tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621026.post5420481003682708471..comments2024-03-29T06:05:04.162+01:00Comments on Robert's Stochastic thoughts: Roberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14455788499385673507noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621026.post-41300531505044589122010-06-08T16:10:05.720+02:002010-06-08T16:10:05.720+02:00It is clear that we agree on two key issues. You ...It is clear that we agree on two key issues. You agree that Dibgy's false statement was false. In my original post, I wrote that I was ranting, so I agreed the tone was unreasonable in the very post.<br /><br />However, we disagree about tone and factual accuracy. A sane tone is helpful. However, a spittle flecked assertion that a false claim is false should be accepted.<br /><br />Also you note that, with regard to the latest stimulus bill, the Obama administration is not supporting increased spending with sufficient vigor. This is completely different from supporting budget slashing with great vigor as are the UK and Germany governments (as well as those of countries which have authentic problems selling their bonds at low yields).<br /><br />If you are down in comments, you will have seen the update to the post.Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14455788499385673507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3621026.post-66952803434168392272010-06-08T01:24:34.379+02:002010-06-08T01:24:34.379+02:00Well, let's try again. You claim "We have...Well, let's try again. You claim "We have an administration experiencing difficulty finding $23 billion to prevent additional teacher layoffs," means "the administration is attempting to find that money."<br /><br />Politico says, however, "Mixed signals from the White House are making life harder for Democrats this week as the party tries to navigate between competing demands to reduce the deficit while also investing in new jobs and a patched-up safety net for the unemployed and the elderly.<br /><br />...the administration appears internally conflicted and has adopted the practice of urging lawmakers to add new spending for its priorities without having President Barack Obama sign a real request. <br /><br />A $23 billion emergency proposal to forestall threatened layoffs of public school teachers is now a likely casualty of this approach. In a letter to Democratic leaders May 13, Education Secretary Arne Duncan endorsed the funding, urging Congress to add the money to a pending war funding bill in the Senate. But the White House never forwarded a budget request and was conspicuously silent on the whole teachers funding issue when it issued its endorsement of the underlying $58.8 billion bill this week."<br /><br />I'd say they're not trying very hard, or hard enough, to find the money.<br /><br />So if Digby would have written "But aside from the inadequate stimulus, too much of what they have said up to now is in service of the hoary old Hooverite ideas about belt tightening and sacrifice" she would have been right. And its harming efforts to right the economy, as Krugman and DeLong both note.<br /><br />Sorry, but the difference between that and what she said doesn't merit the tone and content of your posts. That is, unless you're just trying to bolster your "seriousness" street cred by punching some hippies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com