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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWOW-David Brooks: Thurston Howell Romney "when will the incompetence stop?"
Thurston Howell Romney
By DAVID BROOKS
This comment suggests a few things. First, it suggests that he really doesnt know much about the country he inhabits. Who are these freeloaders? Is it the Iraq war veteran who goes to the V.A.? Is it the student getting a loan to go to college? Is it the retiree on Social Security or Medicare?
It suggests that Romney doesnt know much about the culture of America. Yes, the entitlement state has expanded, but America remains one of the hardest-working nations on earth. Americans work longer hours than just about anyone else. Americans believe in work more than almost any other people. Ninety-two percent say that hard work is the key to success, according to a 2009 Pew Research Survey.
It says that Romney doesnt know much about the political culture. Americans havent become childlike worshipers of big government. On the contrary, trust in government has declined. The number of people who think government spending promotes social mobility has fallen.
The people who receive the disproportionate share of government spending are not big-government lovers. They are Republicans. They are senior citizens. They are white men with high school degrees. As Bill Galston of the Brookings Institution has noted, the people who have benefited from the entitlements explosion are middle-class workers, more so than the dependent poor.
MORE:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/18/opinion/brooks-thurston-howell-romney.html?_r=2
get the red out
(13,466 posts)Thurston Howell was actually rather likable.
JHB
(37,161 posts)"I may have helped create this situation, but I don't answer to you, I answer to the Senior Partners of my firm, so take that, Mr. Howell!
Blecht
(3,803 posts)Yes, it is nice that even Brooks is attacking Romney, but giving any props to Brooks' is a mistake. His "what Americans really think" schtick is some of the most inane crap to come out of Washington.
Don't trust anybody who uses terms like "Entitlements explosion", or who uses the Brookings Institution as a source.
Paladin
(28,264 posts)I'm sure it won't be a lengthy stay......
Response to kpete (Original post)
sherylkaye This message was self-deleted by its author.
magical thyme
(14,881 posts)"There are sensible conclusions to be drawn from these facts."
Statistics do *not* in any way, shape or form indicate *how* the numbers got there. Brooks ignores many possible reasons so-called entitlements have grown, especially among the middle class. Such as stagnating and declining pay with rising costs.
"Sure, there are some government programs that cultivate patterns of dependency in some people. Id put federal disability payments and unemployment insurance in this category."
And you would be wrong, Mr. Brooks. Unemployment insurance keeps people afloat while they find the best paying job they can. And in times of recession, it supports demand, which in turn supports the economy as a whole. And federal disability payments are for people who are *physically and/or mentally unable to work* Mr. Brooks. Believe it or not, that does happen. I have never heard of anybody having disability handed to them -- everybody I know has been practically in the street and overwhelmed with bills by the time it is granted, due to being unable to work and having to live on nothing for an extended time while their case is reviewed and re-reviewed.
"Personally, I think hes a kind, decent man who says stupid things..."
Well there we totally disagree. Thurston Howell, my ass. He was among friends and allies when he spoke. He wasn't trying to be anything he's not. For once, he was totally comfortable and saying exactly what he believes. But you're right about one point. It was an incredibly stupid thing to say....and vile to believe it.