NYT tells the truth/state of the economy

[Roger Baker]

On Sunday, November 25, 2001, at 10:54 AM, StepCher@aol.com wrote:

>
> In a message dated 11/25/01 12:26:22 PM, michaele@ando.pair.com writes:
>
> << Bush cant be stopped until 2004 from exercising his executive 
> powers.  >>
>
> if we were as skilled as they are at machiavellian machinations, we 
> could
> sure as hell cramp his style. where is monica when we need her? hell, 
> where
> is congress! a stalemate here and there would help.
>
>

Bush ain't into pussy, much, and has apparently given up his past drug 
habits.

His main vulnerability is that he is a right wing mental lightweight 
without
detectable compassion (explaining his packaging as a 'compassionate 
conservative').
Since the Dems in Congress have mostly sold out their moral principles in
favor of corporate cash, that means the fight for civil liberties will 
have to come
from grassroots struggle sufficient to wake up a hypnotized Congress.

In the absence of more terror attacks, I fully expect Bush's popularity 
to sink. Why?

The good news is that opposition to Bush's attacks on civil rights is 
much greater
and quicker than the opposition to McCarthyism, which is my historical 
guideline

Opposition to the stupidity of this war is likewise widespread at this 
early stage
compared to Vietnam (as opposed to something more sensible like putting 
bin
Laden and his al Queda associates on trial, rather than trying to 
install a politically
correct Afghan govt.),  worldwide and increasingly domestically. And 
further, fervent
patriotism is hard to maintain in the face of a steep world recession 
and many
middle-class layoffs in the USA.

Apparently our military heavyhandedness is already threatening to topple 
the
Pakistani domino.  The US habit is to solve social and political 
problems with bombs
and economic macho out of long habit, despite the long term bad 
side-effects, (bin Laden
being a blue ribbon example of that).



Incidently, James Galbraith has turned me onto an economic site with 
decidedly
gloomy news for the economy. Go to

http://www.levy.org/

and then track down Wynne Godley's most recent paper. It is not light 
reading, even
for an economics junkie like me, but it fully satisfies my most 
pessimistic predilections.

Love and kisses, Roger