 |
|
May 25, 2012
Mark Clayton: Is Hillary's State Dept. hacking Al Qaeda? Not quite
Erika Bolstad: Temple cancels Wasserman Schultz speech
The Kosher Gourmet by Ethel G. Hofman: The former president of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, whose members included the likes of Julia Child, is back with contemporary Shavous cuisine: Ruby Fruit Soup, Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cheese, Key Lime Curd, Calsone Casserole Frittata with Wild Mushrooms, Sun-dried tomatoes and Olives, Baked Tilapia with Pepper Cheese Cream and Brown Sugar Shortbread
May 24, 2012
Jeff Jacoby: The peace process battered Israel's reputation
Michael Muskal: 'Pro-choice' position hits record low, according to poll
Chris Farrell: Are We in a Tech Bubble?
The Kosher Gourmet by Penelope Wall: PHILLY CHEESE STEAKS --- hold the steak!
May 23, 2012
Tony Pugh: More private colleges offering tuition discounts
Mary Beth Franklin: How to Choose the Right Annuity for You
Tina Susman: The wig wasn't enough: Man gets 13 years for posing as his dead mom
The Kosher Gourmet by Emma Christensen:A simple way to do fish right
May 22, 2012
Warren Richey: Can US group challenge overseas surveillance act? Supreme Court to decide
Thomas M. Anderson: Walking Away From a Mortgage
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: Enjoy a celebration of the most rich and layered flavors: Black bean, sweet potato and quinoa chili
May 21, 2012
Mark Clayton: Cybersecurity: How US utilities passed up chance to protect their networks
Howard LaFranchi: NATO summit: Who will foot the bill for long-term Afghanistan security?
Chris Farrell : Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Stephen Whiteside, Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: Social anxiety disorder --- or just shy?
Guy Jackson : Victim's father regrets death of Lockerbie bomber
The Kosher Gourmet by Mario Batali: Famed chef's veal shoulder farsumagru: A festive meat course for late spring
May 18, 2012
Rabbi Berel Wein: Striving: The People of the Book's Book for (All of) the People
Steven Goldberg: 5 Great Stock Picks and the Exchange-Traded Fund that Owns Them
Mary Pickett, M.D.: Ask the Harvard Experts: Don't be forced into gluten-free lifestyle based merely on a doctor's false-positive test
The Kosher Gourmet by Carolyn Malcoun: DIY healthy lunchbox treats: HOMEMADE FRUIT BARS for kids and brown-bagging adults alike
May 17, 2012
Warren Richey: Teacher fired for being unwed and pregnant can sue religious school, court rules
Josh Mitnick: Netanyahu's 'centrist' coalition is already proving it's anything but
Steven Goldberg: Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Amina Khan: Research links coffee to lower death rates
The Kosher Gourmet by Faith Duran : Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole with Cheddar and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
May 16, 2012
Carmen Terzic, M.D., Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: A variety of exercises can help improve balance
Melissa Healy: National strategy on Alzheimer's disease aims to halt it by 2025
The Kosher Gourmet by Joyce White : GOODNESS GRACIOUS: GREENS! 4 winning recipes that are no longer just for down-home folks (Includes expert tips & techniques)
May 15, 2012
Kristen Chick: Obama administration resumes arms sales to Bahrain despite serious unresolved human rights issues. Activists feel abandoned
Pat Mertz Esswein: Homes are now affordable again and mortgage rates are low. What you need to know before you buy
Kathy Kristof: Our Practical Investor Fights Inflation with These 6 Investments
Sue Hubbard, M.D.: The Kid's Doctor: Lactose intolerant young child? Check again
The Kosher Gourmet by Kathy Hunt: Spread a Little Excitement with EXOTIC CONDIMENTS (4 RECIPES)
May 14, 2012
Lisa Gerstner: How to Protect Your Identity, Finances If You Lose Your Phone
Harvard Health Letters: Heart disease and dementia
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: MANGO COCONUT OAT MORNING MUFFINS are a bright but hearty delight
May 11, 2012
Jessica L. Anderson: Get the Best Deal on a Used Car
Jett Stone: Forget face-lifts and fake knees. Scientists have seen the fountain of youth --- and it's broccoli
The Kosher Gourmet by Chef Mario Batali: The famed chef's vegetable dish that tastes true to the season: FAVAS AND SUGAR SNAP PEAS WITH POTATOES AND TARRAGON
May 10, 2012
Sergei L. Loiko: Putin sends warning to U.S., NATO in Victory Day speech at Red Square
Mary Rourke: How being a 'mentch' got Vidal Sasoon his start and fighting in Israel's War of Independence provided him with confidence and a strong sense of his own identity
Jeff Bertolucci: Get Home Phone Service for Less Than $10 a Month
The Kosher Gourmet by Betty Rosbottom: Gleaming with its golden, crimson, and snowy white hues, this silken smooth and creamy STRAWBERRY ORANGE TRIFLE looks impressive, but is easy to prepare
May 9, 2012
Sharon Palmer, R.D. How you can reduce your risk -- or delay -- chronic diseases associated with aging
|
| |
Jewish World Review
July 27, 2011
26 Tamuz, 5771
It's Not the Policy, It's the Politics
By
Roger Simon
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
The electrifying news broke late Sunday night from the White House. No, it was not the collapse of more debt ceiling talks. That has become a yawn.
This news was actually exhilarating in the way that makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck: According to CNN, which broke the story at 11:23 p.m., "the president has cancelled two political fundraising appearances Monday night because of the debt ceiling situation."
Lord o' mighty, grab the kids and head for the shelters.
A politician skipping a fundraiser? Would a baby skip milk? Would a fish skip water? Would Kirstie Alley skip an eclair?
And for the first time, I knew this debt talk stuff was really serious. I admit that I don't fully understand the whirl of figures, the billions and trillions, that have been flying back and forth between the Democrats and Republicans, the White House and the Congress for all these weeks.
The facts are difficult to grasp, which is why it is so much easier to listen to the spin.
The Democratic spin: Republicans want to slash spending, including to the poor, the sick and the elderly, but do not want to raise even a penny of taxes on billionaires who laugh at us from the decks of their yachts and are rich enough to order cashews from room service.
The Republican spin: The Democrats want to permanently end job creation in America through runaway spending and bone-crushing taxes. Without jobs, Americans will become slaves to the socialists in the White House, who will dole out meager food rations to the starving in exchange for their guns.
I had always thought, however, that the differences between the two parties would be worked out before Aug. 2, the day the United States will default on its debt, money will become worthless and the global economy will be reduced to a system of barter. (Department of Full Disclosure: I have been hoarding AA batteries in anticipation of such a day. Will trade for video games.)
But why would either side want economic collapse? How would either party be served by crisis and ruin?
As the days have gone by, it has become more and more clear that the current negotiations have nothing to do with "debt limits" and "deficit cuts." They don't even have to do with Aug. 2, 2011.
They have everything to do with Nov. 6, 2012.
It is very difficult to make predictions, especially about the future, as Yogi Berra once said, but it seems obvious to say that if the economy does not improve, Barack Obama will be vulnerable in next year's election.
No Republican is going to beat him on abortion, or civil unions, or gays in the military, or any other social issue. No Republican is going to beat him on foreign affairs, as Obama ends one war, winds down another and risks no American lives in a third.
But when it comes to unemployment, job creation and the general lousy state of the economy, Obama can be defeated by a reasonable Republican who presents a credible alternative to Obama's economic policies. (Screaming, "No new taxes ever!" is not a credible alternative.)
So in order to take down the president and his party, strengthen their grip on the House and possibly win the Senate, the Republicans cannot allow Obama to have a victory in the current negotiations. This is why House Speaker John Boehner broke off direct talks with the president recently, saying he would work out a deal with congressional leaders, instead.
Obama needs an agreement so he can move on and focus laser-like on creating jobs. And he has made concessions. But he has a left wing of his party to wrestle with (just as Boehner has the tea party wing of his party), which is why at all his news conferences, Obama has taken some pains to portray Republicans as untrustworthy, unreasonable and nearly unconscious.
As NBC's daily political blog "First Read" pointed out Monday, the Republicans have essentially won their victory already by tying deficit reduction to the debt ceiling, and the Democrats "have indicated their willingness to pay the ransom."
So what's the problem? The Republicans want their victory to look even bigger, reducing the influence of Obama even further. The "president doesn't want to look like he can't lead, even a broken Washington," First Read said, "and the Republicans want to prove they can govern."
And so day after day we get positioning, posturing and politicians sitting on their posteriors.
Now, however, something explosive has happened. The president is skipping two fundraisers to demonstrate his commitment to saving the nation.
And if we can get John Boehner to skip two sessions on his tanning bed, we can keep hope alive.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in Washington and in the media consider "must reading." Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
Comment on Roger Simon's column by clicking here.
Roger Simon Archives
© 2009, Creators Syndicate
|
