Alternate Reality Newz

Yesterday, NPR ran two stories on the spectacle that is the moderate wing of the Democratic Party.

My favorite part was the sound bite from Jim Kessler of the think tank Third Way, who represents the direction the White House is (still) going. [Spoiler alert: the third way is a lot like the other two, only more condescending.]:

"With the passage of health care reform, the 80-year Democratic quest to build the best possible safety net is essentially over... and the Democratic Party has to shift from being a party primarily concerned with economic security and dividing up the pie to one that is primarily concerned with economic growth and expanding the pie."

I have to say, this is my favorite quote of the Obama administration thus far. It is telling.

Anyhoo, now that there aren't any folks in the US being left behind (certainly not this guy), it's totes time to get back to making money, which benefits everyone.

First, lol this guy's understanding of economics.

Second, has this guy been to America lately? He's more than welcome to visit my neighborhood. We could window shop for used tires and used mattresses, and check to see if anyone's left out any returnables.

If you're reading, Mr. Kessler, when you get to Syracuse on the thruway, you want to exit at the abandoned air conditioner factory. You can't miss it-- it's right between the abandoned transmission plant and the abandoned General Motors complex. If you don't want people riffling your car, I suggest you come during the daytime.

Back to the Obama Administration.

NPR:

President Obama is reportedly considering former Commerce Secretary William Daley for a position in the West Wing — possibly chief of staff. That would signal the administration's intent to court moderate voters and the business community.

Daley, who was commerce secretary under President Clinton, is on the board of a Washington think tank called Third Way, that advocates for centrist policies.

Super!

And then there's Gene Sperling, a possible candidate to replace Larry Summers (remember: Summers left-- Obama *didn't* fire him) as Obama's top economic advisor:

I thought there was a dearth of people who accepted the inevitability of globalization, the inevitability and power of markets, and yet who still believe there was a role for government to make sure that a rising tide was lifting all boats.

Ok, I LOL'd for REALZ at that.

Inevitability...markets...inevitability...markets..."lifting all boats"??? Sure. Why the hell not?

I actually agree that markets are powerful. I'm not sure precisely how successful the government can be in harnessing the market to make everyone better off, but that's my problem. What's interesting, is that if we are going to try that tactic (hint: we are), I'd argue that we should probably have someone who's not running the markets doing the harnessing. Just sayin'. Repeatedly. For emphasis. Lots of emphasis. :ahem: