I do have a question for Mr. Brooks. I'm curious about "I think if she hits a relatively nonpartisan agenda really hard and cultivates a lot of nontraditional collaborators, she has a good chance of finding success". Could he be more specific about which nontraditional collaborators he has in mind? I was confused.
Arthur and Gail don't get it. Democratic and Republican politicians have been making "deals" for the last 40 years, the result of which has been growing income inequality, the destruction of working class jobs, the demise of unions, severals wars that the US has lost and the prospect of more foreign adventures, and the growth of environmental destruction, species extinction and human-caused global warming. There is no sign that these same politicians that are responding to pressure from their billionaire campaign funders are even remotely capable of understanding and responding to the very real grievances of ordinary working people, and they are certainly not offering US any "deals" that will help us survive the future of austerity they have planned for us, let alone return to us any of the benefits of our increased productivity in the form of higher wages and essential government services. This isn't about local versus national politics, it's about class war and the social unrest and organized resistance of ordinary people to a system that sees them as exploitable and expendable. This is how to understand the Wisconsin Uprising, Occupy Wall Street, the Fight for $15 and Black Lives Matter. Bernie and Trump are only the first polar opposite electoral expressions of this unrest and resistance; they are only mild-mannered harbingers of what is to come.
1
While the article is not wrong, it is missing the major aspect of this year’s presidential race, which has drawn record debate viewers and early voters: political rhetoric is fading away. With one candidate never holding political office in his life, and the other frivolling with classified documents, neither seems to have a bit of ethos going for them. And forget about logos, as discussions between the two leading candidates contain more ad hominem than statistics or concrete plans. While pathos is still strong, it is not being used in its idealized sense of inspiring people or gaining sympathy, but rather fueling hatred and disgust.
Logos, pathos, and ethos have all dwindled to small amounts, leaving one tool of persuasion in the spotlight — charisma. It is difficult to make a strong argument that either Clinton or Trump are the best Americans to lead the United States, and yet they are the two front runners. This is because their interactions are so far away from the standards of politically-correct debates that they have become entertainers, not politicians, in the eyes of the standard American. There is a force drawing in the citizens, making them want to see more. The unconventional charm of the Trump-Clinton “odd couple” has compelled voters to keep them around. The charisma of their interactions has kept them at the front. It is not facts nor emotions and it is certainly not a trust in the candidates that has allowed them to succeed to this position, but charisma.
Logos, pathos, and ethos have all dwindled to small amounts, leaving one tool of persuasion in the spotlight — charisma. It is difficult to make a strong argument that either Clinton or Trump are the best Americans to lead the United States, and yet they are the two front runners. This is because their interactions are so far away from the standards of politically-correct debates that they have become entertainers, not politicians, in the eyes of the standard American. There is a force drawing in the citizens, making them want to see more. The unconventional charm of the Trump-Clinton “odd couple” has compelled voters to keep them around. The charisma of their interactions has kept them at the front. It is not facts nor emotions and it is certainly not a trust in the candidates that has allowed them to succeed to this position, but charisma.
As a KS resident, suffering through the fourth year of extremist governance under Brownback and cohort (read: Laffer- inspired trickle down economic theory - gone amok), I absolutely can tell you not only who is running for town dog catcher, but the next-door town's and the next. The number of state races we attended to actually made a tremendous difference in the primaries earlier, mitigating some of the Tea Party control by running moderates. Democrats and Republicans are poised more toe-to-toe this year in KS than in previous years because of school funding collapse, raids on state pension plans and transportation funds in effort to balance state budget and a concentrated effort by the governor to hijack the courts' nomination process.
I am excited to vote for the first female president this fall; I hope Americans resoundingly defeat Trump the man and the ideology. But his impulse has been alive and well in KS for years; the country would do well to look this way and see how hard and long it will take to dig ourselves out of the mess we created without much forethought.
I am excited to vote for the first female president this fall; I hope Americans resoundingly defeat Trump the man and the ideology. But his impulse has been alive and well in KS for years; the country would do well to look this way and see how hard and long it will take to dig ourselves out of the mess we created without much forethought.
Depends on whether the local ballot has a corporate-welfare-for-billionaire-sports-team-owners measure on it.
We have allowed media to drive our life agendas - from advertising and marketing to the scare-me-to-death headlines in newspapers and the ominous voice-overs and graphics footage on electronic media. Who cares about hourly updates on the stock market or the GDP? Only someone whose life is tied inextricably into those entities. Oh yeah - those so-called masters of the universe. But my life is no longer one of them, and I love that it isn't. In fact, more than 50% of Americans are not in the stock market.
And so what if Hillary does win, or Trump does? So what??
This is an inspirational, civil exchange - without Brooks letting Madam off the hook. Good job!
And so what if Hillary does win, or Trump does? So what??
This is an inspirational, civil exchange - without Brooks letting Madam off the hook. Good job!
"Her only real hope is to build good personal relationships as fast as possible with Democrats and Republicans, and start to deal liberally with everyone, especially Paul Ryan."
Where have you been??
Where have you been??
What effects me and my family personally? First of all - Global Warming. We must stop making things worse, hopefully make things better AND deal with what is already occurring including what will be the flooding of a lot of the eastern seaboard. Secondly - the Supreme Court. We need to overturn Citizens United, strengthen Voting Rights and protect the right of Women to choose what happens to their own bodies. AND...we need to tell all the hate mongers out there that the nation won't stand for racist, anti-semitic and xenophobic behavior. Lastly...dare I say it....better gun control. Not taking away people's right to own guns but let's close the loop holes and improve background checks...not to mention getting major assault weapons off the streets. The police would bless us. All of the above is extremely personal to me.
Too true about the vanishing local paper leaving a void. But a wonderful help to citizens is The League of Women Voters. They have a voters tools section at vote411.com. Enter your address and zip and you get a practice ballot, listing all the candidates and ballot issues. Most, but not all candidates enter information about themselves. And once you know who's running you can Google the names and find more info. You can spend a few hours or a few days doing this to prepare yourself. If a candidate leaves no info with LWV and has no info that Google can find, they are usually a judge or a county commissioner who's been re-elected since time began and is running unopposed. I don't vote for them because I am offended that they won't even recycle an old campaign blurb for the LWV. No harm done. If they're good at what they do, they'll get re-elected anyway, and if they're a bad at what they do - they'll get re-elected anyway.
1
What is all of this about "both sides"!? "hard-core partisans on both sides have decided that compromise is pure weakness" For the past 8 years it has been truly 1 side and 1 side only that has stopped compromising and has put our country in this awful spot. I am so sick of the false equivalency, and the whining that continues to come from Republicans when they lose a fair fight.
Arthur started out making some sense but he couldn't help himself -- he descended into faux-reality GOP propaganda. Hillary should immediately start to compromise with the Republicans? That's exactly what Obama did, and it was so successful? It seems as though Arthur has been taking a vacation in another universe and has no idea of what's been happening here. Since he hasn't, though, I start to question his honesty. Sorry, Arthur, but you have the power to rejoin reality if you wish.
1
Comments editor: I made a couple of serious mistakes in first post. Here is corrected version:
This is the first time reading this column wherein Mr. Brooks does not go "Both Sides Do It." I look for it every week and like clockwork there it would be.
So this week, instead of "Both Sides Do It" we get "Stench of Corruption"? Good pivot. The two most vile words in this conversation are directed at the person who emphatically does not whimsically grab other people's genitals (there is a reason these are colloquially referred to as "Private Parts"), who is not married to somebody who would otherwise be prosecuted and deported were she less fabulous - which wouldn't be so bad were it not for the Stench of Hypocrisy (BTW, why is the Melania story not going anywhere; and why isn't she in any legal jeopardy?), who has not perpetrated an 8 year outright lie about our current head of state (which lie weakens same head of state at home and abroad, and by extension makes us Americans less than what we are), who has not put everybody on Defcon-1 on the subject of peaceful transfer of power, I suspect, because a U.S. election is such a droll thing to be toyed with. Blah blah blah.
Gail, I love a good argument, but please find a better fencing partner next year. NYTimes, please send me a job application. I, and most writers in this comments section, can do better. If nothing else, we can at least guarantee good old fashioned intellectual honesty.
This is the first time reading this column wherein Mr. Brooks does not go "Both Sides Do It." I look for it every week and like clockwork there it would be.
So this week, instead of "Both Sides Do It" we get "Stench of Corruption"? Good pivot. The two most vile words in this conversation are directed at the person who emphatically does not whimsically grab other people's genitals (there is a reason these are colloquially referred to as "Private Parts"), who is not married to somebody who would otherwise be prosecuted and deported were she less fabulous - which wouldn't be so bad were it not for the Stench of Hypocrisy (BTW, why is the Melania story not going anywhere; and why isn't she in any legal jeopardy?), who has not perpetrated an 8 year outright lie about our current head of state (which lie weakens same head of state at home and abroad, and by extension makes us Americans less than what we are), who has not put everybody on Defcon-1 on the subject of peaceful transfer of power, I suspect, because a U.S. election is such a droll thing to be toyed with. Blah blah blah.
Gail, I love a good argument, but please find a better fencing partner next year. NYTimes, please send me a job application. I, and most writers in this comments section, can do better. If nothing else, we can at least guarantee good old fashioned intellectual honesty.
3
More false equivalency: intolerance on the right is much worse than on the left. Only 1/3 of Democrats would be unhappy if their child married someone from the opposite party, but virtually half of Republicans would (49%). Recent Pew polls also show that only 1/3 of conservatives like political leaders who make compromises, versus 82 percent of liberals. Conservatives are also more likely than liberals to prefer friends and neighborhoods that mostly share their political views. Something else the Pew polls show is the higher the level of education, the more likely a person will have a consistently liberal political outlook. All Donald Trump did is to expose these fault lines more starkly.
This is the first time reading this column wherein Mr. Brooks does not go "Both Sides Do It." I look for it every week and like clockwork there it would be.
So this week, instead of "Both Sides Do It" we get "Stench of Corruption"? Good pivot. The two most vile words in this conversation is directed at the person who emphatically does not whimsically grab other people's genitals (there is a reason these are colloquially referred to as "Private Parts"), who is not married to somebody who would otherwise be prosecuted and deported were she less fabulous - which wouldn't be so bad were it not for the Stench of Hypocrisy (BTW, why is the Melania story not going anywhere; and why isn't she in any legal jeopardy?), who perpetrated an 8 year outright lie about our current head of state (which lie weakens same head of state at home and abroad, and by extension makes us Americans less than what we are), who has put everybody on Defcon-1 on the subject of peaceful transfer of power, I suspect, because a U.S. election is such a droll thing to be toyed with. Blah blah blah.
Gail, I love a good argument, but please find a better fencing partner next year. NYTimes, please send me a job application. I, and most writers in this comments section, can do better. If nothing else, we can at least guarantee good old fashioned intellectual honesty.
So this week, instead of "Both Sides Do It" we get "Stench of Corruption"? Good pivot. The two most vile words in this conversation is directed at the person who emphatically does not whimsically grab other people's genitals (there is a reason these are colloquially referred to as "Private Parts"), who is not married to somebody who would otherwise be prosecuted and deported were she less fabulous - which wouldn't be so bad were it not for the Stench of Hypocrisy (BTW, why is the Melania story not going anywhere; and why isn't she in any legal jeopardy?), who perpetrated an 8 year outright lie about our current head of state (which lie weakens same head of state at home and abroad, and by extension makes us Americans less than what we are), who has put everybody on Defcon-1 on the subject of peaceful transfer of power, I suspect, because a U.S. election is such a droll thing to be toyed with. Blah blah blah.
Gail, I love a good argument, but please find a better fencing partner next year. NYTimes, please send me a job application. I, and most writers in this comments section, can do better. If nothing else, we can at least guarantee good old fashioned intellectual honesty.
Arthur, if no one could give you a compelling answer about how the election could impact their own lives, that could either be because they are under-educated about the relationship between government policies and life and death issues from global warming to health care to war, or because they are among the relatively privileged who don't have to worry about the effects of downturns in the housing and job markets, big losses in their 409 K plans or 529 college savings plans or IRAs, or not getting a significant raise in their minimum wage jobs, or losing their health insurance. And that is just the short list and doesn't even take into account the longer term destructive effects of what a Trump presidency could do to our democratic institutions and principles.
These conversations have really helped many of us get through this year's election. I believe we need you to continue these conversations for a while. The election will be over but I am concerned about what will be happening for the next four years. Will Clinton be able to accomplish her goals? Or will Trump and his supporters create havoc?
" She is so freighted with scandal, self-dealing, and the stench of corruption — much of which is of her own making — "....except, no it isn't, Brooks.
The bush ii White House destroyed 22 million emails....no investigation.
Sec. Powell used his own server.....no investigation.
Our embassies were attacked many more times during bush's administration....no investigations.
Ronald Reagan actually broke the law during the Iran/Contra bit.....no impeachment.
Hillary Clinton......investigation after investigation after investigation and not ONE indictment. Not one time was she found to be acting illegally. Not once was she really culpable, yet your party has kept up the charade that if a Clinton does it it must be illegal.
The stench that surrounds Clinton has the same origins as the stench that surrounds T rump......that would be the republican party of Arthur C. Brooks.
The bush ii White House destroyed 22 million emails....no investigation.
Sec. Powell used his own server.....no investigation.
Our embassies were attacked many more times during bush's administration....no investigations.
Ronald Reagan actually broke the law during the Iran/Contra bit.....no impeachment.
Hillary Clinton......investigation after investigation after investigation and not ONE indictment. Not one time was she found to be acting illegally. Not once was she really culpable, yet your party has kept up the charade that if a Clinton does it it must be illegal.
The stench that surrounds Clinton has the same origins as the stench that surrounds T rump......that would be the republican party of Arthur C. Brooks.
1
It's time for raw meat, President Clinton.
Fire Comey
Indict Christie.
Indict Trump.
Niceness shown to republicans should be no more than a blindfold.
Send Anthony to Mars.
Michelle to the Supreme Court.
It's better to be feared than laughed at.
You have two years to get things done.
The only thing you regularly find in the middle of the road is a dead possum.
Fire Comey
Indict Christie.
Indict Trump.
Niceness shown to republicans should be no more than a blindfold.
Send Anthony to Mars.
Michelle to the Supreme Court.
It's better to be feared than laughed at.
You have two years to get things done.
The only thing you regularly find in the middle of the road is a dead possum.
I know Arthur Brooks is glib. Every now and then he says something amusing. But his idea that this is a "silly presidential race" that matters less than what happens at the local level is absurd. Like Gail said, "a trade war, economic meltdown and then maybe a nuclear attack or two would be a game-changer for everybody."
The silly presidential race will decide world events, from what happens with our NATO allies in Europe and Asia, to nuclear proliferation, to Syrian refugees whose lives are on the line and more. It will also determine whether the country repudiates its immigrants, rounds them up and throws them out, breaking up familes and hearts. It will set the course for all sorts of American lives. Trump is a dangerous authoritarian repudiated by scores of Republican statesmen. Hats off to Gail for slogging through the conversation.
The silly presidential race will decide world events, from what happens with our NATO allies in Europe and Asia, to nuclear proliferation, to Syrian refugees whose lives are on the line and more. It will also determine whether the country repudiates its immigrants, rounds them up and throws them out, breaking up familes and hearts. It will set the course for all sorts of American lives. Trump is a dangerous authoritarian repudiated by scores of Republican statesmen. Hats off to Gail for slogging through the conversation.
I am reeeeally tired of Brooks's predictable dogmatism. Gail, whom I otherwise enjoy and respect, seems stifled and reduced by his mansplaining blather. I suppose he's a bright guy, but the conservative ideas he spouts are, to me, the very definition of fantasy, disengaged from the reality of what actually works to help people. I'm disappointed that I keep letting myself be suckered into reading these one-sided conversations in the hopes that Gail will really take him down the way he so needs to be taken down. Where is a Molly Ivins when you need her! Sigh.
2
"She is so freighted with scandal, self-dealing, and the stench of corruption — much of which is of her own making — that it will haunt her early months at least. The whole story about mishandling classified material has wrecked much hope for a mandate."
That completely exposes Brooks for the right wing stooge he is. Brooks doesn't bother pointing out that it is all made up cow patties - Benghazi, Whitewater, Foundation, emails (see http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2016/11/4/13500018/clinton-email-... ) on and on with his ALEC funded AEI agenda. Brooks fails to acknowledge how these fake scandals were created and repeated endlessly by every - well almost every - Republican just exposes him for the hypocrite he is.
That completely exposes Brooks for the right wing stooge he is. Brooks doesn't bother pointing out that it is all made up cow patties - Benghazi, Whitewater, Foundation, emails (see http://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2016/11/4/13500018/clinton-email-... ) on and on with his ALEC funded AEI agenda. Brooks fails to acknowledge how these fake scandals were created and repeated endlessly by every - well almost every - Republican just exposes him for the hypocrite he is.
3
And thank you, Arthur and Gail! Your thoughtful, often witty, but always cordial conversations have been an all-too-rare ray of light in this otherwise dismal year.
Believe me, the people who show up to local City Council and School Board meetings definitely bring their torches and pitchforks. It can be maddening, tedious and depressing. It is very hard to get anything done at that level.
1
The "how will your life really change?" is what everyone said around GWB. And guess what? Most of our lives changed far more than we thought they would. I can only imagine what would happen with Trump.
1
Arthur should be replaced by a non-sequitur resistant commentator. His claim that liberals would be the enemies of progress is preposterous.
He wouldn't last five minutes in a Massachusetts living room. Unless he filibustered.
He wouldn't last five minutes in a Massachusetts living room. Unless he filibustered.
1
"No one expects to govern in a system where everybody agrees. Most don’t even want that. You gotta make deals, even if you disagree with some of the outcomes."
Maybe, if we can't agree on what the government should do, the government shouldn't do ANYTHING on the topic. Making deals - having the government do things NOBODY wants, just for the sake of doing something - is the worst of all possible worlds.
Maybe, if we can't agree on what the government should do, the government shouldn't do ANYTHING on the topic. Making deals - having the government do things NOBODY wants, just for the sake of doing something - is the worst of all possible worlds.
It's amazing to me that Secretary Clinton's main "baggage" consists of controversies generated after she started running for president. Before then, her ~65% approval rating, both as Senator and Secretary of State, must have included the opinion of many Republicans and Independents as well as Democrats. I don't understand why everyone doesn't see through these partisan attacks.
3
Arthur Brooks is such a good chameleon, I'm starting to feel (as perhaps Gail Collins does) that his pleasant side is rather nice. I know perfectly well he's a mover and shaker in the Kochtopus which makes him an out and out rotter on the evidence, but then he goes and gives the amazing wonderful Dalai Lama an OpEd here this week!
So it is rather interesting, that there are members pushing the right leaning manipulative apparatus that appear to be quite decent thoughtful people as long as you don't push them too far.
On the tyranny of purity, I have to agree with both. Just because we've seen the sausage making on one side thanks to Putin and Wikileaks, doesn't mean that we can get away from it when we don't know about it. That's one reason I abandoned Bernie ideals and left Berniebuster friends for Hillary.
It's devious, this being friendly and easygoing, because it masks an agenda that is hard on the 99%. (Perhaps we should talk about about 95% 90%?) The out and out villainy of Paul Ryan's budget ideas? The awfulness of cutting back on Social Security or "privatizing" it, when it's already regressive and could be fixed by removing the cap and lowering it? Tax cuts for the rich? More hoarding?
Health care for all: the courts have emasculated it after Republicans put it in a strait jacket, and now Democrats are to blame?
Yes, Republicans have taken over local. And we, Democrats, have to stop holding our noses and staying away.
Our guys can't do much without our support.
So it is rather interesting, that there are members pushing the right leaning manipulative apparatus that appear to be quite decent thoughtful people as long as you don't push them too far.
On the tyranny of purity, I have to agree with both. Just because we've seen the sausage making on one side thanks to Putin and Wikileaks, doesn't mean that we can get away from it when we don't know about it. That's one reason I abandoned Bernie ideals and left Berniebuster friends for Hillary.
It's devious, this being friendly and easygoing, because it masks an agenda that is hard on the 99%. (Perhaps we should talk about about 95% 90%?) The out and out villainy of Paul Ryan's budget ideas? The awfulness of cutting back on Social Security or "privatizing" it, when it's already regressive and could be fixed by removing the cap and lowering it? Tax cuts for the rich? More hoarding?
Health care for all: the courts have emasculated it after Republicans put it in a strait jacket, and now Democrats are to blame?
Yes, Republicans have taken over local. And we, Democrats, have to stop holding our noses and staying away.
Our guys can't do much without our support.
1
There you go again, Arthur....Peddling the notion that the Republicans can be negotiated with. Obama fell for that and look what it got him. And, they're already claiming they will not approve any Supreme Court nominee she makes, so yeah, they'll deal. Just how gullible do you think people are?
8
Please Match Headlines To Content
Responding only to the headline of this article, have you noticed how quiet Charles and David Koch were in this election ... especially as opposed to, say, Robert Mercer who was intimately engaged in the Trump endeavor.
That's because (1) you won't find the Kochs flogging a dead horse and (2) they know they can get waaaay more bang for their (very big) bucks by investing in state and local elections.
We can thank Tip O'Neill for telling us -- or did he just tell Chris Matthews -- that "all politics is local."
I seriously doubt that Mercer expected to get much from this presidential race except to position himself and his organizations for a run by Ted Cruz in 2020.
We'll see.
Responding only to the headline of this article, have you noticed how quiet Charles and David Koch were in this election ... especially as opposed to, say, Robert Mercer who was intimately engaged in the Trump endeavor.
That's because (1) you won't find the Kochs flogging a dead horse and (2) they know they can get waaaay more bang for their (very big) bucks by investing in state and local elections.
We can thank Tip O'Neill for telling us -- or did he just tell Chris Matthews -- that "all politics is local."
I seriously doubt that Mercer expected to get much from this presidential race except to position himself and his organizations for a run by Ted Cruz in 2020.
We'll see.
3
Only in Arthur's elite Republican echo chamber is corporate tax reduction a topic that the American public will "unite" behind.
6
For all of the ink spilled over the presidential election, I am glad to see Brooks and Collins make mention of the importance of local and state elections. That's where citizens both feel the most immediate effects of government and can have the greatest effect.
I'm also glad to see that they are talking about the importance of journalists. (It's not surprising, given that they are in the news business and have personally experienced its decline.) We as a society are in serious danger if we continue to allow professional journalism to go extinct across the country.
Every time a reporter is laid off or a newspaper goes out of business, we lose a little more of our control over the government that is supposed to be of, by and for the people. Anteing up for a subscription or two is a small price to pay.
I'm also glad to see that they are talking about the importance of journalists. (It's not surprising, given that they are in the news business and have personally experienced its decline.) We as a society are in serious danger if we continue to allow professional journalism to go extinct across the country.
Every time a reporter is laid off or a newspaper goes out of business, we lose a little more of our control over the government that is supposed to be of, by and for the people. Anteing up for a subscription or two is a small price to pay.
2
what we are witnessing is the latest in the on-going struggle that was evident in our founding: should we have a strong central federal government or should we give more power to the individual states and less to a central government? this is the dilemma of our democracy. Race and jobs and the 1% are "icing issues on top of the cake".
I have been a political junkie since I was a child. The elections of 1968 and 1969 (in NYC) are seared in my memory. This election cycle is like a shot of narcan. I am sickened, and rapidly getting over my craving.
My State Senatorial election is one of maybe four local level elections with massive TV ad buys in the metro NY area (Congress, NJ Garrett-Gottheimer, NY Faso-Teachout, Bergen County Republicans, and NY Seventh State Senate district, mine)
"If you love higher taxes, you'll love Adam Haber." The danger is for "NYC Democrats, led by Bill de Blasio, control all of state government. The last time this happened taxes went up by $9 billion, and spending increased by $12 billion."
The wholesale lies are stunning. Bill de Blasio leads NYC Democrats and stands to control the state? You mean the guy who needed legislative AND the governor's permission to lower the speed limit in NYC down to 25 mph from 30?
Two years ago, Andy Cuomo promised the Working Families party to try to turn the State Senate Democratic as a condition of their giving him the party line over Zephyr Teachout. He reneged within 24 hours of receiving that party endorsement. I wonder if Cuomo, for whom the Republican Senate provides convenient cover from his less than progressive real politics, had anything to do with that Super PAC ("New Yorkers for a Balanced Albany")?
My State Senatorial election is one of maybe four local level elections with massive TV ad buys in the metro NY area (Congress, NJ Garrett-Gottheimer, NY Faso-Teachout, Bergen County Republicans, and NY Seventh State Senate district, mine)
"If you love higher taxes, you'll love Adam Haber." The danger is for "NYC Democrats, led by Bill de Blasio, control all of state government. The last time this happened taxes went up by $9 billion, and spending increased by $12 billion."
The wholesale lies are stunning. Bill de Blasio leads NYC Democrats and stands to control the state? You mean the guy who needed legislative AND the governor's permission to lower the speed limit in NYC down to 25 mph from 30?
Two years ago, Andy Cuomo promised the Working Families party to try to turn the State Senate Democratic as a condition of their giving him the party line over Zephyr Teachout. He reneged within 24 hours of receiving that party endorsement. I wonder if Cuomo, for whom the Republican Senate provides convenient cover from his less than progressive real politics, had anything to do with that Super PAC ("New Yorkers for a Balanced Albany")?
2
"She is so freighted with scandal, self-dealing, and the stench of corruption — much of which is of her own making"
This kind of rant repeated as though an obvious fact simply displays an unreflective mind echoing a ridiculous repeated slogan.
This kind of rant repeated as though an obvious fact simply displays an unreflective mind echoing a ridiculous repeated slogan.
8
From Arthur Brooks: "I would propose a bunch of wonky stuff like a revenue-neutral reduction in corporate taxes..."
That's kind of like saying "I would propose that Clinton put herself in jail for just a couple of months." Reduction in corporate taxes? You never give up.
Again from Arthur: "an infrastructure repair agenda..."
Yes, that would be fine. Oh wait, there's a Republican House that will vote that down in an instant. How do I know? Because Obama has tried that same tack, and the Republicans voted it down in an instant.
Give it up, Arthur. You have little constructive to say.
That's kind of like saying "I would propose that Clinton put herself in jail for just a couple of months." Reduction in corporate taxes? You never give up.
Again from Arthur: "an infrastructure repair agenda..."
Yes, that would be fine. Oh wait, there's a Republican House that will vote that down in an instant. How do I know? Because Obama has tried that same tack, and the Republicans voted it down in an instant.
Give it up, Arthur. You have little constructive to say.
5
White male wrath, should Mrs. Clinton win, will parallel Republican obstructionism. Because Congress has firewalled themselves from the economy, they will do nothing. There is no incentive for real CAMPAIGN FINANCING REFORM. There will be no Mr. or Mrs. Smith going to Washington. In that moral vacuum, those lobbyists seeking to maintain the wage gap favoring the top 1 % will continue their level playing-field charade. Those localities seeking to alter their unequal status quos must go it alone, perhaps offering tax benefits to those businesses electing to be part of municipal solutions. Those towns or counties providing real jobs, day care and health clinics will be the models that others could follow out of this hateful, self-serving mess.
Arthur's suggestion is for Hilary to start with a tax cut? Revenue neutral or not; that sounds like capitulation rather than the first move of a winner. The country has moved so far to the right that conservatives seem to think that Bernie Sanders is radically left. Free education started a long time ago and has been underfunded for at least thirty years. Universal health care was proposed by Nixon.
It's time to reexamine our priorities. We never seem to run out of money for war. It's time to take care of our people...including the ageing men who lost their well paid jobs to outsourcing and technology. They need dignity - not hot rhetoric. Let's have an economy that works for all for a change. Let's rekindle the dream of America and succeed without trampling on some minority's rights.
Inclusive means everybody. Ageism is just as bad as racism, sexism or discriminating against any other sector of our society. It's not either this problem or that one we can work on. We can restore "less than college educated" white men's dignity, embrace the concept that black lives matter, break the glass ceiling for Asian Americans as well as for women, and treat gay Americans as equals all at the same time. We can find ways to help persons with disabilities thrive if we can make giant gliders that deliver internet globally.
"Love your neighbor as you love yourself." is not just a paraphrase from the bible.
It's time to reexamine our priorities. We never seem to run out of money for war. It's time to take care of our people...including the ageing men who lost their well paid jobs to outsourcing and technology. They need dignity - not hot rhetoric. Let's have an economy that works for all for a change. Let's rekindle the dream of America and succeed without trampling on some minority's rights.
Inclusive means everybody. Ageism is just as bad as racism, sexism or discriminating against any other sector of our society. It's not either this problem or that one we can work on. We can restore "less than college educated" white men's dignity, embrace the concept that black lives matter, break the glass ceiling for Asian Americans as well as for women, and treat gay Americans as equals all at the same time. We can find ways to help persons with disabilities thrive if we can make giant gliders that deliver internet globally.
"Love your neighbor as you love yourself." is not just a paraphrase from the bible.
3
I hope Arthur's final comment is not an indication that The Conversation is coming to an end. I, too, have found it a weekly breath of fresh air -- a civilized display of wisdom and wit that's increasingly rare in our public discourse. So please, guys -- and whoever decides these things -- don't let the discussion end.
"I bet you if she really made an effort to reach bipartisan compromise, the heaviest resistance would come from the hard left (the liberals in safe, gerrymandered districts), not the right."
What, in the past 8 years, makes anyone think that the majority of Republicans in congress would be willing to compromise in the least? Compromise isn't even an option with them, which, I guess, maybe makes Brooks right: refusal to even enter the conversation makes compromise impossible, so by default of course resistance to compromise can only come from the left.
Does the end of the election mean these "conversations" are over?
What, in the past 8 years, makes anyone think that the majority of Republicans in congress would be willing to compromise in the least? Compromise isn't even an option with them, which, I guess, maybe makes Brooks right: refusal to even enter the conversation makes compromise impossible, so by default of course resistance to compromise can only come from the left.
Does the end of the election mean these "conversations" are over?
15
Uh, the onus for compromise is on those already threatening to impeach her and block her Supreme Court nominations for four years.
55
johnp - Indeed; we have to stop letting politicians portray outright sedition as being just normal politics.
12
This is a silly, misleading headline. It is not either-or when it comes to whether things are "better" when all politics is local. We need all three levels to function "better."
And what do we mean by "better"? And which political party is stopping us, and why?
Hint: a political party that espouses it hates government, states it intends to "drown it in the bathtub," & declares it will block every piece of legislation and Supreme Court nominee the Democratically elected president proposes has no intention of working for "better government" for the people,, the country, or the planet.
So right now, my short-term solution to getting "better" government at all levels is to elect Democrats to office, because, while its politicians may not be perfect, at least they don't hate the organization they swear themselves to serve.
And what do we mean by "better"? And which political party is stopping us, and why?
Hint: a political party that espouses it hates government, states it intends to "drown it in the bathtub," & declares it will block every piece of legislation and Supreme Court nominee the Democratically elected president proposes has no intention of working for "better government" for the people,, the country, or the planet.
So right now, my short-term solution to getting "better" government at all levels is to elect Democrats to office, because, while its politicians may not be perfect, at least they don't hate the organization they swear themselves to serve.
3
As Tolstoy, Weber, and others have observed, government is violence.
So, the less government there is in the world, the better for humans!!
So, the less government there is in the world, the better for humans!!
In the 21st Century, all politics is scale-independent. This planet is a village.
Arthur is falling back on the Replican trope that Clinton "is so freighted with scandal, self-dealing, and the stench of corruption — much of which is of her own making." When the Clintons got to Washington, Hillary took on the job of working to produce a fair and reasonable healthcare plan instead of baking cookies. That's when the stories about her supposed scandals began. It's no wonder she is now viewed as somehow damaged; if people had spent the past twenty-five years maligning you with untrue or exaggerated failings, you might find the public believing that it was all true and mainly of your own making.
By the way, when are you going to suggest that Dan Ryan should start seeking to work fairly and honestly for the good of the country instead of asserting that the "little woman" President go to him?
By the way, when are you going to suggest that Dan Ryan should start seeking to work fairly and honestly for the good of the country instead of asserting that the "little woman" President go to him?
3
Every year it's the same - if a Democrat wins a pundit will say "should reach out for real to Republicans with policies they should in theory be able to tolerate." Brooks in this case goes on to say "Then we’ll just see what they do." I know what they will do. Bill Clinton put forward a largely Republican agenda and they impeached him. The ACA was a conservative solution to affordable healthcare once championed by the Heritage foundation. Republicans spent the last 8 years trying to repeal and/or sabotage it's success. So to Brooks I say "are you -expletive-kidding me?" Stop blaming Democrats for the scorched earth. Clean your house up first then we can talk bipartisanship.
8
Local politics is the core of corruption in our government. From the mayors office to the county council to the state legislature to the governor. all of us should take a very close look and make sure this offices are held by officials who reflect the beliefs of our local populations, and who will do our bidding. Otherwise, kick them to the curb and find better people. NO MORE OLD BOY NETWORKS!
1
Thanks Arthur and Gail. I enjoy The Converstion as a small light in a dark political season. Although it has been a nasty political spectacle and we are no doubt in for more Congressional obstructionism once Hillary takes office, I feel confident that the basic decency of the American people will prevail. Hillary will win, and there are more good folks than bad folks out there. Hurray.
Arthur , last time I checked bipartisan compromise requires compromise by both parties. In case you have forgotten , Mitch McConnell is the most obstructive party leader in congressional history . The first step will have to be to impeach Mitch .
Paul Ryan (assuming he is still Speaker ) at least tries
Good luck
Paul Ryan (assuming he is still Speaker ) at least tries
Good luck
7
Well I do pay very close attention to local and state politics, but the cities, counties and state (WA) are so politically polarized that there are very few real choices between competing perspectives. Seattle is an extremely liberal city in an extremely liberal county. Our city council is "nonpartisan" but that's only because anyone with an "R" next to their name would automatically lose regardless of their policy positions. All three of my state representatives are incumbent Democrats who ran unopposed. Because the state has a top 2 primary (the top 2 vote winners in the primary face off in the general) there are two Democrats running for the open House seat for our district. Most of the state contests between Democrats and Republicans are not really competitive. There are several ballot issues that are quite important and may be competitive, on the state minimum wage, a carbon tax and a gun control measure which are basically end-runs around the legislature who don't want to actually make decisions on these types of things. I'm a fairly liberal Democrat, but it feels like I have very little choice and no way to oppose the extremists in my own party.
2
I agree this is not healthy politics - and I am further to the left of most Americans.
I would add another major reason for this: I haven't heard cogent arguments from the other side in a very long time. Marriage equality: "Because it's been this way for millenia" (SCOTUS justices actually said this); Global warming: "Look it's a cold winter - those scientists are full of it."; Abortion: "Only in the case of rape"; 21st century economy: "MORE TRICKLEDOWN"; States rights: "Take over a BLM nature reserve!".
I don't like the mutual admiration society politics but I also need opponents with a coherent discourse grounded in logic and facts.
I would add another major reason for this: I haven't heard cogent arguments from the other side in a very long time. Marriage equality: "Because it's been this way for millenia" (SCOTUS justices actually said this); Global warming: "Look it's a cold winter - those scientists are full of it."; Abortion: "Only in the case of rape"; 21st century economy: "MORE TRICKLEDOWN"; States rights: "Take over a BLM nature reserve!".
I don't like the mutual admiration society politics but I also need opponents with a coherent discourse grounded in logic and facts.
1
I sympathize. Arizona has the opposite problem. A Republican will win almost all the state and local races. Usually it will be the most conservative Republican because of overwhelming support from groups such as Club for Growth. The state legislature goes nuts passing ALEC bills to target minorities, Planned Parenthood, teachers, and pass yet more tax cuts. There are a few Democrat majority areas but they are carefully contained.
And yet the two houses in Olympia are controlled by Democrats and Republicans, respectively. My Pierce County Leg. Dist. #28 state Republican representative will probably be re-elected - again (I think he has a sign factory somewhere). And Republican Kim Wyman will probably be re-elected Secretary of State. Republican Dave Reichert will return to Congress in DC. I know there are Republican state representatives in Eastern King County (Ryan Dunn). I think it is in Seattle proper that your choices are so very limited.
The 'odd couple', agreeing to disagree without sounding disagreeable, an impossible task for sure. Still, fun to read, without having to pick either side apart, given that you peck on issues that can't be swallowed, as they seem stuck in thick mud.
This election, here in California's San Francisco Bay Area has been a little unusual: No yard signs for the Presidential race. No bumper stickers either.
I have no idea why this is.
Two theories: people are afraid of having their property vandalized by the "other side", or California is (at least in urban areas) so overwhelmingly Democratic that signs are pointless (except for irritating your neighbors).
There are yard signs, but they're strictly for local races. People starting out in political careers, and, yes is refreshing, positive, and hopeful. I smile when I see one. I wish the candidates well. All of them.
I have no idea why this is.
Two theories: people are afraid of having their property vandalized by the "other side", or California is (at least in urban areas) so overwhelmingly Democratic that signs are pointless (except for irritating your neighbors).
There are yard signs, but they're strictly for local races. People starting out in political careers, and, yes is refreshing, positive, and hopeful. I smile when I see one. I wish the candidates well. All of them.
4
Same in western Massachusetts.
"Stop freaking out about the silly presidential race. Start reading your local paper."
My local paper is owned by a national chain that has cut most of the staff, quit reporting any local news, and is busy freaking out about this silly presidential race.
My local paper is owned by a national chain that has cut most of the staff, quit reporting any local news, and is busy freaking out about this silly presidential race.
42
Arthur: mandate or not, what makes you think any GOP member of Congress wants to help in governing? Certainly not their leadership!
Btw, your 'stench of corruption' is a very cheap shot, especially since your cohost was civil enough to avoid the many negative aspects of your candidate, all of them 'brought on himself'!
Btw, your 'stench of corruption' is a very cheap shot, especially since your cohost was civil enough to avoid the many negative aspects of your candidate, all of them 'brought on himself'!
44
Local can (and is here) just as partisan, corrupt and personal, so don't think its any better.
Just look around at supreme court decisions or just the news on illegal , stupid and just down right inane local laws that get passed in the name of politics.
Just look around at supreme court decisions or just the news on illegal , stupid and just down right inane local laws that get passed in the name of politics.
"And just maybe, go rent a U-Haul and move where there are better jobs and schools."
Hey Arthur: this incredibly glib remark demonstrates just what a boor you are. When was the last time (I'm betting never) you worked for minimum wage? Or got laid off when your company went out of business. It takes money to move, to find a new place to live, and to find a new job. And guess what else? It costs more--a lot more-- to live in the towns where the 'better jobs and better schools' are located. Not to mention the reality that the people like yourself, who live where things are rosy, do all they can to prevent poor slobs from moving in and driving down property values, etc., etc., etc. Your arrogance is less than humorous.
Hey Arthur: this incredibly glib remark demonstrates just what a boor you are. When was the last time (I'm betting never) you worked for minimum wage? Or got laid off when your company went out of business. It takes money to move, to find a new place to live, and to find a new job. And guess what else? It costs more--a lot more-- to live in the towns where the 'better jobs and better schools' are located. Not to mention the reality that the people like yourself, who live where things are rosy, do all they can to prevent poor slobs from moving in and driving down property values, etc., etc., etc. Your arrogance is less than humorous.
1
"She is so freighted with scandal, self-dealing, and the stench of corruption..." Arthur, I think you mean "he," not "she."
But, you had to do it, Arthur, didn't you. Your interjected diatribe (above) in this "conversation" smearing Hillary on this very important Election Day was poorly timed and unfortunate. Why? Because it undermined the much-needed point of this "conversation" with Gail--that we will survive as a nation, and there are bipartisan things Hillary can do as president.
The clincher was when Arthur said: "The whole story about mishandling classified material has wrecked much hope for a mandate." Not helpful today, Arthur. Just couldn't resist yet another worn-out, inappropriate opportunity to try to make Hillary's email "non-scandal" appear more egregious than all the rip-offs, insults, and terrible judgment the politically inexperienced Trump has engaged in for much of his adult life.
Arthur said a lovely thing at the end: "We’re not trying to agree on everything — or anything, really — just to articulate our very different views as friends, without bitterness or rancor." But to do this with genuine good will, you need to know when to keep your mouth shut and not use every opportunity to propagandize and try to Swift-Boat Hillary. Or, would not to do so mean that Arthur would be taken to the woodshed by the right-wing AEI that he heads.
Not only party over country, but party over friendships. Right there is the problem with Arthur's "conversations."
But, you had to do it, Arthur, didn't you. Your interjected diatribe (above) in this "conversation" smearing Hillary on this very important Election Day was poorly timed and unfortunate. Why? Because it undermined the much-needed point of this "conversation" with Gail--that we will survive as a nation, and there are bipartisan things Hillary can do as president.
The clincher was when Arthur said: "The whole story about mishandling classified material has wrecked much hope for a mandate." Not helpful today, Arthur. Just couldn't resist yet another worn-out, inappropriate opportunity to try to make Hillary's email "non-scandal" appear more egregious than all the rip-offs, insults, and terrible judgment the politically inexperienced Trump has engaged in for much of his adult life.
Arthur said a lovely thing at the end: "We’re not trying to agree on everything — or anything, really — just to articulate our very different views as friends, without bitterness or rancor." But to do this with genuine good will, you need to know when to keep your mouth shut and not use every opportunity to propagandize and try to Swift-Boat Hillary. Or, would not to do so mean that Arthur would be taken to the woodshed by the right-wing AEI that he heads.
Not only party over country, but party over friendships. Right there is the problem with Arthur's "conversations."
1
I've said this before, this column has been much ado about nothing for the past many months it has run. However, today, these two agree that people's lives won't really be affected by anything the winning POTUS candidate does, and I couldn't disagree more.
The next POTUS, assuming the Senate will move along with the winner, will select the next one, two or three SCOTUS justices, and THAT WILL affect each of us directly, whether-or-not the local constituents you spoke to had the presence of mind to recognize it.
Finally, it will be judgment day for people of the ilk of Arthur Brooks who energized his moral compass suspension system and managed to hold his nose in his partisan support of this country's most infamous bigot, misogynist, and lying candidate. The judgment, pray tell, will not be favorable.
The next POTUS, assuming the Senate will move along with the winner, will select the next one, two or three SCOTUS justices, and THAT WILL affect each of us directly, whether-or-not the local constituents you spoke to had the presence of mind to recognize it.
Finally, it will be judgment day for people of the ilk of Arthur Brooks who energized his moral compass suspension system and managed to hold his nose in his partisan support of this country's most infamous bigot, misogynist, and lying candidate. The judgment, pray tell, will not be favorable.
Much more attention should be paid to local politics, of course. But it's essential to stress that this is not because local politics are more virtuous, as has often been argued. My observations of "local politics" over nearly a half century in Illinois and Chicago and, more recently, in Texas and Houston prove to me that this is far from the truth!
I've enjoyed these columns as well, though it is discouraging to see Arthur make the false equivalency of a congressional "hard left."
2
The respect, wit and decorum of this dialogue stands in stark contrast with the political reality of the United States. The reason for this is the elevated discussion of Mr Brooks. Real Trump Republicans are a much different kettle of fish. #altright #BreitbartRedMeat
Local politics (with our one sickening exception) is the spawning ground of tomorrow's state and national leaders. Those with a desire to serve develop their chops in politicking and governing in city halls, county councils and state governments. "Government" is the highest point in social evolution. Those who demean and demonize it do great damage to our future potential. In an ever more complex world, best we turn our passions toward improving government, making it more fair, more representative, more open and (for heaven's sake) more efficient and effective. I hear "good luck with that" more often these days. I wonder why?
Republicans have a LOCK on state government in many states. They have the governors, they have the megaphone. There are two FoxNews TV stations in most major cities, one that calls itself Fox, and another that doesn't. Local elected officials, local judges and local - school board members- everything, has major backing by out of state contributors with a federal agenda. I remember hearing aa local radio talk show guy complaining that his wife, who was running for a NON PAID position on the school board had a republican opponent who was given a 100,000 war chest by out of state contributor.
We have to get money OUT of local affairs.
We have to get money OUT of local affairs.
1
I have enjoyed your joint column. While I seldom agree with everything either of you says you make me think.
Thanks!
Thanks!
I agree with Gail that the presidential election will make a difference in my life, but I also know that local elections are even more important to me and my community. In Orlando we are lucky to have a newspaper, the Orlando Sentinel, that covers local and state matters thoroughly. We are also fortunate that our local NPR station also covers local and state politics and issues. WMFE and the Sentinel have opened my eyes to what goes on in Tallahassee, as well as in Orange County and Orlando and the wider Central Florida area. I wish more people would search out such coverage in their own areas. Voting makes a difference, but ignorant voting is just a vote for ignorance.
Mr. Brooks opines that the heaviest resistance to bipartisan compromise would come from the "hard left"? Clearly he is still in denial, at least in part, about his own party's desire to work for the good of the nation. Like it was for Obama, the first priority of the Republicans will be to make Hillary a one term president. This precludes any compromises that might make her look good. Further, last time at least they considered the President's Supreme Court nominees. Already they are threatening to leave vacancies for the next four years.
3
We need to return to the attitude of the 1960s and visibly show our unwillingness to sit back idly while Congress destroys two-thirds of the system of checks and balances - the executive and judicial branches. This is the biggest crisis facing our country.
I disagree. The jerrymandering of states into "safe districts" has polarized local communities. We need a method of ensuring the census of 2020 leaves us with one person, one vote and voting districts that are completely independent of either party.
The training ground for the sausage grinding in Washington is local and State politics. And, that training ground isn't on a level playing field. Autocractic (and worse) influence rules and festers under the complacency of status quo, and anywhere there's room to exercise and hide the fruits of self service.
Checks and balances are largely absent in local and State governance. That's pretty much why Republicans hate federal governance and Washington. Too much competition for the fruit, too many opinions about how it should be allocated, and too many folks and institutions watching it. At the local and State level, it's safer and much easier to create the excessive pools of cash necessary to fund the 'political trickle' necessary to grease the skids, and collusion easily finds daylight.
Part of the angst surrounding the current election is the fact that "local politics" is slowly succumbing to technology and population shifts. Good places with small, manageable populations are becoming less isolated (more accessible) and more connected. Technology makes the enforcement of checks and balances more readily available.
Technology is driving both world and national globalization. Its a sea change that's slowly, but surely driving power shifts in every nook and cranny around the world.
We are, after all, humans.
Checks and balances are largely absent in local and State governance. That's pretty much why Republicans hate federal governance and Washington. Too much competition for the fruit, too many opinions about how it should be allocated, and too many folks and institutions watching it. At the local and State level, it's safer and much easier to create the excessive pools of cash necessary to fund the 'political trickle' necessary to grease the skids, and collusion easily finds daylight.
Part of the angst surrounding the current election is the fact that "local politics" is slowly succumbing to technology and population shifts. Good places with small, manageable populations are becoming less isolated (more accessible) and more connected. Technology makes the enforcement of checks and balances more readily available.
Technology is driving both world and national globalization. Its a sea change that's slowly, but surely driving power shifts in every nook and cranny around the world.
We are, after all, humans.
Sorry Arthur...no moral equivalency here. Gerrymandered left wing districts? Maybe you are thinking about the crumbs left to minorities after the Republicans got finished setting themselves up last census. And as for genuine offer of bipartisanship, I give you ACA. Obama came into office favoring single payer, but in a grand (realistic) gesture offered a conservative-designed, GOP governor-tested, Newt-endorsed program...and you know what happened. Arthur, despite your forced partisan sunniness, we are in for another 4 years of republicans pouring sand in the transmission, driven by their own, ginned up dudgeon. Lucky us.
2
This piece points indirectly at a fundamental problem with our republic -- there is no serious, continuing national "conversation" about politics. Politics -- the replacement of violence with reasoned discussion -- is central to any democratic form of government. Indeed, it is what democratic government is all about -- not voting. It's what Jefferson was talking about when he said he'd prefer newspapers without government -- if people bothered to read them.
1
Arthur spends lots of words on how a President Clinton should reach out to Republicans,especially Ryan, and compromise.
Agreed.
Now, how about the Republicans, especially Ryan, reaching out to Clinton and also compromising. Will that happen?
Governing is not a "one way street" and it will take hard work on both sides to actually govern this country.
For the past eight years the Republicans have refused to govern, refused to compromise and have said "No!" to just about everything the twice elected President has proposed.
This country cannot remain strong with another 4 or 8 years of "No!"
Agreed.
Now, how about the Republicans, especially Ryan, reaching out to Clinton and also compromising. Will that happen?
Governing is not a "one way street" and it will take hard work on both sides to actually govern this country.
For the past eight years the Republicans have refused to govern, refused to compromise and have said "No!" to just about everything the twice elected President has proposed.
This country cannot remain strong with another 4 or 8 years of "No!"
44
I always enjoy reading these conversations. I live in a small New England town (population 319) where we are conscious of the effects of local decisions since our main form of government is the town meeting. We have some strife, but we also try to be good neighbors, stocking the local food pantry and asking our firefighters to clean residents’ chimneys. We are very much aware, however, of the limits of local government. State and federal governments set many of the rules by which we live and govern—and without state and federal help we can’t fix all our roads or hope someday to get high-speed internet (a dream at the moment). So, like much of life, government is about balance.
13
I don't know if I'd agree with "all politics is local" even though the late Speaker Tip O'Neal's words have a lot of merits.
The world is getting smaller and mobilities, physical or virtual, are more fluid. Forget about being globalists, how about if people's health plan can be applicable in every state? The 2 tier system of state and federal can also help to pull the less advantaged states and cities to get their footings.
Case in point, in the aftermath of Katrina, other states chipped in. Yet, the Freedom Caucus gang had problem reciprocating when Sandy hit. So, in some instances, fairness and simple compassion overrule local politics.
The same applies to global trades. Sure, you don't want to be taken advantage of constantly but aiding other countries is actually long term investments. The fewer refugee camps and religious schools, the fewer terrorists who have nothing to lose. We don't stuff our ideologies down other people's throat but it helps to show it by example
The world is getting smaller and mobilities, physical or virtual, are more fluid. Forget about being globalists, how about if people's health plan can be applicable in every state? The 2 tier system of state and federal can also help to pull the less advantaged states and cities to get their footings.
Case in point, in the aftermath of Katrina, other states chipped in. Yet, the Freedom Caucus gang had problem reciprocating when Sandy hit. So, in some instances, fairness and simple compassion overrule local politics.
The same applies to global trades. Sure, you don't want to be taken advantage of constantly but aiding other countries is actually long term investments. The fewer refugee camps and religious schools, the fewer terrorists who have nothing to lose. We don't stuff our ideologies down other people's throat but it helps to show it by example
5
Brooks, what would be a non-partisan agenda?
You would have thought it might be something like, oh, I dunno, health care for 9/11 workers. And we know how that went. Do you think we could get some money to repair roads and bridges? Nope. Name one thing the Republicans would say yes to Hillary about. Just one.
Here is what I am most worried about losing in this election -- and I have thought about the many things I will lose. I am worried about losing any trust that Republicans like Brooks will deal honestly with people who sit across the aisle from them. They won't even speak honestly in a newspaper column. They want to completely eliminate the other party, so any potential success will be made into a failure. They truly don't care about the American people, they care about winning.
You would have thought it might be something like, oh, I dunno, health care for 9/11 workers. And we know how that went. Do you think we could get some money to repair roads and bridges? Nope. Name one thing the Republicans would say yes to Hillary about. Just one.
Here is what I am most worried about losing in this election -- and I have thought about the many things I will lose. I am worried about losing any trust that Republicans like Brooks will deal honestly with people who sit across the aisle from them. They won't even speak honestly in a newspaper column. They want to completely eliminate the other party, so any potential success will be made into a failure. They truly don't care about the American people, they care about winning.
7
We should pay lots of attention to local politics, but that does not mean to me that we don't need to stress over national politics. It continues to amaze me that climate change has never been brought up by the press nor by the candidates. If Trump gets in, he vows to drop out of the Paris Accords, and the world is doomed for my children. I would count that as a significant personal effect.
It's also easy to be complacent about the fact that the up to this point nobody in charge has found a reason to press the self-destruct button releasing our massive nuclear arsenal. Yet here we are on the brink of giving the suitcase to a man who has demonstrated no personal control, no empathy, no understanding of science, and a deep vengeful streak. That could also be counted as a significant personal effect.
It's also easy to be complacent about the fact that the up to this point nobody in charge has found a reason to press the self-destruct button releasing our massive nuclear arsenal. Yet here we are on the brink of giving the suitcase to a man who has demonstrated no personal control, no empathy, no understanding of science, and a deep vengeful streak. That could also be counted as a significant personal effect.
15
The walking, talking, epitome of the true Republican sole has been exposed.
Hopefully, both we, and they have learned that the hate, fear, greed, jealousy, and bigotry that ruled the past IS past. The future is about the "free market" in human spirit and intellect that will drive the 'survival of the species', not just the interest of the individual.
The path of human civilization is clearly marked with the benefits of togetherness with periodic cul-de-sacs created to serve the self interest of egomaniacs and 'master racists' of one ilk or another.
We can only hope that the current battle for 'survival of the species' doesn't come to fisticuffs.
Hopefully, both we, and they have learned that the hate, fear, greed, jealousy, and bigotry that ruled the past IS past. The future is about the "free market" in human spirit and intellect that will drive the 'survival of the species', not just the interest of the individual.
The path of human civilization is clearly marked with the benefits of togetherness with periodic cul-de-sacs created to serve the self interest of egomaniacs and 'master racists' of one ilk or another.
We can only hope that the current battle for 'survival of the species' doesn't come to fisticuffs.
Arthur Brooks, why is the onus on Clinton to deal "liberally" with the Republicans? Didn't Obama try that? All he got was obstruction from day one and eight years of racist backlash. Why would it be any different here? The Republicans are already talking about increasing their unprecedented levels of obstruction, with blocking Supreme Court appointments for four years and impeachment hearings in the works. There is going to be an ugly political atmosphere for awhile yet, thanks to the Republican party and their malevolent presidential nominee, and the only rational response to their desperate rear-guard action against change is to defeat it.
38
If everyone on Clinton's staff thinks as you do, then your prophecy is foredoomed.
The keyword is DEAL! It has become obvious that Republican will need to go through puberty before the word "deal" even enters their vocabulary. Anyone who has raised children can recognize and understand the problem.
It's really not up to Hillary. "We, the people" need to give the Republicans a 'time out'!
It's really not up to Hillary. "We, the people" need to give the Republicans a 'time out'!
OMG where are these voices when there is no election in progress? Where is the voice of the Times telling people to ignore the soap opera in DC and look outside their front doors? Where are the commenters who are able ignore the urge to conflate politics with WWE wrestling and UFC?
5
Part of the angst of the Trump voters is the fact that when they look out of their front door, they find that the view has inexplicably changed. New folks and ideas are moving in, and some of them don't even look like their old neighbors; old stuff and comfort zones are disappearing and being replaced with things that interest 'other people', but that 'the local natives' don't understand or recognize.
The forces of globalization are not just global, they are permeating every nook and cranny of human existence.
Neither Trump nor Hillary can turn back time. It will take either a massive human conflagration, OR a global commitment to follow the clear path that's been laid down by human civilization; the path of togetherness and inclusion that's made the world, and America as great as they are.
The forces of globalization are not just global, they are permeating every nook and cranny of human existence.
Neither Trump nor Hillary can turn back time. It will take either a massive human conflagration, OR a global commitment to follow the clear path that's been laid down by human civilization; the path of togetherness and inclusion that's made the world, and America as great as they are.
Oh, Arthur. "Over the past decade, hard-core partisans on both sides have decided that compromise is pure weakness, that gridlock and no progress is better than taking less than 100 percent." Please. The scorched earth politics that we've seen started with Newt Gingrich and have been the province of Republicans ever since. When Democrats resist, they are accused of being rigid.
Two quotes come to mind:
"They only call it class warfare when we fight back."
(from @JuddLegum, Twitter):
Can I burn down your house?
No.
Just the 2nd floor?
No.
The garage?
No.
Lets talk about what I can burn down.
No.
YOU'RE REFUSING TO COMPROMISE!
Two quotes come to mind:
"They only call it class warfare when we fight back."
(from @JuddLegum, Twitter):
Can I burn down your house?
No.
Just the 2nd floor?
No.
The garage?
No.
Lets talk about what I can burn down.
No.
YOU'RE REFUSING TO COMPROMISE!
21
The ideas of universal health care, and universal access to education, the recognition of mistakes of the past (like global warming), and the acceptance of 'fact based reality' are the substance of the democratic platform; a platform designed to protect and advance human civilization.
The GOP platform is rooted in the denial of reality and the dream of returning to the days when 'slight of hand', mirrors, and convincing emotional rhetoric was all one needed to succeed; a return to the days when there was enough room between people to 'give and take' without a complete audit trail or direct consequences. It's a platform designed to advance interest of individuals on premise that 'everything will equal out over time' (trickle down everything).
Those ideas might be true, if corporations weren't people, and money wasn't speech; if the advent of instant communications, instant transportation, and a 'mall in the living room' didn't exist, and if the planet and all the life on it was healthy and well. For those and many other reasons, the Republican platform serves no one and nothing, but the folks who designed it.
The cold hard fact is that if you live in the world today, most, if not all of your life and actions are on video. The bliss of the plains and the mountains and the streams has all been commercialized under the self serving, competitive 'Westworld' that Republican yearn to restore. It's time to move on.
The GOP platform is rooted in the denial of reality and the dream of returning to the days when 'slight of hand', mirrors, and convincing emotional rhetoric was all one needed to succeed; a return to the days when there was enough room between people to 'give and take' without a complete audit trail or direct consequences. It's a platform designed to advance interest of individuals on premise that 'everything will equal out over time' (trickle down everything).
Those ideas might be true, if corporations weren't people, and money wasn't speech; if the advent of instant communications, instant transportation, and a 'mall in the living room' didn't exist, and if the planet and all the life on it was healthy and well. For those and many other reasons, the Republican platform serves no one and nothing, but the folks who designed it.
The cold hard fact is that if you live in the world today, most, if not all of your life and actions are on video. The bliss of the plains and the mountains and the streams has all been commercialized under the self serving, competitive 'Westworld' that Republican yearn to restore. It's time to move on.
You can't make a deal with a brick wall. And, given the modern pace of change, we cannot afford to wait for Republicans to catch up to reality.
That said, a lot of our current dilemma is related to the compromises that conservatives have demanded over history (of both our country, and civilization itself).
Our womens right to vote and the full and fair integration of our former slave population were both delayed for centuries by conservative resistance to acceptance of the equality of "others" and of change. We've paid a huge price in both suffering and national treasure to accommodate decades of institutionalized discrimination and inequality that's at the core of conservative demands........and those are only the glaring examples of wasted time, energy, and money related to accommodating the denial of reality in favor of selfish beliefs centered in the myth and mysticism that marked the 'good ole days' when the 'free right to kill and mame withhout recourse' ruled the world.
Much to the chagrin of the 'free living, free space, free market, trickle down crowd', we have laws and rules now, and we've all settle on fact that an ounce of delusional freedom is worth a ton of universal death and destruction.
It's time to move on. The human species has far more important axes to grind.
That said, a lot of our current dilemma is related to the compromises that conservatives have demanded over history (of both our country, and civilization itself).
Our womens right to vote and the full and fair integration of our former slave population were both delayed for centuries by conservative resistance to acceptance of the equality of "others" and of change. We've paid a huge price in both suffering and national treasure to accommodate decades of institutionalized discrimination and inequality that's at the core of conservative demands........and those are only the glaring examples of wasted time, energy, and money related to accommodating the denial of reality in favor of selfish beliefs centered in the myth and mysticism that marked the 'good ole days' when the 'free right to kill and mame withhout recourse' ruled the world.
Much to the chagrin of the 'free living, free space, free market, trickle down crowd', we have laws and rules now, and we've all settle on fact that an ounce of delusional freedom is worth a ton of universal death and destruction.
It's time to move on. The human species has far more important axes to grind.
1
Gail, what is your justification for continuing these conversations with this right-wing idiot? If you need to talk to a Brooks, the Times own David is a much better choice, even if I rarely agree with anything he writes. You give Arthur Brooks credibility he doesn't deserve. Everything he says in today's column is as far from reality as Trump. He's just less rude and crude in how he presents himself.
21
Let me see now: do I want to drink acid-laced-pablum or straight-acid?
Nah! It think that I skip that book on the benefits of conservative diet, and try to find a way to get along on a diet that also benefits my fellow humans.
Nah! It think that I skip that book on the benefits of conservative diet, and try to find a way to get along on a diet that also benefits my fellow humans.
Trump would not scare me as prez if it weren't for his formidable cast of cartoonish crazies that he will hire to his cabinet. Good lord, I have never seen a club like that one. Truly frightening.
8
"The club" isn't going away. The reptilian and limbic brain rules Republican politics, and there's evidently a larger pool of instinctive and emotional thinkers than anyone imagined.
Hillary's job will now be to find a way to feed and strengthen our collective cerebral cortex while bracing up the huge pool of intellectual capital that's rotting in the depths of Republican delusion.
It won't be easy.
Hillary's job will now be to find a way to feed and strengthen our collective cerebral cortex while bracing up the huge pool of intellectual capital that's rotting in the depths of Republican delusion.
It won't be easy.
Nice, but makes me nostalgic for tales involving Romney's dog.
8
ELECTION
Republicans would have us choose
Between heads I win and tails you lose
Why advocate, when "I accuse!"
Offers opportunities to bruise
And bray and scare away.
(Just keep in mind who keeps the change.)
Republicans would have us choose
Between heads I win and tails you lose
Why advocate, when "I accuse!"
Offers opportunities to bruise
And bray and scare away.
(Just keep in mind who keeps the change.)
4
"She is so freighted with scandal, self-dealing, and the stench of corruption — much of which is of her own making —" No, Arthur Brooks, much of it is of the making of people like you. May God forgive you and people like you for helping to destroy the concept of "evidence." God may forgive you, but I will not, for people like you have sold the soul of America for a mess of dividends and a sense of superiority. I'm used to coaxing uneducated guys in bars to think about the need for evidence, and about the difference between evidence and opinion, and the difference between opinion and bigotry. But here, this day, you wave your bigoted, anti-law and anti-logic in our faces? May God forgive you,
Elsewhere in the NYT today there's an editorial about James Comey. In Congress this summer, he reminded me of a cop admonishing a black doctor to get a broken brake light fixed. The cop had a choice--to issue a ticket or to issue a warning. But he took his opportunity to preach and show his superficial superiority. Comey would not have spoken of a white man as he spoke of Clinton and her choice of servers. Brooks, white men like you need to grow up or fade away. (I'm not white. I'm PINK!)
Elsewhere in the NYT today there's an editorial about James Comey. In Congress this summer, he reminded me of a cop admonishing a black doctor to get a broken brake light fixed. The cop had a choice--to issue a ticket or to issue a warning. But he took his opportunity to preach and show his superficial superiority. Comey would not have spoken of a white man as he spoke of Clinton and her choice of servers. Brooks, white men like you need to grow up or fade away. (I'm not white. I'm PINK!)
14
Even the most honest 'doers' make mistakes. Fast talkers do their stealthy work behind the scenes and avoid being caught.
Hillary suffers from being an honest doer.........compounded by the rhetoric of fast talkers who have raised the act of denigration of "others" to an art form.
Beware of fast talkers, particularly fast talking denigrators and accusers with messages of gloom and doom designed to hijack your centers of hate, fear, greed, jealousy, and bigotry. There is an excellent chance that they do not have your interest in mind.
Hillary suffers from being an honest doer.........compounded by the rhetoric of fast talkers who have raised the act of denigration of "others" to an art form.
Beware of fast talkers, particularly fast talking denigrators and accusers with messages of gloom and doom designed to hijack your centers of hate, fear, greed, jealousy, and bigotry. There is an excellent chance that they do not have your interest in mind.
I like Mr. Brooks's proposal to lower corporate taxes. I suspect that it is this sort of priority that created TRUMP in the first place. The Bait and Switch agenda. Campaign on helping the small business owner and govern by helping out the multinational mega-corporate board members.
TRUMP is horrible. But he is a telling symptom of how the GOP has failed working class people... not just white men. It's just that TRUMP only knows how to court white men. His idea of courting white women is to plant a wet one on them before they know what happened. That apparently turns most women off. Who knew?
So Mr. Brooks, you might want to sell off your entire portfolio and live paycheck to paycheck for a while. Donate ⅔ of your salary to charity too... and maybe pick up a shift at Rat Macs and care for your impoverished senile mother in her urine-smelling apartment. That way you might come closer to what it feels like to work in the debt-gig economy. If you have a car that runs, maybe do some Ubering. Then tell me about your revenue neutral desire to lower corporate taxes. Wouldn't want Wells Fargo or Exxon or Halliburton to pay too much. Give me a break.
TRUMP is horrible. But he is a telling symptom of how the GOP has failed working class people... not just white men. It's just that TRUMP only knows how to court white men. His idea of courting white women is to plant a wet one on them before they know what happened. That apparently turns most women off. Who knew?
So Mr. Brooks, you might want to sell off your entire portfolio and live paycheck to paycheck for a while. Donate ⅔ of your salary to charity too... and maybe pick up a shift at Rat Macs and care for your impoverished senile mother in her urine-smelling apartment. That way you might come closer to what it feels like to work in the debt-gig economy. If you have a car that runs, maybe do some Ubering. Then tell me about your revenue neutral desire to lower corporate taxes. Wouldn't want Wells Fargo or Exxon or Halliburton to pay too much. Give me a break.
18
In the Republican world of "free market pollution", it is taxpayers who ultimately pick up the bill for the 'laxity and mistakes' of business (of all ilk). The Republican premise is that we get the benefit of reduced prices if we allow unfettered pollution by reducing the cost of production. Global warming is a good example of why it's cheaper to pay the piper 'up front' rather than pay for the clean up and the permanent stain of 'throwing bags of toxic stuff into the closet' (out of sight, out of mind).
It's one of their many ways to "redistribute wealth" to them, their relatives, and pay-to-pay friends, and it is, in fact, the only form of 'trickle down' that ever makes itself down into the hands of humans.
You won't find an EPA in a perfect Republican world, but you will find the unbreathable air that currently haunts the corrupt, unfettered right wing regimes in China (Bejing), and India (Mumbai). The folks in Mumbai are currently hovering with their faces close to their air purifiers (those who have them, and even they are dyiing), and the population in Bejing is reduced to wearing face masks.
It's one of their many ways to "redistribute wealth" to them, their relatives, and pay-to-pay friends, and it is, in fact, the only form of 'trickle down' that ever makes itself down into the hands of humans.
You won't find an EPA in a perfect Republican world, but you will find the unbreathable air that currently haunts the corrupt, unfettered right wing regimes in China (Bejing), and India (Mumbai). The folks in Mumbai are currently hovering with their faces close to their air purifiers (those who have them, and even they are dyiing), and the population in Bejing is reduced to wearing face masks.
1
Alas the rest of the country are not Gail Collins and Arthur Brooks who can converse and argue amicably.
7
Although he is the one who tends to make snide remarks.
1
Perhaps we should pay Arthur's conservative peers an extra 'congressional stipend' to negotiate. The Times has managed to make it work with Gail, AND, it's right in line with Republican doctrine to have a "free market" in negotiation competition.
........but then again, cornering the market in politics, and stealing wealth of nations allows one the best of both worlds without the hard work of reconstructing the delusion of personal certainty and control; that reconstruction is an annoying necessity that comes along with compromise and its implicit acknowledgement of the existence and the needs of others.
........but then again, cornering the market in politics, and stealing wealth of nations allows one the best of both worlds without the hard work of reconstructing the delusion of personal certainty and control; that reconstruction is an annoying necessity that comes along with compromise and its implicit acknowledgement of the existence and the needs of others.
It was refreshing for me to read as well. Thanks to you both
3
It's been a weekly breath of fresh air for me too, thanks!
4
Republicans in Congress have already announced their intention of obstructing, investigating and impeaching (Presumed) President Clinton.
Have you heard Democrats announce their intentions Mr. Brooks?
Have you heard Democrats announce their intentions Mr. Brooks?
12
We need term limits and end the lobbying period.
1
Donald Trump can't be trusted with his own Twitter account - how do people think he'll do with the nuclear codes - or worse who will take those away from him too - leaving him like the baby in his playpen that we all know he is?
6
I pray Arthur's worst nightmare comes true, that luz Warren and Bernie stick it to Paul Ryan.
5
There is no middle ground for Ryan-McConnell. They have shown no ability to govern. They only keep their rabid Tea Partiers at bay and throw them some meat like shutting down government and having endless investigations.
They are immoral and cowardly.
But, Brooks is right that local politics matter. Local politics is something that Democrats seem to ignore or don't know how to win. The local level is the best place to spot nut cases like Cruz or Gohmert or Gowdy or Ryan and McConnell before they become national dangers.
They are immoral and cowardly.
But, Brooks is right that local politics matter. Local politics is something that Democrats seem to ignore or don't know how to win. The local level is the best place to spot nut cases like Cruz or Gohmert or Gowdy or Ryan and McConnell before they become national dangers.
13
Please promise us readers that this unseemly alliance Collins has had with Brooks will end today. He's a neocon apologist who is responsible for the rise of a candidate like Trump. Pretending otherwise is not funny.
10
"And just maybe, go rent a U-Haul and move where there are better jobs and schools."
Ever read "Grapes of Wrath".
How arrogant.
And where is that land of milk and honey?
Ever read "Grapes of Wrath".
How arrogant.
And where is that land of milk and honey?
10
Lefty here, but I do not think Brooks is suggesting Grapes of Wrath level migration of the desperate. There is a real shortage of truck drivers in the Western USA. Lots of these HS grad ex-factory midwest Trump supporters could easily learn to drive a truck. And then get a good job in the west where the beauty and hospitable climate might persuade them to get off their fox-addicted butts and take a hike in their off hours. Job, money, clean air, exercise. Problems solved.
I rewound a segment four times of Eric Trump on Morning Joe. He actually said "if anyone else sent emails to their MAID to be printed" they wouldn't be able to be elected. Wow! I guess he thinks Huma Abedin is a maid? So much is wrong with that! I agree that local politics probably effects us more than national politics but to have that crew in charge of national politics is really scary because I'm afraid it would have really bad consequences
5
I guess you are not up on current news. It is reported that Hillary had her domestic servant (housekeeper/maid) print out her emails, of which, some contained sensitive information. Thank goodness she is not a republican or that news would have been blasted from hither and yon in the press for days. But she is a Clinton, chosen and coronated by the left for years so there will be no consequences, not even a good old fashioned tar and feathering.
Enough with fake praise like: "Did not realize that. This is why I like conversing with you so much." Reminds me of the TV spot lampooning a passive-aggressive office.
2
Once again "compromise" is defined by seeking out others who agree with you (or share the same donors) and cherry picking policies that don't generate any unwanted attention. Nothing bold is ever ventured, and no goal is too lofty to be trimmed or watered down.
What will certainly change for me as an individual & for everyone in the US is the Supreme Ct. - if Arthur's reasonable GOP will allow for it.
As to local gov't, I heard a wonk speech in the early 80s in which a noted analyst warned that right wingers were taking over local seats starting w/ boards of libraries, education, etc. & that liberals were well advised to do similarly or they'd lose power at the highest levels.
Cassandra was right.
As to local gov't, I heard a wonk speech in the early 80s in which a noted analyst warned that right wingers were taking over local seats starting w/ boards of libraries, education, etc. & that liberals were well advised to do similarly or they'd lose power at the highest levels.
Cassandra was right.
4
I think that is not a truism I would want to spread. We have seen the influence locally as much as we have seen it nationally.
History doesn't support your contention.
History doesn't support your contention.
To the best of my knowledge, local school boards do not have the authority to start unjustified foreign wars, write tax policy biased toward the rich, or have the power to do nothing in response to the growing threat of global climate change.
5
My hope is that Paul Ryan will ignore the alt-tea-party bomb throwing obstructionists and try to actually DO something in the middle. The main source of obstruction has been adherence to the Hastert rule under which the Republicans require broad consensus within their ranks, meaning the most extreme and loudest mostly get their way.
1
Me.Brooks,
I'm not sure who in California you asked how the Presidential election would directly affect their lives and who couldn't come up with an answer. Aside from the few pesky items that Ms. Collins brought up, allow me to help you out.
Let's see:
There is, of course, the Supreme Court. Just starting there I could talk about the rights of my female friends and family to govern their own bodies. Or I could talk about my gay and lesbian friends and families who would have their rights assaulted yet again. I could go on about how my democracy would continue to be ruined by unlimited dark money in our political system. Oh there's plenty more just with the Supreme Court but let's move on:
I could bring up the constant fear and anxiety my Latino and Muslim friends would constantly feel under a President Donny. I could talk about the constant degradation of all of the women and girls in my life.
As a Jew I would be ever more fearful of the emboldening of our homegrown crazies in our homegrown hate groups that are being given the green light by The Donny.
I could go on to talk about how my home community would be less safe having a pawn and slave of the NRA leading the country as opposed to someone who is sensible about gun rights (I'm a gun owner and believer in second amendment rights).
I could talk about an individual who will teach my kids by example all of the ways not to behave or one they might actually emulate.
Out of words but boy could I go on...
I'm not sure who in California you asked how the Presidential election would directly affect their lives and who couldn't come up with an answer. Aside from the few pesky items that Ms. Collins brought up, allow me to help you out.
Let's see:
There is, of course, the Supreme Court. Just starting there I could talk about the rights of my female friends and family to govern their own bodies. Or I could talk about my gay and lesbian friends and families who would have their rights assaulted yet again. I could go on about how my democracy would continue to be ruined by unlimited dark money in our political system. Oh there's plenty more just with the Supreme Court but let's move on:
I could bring up the constant fear and anxiety my Latino and Muslim friends would constantly feel under a President Donny. I could talk about the constant degradation of all of the women and girls in my life.
As a Jew I would be ever more fearful of the emboldening of our homegrown crazies in our homegrown hate groups that are being given the green light by The Donny.
I could go on to talk about how my home community would be less safe having a pawn and slave of the NRA leading the country as opposed to someone who is sensible about gun rights (I'm a gun owner and believer in second amendment rights).
I could talk about an individual who will teach my kids by example all of the ways not to behave or one they might actually emulate.
Out of words but boy could I go on...
95
Gail and Arthur both advise to pay attention to local matters. I've done so and discovered there is an amazing difference in access between state politicians and federal politicians. You can actually get a state senator or representative to return a phone call - even from ones out of district! Try that with your local U.S. rep. That person will at the most, have a staffer send you a generic form letter.
I hope that if Clinton wins, she will spend less time than Obama did in trying to appease Republican intransigence.
I hope that if Clinton wins, she will spend less time than Obama did in trying to appease Republican intransigence.
7
The reason we must resist the transfer of more power to the States is that the people of the States are, too often, ignorant and bigoted people like Arthur Brooks. How many Red States have tried to enact voter-restriction measures? How many have tried to enact measures that restrict women's choices? Too many.
5
And how many states can stand up for their natural resources against over-exploitation and contamination by large corporations?
The Founders definitely wanted every possible issue decided and thing done at the local level, and then everything else that could possibly be dome at the state level done there.
However, the day politicians realized that they could take Power from people by running more and more things from the top level down and having ALL decisions made in the capital or in a Kremlin, the fate of the country was sealed.
Because humanity is what it is, all growing national governments will end up being another closed, stonewall Kremlin with front men like Lenin, Eric Holder, or the latest big-city huckster telling the people that they have no voice to appeal to any more.
However, the day politicians realized that they could take Power from people by running more and more things from the top level down and having ALL decisions made in the capital or in a Kremlin, the fate of the country was sealed.
Because humanity is what it is, all growing national governments will end up being another closed, stonewall Kremlin with front men like Lenin, Eric Holder, or the latest big-city huckster telling the people that they have no voice to appeal to any more.
1
Oh yeah, shame on the left winger Lincoln for supporting and funding the US railroads. And that commie IKE for building the interstate highway system. Shame on Nixon for wanting the FEDERAL government to do what industry and the states would not or could not--establish and then enforce decent standards of clean air and healthy water. Out with those central government leninists.
1
Read up on estimates of how much of our federal debt was accumulated through social spending and outright giveaways.
Biggest mistake: Having Social Security funds sitting there within Congress' reach growing slowly. Of COURSE the legacy-crazed started cashing those checks the minute they came in to buy votes and popularity.
There is no way we can pass that debt on to bond-holders or our children. Even FDR's Treasury people knew that it was a mistake.
Biggest mistake: Having Social Security funds sitting there within Congress' reach growing slowly. Of COURSE the legacy-crazed started cashing those checks the minute they came in to buy votes and popularity.
There is no way we can pass that debt on to bond-holders or our children. Even FDR's Treasury people knew that it was a mistake.
"She is so freighted with scandal, self-dealing, and the stench of corruption — much of which is of her own making — that it will haunt her early months at least."
I am an avowed liberal who looks forward to reading Brooks for his thoughtful insight, and reasoned views on a more conservative role in government. I am disappointed that he has bought into this description of Hilary and then blames her for it. Rule one one in campaigning is to define the opponent before the opponent defines you. This is the republican rant that has chased Hilary, IMHO, undeservedly, but very effectively.
I agree that she will have to work hard to bring the country together given the record of Republican gridlock over the last eight years, and let us hope that she will have the opportunity to do so given that the RNC has not had the courage to standup to the most divisive, corrupt and unprincipled nominee they have ever put forth to lead this country, while standing by as he wreaked havoc.
Where we start in rebuilding this country matters, and it does need rebuilding.
I am an avowed liberal who looks forward to reading Brooks for his thoughtful insight, and reasoned views on a more conservative role in government. I am disappointed that he has bought into this description of Hilary and then blames her for it. Rule one one in campaigning is to define the opponent before the opponent defines you. This is the republican rant that has chased Hilary, IMHO, undeservedly, but very effectively.
I agree that she will have to work hard to bring the country together given the record of Republican gridlock over the last eight years, and let us hope that she will have the opportunity to do so given that the RNC has not had the courage to standup to the most divisive, corrupt and unprincipled nominee they have ever put forth to lead this country, while standing by as he wreaked havoc.
Where we start in rebuilding this country matters, and it does need rebuilding.
5
I empathize with Brooks question how would the election affect me personally, maybe not directly unless Ryan privatized SS or Medicare, or Hillary started rebuilding bridges and schools. But being a lone liberal in a hyper-conservative district (confederate flags), the second amendment supporters scare the heck out of me!
4
Clinton should seek to be in the center, especially early on, but the GOP House needs to also go to the center. It is a great point that many GOP congressmen in gerrymandered districts are paralyzed due to challenges by the extreme right, but the people of their districts should become aware that the center is in their best interests. I know. I live in one of those districts.
Where are the gerrymandered districts of the left that Brooks speaks of?
Where are the gerrymandered districts of the left that Brooks speaks of?
1
"She is so freighted with scandal, self-dealing, and the stench of corruption — much of which is of her own making — that it will haunt her early months at least. "
So says the man whose candidate, it would seem in contrast, is a paragon of virtue. The Republican leadership, right wing pundits like Arthur Brooks, the alt-right folks and many others have given Teflon Don a pass on every indiscretion and misconduct of his. And for some reason Hillary is saddled with these charges that have been thrown at her for over thirty years. On top of that, the Republicans, including John McCain, who I used to respect, have announced their opposition to anything she has yet to say or do. Does that sound like a repeat of 2008 when Obama took office and Mitch McConnell announced his opposition in no uncertain terms?
I urge Arthur Brooks to use his platform to nudge his party of obstructionists to become a party of reason. I will have respect for his words when he begins to do that, but not until then.
So says the man whose candidate, it would seem in contrast, is a paragon of virtue. The Republican leadership, right wing pundits like Arthur Brooks, the alt-right folks and many others have given Teflon Don a pass on every indiscretion and misconduct of his. And for some reason Hillary is saddled with these charges that have been thrown at her for over thirty years. On top of that, the Republicans, including John McCain, who I used to respect, have announced their opposition to anything she has yet to say or do. Does that sound like a repeat of 2008 when Obama took office and Mitch McConnell announced his opposition in no uncertain terms?
I urge Arthur Brooks to use his platform to nudge his party of obstructionists to become a party of reason. I will have respect for his words when he begins to do that, but not until then.
7
Arthur, you forget that for compromise to occur and progress to be made, Republican leaders must wake up to the reality of their disaffected base. Paul Ryan and his cohorts need some serious time looking first out the window at the trends affecting those angry disaffected high school educated whites. Then they should reevaluate their ideological focus on tax cuts for the wealthiest, and their "every person for themselves" approach to the economy. Finally they should look in the mirror and ask honestly if service or self interest is their motive for being in Congress.
5
I miss David Brooks, who could be counted on to be clever and to have the occasional valid point. Arthur Brooks is so deep into right wing brain-washing that he rarely makes sense. To start on the corporate tax as his first suggestion shows this. We all know that in reality the actual corporate tax rates are much lower than their nominal value. Simplify the code for corporate taxes, sure, but this pretense that corporations are bleeding money to support the country is just propaganda.
11
"people are losing their marbles about Donald Trump, but don’t even know who is running for the school board"
Wrong. I live in Tokyo but I mailed in my absentee ballot to the county election board in Some State USA. I read the candidates statements of the four people running for school board, looked them up on the internet and voted for two of them (the maximum allowed). I also voted on a measure to fund the local schools and decided it is a good idea. I also looked into the people running to manage the local community college district.
I probably wouldn't be living in Tokyo today without the quality education I received in that town in Some State. The management and funding for schools is important to the future economic well-being of us all.
Wrong. I live in Tokyo but I mailed in my absentee ballot to the county election board in Some State USA. I read the candidates statements of the four people running for school board, looked them up on the internet and voted for two of them (the maximum allowed). I also voted on a measure to fund the local schools and decided it is a good idea. I also looked into the people running to manage the local community college district.
I probably wouldn't be living in Tokyo today without the quality education I received in that town in Some State. The management and funding for schools is important to the future economic well-being of us all.
4
Our national congressional representatives are examples of "The Big Sort": http://www.economist.com/node/11581447 . It is hard to see how to make the nation better as a whole if all politics are local, no matter nostalgia for the views of Tip O'Neill. Those politics can also simultaneously be regional and national.
Having politics function at the local level may be the only way for some communities to survive. Our national representatives sometimes appear to favor mutually assured destruction. Are we a "hamburger nation"--blue on the coasts and red meat in the middle? I dislike the color-coding, but see no way to avoid the view.
Good luck to all of us.
Having politics function at the local level may be the only way for some communities to survive. Our national representatives sometimes appear to favor mutually assured destruction. Are we a "hamburger nation"--blue on the coasts and red meat in the middle? I dislike the color-coding, but see no way to avoid the view.
Good luck to all of us.
Ok Mr Brooks I have an answer for your question about the personal effect of this election. About 8 years ago I was diagnosed with severe heart failure. The University of Penn medical center performed a valve replacement operation out of charity and I live a healthy and active life as long as I can take the medication I need. Since I am 55 and not employed I can get that medication only because I have been saved by the Affordable Care Act. Mr. Trump has said that he would repeal this act the first day of his presidency and I know he would have a repeal act on his desk if we have a Republican congress. Given that I would most likely be dead in 6 months. Your quite fortunate to not be in the position I am.
7
I believe that we all risk personal impact from the results of today's election as we continue down this road of national fear and loathing. That America will become more venal and coarser, more petty and partisan, and less emphathetic and willing to put ourselves in someone else's shoes. That we will capitulate any notion of unified greatness because we can't tolerate one another's differences. That our selfishness will completely overtake any willlingness to solve the problems we face. That our kneejerk reaction to anyone different than us will be to raise a middle finger and not extend a hand.
No matter who wins this election, we all risk losing our founding aspiration and greatest asset: to be the United States of America. The risks are high indeed.
No matter who wins this election, we all risk losing our founding aspiration and greatest asset: to be the United States of America. The risks are high indeed.
1
Arthur is not really grateful for these "conversations." He never actually responded to anything Gail raised. Instead he liked to see himself in print, using this opportunity to make snide (and not funny) remarks).
Trump wins it will partially be his fault. If Hillary wins he should politely get out of the way and let sane Republicans (hiding in the closet) do the necessary compromising and actually do their part of the governing of our nation (hold Supreme Court justice hearings, enact comprehensive immigration reform, yes- infrastructure, raise energy efficiency standards and carbon tax, raise taxes moderately on the wealthy, end allowing the parking of untaxed profits offshore, allow negotiation of drug prices, add a public option to Obamacare, etc). Stop these diversionary tactics of cries of corruption where there is not any, and get on with the business of governing and helping each other thrive.
Trump wins it will partially be his fault. If Hillary wins he should politely get out of the way and let sane Republicans (hiding in the closet) do the necessary compromising and actually do their part of the governing of our nation (hold Supreme Court justice hearings, enact comprehensive immigration reform, yes- infrastructure, raise energy efficiency standards and carbon tax, raise taxes moderately on the wealthy, end allowing the parking of untaxed profits offshore, allow negotiation of drug prices, add a public option to Obamacare, etc). Stop these diversionary tactics of cries of corruption where there is not any, and get on with the business of governing and helping each other thrive.
5
There is no exception to the rule that every rule has an exception. I can see from whence Arthur's views come. The word is propaganda. If something is said over and over again, it takes on the mantle of truth. Except, if one steps back to ask the basic question of what has Hillary been convicted of doing? The short answer is "nothing"! The suggestion that one look for a community with better schools and better local government is defeatist. One ought to stay and engage in local governance to improve the schools and the way local things are done. We do not improve the human condition by running away. And locally it seems to always be an uphill struggle, but that is every reason to stay and continue the good fight. In my town we have lost a state senate seat to a kid right out of college who is a little to the right of Attila the Hun despite having run two extremely well qualified candidates against him. This time we have again offered a highly qualified person to challenge him. I will not give up simply because we lost twice to an inferior candidate. I will not give up supporting a better qualified candidate even if the incumbent wins again. Why? Because I love my town and region of the state and I want the best person to represent us.
3
Arthur believes "heaviest resistance" to President Clinton reaching bipartisan compromise would come from progressives, more than from right-wing (nearly all) Republicans. Gail cautions, "We are nearing the dangerous your-side’s-crazier-than-my-side territory." They may both be right.
Let me just ask,
Which party will resist fighting climate change? Which party already resists science which documents climate change is happening? Will progressives resist ineffectual bipartisan compromise? You bet. Will Republicans bite the head off of one of their congressmen signing onto legislation to more effectively regulate and reduce fossil fuel consumption? Okay, that's a silly question. They will crucify him.
How about a Clinton Supreme Court nominee. Any bipartisanship there? Republicans have already signaled they don't intend to fill the vacancy. If Clinton is elected. Will some Republican senators speak up and fight their leadership? Only if they have decided to retire from the senate and turn their backs on lucrative lobbyist careers.
Progressive resistance to bipartisan compromise will depend on the importance of the issue. Climate change is already destroying our habitation; it is only getting worse. This is not in the same category as renaming a Post Office--legislation for which Republicans are most accomplished.
Republican resistance to bipartisan compromise will be on everything President Clinton proposes; it won't matter the issue or urgency.
Please prove me wrong!
Let me just ask,
Which party will resist fighting climate change? Which party already resists science which documents climate change is happening? Will progressives resist ineffectual bipartisan compromise? You bet. Will Republicans bite the head off of one of their congressmen signing onto legislation to more effectively regulate and reduce fossil fuel consumption? Okay, that's a silly question. They will crucify him.
How about a Clinton Supreme Court nominee. Any bipartisanship there? Republicans have already signaled they don't intend to fill the vacancy. If Clinton is elected. Will some Republican senators speak up and fight their leadership? Only if they have decided to retire from the senate and turn their backs on lucrative lobbyist careers.
Progressive resistance to bipartisan compromise will depend on the importance of the issue. Climate change is already destroying our habitation; it is only getting worse. This is not in the same category as renaming a Post Office--legislation for which Republicans are most accomplished.
Republican resistance to bipartisan compromise will be on everything President Clinton proposes; it won't matter the issue or urgency.
Please prove me wrong!
4
Over at the Washington Post, Kathleen Parker reassured us that things will be fine if Donald Trump wins. There have been several other columns saying similar things.
The problem with localizing politics is that local, regional and state elections are where extremists have the best chance for being elected. The Koch cabal have been very successful except in national elections. And they are extremist even if they seem moderate compared with the alt-right hate, fear and conspiracy.
We tend to give more credit and blame to presidents than they deserve. They have relatively little control of the economy for example. That doesn't mean a president doesn't have an impact on the nation.
The blossoming of the idea that the federal government isn't the solution bit the problem made it very hard for President Bush to respond to the collapse of the stock market. That difficulty worsened in President Obama's administration.
Clearly in international affairs the president has more influence to shape our reaction if not to control catastrophic events. That seems particularly important today in a global economy that's more interdependent than ever.
Change has affected a lot of people around the world. If we want to keep the good change, we have to find a way to ameliorate the negative effects of change on individuals and their communities. A president can, and should, provide the leadership to do that.
The problem with localizing politics is that local, regional and state elections are where extremists have the best chance for being elected. The Koch cabal have been very successful except in national elections. And they are extremist even if they seem moderate compared with the alt-right hate, fear and conspiracy.
We tend to give more credit and blame to presidents than they deserve. They have relatively little control of the economy for example. That doesn't mean a president doesn't have an impact on the nation.
The blossoming of the idea that the federal government isn't the solution bit the problem made it very hard for President Bush to respond to the collapse of the stock market. That difficulty worsened in President Obama's administration.
Clearly in international affairs the president has more influence to shape our reaction if not to control catastrophic events. That seems particularly important today in a global economy that's more interdependent than ever.
Change has affected a lot of people around the world. If we want to keep the good change, we have to find a way to ameliorate the negative effects of change on individuals and their communities. A president can, and should, provide the leadership to do that.
1
I cannot agree more about the need for people to pay attention to their state and local governments. Where I am, not much happens locally - we are having a debate about whether breaking the tax cap to increase the paving budget is a good idea - but the state legislature does a lot without many noticing. And Authorities - the MTA, the Port Authority, the Thruway - are manage huge wads of cash with relative impunity.
But if you were to ask me how this Presidential election impacts me personally? Yeah, I can answer. Repealing healthcare could leave my family exposed to the specter of a chronic, incurable, expensive disease that will cripple us financially if we lose the job with insurance. Eventually, it will just result in an early death. I consider that a big impact.
And an unstable market will increase debt, and decrease our ability to pay for our kids college educations, which are an enormous percentage of our income. Our retirement will be at risk as well. That is a big impact too.
And I see a weakening in the separation of Church and state that would allow us to legislate morality. As a woman, I see that my own rights could be subject to someone else's religious beliefs. I suspect that the LGBT community has similar fears.
And of course. I have my own moral convictions, which I see bruised and beaten by the present GOP in Congress, who have taken "The Ant and the Grasshopper" as their moral center, rather than the more biblical Sermon on the Mount.
But if you were to ask me how this Presidential election impacts me personally? Yeah, I can answer. Repealing healthcare could leave my family exposed to the specter of a chronic, incurable, expensive disease that will cripple us financially if we lose the job with insurance. Eventually, it will just result in an early death. I consider that a big impact.
And an unstable market will increase debt, and decrease our ability to pay for our kids college educations, which are an enormous percentage of our income. Our retirement will be at risk as well. That is a big impact too.
And I see a weakening in the separation of Church and state that would allow us to legislate morality. As a woman, I see that my own rights could be subject to someone else's religious beliefs. I suspect that the LGBT community has similar fears.
And of course. I have my own moral convictions, which I see bruised and beaten by the present GOP in Congress, who have taken "The Ant and the Grasshopper" as their moral center, rather than the more biblical Sermon on the Mount.
7
Dear James,
In a town where hypocrisy rules, your consistency is a breath of fresh air.
Last July, as we were poised to celebrate our independence from monarchical oppression, you set us straight about the Crooked Queen. "Notwithstanding her crimes," you told us, "she had no intent, no mens rea—no 'mens' at all, in fact—malicious or otherwise."
And on the Sun before the first Tues after the first Mon in Nov, as we were set to exercise said independence via the franchise, you stuck to your guns. Good going!
"As for all that evidence of intent," you told us, "the deleted 33k subpoenaed emails, the BleachBitted illicit server, the endless string of false exculpatory statements, the repeated statements against interest, absolution w/o investigation, aliases & emails flying to and fro—wipe them all, like with a cloth."
"Ditto her FBI interview. So what if HC was a Martha-Stewart sitting duck but for functional 5ths ("I don't recall,") & FBI follow-up failures. No biggie."
"And ditto Marina the maid. She was simply a Clinton staffer doing her job—cleaning up HC's mess. And HC was just another equal-opportunity employer. Marina is entitled to equal access to the same classified docs & SCIFs as the rest of the HC staff. Jim Comey is no Jim Crow."
Thx for your candor, James…
Gotta go now. The polls open in 23 min.
FYI, will be voting as though my kid's life depends on it…because it does.
M
In a town where hypocrisy rules, your consistency is a breath of fresh air.
Last July, as we were poised to celebrate our independence from monarchical oppression, you set us straight about the Crooked Queen. "Notwithstanding her crimes," you told us, "she had no intent, no mens rea—no 'mens' at all, in fact—malicious or otherwise."
And on the Sun before the first Tues after the first Mon in Nov, as we were set to exercise said independence via the franchise, you stuck to your guns. Good going!
"As for all that evidence of intent," you told us, "the deleted 33k subpoenaed emails, the BleachBitted illicit server, the endless string of false exculpatory statements, the repeated statements against interest, absolution w/o investigation, aliases & emails flying to and fro—wipe them all, like with a cloth."
"Ditto her FBI interview. So what if HC was a Martha-Stewart sitting duck but for functional 5ths ("I don't recall,") & FBI follow-up failures. No biggie."
"And ditto Marina the maid. She was simply a Clinton staffer doing her job—cleaning up HC's mess. And HC was just another equal-opportunity employer. Marina is entitled to equal access to the same classified docs & SCIFs as the rest of the HC staff. Jim Comey is no Jim Crow."
Thx for your candor, James…
Gotta go now. The polls open in 23 min.
FYI, will be voting as though my kid's life depends on it…because it does.
M
2
I was first elected to a local office more than 10 years ago and have held one or another position in state or local government ever since. Local government really is where our lives are most directly affected, from taxes to crime to education to transportation to which party gets which safe districts to what our communities look and feel like.
5
Arthur Brooks is blowing smoke, Gail, or he's simply not been watching what GOP'ers in the House did to Boehner, and chooses to forget that McConnell and Ryan can't pass even their own budget through legislative houses that GOP'ers run.
The GOP'ers in the Freedom Caucus won't compromise with anyone, least of all a demon Dem, so the only solution is bypassing their dysfunction.
It starts with (hopefully) a Dem Senate, then making sure to end GOP'er gerrymandering of the House by 2020 through forcing re-districting measures in the South like Cali and Arizona have already enacted :)
The GOP'ers in the Freedom Caucus won't compromise with anyone, least of all a demon Dem, so the only solution is bypassing their dysfunction.
It starts with (hopefully) a Dem Senate, then making sure to end GOP'er gerrymandering of the House by 2020 through forcing re-districting measures in the South like Cali and Arizona have already enacted :)
26
Actually, on this planet, Boehner, McConnell, and Ryan flopped over and cooed like doves when Obama's immigration lawlessness and big spending demands were sent to Congress.
You probably don't recognize the name Harry Reid from your blog-reading, but Reid admitted these three produced as much for the progressives as Reid himself could have done.
You probably don't recognize the name Harry Reid from your blog-reading, but Reid admitted these three produced as much for the progressives as Reid himself could have done.
2
l'osservatore - On this planet, we still remember House GOP'ers trying to make the government default on its debt in 2011, which was averted, but at the significant GOP'er-driven cost of a downgrade in debt rating.
And on this planet, we still remember the government shut-down in 2013, to fulfill GOP'er campaign promises of 2012, at a cost to the country of at least $30 Billion$.
And on this planet, the utter cowardice of GOP'ers refusing to allow an actual vote on fighting ISIL/Daesh/ISIS in Syria, while threatening impeachment if Obama acts to defend us:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2013/09/06/mccain-o...
serves to illustrate exactly what GOP'ers are about in the here and now.
On this little rotating orb :)
And on this planet, we still remember the government shut-down in 2013, to fulfill GOP'er campaign promises of 2012, at a cost to the country of at least $30 Billion$.
And on this planet, the utter cowardice of GOP'ers refusing to allow an actual vote on fighting ISIL/Daesh/ISIS in Syria, while threatening impeachment if Obama acts to defend us:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2013/09/06/mccain-o...
serves to illustrate exactly what GOP'ers are about in the here and now.
On this little rotating orb :)
7
Only the insane and intoxicated ever thought for a second that the Gov't would default on anything since receipts were TRIPLE the amounts going out to service debt.
We may never know why Barack let the gov't shut down for such tiny amounts as we were sending Planned Parenthood & Body Parts Bazaar.
Tell your blogger that the third para is total fantasy.
You've been lied to so much I don't know that you'll ever realize how YOU'VE BEEN HAD.
We may never know why Barack let the gov't shut down for such tiny amounts as we were sending Planned Parenthood & Body Parts Bazaar.
Tell your blogger that the third para is total fantasy.
You've been lied to so much I don't know that you'll ever realize how YOU'VE BEEN HAD.
Now more than ever we need federal uniformity to ensure our voting process isn't corrupted by renegade local yokels.
GOP state Attorney generals are notorious for playing God around election time, manipulating voting times and places for partisan purposes.
Local mobs try to intimidate potential voters as well.
Local "authorities" decide not use backup verification copies in ancient voting machines, which invite mischief.
Katherine Harris in Florida helped manipulate Bush into the presidency. One result was thousands sent to early, pointless graves in Iraq. Local mischief is no minor matter for the families of the dead.
Not that the GOP congress would ever agree, but reform is critical to avert the tyranny of local anarchists and know nothings.
GOP state Attorney generals are notorious for playing God around election time, manipulating voting times and places for partisan purposes.
Local mobs try to intimidate potential voters as well.
Local "authorities" decide not use backup verification copies in ancient voting machines, which invite mischief.
Katherine Harris in Florida helped manipulate Bush into the presidency. One result was thousands sent to early, pointless graves in Iraq. Local mischief is no minor matter for the families of the dead.
Not that the GOP congress would ever agree, but reform is critical to avert the tyranny of local anarchists and know nothings.
30
Thanks for this insightful corrective to Brooks' homage to "local rule"
The WORST set-ups are like New Hampshire, where any warm body is apparently allowed to vote with no ID or even a good story.
Scott Brown swears that there were forty thousand of these mystery voters the day he ran for office in NH, and he lost by only a third of that number.
The disease part of this is the corrupted big-city one-party machines where no dead people are ever stricken from the rolls even as ''they'' uniformly follow one particular party in perpetuity.
Looking for fraudulent voting? Check out the vans rolling up to polls today where only the driver knows where the ''voters'' need to go.
Scott Brown swears that there were forty thousand of these mystery voters the day he ran for office in NH, and he lost by only a third of that number.
The disease part of this is the corrupted big-city one-party machines where no dead people are ever stricken from the rolls even as ''they'' uniformly follow one particular party in perpetuity.
Looking for fraudulent voting? Check out the vans rolling up to polls today where only the driver knows where the ''voters'' need to go.
2
Local people making local decisions about using local money is paramount.
But the rule of law has to be given first priority. Generally, when the voters are fully informed about how elections are really done in their area or state, the errors are cleaned up quickly because it becomes a point of pride.
Otherwise, Touche'!
But the rule of law has to be given first priority. Generally, when the voters are fully informed about how elections are really done in their area or state, the errors are cleaned up quickly because it becomes a point of pride.
Otherwise, Touche'!
Arthur Brooks proposes "a revenue-neutral reduction in corporate taxes". But we have huge budget deficits, a huge national debt, unfunded future liabilities, and many areas of government which need more money. Therefore, we actually need tax reform which raises a lot more money.
We may disagree on where to invest the money, but we ought to agree that we need more of it.
We may disagree on where to invest the money, but we ought to agree that we need more of it.
23
Cut taxes AND regulations, and perhaps gov't spending, and the economy will send more money to the Treasury than was coming in before.
But Tim's crisis is that the federal gov't can't be in the middle of everything making all the decisions.
Barack Obama looked at this decision and always sided with government growth over the chances for workers to make their own way independently.
Too bad no one in the media will ever look at him honestly.
But Tim's crisis is that the federal gov't can't be in the middle of everything making all the decisions.
Barack Obama looked at this decision and always sided with government growth over the chances for workers to make their own way independently.
Too bad no one in the media will ever look at him honestly.
The sequester? What about that one?
The story of Barack the Unready is hoe brittle and unprepared he was to govern. You'd think a guy who was such a matchless performer in campaigning would try to at LEAST be the deal-maker Bush 43 was, but Barack just didn't hsve it in him.
He goes into history as Mr. Missed Opportunities.
He goes into history as Mr. Missed Opportunities.
Gail and Arthur, please keep doing this, post-election. It should be the norm, not the exception. Thank you.
9
Gail is great. Brooks is great at misdiecting us from the problems on his side of the political spectrum
1
One American takes bread in the land of baguette
Getting news from the Times by way of the ‘Net.
All politics is global!
Best friends are immobile,
And visiting relatives all joined the jet set.
Getting news from the Times by way of the ‘Net.
All politics is global!
Best friends are immobile,
And visiting relatives all joined the jet set.
3
Local politics are important, but so is dysfunction in Washington. The biggest obstacle to ending Washington gridlock is the Hastert rule. Republicans endorse a legislative rule named for a convicted felon and sexual abuser. The name seems to be an appropriate metaphor for the effect of Republican obstruction on the welfare of the American people.
34
Arthur Brooks has done an amazing job adding nothing to The Conversation week after mindless week.
His Greed Over People party has presented America with a standard bearing Trumpian monster who gropes for fear, loathing, lies and women's body parts with equal, reckless abandon and he tells us to focus on the school board elections.
Brooks may have a small point there, because in Texas and other parts of the Bible Belt Confederacy, Whites R Us lunatics are still trying to teach abstinence from contraception AND abstinence from thought in local schools as they try to whitewash the nation's history and wrap it in a non-biodegradable White Wonder Bread plastic bag.
Here in New Jersey, local politics are swell.
Our governor's 6th-grade staff was just convicted of conspiracy to stop traffic and good governance for right-wing political spite.
Governor Chris 'Anti-Christ' Christie would've been convicted too, but he hasn't been seen in the state since his inauguration day because of personal commitments in managing another right-wing political spite campaign for Donald Trump.
Arthur Brooks, a supposedly educated man, does a fine job of Trumpeting right-wing conspiracy theories in this column as he does his right-wing seditious best to sow ignorance for immediate harvest of new fear and loathing.
All politics may be local, but right-wing fear, loathing, paranoia, conspiracy, disinformation and Pachyderm Spongiform Encephalopathy is a national mental disorder.
His Greed Over People party has presented America with a standard bearing Trumpian monster who gropes for fear, loathing, lies and women's body parts with equal, reckless abandon and he tells us to focus on the school board elections.
Brooks may have a small point there, because in Texas and other parts of the Bible Belt Confederacy, Whites R Us lunatics are still trying to teach abstinence from contraception AND abstinence from thought in local schools as they try to whitewash the nation's history and wrap it in a non-biodegradable White Wonder Bread plastic bag.
Here in New Jersey, local politics are swell.
Our governor's 6th-grade staff was just convicted of conspiracy to stop traffic and good governance for right-wing political spite.
Governor Chris 'Anti-Christ' Christie would've been convicted too, but he hasn't been seen in the state since his inauguration day because of personal commitments in managing another right-wing political spite campaign for Donald Trump.
Arthur Brooks, a supposedly educated man, does a fine job of Trumpeting right-wing conspiracy theories in this column as he does his right-wing seditious best to sow ignorance for immediate harvest of new fear and loathing.
All politics may be local, but right-wing fear, loathing, paranoia, conspiracy, disinformation and Pachyderm Spongiform Encephalopathy is a national mental disorder.
121
Arthur, Arthur, Arthur...most of us vote out of self-interest. And the self-interest of the majority of Americans doesn't include a "relatively nonpartisan agenda" that includes "revenue-neutral reduction in corporate taxes." We need legislation that will undo the damage of 35+ years of Republican economic ideology. And that's not going to happen by being all touchy-feely and reaching out to the same Republicans who worship at the altar of Reagan. If you want tax reform maybe you could try proposing legislation that taxes unearned income at the same or higher rate than income earned by actually working for it. Now that's something that would be in the best interest of the average working American.
This is why your side ended up with Trump. You have your establishment heads so far up the backside of supply-side economics (aka redistribution of wealth from the working and middle classes to the rich) that you can't see the light.
This is why your side ended up with Trump. You have your establishment heads so far up the backside of supply-side economics (aka redistribution of wealth from the working and middle classes to the rich) that you can't see the light.
132
Would have read this whole article, but go to the "stench of corruption" line and quit. Is this the best defense one of the so-called conservative intellectuals can give for those who swear to uphold the Constitution and then go on to on to try to destroy the national government, seeking to take down a President chosen by the citizens? Oh wow!
100
Gail: exactly! The self-delusion of old White Guys on full frontal display! (I'm PINK!)
1
It is a matter of definition, only Democrats have scandals and self-dealing, Republicans have principled positions and ideological imperatives that just happen to corrupt the political process and make them rich, and, of corse, there is no stench..
1
The only stench is from the lies that the Republicans have been throwing at Mrs. Clinton ever since she was First Lady. And I'm sick and tired of anyone defending Monica Lewinsky who knew exactly what she was doing when she decided to go after a married man because he was in a position of power. She admitted in her biography that that was her intention.
Brooks ignores revelations about the Trump Foundation, the cheating of contractors, the use of immigrant labor, the sale of his name for fraudulent purposes, the marriage to a woman who worked illegally in this country and probably didn't pay any taxes owed and then lied on her citizenship application, and then he smears Mrs. Clinton with innuendo! Give me a break.
Brooks ignores revelations about the Trump Foundation, the cheating of contractors, the use of immigrant labor, the sale of his name for fraudulent purposes, the marriage to a woman who worked illegally in this country and probably didn't pay any taxes owed and then lied on her citizenship application, and then he smears Mrs. Clinton with innuendo! Give me a break.
My sympathies to Gail, who apparently was in Cleveland.
This election WILL have a massive effect on peoples’ lives, depending on its outcome. If Trump wins, one way or another the likelihood is high that he’ll cut deals and policies will shift significantly rightward, but with some progressive gimmes. If Mrs. Clinton wins, though, probably nothing will change, as Congress isn’t about to buy her announced policy priorities of higher taxes, doubled-down regulation and new entitlements; and the inability to move forward for what will be TEN years instead of the current six will have dramatic and negative effects not just on America but globally.
My responders typically come back with the argument that paralysis is the fault of Republicans who don’t simply cave to progressive agendas; yet, if you can’t convince enough Americans to alter the levers and balance of power, you have no legitimate mandate to impose such agendas.
I pay a lot of attention to state politics, and this is what I see: the likelihood that the overwhelming influence of Republicans in state legislatures, governorships and local offices will continue. The number of Republican states attorney generals likely will grow from 27 to 29, and AGs likely will be a much-underappreciated bulwark through legal actions against Mrs. Clinton’s attempts, should she win, to dictate policy preferences.
Arthur must have defined the theme for this back-and-forth, because if all politics truly IS local, this favors the right.
This election WILL have a massive effect on peoples’ lives, depending on its outcome. If Trump wins, one way or another the likelihood is high that he’ll cut deals and policies will shift significantly rightward, but with some progressive gimmes. If Mrs. Clinton wins, though, probably nothing will change, as Congress isn’t about to buy her announced policy priorities of higher taxes, doubled-down regulation and new entitlements; and the inability to move forward for what will be TEN years instead of the current six will have dramatic and negative effects not just on America but globally.
My responders typically come back with the argument that paralysis is the fault of Republicans who don’t simply cave to progressive agendas; yet, if you can’t convince enough Americans to alter the levers and balance of power, you have no legitimate mandate to impose such agendas.
I pay a lot of attention to state politics, and this is what I see: the likelihood that the overwhelming influence of Republicans in state legislatures, governorships and local offices will continue. The number of Republican states attorney generals likely will grow from 27 to 29, and AGs likely will be a much-underappreciated bulwark through legal actions against Mrs. Clinton’s attempts, should she win, to dictate policy preferences.
Arthur must have defined the theme for this back-and-forth, because if all politics truly IS local, this favors the right.
12
"My responders typically come back with the argument that paralysis is the fault of Republicans who don’t simply cave to progressive agendas."
These are just some of the wildly "progressive" initiatives that Republicans so resolutely opposed (after once embracing them):
*The Conrad-Gregg resolution to create a deficit-reduction panel
*The new START nuclear weapons treaty with Russia
* Immigration reform
*Health-care reform that includes a mandate
In January 2009, the Republican leadership resolved to block any initiative that could be construed as a political victory for Barack Obama. And over the course of the next 8 years, they followed through. That's a fact.
These are just some of the wildly "progressive" initiatives that Republicans so resolutely opposed (after once embracing them):
*The Conrad-Gregg resolution to create a deficit-reduction panel
*The new START nuclear weapons treaty with Russia
* Immigration reform
*Health-care reform that includes a mandate
In January 2009, the Republican leadership resolved to block any initiative that could be construed as a political victory for Barack Obama. And over the course of the next 8 years, they followed through. That's a fact.
73
NA:
Thank you for confirming my assertion.
Thank you for confirming my assertion.
Certainly. Thanks for the reinforcing what the rest of America has known for a long, long time: that Republican partisans have been denying reality from the beginning of the Obama presidency.
34
The Republicans are represented in today's presidential election by a racist, misogynistic, vengeful, cruel, mentally unstable candidate. Arthur Brooks tries to minimize this catastrophe by breezily asserting that national elections don't matter. How stupid and forgetful does he think we are?
We all remember George W. Bush. Millions of Americans haven't yet recovered from the meltdown of the economy under this incompetent president. Many thousands died or were maimed by the unjustified war Bush lied our nation into.
Presidential elections matter, Mr. Brooks. Oh yes they do.
We all remember George W. Bush. Millions of Americans haven't yet recovered from the meltdown of the economy under this incompetent president. Many thousands died or were maimed by the unjustified war Bush lied our nation into.
Presidential elections matter, Mr. Brooks. Oh yes they do.
163
Thank you Gail and Arthur for this series and this (somewhat) sunny wrap up!
I think it is particularly prescient how you focused today on what I'll call the federalization of our polity.
So much of our politics and policy making are about national issues. As you rightly indicate, this has been to the detriment of people being engaged in how decision are made since so little now goes on at the state and local levels.
One example of this federalization is the continuation of a federal gas tax. This tax made sense back when we were building the interstate highway system. Now, however, there is no point for the Federal gov't to raise a gas tax just for Congress and the President to use it as their beneficence to pork barrel favored projects around the nation.
Repealing the Federal gas tax is one clear case to devolve authority back to each of the states. Let the states decide, along with their own taxes, as to what end to use it for. New York may funnel it to mass transit, Alaska to ferries and Mississippi to doing nothing. Each will bear the pros and cons, statewide and locally, of their gas tax investment decisions.
Reducing Federal command and control type government - including an overweening Federal judiciary - and devolving power back to the states and localities would bring us back to our republican roots - the very foundation of this country!
I think it is particularly prescient how you focused today on what I'll call the federalization of our polity.
So much of our politics and policy making are about national issues. As you rightly indicate, this has been to the detriment of people being engaged in how decision are made since so little now goes on at the state and local levels.
One example of this federalization is the continuation of a federal gas tax. This tax made sense back when we were building the interstate highway system. Now, however, there is no point for the Federal gov't to raise a gas tax just for Congress and the President to use it as their beneficence to pork barrel favored projects around the nation.
Repealing the Federal gas tax is one clear case to devolve authority back to each of the states. Let the states decide, along with their own taxes, as to what end to use it for. New York may funnel it to mass transit, Alaska to ferries and Mississippi to doing nothing. Each will bear the pros and cons, statewide and locally, of their gas tax investment decisions.
Reducing Federal command and control type government - including an overweening Federal judiciary - and devolving power back to the states and localities would bring us back to our republican roots - the very foundation of this country!
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And back to the Confederacy we go!! States Rights is retrograde politics and sounds like Libertarian nonsense. Government is bad, period. Public schools are Socialism and need to be disbanded. Civil Rights out the window. Red States revert back to the industrial age. Jim Crow resurfaces. What a horrible vision.
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States rights guys like Agent always paint the Federal govt. as the demon, until it comes time to talk about the US Military-- the most over bloated inefficient federal program of all. Then it's "hands off, support our troops while they fight for our never-detailed freedoms, we are exceptional." Blah blah blah. Cut that budget in half and happy days are here again.
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@ Harold.
Spare me the usual left canard about States Rights and the South.
> Government is best when it is closest to the people. That is one of the founding precepts of this nation that we've move so very far away from.
> Schools are best when they are responsive to the needs of the children and the community with out excessive central federal and state control. When schools are failing, parents should have the freedom to avail themselves of other school options without having to move.
> There is a place for the protection of individual rights as long as those rights are not being protected to the infringement of the rights of someone else.
All your other points are the hyper-ventilation of the usual progressive who is not so progressive when someone has ideas and beliefs that diverge from your so you throw out the terms racist, bigot, misogynist instead of considering alternative paths forward.
The alt left is as fascist and hysterical as the alt right - as your post typifies.
Spare me the usual left canard about States Rights and the South.
> Government is best when it is closest to the people. That is one of the founding precepts of this nation that we've move so very far away from.
> Schools are best when they are responsive to the needs of the children and the community with out excessive central federal and state control. When schools are failing, parents should have the freedom to avail themselves of other school options without having to move.
> There is a place for the protection of individual rights as long as those rights are not being protected to the infringement of the rights of someone else.
All your other points are the hyper-ventilation of the usual progressive who is not so progressive when someone has ideas and beliefs that diverge from your so you throw out the terms racist, bigot, misogynist instead of considering alternative paths forward.
The alt left is as fascist and hysterical as the alt right - as your post typifies.
Oh, Hllary should reach out to Republicans with policies that they in theory should be able to tolerate?
Apparently your memory fails you, Arthur, since this is exactly what Obama tried. And unfortunately he was a slow learner, because he kept trying and the Republicans just stuck to their far right wing guns, driving all us liberals bonkers with Obama's "self-negotiation."
I'm liberal but I understand the need for compromise. Unfortunately, the other side doesn't, and I'm not letting you get away with false equivalency arguments that Dems are as partisan as Reps. We reached out a hand, it was slapped away. There is no middle ground with your guys.
So sure, has to be done I suppose, but I'm not crazy... i.e. let's not do the same thing over and over again expecting a different result.
Perhaps Dems need to stand up for what they believe in with the same confidence that Republicans did... THEN let them meet in the true middle, not a phony middle in the right wing imagination.
Apparently your memory fails you, Arthur, since this is exactly what Obama tried. And unfortunately he was a slow learner, because he kept trying and the Republicans just stuck to their far right wing guns, driving all us liberals bonkers with Obama's "self-negotiation."
I'm liberal but I understand the need for compromise. Unfortunately, the other side doesn't, and I'm not letting you get away with false equivalency arguments that Dems are as partisan as Reps. We reached out a hand, it was slapped away. There is no middle ground with your guys.
So sure, has to be done I suppose, but I'm not crazy... i.e. let's not do the same thing over and over again expecting a different result.
Perhaps Dems need to stand up for what they believe in with the same confidence that Republicans did... THEN let them meet in the true middle, not a phony middle in the right wing imagination.
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Thomas,
The GOP believes that "compromise" means everyone agrees to do things their way. For them, blue states provide the means ($) and red states provide the ends. There! Aren't we all happy?
The GOP believes that "compromise" means everyone agrees to do things their way. For them, blue states provide the means ($) and red states provide the ends. There! Aren't we all happy?
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MErrcik Garland was highly praised by very righteous Republicans - and they chose to bite the Constitutional hand that feeds them. They have earned their kick in the tail.
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The hand that Obama reached out wasn't slapped away by the republican opposition, it was gnawed at so badly I'm surprised there is more than a stump left.
Brooks is just doubling down on that old republican definition of compromise; if you agree to everything we want we will agree that you are compromising.
Brooks is just doubling down on that old republican definition of compromise; if you agree to everything we want we will agree that you are compromising.
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All politics is local. Donald Trump is a local boy here: born and raised in Queens, 2 years of college in Manhattan, and most of his adult life in Manhattan.
We want him to stay local! We in New York want him here, in New York City! It is here that he can reminisce with Rudy Giuliani about their respective divorces from the mothers of most of their children. It is here that he can order Chris Christie to cross the bridge and get him another Diet Pepsi, because the one he has was made dilute by melting ice. It is here that he can meet his daughter Tiffany, who so elegantly pulled her head away when Donald tried to kiss her at the Republican Convention!
And all politics is local, like NYC natives Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elena Kagan. We don't want them to be all lonely, staring at that one empty seat. We want them to have company! A new Justice, conceived in Liberty, who will get lunch for all the other Justices. (Really! Someone brings lunch to the door, and the newest Justice has to answer the door.)
And all politics is local. If Republicans don't end up with 51 or more Senate seats, and if a Democrat is President of the Senate, our local product Senator Charles Schumer will be the Senate Majority Leader. That's a local interest we can all get behind. So help our locality, Arthur! Please.
===
Aside to Gail: I sent tweets thanking people who have kept me informed lo these 2 year. You're the only one who didn't seem to use Twitter. Thank you, for all the good reporting!
.
All politics is local. Donald Trump is a local boy here: born and raised in Queens, 2 years of college in Manhattan, and most of his adult life in Manhattan.
We want him to stay local! We in New York want him here, in New York City! It is here that he can reminisce with Rudy Giuliani about their respective divorces from the mothers of most of their children. It is here that he can order Chris Christie to cross the bridge and get him another Diet Pepsi, because the one he has was made dilute by melting ice. It is here that he can meet his daughter Tiffany, who so elegantly pulled her head away when Donald tried to kiss her at the Republican Convention!
And all politics is local, like NYC natives Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Elena Kagan. We don't want them to be all lonely, staring at that one empty seat. We want them to have company! A new Justice, conceived in Liberty, who will get lunch for all the other Justices. (Really! Someone brings lunch to the door, and the newest Justice has to answer the door.)
And all politics is local. If Republicans don't end up with 51 or more Senate seats, and if a Democrat is President of the Senate, our local product Senator Charles Schumer will be the Senate Majority Leader. That's a local interest we can all get behind. So help our locality, Arthur! Please.
===
Aside to Gail: I sent tweets thanking people who have kept me informed lo these 2 year. You're the only one who didn't seem to use Twitter. Thank you, for all the good reporting!
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Donald trump has been exposed. He can no longer hide. His mistreatment of fellow human beings may not be punishable by law, but his fraudulent university and business dealings might be, despite what his highly paid lawyers and accountants say.
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Gail for POTUS and Arthur for VEEP!
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Norm Ornstein would disagree with you Arthur. The dysfunction and obstruction are nearly all the fault of the GOP.
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Brooks has to realize that if Clinton tried to find middle ground with Paul Ryan and Congressional Republicans, it would put her in the middle of a fetid, reeking swamp. Ryan is a certified fraud who has somehow convinced the ignorant that he’s a policy wonk. Almost all of the other Republicans in Congress are social conservatives. How do you find middle ground with those folks, who think contraception is a sin, abortion is murder and that gay people are an offense to God?
A Republican Congress has pledged to destroy President Clinton. They want to impeach her before she takes her hand off the bible—not because she mishandled classified material, but because she’s a powerful woman with progressive tendencies, and because they despise her, and especially the people she represents.
Warren and Sanders only seem radical from the perspective of Republicans who are at the bottom of a deep well of resentment and loathing. They’re digging for gold, not to get a better view of the people who need their help. Somehow medical care, retirement security, a living wage and educational opportunity are evil socialistic pipe dreams, while tax avoidance and rampant income inequality are worthy goals.
Trump is a toxic weed, and his roots are embedded deep in a conservative Congress that has nurtured the kind of political environment that lets him flourish. It’s time to get out the Roundup, not spread more fertilizer. There’s plenty enough of that in Congress already.
A Republican Congress has pledged to destroy President Clinton. They want to impeach her before she takes her hand off the bible—not because she mishandled classified material, but because she’s a powerful woman with progressive tendencies, and because they despise her, and especially the people she represents.
Warren and Sanders only seem radical from the perspective of Republicans who are at the bottom of a deep well of resentment and loathing. They’re digging for gold, not to get a better view of the people who need their help. Somehow medical care, retirement security, a living wage and educational opportunity are evil socialistic pipe dreams, while tax avoidance and rampant income inequality are worthy goals.
Trump is a toxic weed, and his roots are embedded deep in a conservative Congress that has nurtured the kind of political environment that lets him flourish. It’s time to get out the Roundup, not spread more fertilizer. There’s plenty enough of that in Congress already.
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gemli – I take it as a good omen that yours is the first comment on The Conversation this morning! Fingers crossed Hillary wins big!
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Bravo. Again.
gemli and Socrates should be given NY Times jobs as editorial page columnists. And if Douthat ever gets that Pope job he so desperately thinks he can do better than Francis, maybe give Richard Luettgen his spot? (I wouldn't agree with him any more than I do Douthat, but Luettgen is more entertaining.)
Please vote today folks, like it matters (because it really does), like it's your last time (because one side wants to make sure it will be).
gemli and Socrates should be given NY Times jobs as editorial page columnists. And if Douthat ever gets that Pope job he so desperately thinks he can do better than Francis, maybe give Richard Luettgen his spot? (I wouldn't agree with him any more than I do Douthat, but Luettgen is more entertaining.)
Please vote today folks, like it matters (because it really does), like it's your last time (because one side wants to make sure it will be).
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gemli - Yep, except GOP'ers prob'ly won't wait as long as Hillary's swearing in; bet they try to get her in front of Congressional committees while this lame duck Congress is still sitting.
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