The 2 Santas strategy: how the GOP wins by destroying the US economy

[pnwmom]

This is by Thom Hartmann. I hope everyone will read the whole thing.

https://www.milwaukeeindependent.com/thom-hartmann/two-santas-strategy-gop-used-economic-scam-manipulate-americans-40-years/?fbclid=IwAR3hX2AAyC80-Qz4_df-O89AO5EeiiHbEupPEncEWIB_FZ47duVPkNOqP2U

First, the Two Santas strategy dictates, when Republicans control the White House they must spend money like a drunken Santa and cut taxes to run up the U.S. debt as far and as fast as possible.

This produces three results: it stimulates the economy thus making people think that the GOP can produce a good economy; it raises the debt dramatically; and it makes people think that Republicans are the “tax-cut Santa Clauses.”

Second, when a Democrat is in the White House, Republicans must scream about the national debt as loudly and frantically as possible, freaking out about how “our children will have to pay for it!” and “we have to cut spending to solve the crisis!” Shut down the government, crash the stock market, and damage US credibility around the world if necessary to stop Democrats from spending money.

This will force the Democrats in power to cut their own social safety net programs and even Social Security, thus shooting their welfare-of-the-American-people Santa Claus right in the face.

And, sure enough, here we are now with a Democrat in the White House. Following their Two Santas strategy, Republicans are again squealing about the national debt and refusing to raise the debt ceiling, imperiling Biden’s economic recovery as well as his Build Back Better plans.

[yonder]

1. Thanks for this post, pnwmom. Mr. Hartman hits it outta the park again.

[blm]

2. Truth

[crickets]

3. K&R for visibility.

[KS Toronado]

4. This has been the repug playbook ever since Raygun.

[pnwmom]

5. Yes, it has. nt

[Mr.Bill]

6. Hopefully one day the history books

will say that Reagan wrecked this country by teaching us the prosperity of borrowed money.

Always ask republicans what two past presidents doubled the national debt. I have never met one who had the correct answer. It's Reagan (he nearly tripled it) and George W. Bush.

[KS Toronado]

7. The prosperity of borrowed money is how tfg always operated

[Mr.Bill]

8. True.

That's why he was such a great fit for the republican party.

[Cosmocat]

9. I was a HS back then and saw it and this is why I have given up on this country

They do this shit like clockwork, and people still vote for them and live under the malaise of "libs bad" from Rs screaming their bullshit.

If most of this country is so weak minded that they will eagerly follow along as Rs do this this shit ALL THE TIME due to their indulging their hatred of "others" what can we do? Yes, Ds absolutely should message more clearly and unified, but they should literally not have to say anything and people figure this shit out for themselves.

[betsuni]

11. Agree: people should figure this shit out for themselves.

It's not difficult. It's on them.

[KS Toronado]

12. One thing I've always felt could help us in the long game

is if we could get "critical thinking skills" taught in our public schools.

[Cosmocat]

13. That really isn't it

I know a LOT of Rs who are strong "critical thinkers."

For whatever reason those who go into right wingerism are vulnerable to being programed to bypass analytical thinking on political matters through their biases and pride.

And, schools can't deprogram kids from becoming right wingers any more than they can trying completely stop bullying (and these most often come together) because what kids get at home trumps what schools can do 95% of the time.

[KS Toronado]

14. Well you just gave me a lot to think about

You bring up some excellent points. Deprogramming on your resume?

[Irish_Dem]

10. Hurting Americans has always been a winning GOP strategy.