What if we’re not broke? - E. J. Dionne, Jr.

[XanaDUer]

“We’re broke.”

You can practically break a search engine if you start looking around the Internet for those words. They’re used repeatedly with reference to our local, state and federal governments, almost always to make a case for slashing programs — and, lately, to go after public-employee unions. The phrase is designed to create a sense of crisis that justifies rapid and radical actions before citizens have a chance to debate the consequences.

Just one problem: We’re not broke. Yes, nearly all levels of government face fiscal problems because of the economic downturn. But there is no crisis. There are many different paths open to fixing public budgets. And we will come up with wiser and more sustainable solutions if we approach fiscal problems calmly, realizing that we’re still a very rich country and that the wealthiest among us are doing exceptionally well.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/what-if-were-not-broke/2011/03/11/ABhFE6T_story.html

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. But that would mean NO disaster capitalism

[Blue Owl]

2. Broke as a Koch

But there's no cookies left!

(pay no attention as the Koch Bros. guard their eleven cookies)

[spanone]

3. his title should be. 'we're not broke'....not 'what if'

[highplainsdem]

4. Give the GOP "full credit for diverting our attention with an arresting metaphor" -- the MEDIA

can't be let off the hook. They've been complicit in this, too. Not just Faux Propaganda, but every single member of the media who failed to look into this lie that "we're broke" -- or knew it was a lie and parroted it or at least let the lie go undisputed when they heard it.

[hfojvt]

8. speaking of the media - "tools to power and servants to their own class interest"

"This morning, Brooks is at it again, obsessively citing various studies and “wondering” what they might mean. As before, so again today: Something keeps him from considering obvious explanations for the effects he has seen. One example: Why are people reluctant to bite the bullet concerning deficit reduction? Having pondered some tedious research, Brooks finds himself wondering this:

BROOKS (3/11/11): I wonder if Americans are unwilling to support the sacrifices that will be required to avert fiscal catastrophe in part because they are less conscious of themselves as components of a national project.

It’s always possible! Or could the public’s reluctance stems from a relentlessly well-documented fact: Most people have no earthly idea how the federal budget works! In part due to decades of agitprop, most people have no idea what the government’s money is spent on.

They think it goes to foreign aid—and perhaps to welfare. Meanwhile, please note something Brooks doesn’t wonder. Brooks doesn’t wonder this:

BROOKS REWRITTEN: I wonder if leading journalists are unwilling to support the tax increases that will be required to avert fiscal catastrophe in part because they are tools to power and servants to their own class interest."

http://www.dailyhowler.com/dh031111.shtml

[WingDinger]

5. There is a meme there: We're KochBroke!

[kenny blankenship]

6. What then? TAAAAAAAX CUUUUUTTTS!!!

And if we are broke? Stimulative TAAAXXX CUUUTTSSS!
Don't you know how this works Dionne?

[XanaDUer]

7. kick

nt.