The Fog Of Foolish Debate: And The Coming Disaster For Real People

[marmar]

from the Working Life blog:


The Fog Of Foolish Debate: And The Coming Disaster For Real People
Posted on 18 October 2013.


The lunacy of a small group of tin-foil Republicans has caused a great deal of damage — but not in the way most of the discussion unfolded in the media. You see, the lunacy simply obscured the shellacking everyone of us will probably have to absorb in the coming months.

In the very immediate storm of the short-term crisis — the shutdown of the government and the refusal of a small band to allow the raising of the debt ceiling — it was a no-brainer to view the Democrats and the president as the grown-ups in the room.

But, the lunatics in the Republican Party were really providing a great service to the dominant narrative by the elites by obscuring the utter robbery underway and looming ahead.

........(snip)........

But, that’s not even the biggest problem. The “bi-partisan” compromise to end the short-term crisis was embraced, given a lot of love and framed as the grown-ups taking control.

But, it’s really a disaster, if you look at the long-term. Because the deal gives more oxygen for the idiotic debate about the phony debt and deficit crisis. There is now the usual heavy breathing over entitlement “reform” and debt reduction, coming from the likes of Paul Ryan and Patty Murray: ............................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.workinglife.org/2013/10/18/the-fog-of-foolish-debate-and-the-coming-disaster-for-real-people/#sthash.l4CeV0od.dpuf

[librechik]

1. Yes--Disaster Capitalism works a little differently in the US

they have to make the disaster first. An imaginary disaster. That most people will believe in absolutely to the point of fisticuffs.

They're doing a great job, no?

[jwirr]

9. Actually the Chicago Boys created many of the problems in other countries. It is why they

dislike us so much.

[Jackpine Radical]

2. The Occupy movement managed to shift the debate from deficits, debts, "entitlements," etc.

to the issue of class privilege. Officialdom is now engaged in a great battle for the consciousness of the public, trying to deflect thought and discourse back onto the illusionary debt/deficit/Reverse Robin-Hood playing field where they own both goalposts.

[Laelth]

5. +1. n/t

-Laelth

[BelgianMadCow]

14. +2

it's a battle for the public consciousness alright.

[chervilant]

3. And, they're gearing up for a redux.

Because the Hoi Polloi hasn't suffered quite enough.

(What's that infamous quote? "The beatings will continue until morale improves.&quot

[Laelth]

4. All true.

But, if the insanity coming from the right splits the Republican Party and gives us the House in 2014, I can live with the short-term damage on the assumption that we might be able to repair said damage in 2015 and 2016.



-Laelth

[sulphurdunn]

13. Like was done from 2008-2010?

[KoKo]

6. The Deal just kicked the can down the road through the holidays.

The Bicameral Committee can only do so much and we can figure that "Entitlements" will be on the Table in trade for more tax breaks for the wealthy or some other prize the Teaparty wants.

It will be stamped "Grand Bargain" ...and just get over it an move on. I hope the cynic in me is wrong but the history always seems to repeat itself. It's good that Bernie Sanders is on that Committee. though.

[socialist_n_TN]

7. DU thread posted October 6th.........

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023790172

[mmonk]

8. Excellent. Facebooked it.

[zeemike]

10. Yep, they are coming for your social security

And they will get it too, and give it to their friends on Wall Street...Just as George Carlin predicted years ago.

[99th_Monkey]

11. If the TeaBaggers are not careful, they will drag this out until the next election

at which time they will be pilloried, tarred & feathered by the electorate,
and the Dems will gain control of the House. <-- not a bad outcome actually.

"Please proceed" <-- my message to GOP

[washnwmn]

12. With all this

gloom and doom, who needs the far right? The gloom and doom, scare tactics and nonsense appears to just as ridiculous on both sides. Listen to ourselves.

[socialist_n_TN]

15. So you don't think this is on the table for negotiation?......

Silly us! It's ridiculous to take people's words seriously.

[Flying Squirrel]

16. Um, he lost me when he lumped Paul Ryan and Patty Murray together

She's my Senator and a damn good one. Completely uncalled-for.