Archive for 1/10

Simple Answers to Simple Questions

The BBC asks, why do people often vote against their own interests?

Because so many American voters are dumb.

This has been another rousing edition of Simple Answers to Simple Questions.

Quote of the Day

We’re working hard here, trust me. This is not a vacation.

—RNC Chairman Michael Steele, “while sporting a Hawaiian shirt and a flower lei” at the RNC meeting in Hawaii.

  • CBS is considering airing a commercial for gay dating site ManCrunch.com during the Super Bowl in response to the uproar over its decision to show an anti-choice commercial from Focus on the Family. Because those two things basically cancel each other out forever. (FOX News)
  • Even Michele Bachmann—who is insane—will not go to next week’s teabagger “convention” scam. (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)
  • If you bought a Toyota from basically anywhere in the world, it is probably broken. (NYT)
  • President Obama will announce $8 billion in federal funding for high-speed rail in order to keep Joe Biden occupied for the next three years. (LA Times)
  • Your U.S. House of Lords Senate has graciously allowed the American government not to default on all of its debts. (WSJ)

Wanker of the Day

Rudy Giuliani

Shorter Orrin Hatch

Hatch says Alito showed ‘judicial restraint’

  • Justice Alito should be commended for not shouting “You lie!” at President Obama.

We’re (Not) Number 1!

I only listened to as much of Bob McDonnell’s response to the State of the Union as I could handle (admittedly, not very much), but I did hear his response to healthcare reform efforts, which was that we shouldn’t “turn over the best medical care system in the world to the federal government.”

Of course, we don’t have the best medical care system in the world, not that that matters to McDonnell and the rest of the GOP. Shouting “USA! USA!” seems to be their alternative to sound healthcare policy.

Yes Chris, What Color Is Our President?

Well, I was going to write a longer post-SOTU post, but really this is all the analysis you will ever need:

Chris Matthews is basically Walter Cronkite doubled, for his incredible journalism.

Education As National Security?

I’m all for increased education funding, so I hope this proposed $4 billion increase in federal funding for elementary and secondary education is really happening, but I can’t see how President Obama will make it work with his already-announced three-year spending freeze on funding not related to national security without making the (I think valid) argument that improving our nation’s educational system is a crucial part of our national security.

Wednesday’s speech should be interesting to watch.