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. . . no matter how much the elite think we are.
Think Progress:
Poll: Majority Say U.S. Needs New Campaign Finance Laws
On the heels of yesterday’s two-year anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, a new Rasmussen poll finds that 58 percent of Americans say the U.S needs new campaign finance laws — a change from three years ago when more people said it would be “good” if the Supreme Court struck down existing campaign finance laws.
Economist’s View:
Do Republicans Want to Win the Presidential Election?
It’s been puzzling so far, but I think I figured out the Republican strategy for the presidential election. Obama is already giving them everything they want in terms of policy, pretty much, and there’s no reason to think he’ll change after the election. Centrism is not an act for Obama, it’s who he really is and when you compromise from the middle, and do so poorly — i.e. give up most demands for one or two centrist bits in the final legislation — the outcome leans heavily to the right. Given that, it’s not at all clear that Republicans would be able to reach more of their goals if they controlled the presidency and faced united opposition from the left rather than the fractured opposition they face under a Democratic president.
And the right certainly has nothing to complain about when it comes to war mongering, domestic spying, and the like. Republicans are getting everything they want, more than they ever could have dreamed of with a Democrat in power, with little outcry from the leftists that usually make such a fuss over these types of activities.
Plus, the president is taking the blame for the lousy economy, and they are able to make headway in their long held goal of discrediting Keynesian economics…
If a Republican takes the presidency, that blame will fall on them. Sure, it’s possible that the economy will take off over the next four years, but more realistically it’s looking like more of the same sluggishness, a slow, agonizing, “are we there yet,” recovery that won’t be helped at all by the deficit reduction that lies ahead (thanks to one of those wonderful compromises by the administration). Who wants to preside over that? Instead, why not put up some weak candidates, very, very weak, and give the win to Obama? He’s already done a lot of their work for them, why not let him take the lead in dismantling social welfare in the name of deficit reduction (e.g. Obama has often cited Social Security as a target).
Avedon:
We have met the enemy and he is us
The other night on Virtually Speaking A-Z, Jay and Stuart discussed the idea that the dog-whistles coming out of the mouths of people like Newt Gingrich aren’t aimed at the general voter or even at unreconstructed racists, they’re aimed at us, and “progressives” keep falling for it. Atrios keeps pointing out that they do and say things “just to piss liberals off,” and I suspect he’s more right than he knows, and I think a lot of prog bloggers really need to give this some thought, because I believe Stuart is absolutely right – they say things that get liberals to react and that works for them in ways “the left” seems to be entirely unaware of.
I don’t just mean that it’s a distraction; I mean that we’re doing their PR for them. People are worried about their jobs. Gingrich talks about jobs, and instead of talking about jobs, progressives react with partisan defenses and accuse him of dog-whistle racism. But ordinary people don’t hear racism when Gingrich says he wants to give people paychecks rather than welfare checks, because ordinary people are worried that maybe a welfare check is all they can hope for anymore if things keep going the way they’re going.
Obama himself has been telling people that we can’t have good jobs anymore, we can’t have 4% unemployment and a healthy economy anymore, but we’ll try to protect “the most needy” – which means the only way you’ll get any help from the government is after they have made you too poor to help yourself - and you’ll never be able to help yourself again. It doesn’t matter that Gingrich is lying about his intentions to create jobs, since no one is actually offering jobs.
What matters is that instead of acknowledging that the jobs situation keeps getting worse, liberals sit around crying racism. And racism really isn’t the issue.
New posts at Many Years Young 1/22/12
A Sharper Mind, Middle Age and Beyond
How Exercise May Keep Alzheimer’s at Bay
Mind-wandering can make you unhappy
Gossiping Might Be Good for You
Plus lots more.
New posts at Many Years Young 1/21/12
Weight loss research touts art of slow eating
Lack of Sleep Makes Your Brain Hungry
Weight Loss Doesn’t Have to Be a Losing Battle
3 healthy ingredients of a get-skinny lunch
Plus lots more.
New posts at Many Years Young 1/20/12
Top 10 Sex-Life Boosters and Busters
More Americans Practicing Safe Sex, CDC Reports
Use Anti-Smoking Tactics to Combat Obesity
Superfoods boost health, but so do other foods
Plus lots more.
New posts at Many Years Young 1/19/12
Don’t take a winter break from exercise
New app adds incentives to go to the gym
With exercise, the trick is just getting started
Fish oil plus exercise may do older muscles good
Plus lots more.
New posts at Many Years Young 1/18/12
Obesity rates not shrinking in the U.S. says CDC
Watching ‘The Biggest Loser’ may increase anti-fat attitudes
Increase Dietary Fiber, Decrease Disease
Boost Heart Health with Fish
Plus lots more.
New posts at Many Years Young 4/17/12
Magnesium-rich diet tied to lower stroke risk
3 Blood-Pressure Signs You Should Never Ignore
Pollution tied to disease risk
Discrimination May Harm Your Health
Plus lots more.
New posts at Many Years Young 1/16/12
Getting Patients to Take Charge of Their Health
Office Workers Spend Too Much Time at Their Desks, Experts Say
Work off Calories at Your Desk
Walk cuts in half chocolate consumption at work
Plus lots more.
New posts at Many Years Young 1/15/12
Why Are Older People Happier?
Advice From Life’s Graying Edge on Finishing With No Regrets
It’s Still the ‘Age of Anxiety.’ Or Is It?
Your bullying boss may be slowly killing you
Plus lots more.
New posts at Many Years Young 1/14/12
Need to Exercise More? Think How It Will Help You Now
Experts Urge Public Action to Aid Cancer Prevention
U.S. Diabetes Prevention Program Might Avert 885,000 Cases
Paula Deen expected to reveal she has Type 2 diabetes
Plus lots more.
New posts at Many Years Young 1/13/12
New York anti-obesity ads pair soda, leg amputations
Penny-Per-Ounce Tax on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Keeps the Doctor Away and Saves Money, Study Finds
Diet Rich in Slowly Digested Carbs Reduces Markers of Inflammation in Overweight and Obese Adults
New Evidence That Bacteria in Large Intestine Have a Role in Obesity
Plus lots more.
New posts at Many Years Young 1/12/12
Role of Exercise, Cars and Televisions on Heart Attack Risk
Covering Gym Fees Might Be Money Saver for Medicare
Mouse Study Give Clues to Why Exercise Is Healthy
‘Couch Potato Pill’ Might Stop Heat Stroke Too
Plus lots more.
New posts at Many Years Young 1/11/12
Listen to Music for a Healthier Brain and Body
Acupuncture Reduces Protein Linked to Stress in Animal Study
Grief Is a Real Heartbreaker, Study Finds
Monkeys Treated With ‘Love Hormone’ Show More Kindness
Plus lots more.
New posts at Many Years Young 1/10/12
Religious Beliefs May Battle Hypertension
Modest exercise cuts obese women’s blood pressure
Exercise May Help Those at Higher Risk for Alzheimer’s: Study
To optimize exercise, heed your heart rate training zone
Plus lots more.
New posts at Many Years Young 1/9/12
Forget dieting; learn how to eat healthy instead
Aiming to lose weight? Don’t let setbacks get you down, experts say
The Color of Your Plate Matters
The keys to maintaining your weight loss
Plus lots more.
New posts at Many Years Young 1/8/12
Helping Others May in Turn Help You
Mindfulness Meditation: Benefits and Principles
Stress Relief in 5 Steps
9 Foods for a Good Mood
Plus lots more.
New posts at Many Years Young 1/7/12
PSA Test for Prostate Cancer Doesn’t Save Lives: Study
Resolve to Take Colon Cancer Test, Experts Say
Moderate Red Wine Drinking May Help Cut Women’s Breast Cancer Risk, Study Suggests
Prevent cervical cancer: Get screened, get vaccinated, don’t smoke
Plus lots more.
New posts at Many Years Young 1/6/12
Stop Making Excuses and Learn How to Be Healthy
Plan a health improvement with a buddy
How to Be Fun, Have Fun, and Stay Young
The Surprising Power of Happiness
Plus lots more.
