Neolibs: Manufacturing doesn't matter

And, to think that Christina Romer was supposedly one of the real liberals among Obama's economic advisers. Then, she craps the bedsheet with dreck like this, saying, in essence, don't worry about manufacturing jobs; as long as we have FIRE and related high-dollar services, we're  fine.

Well, Ms. Romer ... more and more of that is being offshored, or else, in the case of law, done by computers. Think again. And, exporting architectural plans to China? Soon enough, China will either have more of its own architects, or else be stealing things like that.

Whazzup, #Tiger touters?

I agree with Fox's Robert Lusetich; It seems like Tiger Woods had stage fright at Pebble Beach yesterday. He's still scared of the flatstick when the heat is on, at the least. Compared to Phil Mickelson, the collapse was, as Lusetich also notes, as bad as Greg Norman vs. Nick Faldo at the 1996 Masters.

And, speaking of ...

Which means that, at Augusta National, CBS will have to dig into tapes for Tiger memories again. Have fun, Jim Nantz.

I'm crying my heart out.

Will Obama stand by tax tough talk?

Right now, the president is saying a lot of the right things, such as increasing taxes on top-end dividends. (Well,  it's halfway right; when we start taxing all income as income, then, it will really be right.)

Anyway, the proof will be in the pudding ... will we have a summer backtrack/compromise, or something after the election, win lose or draw? Assuming that the author of "Obama on the Couch" (recently reviewed here) is right, Obama isn't a confrontationalist in general, so backtrack is a definite possibility.

Election-year fundraising, as well as shoring up of voter support, will also be a factor.

The conscience of a budding American socialist

Conscience: Two Soldiers, Two Pacifists, One Family--a Test of Will and Faith in World War I by Louisa Thomas

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


An interesting story about the upbringing of perennial Socialist Party presidential candidate Norman Thomas and his three brothers, written by Norman's great-granddaughter. The four all went to Princeton when Woodrow Wilson was president, but split over Wilson's push for WWI. Norman saw that Wilson's own actions would lead toward crushing of dissent and likely not make the world that safe for democracy. Evan, a true idealist, became a conscientious objector, even going on a hunger strike. Arthur immediately signed up and became an officer, getting wounded. And Ryan, who muddled the most at Princeton, muddled in his angle on the war before enlisting.

It was good but not quite great, in that the book didn't seem to have enough "frisson."



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Is the Chinese building bubble bursting?

It gives every appearance of that. China's economic boom has largely been based on a construction surge every bit as bubbly as the U.S. housing bubble of the previous decade. So, if only one month's figures, a notable cutback on construction activity is cause for concern indeed.

And, because of globalization, for better and often for worse, things like this don't stay in Beijing.

A tea-party type hypocrite for you

Says he doesn't need government help, but, he has his hand out for plenty of it. Mr. Gulbranson applies for the earned income tax credit every year, and free school lunches for his kids. And, although the story doesn't mention it, he probably doesn't think there's too much income inequality in the U.S., either.

Worst part? At the end of the story, he says he feels sorry for his kids, with the implication that it's because of the "other" type freeloaders (ie, black/Mexican chiselers) ruining the country.

I feel sorry for his kids too, for getting indoctrinated by someone like him who believes in American exceptionalism, believes the trickle-down lies of the GOP, believes the "socialism" lies told about an almost conservative Democratic president who has the backbone of a chocolate eclair, and who is working to enshrine sentiment like this in a majority of Americans.

I feel sorry for his kids if Mr. Gulbranson comes even close to success in brainwashing his kids into adulthood. I feel sorry for his kids that their dad is so guilt-tripped over all the brainwashing he's already bought into. I feel sorry for kids being raised in such a milieu in general.

And, I feel sorry for the kids of all such parents who believe that any protest against such a guilt tripping system is "class warfare."

Two more takeaways, from linked stories.

1. A lot of the Gulbransons of the world live in red states.

2. Much of these program is, indeed, going to the middle class, not the poor.

Meanwhile, Toby Mcguire tries to claim Dems/liberals are hypocrites on the issue because Social Security and Medicare are earned benefits, not a safety not.

WRONG, el doofus. An "earned benefit" can still be one that was created as part of a safety net.