Obama has allowed himself to be seduced by it, leaving even his erstwhile campaign adviser, ex-Fed chief Paul Volcker, concerned about a "moral hazard" creeping over his administration.

"The obvious danger is that with the passage of time, risk-taking will be encouraged and efforts at prudential restraint will be resisted," Volcker told Congress in September, expressing concerns about all the regulatory loopholes in Frank's bill. "Ultimately, the possibility of further crises — even greater crises — will increase."

What's most troubling is that we don't know if Obama has changed, or if the influence of Wall Street is simply a fundamental and ineradicable element of our electoral system. What we do know is that Barack Obama pulled a bait-and-switch on us. If it were any other politician, we wouldn't be surprised. Maybe it's our fault, for thinking he was different.

How Furlough Can You Go?

What's the problem with the UC? It's trying to be a corporation. And we know how well they've been doing of late. Or perhaps I should say how well the average worker at one has done of late.

Want the details? Go read the highly informative Changing Universities blog. And yes, I do know the author Bob Samuels and like him, even if he's a Yankees fan--guess he has to root for the overdog somewhere.

Shitloadirrific!

TBogg called this post funny, which is like Albert Pujols calling someone a good hitter. (Except it's a lot more fun to say "Pujols" than "Tbogg" outloud.) Go read it, but don't do it in a place where people will ask, "Hey, ____, why are you laughing so much?" Cause most people won't like hearing that _____, the suddenly very creepy person in the next cube, is guffawing about something to do with sasquatch and midget porn.

But everyone gets a free burrito.

Buck Up, It's Just Stagflation

Tom Burka doesn't post as often as he used to, alas, but you knew he'd come out schwinging for this one:

Stagflation Making Cost of Hookers Unacceptably High, Spitzer Says

New York Governor Elliot Spitzer attacked Republicans today for creating an economic climate so hostile to middle and low income workers that they can barely afford the cost of a decent blowjob. "The cost of prostitutes is skyrocketing while the salary of the average American worker is declining," Spitzer complained.

"Everyone should be able to get a reasonably priced reacharound," said Spitzer, "but George W. Bush and his cronies want only the Washington fatcats to be able to afford quality hummers."

Go read the rest....