Stepping on your Pee Pee

Paul Krugman takes note in his New York Times column of what he calls "the incredible gap that has opened up between the parties":

“Today, Democrats and Republicans live in different universes, both intellectually and morally.”

"What Democrats believe," Krugman says, "is what textbook economics says":

But, here's what Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona, the second-ranking Republican in the Senate, had to say when defending Senator Jim Bunning‘s recent filibuster of a one month extension to unemployment benefits:

“Unemployment relief doesn't create new jobs. In fact, if anything, continuing to pay people unemployment compensation is a disincentive for them to seek new work.’"

Krugman scoffs: "To me, that's a bizarre point of view--but then, I don't live in Mr. Kyl's universe."

So, what does textbook economics have to say about this question? Here is a passage from a textbook called "Macroeconomics":

Public policy designed to help workers who lose their jobs can lead to structural unemployment as an unintended side effect. . . . In other countries, particularly in Europe, benefits are more generous and last longer. The drawback to this generosity is that it reduces a worker's incentive to quickly find a new job. Generous unemployment benefits in some European countries are widely believed to be one of the main causes of "Euro sclerosis," the persistent high unemployment that affects a number of European countries.

It turns out that what Krugman calls Sen. Kyl's "bizarre point of view" is, in fact, textbook economics. The authors of that textbook are Paul Krugman and Robin Wells. Miss Wells is also known as Mrs. Paul Krugman.

Game, Set, Match. Blogs Rule. Dumbplumber

American People: Stop Irritating Me

I don’t know about the rest of you folks (and personally, on this subject, I don’t really care), but the Dumbplumber has just about had it with people that say “the American people”. Now to be fair, there are probably plenty of times that that saying, “American people” is probably appropriate, like when you are talking about other nationalities, other countries or even other planets. But when you are talking politics, to other Americans, it is really irritating to continually hear “American people”.

The repeat offenders are mostly politicians--of both parties--who are trying to make their point, about ANY given subject. But why on God’s green earth must they continually repeat “the American people”? Like, who else do they think they are talking too….Egyptians?

First, saying “American people” is superfluous. In America, Americans are people and people are Americans, no need to stick them together like peanut butter and jelly. Just say, Americans or People. Because if you’re from Canada or Botswana, it doesn’t apply to you anyway. So just ignore it like you do the Shamwow commercials.

This “American people” has become so annoying that when the Dumbplumber becomes King--you know, just after Obama is dethroned--it will be his first edict. No more “American people” said throughout the Kingdom.

Then the second edict will be that Representatives actually represent their constituents instead of just bloviating about it.