The New "Know Nothings"

OOPS! Historic 'Spending Cut' Bill Increased Spending By $3 Billion | TPMDC

Historically, the "know-nothings" or the American Party originated in 1849 and carried some weight in the political circles until the new Republican Party of Lincoln became a major political party. Know-nothings were famous for answering every question about their anti-catholic, anti-immigration beliefs with one answer, "I know nothing."

The current crop of Republicans are deserving of the nickname "know-nothings" because of their erratic, bumbling efforts at governance. Their bragging and posturing about the deficit, spending, and entitlements are largely supported by a belief in the infallibility of their economic policy. "Trickle down" is one article of faith, along with free markets, no new taxes, carte blanch for military spending, and defunding the social safety net. When all of these economic priorities are mixed in with a generous dollop of culture war, the resulting stew is a toxic mess. This article in TPM is just one instance of reality imposed on ideology. Ouch, indeed.

The GOP was elected to fix the economy. We got a hundred ways to make abortions harder to obtain. The GOP tried to cut spending. They ADDED billions to the spending for the rest of the year. The GOP went to the mat for the Bush Tax Cuts indicating very strongly that these cuts should be made permanent. This was their highest priority. As unfunded "tax expenditures" it forced the government to borrow money to meet its obligations. The GOP now refuses to allow the Treasury to borrow the money needed to pay for their OWN PRIORITIES! The are huffing and fussing about entitlements and mandates and throwing around ultimatums, generally making asses of themselves and causing a lot of worry among folks in the money world about these children playing with dynamite.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the new "Know Nothing" Party. They know nothing about how the world works. They know nothing about what is best for ALL Americans. They know nothing about governance. They have lots of answers and policy statements but they know nothing of their real affect on real citizens.

More work to do....