Tuesday, January 03, 2023

An Episode Of The Twilight Zone

Today, as Republicans take control of the House of Representatives, a new day is dawning. That doesn't mean it's a good day. Paul Krugman writes:

As late as 2015, or so I and many others thought, we had a fairly good idea about how American politics worked. It wasn’t pretty, but it seemed comprehensible.

On one side we had the Democrats, who were and still are basically what people in other advanced nations call social democrats (which isn’t at all the same as what most people call socialism). That is, they favor a fairly strong social safety net, supported by relatively high taxes on the affluent. They’ve moved somewhat to the left over the years, mainly because the gradual exit of the few remaining conservative Democrats has made the party’s social-democratic orientation more consistent. But by international standards, Democrats are, at most, vaguely center left.

On the other side we had the Republicans, whose overriding goal was to keep taxes low and social programs small. Many advocates of that agenda did so in the sincere belief that it would be best for everyone — that high taxes reduce incentives to create jobs and raise productivity, as do excessively generous benefits. But the core of the G.O.P.’s financial support (not to mention that of the penumbra of think tanks, foundations and lobbying groups that promoted its ideology) came from billionaires who wanted to preserve and increase their wealth.

To be clear, I’m not suggesting that Democrats were pure idealists. Special-interest money flowed to both parties. But of the two, Republicans were much more obviously the party of making the rich richer.

 As time passed, the Republicans couldn't generate enough votes to win elections:

The problem for Republicans was that their economic agenda was inherently unpopular. Voters consistently tell pollsters that corporations and the rich pay too little in taxes; policies that help the poor and the middle class have broad public support. How, then, could the G.O.P. win elections?

The answer, most famously described in Thomas Frank’s 2004 book “What’s the Matter With Kansas?,” was to win over white working-class voters by appealing to them on cultural issues. His book came in for considerable criticism from political scientists, in part because he underplayed the importance of white racial antagonism, but the general picture still seems right.

As Frank described it, however, the culture war was basically phony — a cynical ploy to win elections, ignored once the votes were counted. “The leaders of the backlash may talk Christ,” he wrote, “but they walk corporate. … Abortion is never halted. Affirmative action is never abolished. The culture industry is never forced to clean up its act.”

These days, that sounds quaint — even a bit like a golden era — as many American women lose their reproductive rights, as schools are pressured to stop teaching students about slavery and racism, as even powerful corporations come under fire for being excessively woke. The culture war is no longer just posturing by politicians mainly interested in cutting taxes on the rich; many elected Republicans are now genuine fanatics.

And so today the true fanatics will take their seats -- led by a man who is clearly mentally ill. American politics have become an episode of The Twilight Zone.

Image:

12 comments:

jrkrideau said...

Somewhat of-topic bu conservatives will be conservatives Social-conservative activist John Carpay reported by legal advocacy group he heads to have been charged with obstruction of justice

Anonymous said...

"... by international standards, Democrats are, at most, vaguely center left." "At most" is doing some heavy lifting here. By most international rankings I've seen, the Democrats are a centre-right party, while the GOP is on the far right.

As for that leader who is clearly mentally ill, he would have been indicted long ago in any country with a functioning justice system. If the DOJ won't prosecute the crimes he committed while president, then arrest him for the crimes he's committed since, like the theft of highly classified documents. The fact that he's still a free man two years after leading an insurrection is indeed like an episode of the Twilight Zone.

Cap

Anonymous said...

Owen, your conclusion appears to be that the new members of the House of Representative are fanatics, while their leader is mentally ill. That's not a happy situation! Who is the mentally ill leader? Who is the leader? As much as he wants to be it, it's not McCarthy. It seems the Republican members are in a state of disarray. Could the public response to the election issues as outlined by both parties be the reason? Are there Democrats in the House? Not a majority, but surprisingly, given the pre-election predictions, quite a few. Are they fanatics? Not by the definition used in the body of your post. Concluding that the House has become "an Episode of The Twilight Zone" is premature, I think. Democracy is still very important to Americans. Be of good cheer as we begin the New Year! That rhymes doesn't it?

CD

Owen Gray said...

We are not immune from this insanity, jrk. These folks don't have the votes to implement their policies. So they have turned to autocracy, assuming that we don't know what's good for us.

Owen Gray said...

Trump has gotten away with this kind of behaviour all his life, Cap. Until someone has the intestinal fortitude to send him to jail, he'll continue to follow the same playbook.

Owen Gray said...

It could well be that in their attempt to burn down American democracy, the Republicans will set themselves on fire. That's what their leader -- Donald Trump -- is attempting to do, CD. That would bring down their whole house of cards.

Anonymous said...

Owen,
Since Trump is largely responsible for its destruction, is there still a Republican party, or merely a group of unorganized and fanatical wannabes looking for a leader? I think an arguement can be made that Trump at this point is the leader of nothing but a minority of devotees.


CD

Owen Gray said...

Certainly, in the last presidential election, Trump was supported by a minority of voters, CD.
However, Trump -- at the very least -- is mathematically challenged.

the salamander said...

‘AT THIS POINT …’ is my opening idea for some sort of analysis or perspective .. but ! What Point is this ? Do we even know What Point We’re At ? I think I have a vague idea What Point People WANT TO BE AT.. and will ‘theoretically’ VOTE ACCORDINGLY. But that is an amazing Leap of Faith to believe in, much less TRUST !

I find it safer to pretend Alberta is a great model ‘politically’. I can pretend it’s like the entire United States. Primarily White, many Generations, purportedly Cherishing ‘conservative christian values’, outdoor enthusiasts, fair minded, upwardly mobile, blah blah, luxuriating in vast natural resources, fresh air & waters, wildlife abounds, etc etc. Modern ? State of the Art actually ! Mass Media, Modern Science & Education, Healthcare.. ain’t it Just Wonderful !

And essentially now Controlled by Corrupt Politics.. and Bound For Separation Or Bust ! !
So ‘AT THIS POINT’.. What were Albertans Thinking Would Happen ?
Or my real POINT.. Where Are Albertan Voters, Getting Their ‘Opinion’ From ?

If we can decipher Why & How a car gets into the ditch on a snowy slippery day, perhaps we can avoid the ditch ? Doesn’t seem to take too much deep thought.. Appropriate snow tires, reducing speed, no distractions, proper spacing in traffic & good windshield wipers ! Lorne might suggest a little ‘critical thinking’ too. My big sister might add ‘run your checklist’ before heading out on the roads in a snowstorm !

So where do Voting Age Albertans ‘GET’ their OPINIONS FROM ? Or FORM THEM ? Are they Born With Them haha ? What is the Mainstream Media Role ? The Social Media Role ? The Family Role.. ie Dad or Mom, Grandpa.. or the next door neighbour ? Peer Pressure ?

The SHEER INCONGRUITY astonishes me Owen ! If Alberta has ANYTHING.. it’s World Class Science, Education, Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism, Agriculture.. you name it.. Alberta has it.. !
AND CORRUPT GOVERNANCE. Secretive, Furtive, Manipulative, Deceptive, Conniving

If I could only understand Alberta..
I might some day understand the USA and Kansas..
Hell.. I can’t even understand ‘Charitable Status’
& it’s role in Political Donations.. & Influencing Elections

How did that happen ? God On Their Side ? 🦎

Owen Gray said...

It's hard to admit mistakes when you believe God is on your side, sal.

the salamander said...

Will check with Toto on that Owen ..

Owen Gray said...

It's best to find the man behind the curtain, sal.