The Reform Agenda

[dr_scott]

Morning reading. I have tended to avoid political commentary since most people aren't ready to hear anything that doesn't agree with their morally superior, Daily Show-viewing, bien pensant groupthink, but we're reaching an interesting juncture here, with the Syrian situation possibly being the last straw that loosens the grip of the Democrat-

Comments

[billeyler]

I won't disagree with you on this, although I did get a bit squinchy-faced, thinking that YOU think 'the rest of us in the world other than Curtis' as '[delusionally] morally superior.' (I'm sure that isn't your intention though!)

[dr_scott]

I'm talking about the segment of the population that rises out of academia, never had a job in small business or requiring accounting, and thinks if only the right Progressives were in charge and those evil Red State people were removed, a new dawn of happiness and perfection would ensue. It's the team approach: my team good, those other people bad.

[mrdreamjeans]

I believe you've coined a phrase worthy of adoption ... "The corruption that binds us ". I no longer know what to believe or how anything to do with government will get better ...

[pklexton]

most people aren't ready to hear anything that doesn't agree with their morally superior, Daily Show-viewing, bien pensant groupthinkSpeaking as someone who likes the Daily Show, ouch. Anyway, I don't think it's just the Daily Show-viewing crowd that's trapped in its own thought bubble. Fox watchers certainly come to mind as well

[dr_scott]

I like the Daily Show. What I don't like is people who don't follow current affairs very closely and receive all their attitudes and knowledge from a comedy entertainment. And of course you're right that Fox (especially commentators) plies the same trade of "get outraged or feel superior about the selective reporting of the worst of the [red model]|[blue model]." But I don't really have to address the fundies and rednecks because none of them read me!

One can point out that this may be the first failure of Saudi money and influence-peddling in DC - buying pols is one thing, but when fracking and other new sources takes away dependence on Saudi oil, there are far fewer interest groups clamoring for action to protect them, and the popular dislike of foreign adventures is more apparent. Note that the politician too scared to approve the XL pipeline would lay waste to his reputation by proposing new Middle Eastern adventurism.

[pklexton]

This has indeed been a rare moment when the monied establishment (most of which to me seems lined up on the pro war side) generally seems to not be getting its way. Maybe there is hope for common sense after all.

Actually maybe I'm wrong. Wall Street seems to jump every time tensions are ratcheted down. Perhaps it is against the war after all. That would explain a lot.

Showing my conspiracy stripes, sorry.

[dr_scott]

Investors on the whole dislike war, waste, disruption, high oil prices, and risks posed by a Syrian foray. The defense establishment also thinks it's a bad idea. Defense contractors, OTOH, might be expected to support it, especially with some of the trial balloons that have been floated to restore defense funds that were sequestered.

It will be no loss if McCain, Graham, Boxer, and Feinstein were turfed out. Much tired old thinking from tired old people.

The way needs to be cleared for young people to succeed and live the full lives and careers they could build if only the old power structures and regulators would get out of the way.

[abqdan]

I wouldn't necessarily disagree - certainly to the extent that the two-party system doesn't serve us well, and that it is largely sustained by an ill-informed electorate and powerful pressure groups on all sides. That said - a couple of other thoughts