Christian Science Monitor: Triumph of the Redistributionist Left

[PhilipShore]

Christian Science Monitor
Triumph of the Redistributionist Left
By Patrick Chisholm
January 23, 2006

http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0123/p25s01-cogn.html

The political left in America is emerging victorious.

Republicans' capture of both Congress and the White House was, understandably, a demoralizing blow to the left. But the latter can take solace that "Republican" is no longer synonymous with spending restraint, free markets, and other ideals of the political right.

The left has a powerful institutional force on its side: "public choice" economics. Our system of government is highly responsive to vocal groups that lobby for subsidies, government programs, and other special favors. Since the costs are spread out among all taxpayers while the benefits are concentrated among smaller segments of the population (such as retirees, in the case of Social Security and Medicare), the taxpayers have much less of an incentive to lobby against the measure while the beneficiaries have a huge incentive to lobby for it. Whenever those subsidies are threatened, the lobbies launch their barrages of politically effective complaints.

Forces favoring the left are virtually locked in. Even with Republicans in control, big government is destined to get a lot bigger.

[Mythsaje]

1. Talk about missing the point...

It's not a triumph to watch the government engage in reverse Robin Hood tactics.

[FreedomAngel82]

10. And when lots of people have losed

Not just money either.

[Deja Q]

2. Redistributionist?!

Tell that to the corporate elite who get tax cuts for taxes, a lot of which they find loopholes and other means to circumvent. Money for nothing and the chicks are free...

And who think that by offshoring, et al, it won't cost them the economy - the same one they were responsible for making.

[Initech]

3. Aye, they completely miss the point.

First off, the government has become gargantuan under the W administration.

Second, they got this stupid argument in their heads (probably from that fat fuck Limbaugh) that liberalism is somehow on a par with communism. It isnt.

Idiots! :grr:

[AX10]

4. "Redistributionist"???

:wtf:? is this? The "left" just wants things to be fair.

[Tom Joad]

5. Massive redistribution to the wealthy and the military elite. That is not

a "left" thing

[wishlist]

6. Left is not responsible for Bush's mismanagement and huge deficits n/t

[whoneedstickets]

7. Someone needs to go back and re-read Mancur Olson....

Privileged, well-funded and organized minorities receiving private goods is a long way from leftist politics.

[katinmn]

8. Huh? This makes no sense atall. In fact, it's bullshit.

We have an $8 trillion debt thanks to the Republicans with an $1 trillion to $2 trillion cost for the war and its aftershocks.

Spending on the military has overshadowed all other spending. Education, health care, student loans food stamps have all been cut.

Congress has become responsible to corporations that give them money.

Perhaps this is a type of ransom paid because BushCo is holding Jill Carroll hostage.

[mom cat]

9. Can we just say "stupid".