The G20 Is Meeting. Is Anyone Paying Attention?

News out of the G20 meetings in Horsham, England highlights an essential disagreement between the US and Europe (primarily) regarding what will ameliorate the global economic crisis. Tim Geithner has been arguing for other countries to make more significant stimulus investments.  In fact, the IMF estimates...

A Confluence of Outrages

There are two current themes in the news (and the blogosphere) that, I would argue, are more alike than different.  That this is not immediately apparent to us does not bode well for the future of the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. On the one hand, the Republicans are bloviating about the...

The Rhetoric is Ratcheting Up

Much has been made lately of Rush Limbaugh’s intemperate comments expressing a desire for the president to fail.  This was simply a more blatant expression than Ken Blackwell’s convoluted reasoning that President Obama’s economic stimulus plan was little more than a craven effort to secure...

President Obama Allows Offshore Drilling to Move Forward. What Could He Have Up His Sleeve?

Since the inauguration, President Obama has taken several steps heartily endorsed by progressives, and has earned high marks for doing so.  Kathy’s great post summarizing his first full day in office, followed by what he did in the next two days, provide solid evidence that he is, as we all hoped, a...

Favorite Line from the Inauguration Speech

There was considerable advance speculation about President Obama’s inauguration speech, with the anticipatory airwaves filled with great moments from inauguration speeches past. My favorite line from today’s speech was: we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist. To me,...