That's the week that was

And I suppose you have to be of a certain age (i.e., old) to understand today's post title. Why doesn't this surprise me? Or this? Where's that ballsy tea party attitude? Oh, it's in hiding? That's the way to stand up for the American people--run and hide (or be hidden) when it turns out you really are a racist or a lunatic. Frankly, get out there and say what you believe--if the people buy it (not likely) they'll vote you into office. If you can't do that, go the fuck home and save the rest of us the trouble (yes, we're talking about Rand Paul of Where's Waldo fame, and Sharron Angle, disciple of Carry Nation). Another brilliant "column" from Wonk. Apparently he missed this (or else gets his news from Chris Matthews, who has a "documentary" next week on the Tea Party). Not having lived in Michigan during Mr. Tisch's important achievement (so-called), I can't recall the rhetoric from the debate, but I really fail to see how having the burden of financing education move from property taxes to the sales tax improved Michigan--especially considering that year after year we have more cuts to education, can't find ways to fund education, and continue to fall down to the depths of Mississippi and Alabama in the education our kids are getting. The only effect the Tea Party will have on Michigan is to drag it farther down (though leave it to Michigan to be a day late and a dollar short, as usual). Brian Dickerson continues the Free Press "Kumbaya" Movement (Golly, gee, Beav, if we'd all just get along we'd all be so much better off). In a word: no. You know, the last two big bipartisan efforts I remember were the Afghanistan War and the Iraq War. Those two worked out so fucking well. I don't have the benefit of Mr. Dickerson's Ivy League education (Princeton must be so fucking proud), but I can't see how California's awarding the general election to the two highest vote getters in the primary is going to make things much better. One can suppose in highly partisan districts (both liberal and conservative) that it is entirely possible that the top two vote getters could be from the same party, thus disenfranchising both the opposing parties and independents (and seriously reducing voter turnout). Certainly, the occasional independent candidate might break through, but...there's a reason Centrism begins with a "C": it's for the average and the mediocre. Said it before, will say it again: these times call for bold leaders with the courage to push through bold ideas whether partisan or not, and the bravery to challenge and defeat the corporate special interests that are keeping true change for the working people from happening. We need a class war, not a fucking peace pipe. Period. Not worth a link, but words certainly are telling (from the Free Press business pages): "...Rick Wagoner, the former General Motors chief who was pushed out in March 2009 after 32 years at the company...." Poor, little Ricky--pushed out...with his golden parachute and jumping to other boards of directors with their lots of pay for little work. Didn't have a damn thing to do with the fact that he ran the company into the ground with his lack of foresight, poor oversight, and general incompetence that left thousands out of work with little more than a few months unemployment compensation. I smell...BULLSHIT on the business pages of the Free Press.... Devil's Advocate: While I would not want to downplay the tragedy and significance of the BP oil spill, if we on the left had spent the last two months focusing as much energy on jobs (admittedly a taller order) as we have on this spill, our chances of averting future disasters such as this would markedly improve. Enough Americans will vote for change if their pocketbooks are suffering, and we won't be the change they are seeking. To be blunt: no jobs equals no clean energy agenda and more offshore drilling. Just sayin'.... Peace, emaycee