NYT, Bob Herbert: When Madmen Reign; "Now we’re looking into the abyss."

[DeepModem Mom]

When Madmen Reign
By BOB HERBERT
Published: September 29, 2008

Madness.

I’m not holding my breath, but I would like to see the self-proclaimed conservative, small government, anti-regulation, free-market zealots step up and take responsibility for wrecking the American economy and bringing about the worst financial crisis since the Depression. Even now, with the house on fire, the most extreme among them won’t pick up the fire hoses and try to put it out.

With the fate of the Bush administration’s desperate $700 billion bailout of the financial industry hanging in the balance, Representative Darrell Issa, a Republican from California, stuck to his political playbook like a man covered in Krazy Glue. He pronounced himself “resolute” in his opposition to the bailout because to be otherwise would amount to a betrayal of party principles. To deviate from those principles, in Mr. Issa’s view, would be like placing “a coffin on top of Ronald Reagan’s coffin.”

We are in very strange territory here.

George H.W. Bush warned us about “voodoo economics” in 1980, but the ideologues clamped a gag on him and put him on the Gipper’s ticket. For much of the time since then, the madmen of the right have carried the day. They were freed of their remaining few restraints with the ascendance of George W. Bush in 2000.

These were the reckless clowns who led us into the foolish multitrillion-dollar debacle in Iraq and who crafted tax policies that enormously benefited millionaires and billionaires while at the same time ran up staggering amounts of government debt. This is the crowd that contributed mightily to the greatest disparities in wealth in the U.S. since the gilded age. This was the crowd that cut the cords of corporate and financial regulations and in myriad other ways gleefully hacked away at the best interests of the United States.

Now we’re looking into the abyss....

***

In the gale force winds of a full-fledged economic hurricane, it’s fair to ask Senator McCain whether he still considers himself a conservative, small government, anti-regulation, free-market zealot. Or whether he’s seen the light.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/30/opinion/30herbert.html?hp

[ima_sinnic]

1. good one -- k&r

[Duppers]

2. recommend posting in GD too.

thanks.

[yellowcanine]

3. I never thought I would say this but I miss Tom DeLay at this moment.

Bonerman just doesn't do it for me. It would be much more fun watching Tom Delay trying to finesse this one. And he probably would have delivered the votes as well.

[hedgehog]

4. I agree with Bob Herbert - Wall Street Republicans have been using the image of Ronald Reagen

to pacify Main Street Republicans for 30 years while they fed off this country. This time, the Main Street Republicans have gotten out of control.

[ihavenobias]

5. K & R