Krugman: "Republicans have, in effect, taken America hostage"

[babylonsister]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/29/opinion/krugman-the-centrist-cop-out.html?_r=1

The Centrist Cop-Out
By PAUL KRUGMAN
Published: July 28, 2011


The facts of the crisis over the debt ceiling aren’t complicated. Republicans have, in effect, taken America hostage, threatening to undermine the economy and disrupt the essential business of government unless they get policy concessions they would never have been able to enact through legislation. And Democrats — who would have been justified in rejecting this extortion altogether — have, in fact, gone a long way toward meeting those Republican demands.

As I said, it’s not complicated. Yet many people in the news media apparently can’t bring themselves to acknowledge this simple reality. News reports portray the parties as equally intransigent; pundits fantasize about some kind of “centrist” uprising, as if the problem was too much partisanship on both sides.

snip//

So what’s with the buzz about a centrist uprising? As I see it, it’s coming from people who recognize the dysfunctional nature of modern American politics, but refuse, for whatever reason, to acknowledge the one-sided role of Republican extremists in making our system dysfunctional. And it’s not hard to guess at their motivation. After all, pointing out the obvious truth gets you labeled as a shrill partisan, not just from the right, but from the ranks of self-proclaimed centrists.

But making nebulous calls for centrism, like writing news reports that always place equal blame on both parties, is a big cop-out — a cop-out that only encourages more bad behavior. The problem with American politics right now is Republican extremism, and if you’re not willing to say that, you’re helping make that problem worse.

[Pooka Fey]

1. Finally someone in the mainstream media lays it out plainly...K&R

[Bluenorthwest]

2. All the posts on DU that say 'both parties will not compromise'

are part of that centrist bullshit, so pathetic to see them carry on with it even as the entire 'bipartisan dream' of the Obama administration is publicly prove to be without merit.
I am sick of the President and his staff telling us that Republicans are honest brokers when they are in fact nothing but extremist thugs. I am tired of 'supporters' posting that 'both parties' are to blame.

[Cognitive_Resonance]

3. I don't always agree with Krugman, but he really nails it this time. K&R

[treestar]

4. Americans handed them the cuffs by voting them in

Maybe a little buyer's remorse is in order.

[swilton]

5. A related problem with equally devastating consequences

is putting the leaders we elect on pedestal and somehow thinking that because they are elected they are 'superior'....(in knowledge, physical attributes, work ethic, etc., etc.)

[CakeGrrl]

6. 'bout time he started saying what the REAL problem is.

And people wonder why the President keeps sounding reasonable.

[flamingdem]

7. Krugman himself can't resist trashing the democrats

>>>>>>And Democrats — who would have been justified in rejecting this extortion altogether — have, in fact, gone a long way toward meeting those Republican demands

So okay if they reject it as they have there is no deal.

Too many think that there is a way out when dealing with crazies.

[Morizovich]

8. Recommended