A british writer has a very insightful article over at Firedoglake today. It's worth a trip, even if you don't visit the mainstream bloggos very much because of the emosity.
He likens America to a wealthy, sick, and insane individual, repeating many of the things some of us have been saying for quite some time, and the analogy works.
Of particular note is how far behind America is falling in the new century economy, a fact almost universally ignored by Americans because, to us, it's nearly unthinkable. But hat hasn't prevented China, Japan, India and the EU from setting up and 'eating our lunch' as the saying goes.
It's especially riveting because the writer, Ian Welsh, quite apparently LIKES Americans, but is dismayed by AMERICA.
But when the interconnectedness and intractability of the issues are illustrated like he does, it becomes a nearly unsolvable problem and I despair even further for the repair of our country.
now billy, the US still has money. So we're not insane, just 'eccentric'.
ReplyDeletemdhatter, we should check that deficit total again.
ReplyDeleteI don't think we've got any money anymore. We're spending money, certainly.
Calling Mr. Zelmo. Calling Z-Unit.
ReplyDeleteStop by RoD, young man.
The Dukakis cookies RULE.
ReplyDeleteNext year: SWEEP!
God you guys are depressing.
ReplyDeleteHere's the thing-- why does an analysis that identifies some of this country's problems have to start, continue and finish with the conclusion that we're "insane"? It's not even a question or a hypothesis-- it's just a given. If you don't buy the writer's observations of "reality" as true and accurate, well then you're also insane.
Isn't that convenient. So, when I point out that his repeated statements that "ordinary Americans haven't had a raise in thirty years" is patently false on its face, I can be neatly pigeon-holed as "insane". The argument isn't an argument-- it's a rant. Based on the specious premise that anybody that doesn't see things through the same lens as the author is afflicted with this dread "insanity". Pity them, marginalize them, but under no circumstances give them any credence or consideration.
Could he be any more condescending? Or less inclusive? Is it possible to be more of a black hole of negativity and hopelessness while still portraying oneself as some sort of "objective"-- yet very sad-- recorder of this supposed "insanity"?
Good grief people, how dreadfully unpleasant and bleak it must be to live in a place where you actually buy what this guy is selling. BP admits as much in his last paragraph.
Which is why y'all have to get out more.
Oh, and vote for Barack. His is a better-- and I would say much truer -- vision of our country. Stagnated, yes and in a malaise but still a vibrant, resilient country capable of being a world leader in many, many arenas.
As for the preener that wrote the article-- I have trouble believing he's really British. 'Cause his upper lip is about as stiff as a microwaved twinkie.
Umm, Nick, the thing about raises in the last thirty years? It's true, if you take out the corporate overlords, and factor in COL increases.
ReplyDeleteMaybe having a cushy liberal ivory tower job is different, but out here in the grind, it's not so rosy.
Keep an eye on that 401K by the way. Bumpy roads ahead.
Heh, "cushy liberal ivory tower job". I like that. But, yeah, I got a raise this year. 2%. Same as last year. I think I got 3% the year before. Pretty much keeps up with inflation and COL. Did my "corporate overlords" get bigger raises? I suspect they did and it d/n make me happy when I look at the overall job they are doing. But I did get a raise.
ReplyDeleteAs did most of America based on this data. . Please note this is Median income, so the salaries of our corporate masters do not skew the distribution. I imagine that the clever author meant that raises haven't kept pace with the cost of living, but he did not say that. He said people hadn't gotten raises in 30 years. Rather imprecise for such a clever and observant observer of the human condition.
But that was only one of many sweeping over-generalizations that the author at Firedoglake makes. For example, this gem: "It was obvious, dead obvious, to everyone outside of the US and to US citizens who were spending a lot of time parsing news, that the war was a joke and that Saddam had no nukes and was no threat to the US. Most Americans, however, didn't get that."
Well, no. It wasn't "obvious, dead obvious" to everyone outside the U.S. Take a few minutes and go back through the newspaper articles of the that period and there are plenty of others around the globe who felt the invasion was justified. Tony Blair, for one. But Blair is no doubt inflicted with the same insanity as most Americans. As am I. Very convenient.
All of which is really beside the point-- which was that the article basically embraces depression and angst as the only possible way to perceive the world. And which is something I see a lot here and at other far-left blogs.
The two options seem to be to rant and hate or to mope and sulk. Both of which are very counter-productive to actually changing anything.
But what do I know? I'm insane after all.
Nick W., you seem to be upset. Maybe you should enter the RoD bake-off and go head to head with Billy P.
ReplyDeleteSweep next year, Zelmo? You wish, love cake. AG is baking too! Speaking of which, your kitchen or mine next year?
Oh mys. Did AG say that? Well AG dumped SBL today. Now y'all have to figure out who s/he/it/bird is...
AG's not the only one baking and if I recall, she lost last year.
ReplyDeleteCrap.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, you left that time bomb HERE?
You're not the only place, BP. :)
ReplyDeleteHey BP- What do you think a rare "Invisible Friend, Zelmo" comment would get on Ebay? I'm thinking I've got a gold nugget in my blog pocket.
ReplyDeleteNot to distract from the Cookie Madnesses, but according to this data, Nick in real wages, 1982 constant dollars, we've actually lost wages since 1964.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the annual inflation rate for the US over the last 16 years has been 2.75%.US over the last 16 years has been 2.75% Maybe you should ask for more, Nick.
Ian there was simply relating an outsider's view of America, based on a few basic pieces of information; the point not being a detailed argument of America's economy, but letting us know how the rest of the world views us. You may not like what he has to say, but it doesn't invalidate his views.
Also, No One Could Have Known.
ReplyDeleteYet Somehow, some of us out here in the wilderness were howling.
Not paying attention doesn't count, and relying on American news sources only counts as not paying attention. They've proven their worthlessness again and again; and they've always loved a good war. Good for bidness yanno.
Cynical? Depressed? Betcher ass I am.
Well, it's different "constant dollar" comparisons. Which one is right? Does it matter? Ian was wrong or imprecise or just felt like generalizing because he knew he was writing to the choir.
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't expect a detailed examination of the U.S. economy, but if he's going to call an entire country insane I don't think it is unreasonable to expect him to offer more than simplistic over-generalizations.
Upset, AG? No, not really. Wryly amused more than anything, but trying to splash a little cold water on the pityfest because, frankly, it serves no purpose.
Tired of cynicism, the politics of convenience and win at all cost politics? Vote for Obama.
And stop wallowing in the muck of despair.
Peace out.
Tired of cynicism, the politics of convenience and win at all cost politics? Vote for Obama.
ReplyDeletewell, this made me laugh, so it's not all doom and gloom over here!
Made me laugh too. Obama is the definition of politics of convenience, win at all costs we will see...
ReplyDelete