I saw the phenomenon you describe right here in Michigan. When Engler was governor, it was all his fault that there wasn't enough money in various programs and his desire to balance the budget was considered an attack on the poor. Enter Governor Granholm, the darling of the Democrats, and suddenly the problems are all the fault of the Federal government (Bush specifically) and Granholm is bravely and courageously fighting for us against those who would take our programs away. Except that she has cut from various programs (just as Engler did) to try to balance the budget. But she's Gov. Wonderful and Engler was Gov.Baaaaaad.
UMGUY | Email | Homepage | 12.06.05 - 7:05 pm | #

> When Democrats are in power we are in an indisputable economic boom.

Yeah, there are no doubt idiots out there who will claim we were better off in 1978 than now.
Oh Blutige Hölle | Email | Homepage | 12.06.05 - 8:10 pm | #

> Congress' belt-tightening could hurt Michigan residents like Keyte Duncan, 28, of Detroit. The mother of seven children between the ages of 2 and 10 uses food stamps, cash assistance and Medicaid to supplement the $225 she clears on average each week as a part-time caterer.

WHY DOES THIS WOMAN HAVE SEVEN CHILDREN!?!?!?

A really, really SIMPLE question.

Here's another:

WHY DO *I* HAVE TO PAY FOR HER REPRODUCTIVE INCOMPETENCE?

Sorry, I see no reason for me to be subjected to slavery because she can't use friggin' protection.

No, I suppose the kids, perhaps, should not suffer as a result -- so fine -- set up a government soup kitchen where she can drop off her kids for an hour for dinner (no, she can't be there, she might eat) -- SHE on the other hand CAN STARVE.

>:-(

Seven Children.

F****ING Ridiculous.
Oh Blutige Hölle | Email | Homepage | 12.06.05 - 8:17 pm | #

Oh Blutige Hölle:

Well put.
rickl | Email | Homepage | 12.06.05 - 9:47 pm | #

You are reaally good doc! I'm considering putting a couch in front of my computer, after years of being immersed in the physical sciences and number crunching and thinking that the fuzzy sciences were poppycock.
azredneck | Email | Homepage | 12.06.05 - 10:15 pm | #

Doc, there may not be many comments to your postings (yet) but patience, patience . . . They're as good as many at Belmont Club, and I'm a huge fan of you both.

Keep on keepin' on. The frustrated insanities of the Left show how quickly they're sinking beneath the waves, IMHO.
bh | Email | Homepage | 12.07.05 - 12:41 am | #

A huge and growing number of Americans now work outside the private sphere. They are government employees, state, federal, and municipal; social workers, non-profits dependant upon government grants, any private firm dependant upon government contracts, teachers, university administration and professors. Then we have WITHIN the private sphere, journalists, trial lawyers, union bosses, and SENIORS.

These groups comprise a number which probably approaches the 60% who consistently see the glass half-empty. This group can be characterized as perpetually viewing GDP growth and the resulting prosperity, AS SOMETHING WHICH HAPPENS TO EVERYBODY ELSE. Dr. Santy, your treatise on ENVY becomes paramount here.

The growth of government and government power has extracted enough numbers from the private sphere such that we will always see a majority of our population which does not directly and immediately benefit from private-sphere GDP growth.

GROSS GOVERNMENT PRODUCT is what they are focused on, and thus capitalism for them becomes a zero-sum game.

The "rising tide which raises all boats" only raises boats which happen to be IN THE WATER.

We should not be surprised at the ho-humming of positive economic news. We should be extremely alarmed.
glenn wood | Email | Homepage | 12.07.05 - 7:12 am | #

Baseline Budgeting should be a crime with at least a 1-year prison term.

Ever since I was a child (and much longer), people (read "Democrats") have been using this lie to describe tiny reductions in growth as draconian cuts.

It is to the shame of the American people that each and every person who does so is not removed from office at the soonest opportunity.

The fact that they get away with that lie emboldens them to try even more.

And the more lies they get away with, the farther their political platform gets from reality.

In other words, lying is bad for you.
Merovign | Email | Homepage | 12.07.05 - 8:27 pm | #