New York Times’ opinion columnist Paul Krugman takes a look at the state of his nation, and what he sees isn’t good. His column “There Will Be Blood” in today’s NY Times takes a look at the state of federal politics and how the Republican Party is willing to sabotage the country to get what it wants. From his must-read article:
These days, national security experts are tearing their hair out over the decision of Senate Republicans to block a desperately needed new strategic arms treaty. And everyone knows that these Republicans oppose the treaty, not because of legitimate objections, but simply because it’s an Obama administration initiative; if sabotaging the president endangers the nation, so be it.
How does this end? Mr. Obama is still talking about bipartisan outreach, and maybe if he caves in sufficiently he can avoid a federal shutdown this spring. But any respite would be only temporary; again, the G.O.P. is just not interested in helping a Democrat govern.
My sense is that most Americans still don’t understand this reality. They still imagine that when push comes to shove, our politicians will come together to do what’s necessary. But that was another country.
Republican politicians and operatives insinuate that Barack Obama is a threat to the country, if not an outright traitor. That’s what the baseless accusations of socialism are about. But it’s crystal clear to anyone who is honest, informed and not intellectually defective that the real threat, if not the real traitors, are the Republican politicians who now control Congress and who will use every weapon in their arsenal to discredit their enemies and get their own way.
Democrats are handling this wrong. You can’t negotiate with thugs and you can’t reason with vandals. They need to ramp up their marketing–bomb the networks, radio stations and newspapers with snappy, smart and stylish advertising that shows the Republicans for what they are: a gang of ruthless and amoral Plutocrats who don’t give a shit about America and who will say anything and use anyone to get their way.
Take back your goddamn country, Democrats. Your country needs you. We all need you: a disintegrating America is bad for the planet.
