Policy Overload

David Brooks delivers a Santa's bag of policy ideas drawn from right-wing thinkers looking to help working class Americans. OK, that is after a minimalist defense of the corporate tax cut:

I am not appalled that the Republican tax bill cuts the corporate tax rate to 21 percent. Some of my liberal friends treat this as a moral horror and trot out all sorts of awful distributional tables to prove it. But the fact is that Barack Obama repeatedly proposed cutting it to 28 percent and the average European corporate rate has now fallen to 18.4 percent.

All around the globe cutting the corporate rate has become the conventional way to attract business and spur investment. It’s not some plutocratic conspiracy.

I am appalled that Republicans didn’t seek to balance this tax bill with an equal effort to help the people who actually got them elected. The central problem of our time is the stagnation of middle-class wages, the disintegration of working-class communities and the ensuing fragmentation of American society.

Well, yes. This bill had damn well better meet the hype and lead to more jobs at higher wages or what was the point of Trump's economic populism?

Fingers crossed!

Comments

[Catsmeat]

Greetings, all. If you need to wrap a guitar, I recommend getting a cheap plastic tablecloth (they come in red) and then a big bow.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

What is Brooks' proposal?
I'm sure it's very conservative and highly nuanced whatever it is.

[Extraneus]

Oh really, Catsmeat? What kind of guitar? No case, I assume?

[Jim Eagle]

For catsmeat, not a guitar but a wrapping:

Two papers more,
Two lovers more,
Wrapping it up with the muse of my love;
But the semester-exams are about to start,
So emancipate your mind with the muse of my love!

The rain is about to fall and i am wrapping up my works,
But be ready to learn from my muse because of this weather!
And like the words from your sweet lover,
But the semester exams are about to start.

/Edward Kofi Louis

[henry]

Brooks' proposal? Whatever Obama was proposing. I dare say that is a proposal with a well creased pant.

[henry]

Has Brooks ever met "the people who actually got them elected"? They aren't in Manhattan.

[Clarice Feldman]

whatever.

[Extraneus]

Let's face it, the pants crease was a euphemism for what he was really looking at.

[narcisoyea]

Isn't brooks just a figment of someones imagination, after bad kungpau chicken.

[daddy]

#NeverTrumper Jonah Goldberg on Brett's panel just said that Trump is doing much much better than expected over the last few months but wonders why Trump is not seeing his ratings improve with the Public in the polls? Why indeed, Jonah? What in the world could possibly account for the reading and viewing Public having an impression that Trump is not as wonderful as his actions and speeches have proved him to be?

I'm at a loss here. Hopefully somebody at NRO like Jonah, Kevin Williams, Jpod, David French, etc, will explain it to me.

[narcisoyea]

The scam list annotated:

http://.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/19/hillary-clinton-campaign-dnc-accused-corrupt-money-scheme-in-new-fec-complaint.amp.html?__twitter_impression=true

[Captain Hate]

Has Patterico gone off in a snit because DRUMPF? Lots of guest posts.

[Jim Eagle]

Do these guys Frum, Brooks, Rubin, Boot have any self consciousness of their rejection by right thinking but more intelligent people? I mean I could never withstand the insults and dissing they get and keep plugging along.

But then Hollywierd has decided to memorialize the Pentagon Papers as a movie: The Post. Who born after 1972 will watch it? And those are the folks who go to movies.

Hollywood where math is tough.

[daddy]

I am appalled that Republicans didn’t seek to balance this tax bill with an equal effort to help the people who actually got them elected.

Has Brooks ever actually got off his arse and gone out to meet all those people who actually got them elected that he keeps promising us he'll get off his ass and go out and meet, or was that just verbal flatulence?

[joe maga]

Per Lou Dobbs guest (House Rep):

Senate will vote on tax bill around midnight tonight. There are 50 GOP votes (Flake TBD). Pence will be there if his vote is needed.

House will vote on Senate version tomorrow by early afternoon.

On to President Trump after that for his signature.

[Catsmeat]

That's the mood, Jack, for the semester end! But I have my grades in, and am thus wrapping the guitar. Just a beginner's guitar as the 15-year-old has mere hopes of "Country Road" and the like in his role as counselor at his favorite camp. If he really learns to play, I'll get him something better. But it could just be an enthusiasm of the moment.

[daddy]

Narciso's 07:07:
Hillary Clinton campaign, DNC accused of 'corrupt' money scheme in new FEC complaint

[-peter]

great question and answer in the last thread @ 6:22; j-i-b and rse. Rse what is the title of your book?

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

daddy,

I heard Goldberg as well. What a complete moron.

He seems to have forgotten (I have not) that he got his position because of his mother's prominence during the Clinton scandals.

[narcisoyea]

This Dana is a woman, who was decided nonplussed bevausr of moores religiosity, but she gets into snits like the stance krllyanne took when she photographed the hbcu.

[narcisoyea]

This one:

https://www.amazon.com/Credentialed-Destroy-Education-Became-Weapon/dp/1492122831

[narcisoyea]

Saul's father, who was very perceptive on events in the country, was impressed with liberal fascism, but that was a lifetime ago.

[daddy]

Exactly, Miss Marple.

Jonah has pretty much spent every waking moment the last 2 years smearing Trump's character and integrity by every means possible in word and print, yet suddenly, like the Inspector in "Casablanca," Jonah is "shocked, shocked," to discover that people might have a less than stellar view of Trumps character and integrity.

"Round up the usual suspects at NRO."

[Jim Eagle]

I have been watching a reply of the last round of the Open Championship this year at Birkdale and it demonstrates once again that Jordan Spieth is not only the best player in professional golf but also the smartest. His ability to understand his rights under the rules in order to reach a better position on the 15th is one for the books. Tiger would have been flummoxed and have to depend on caddy Steve.

[Bebo]

Looks like Goldberg and Brooks have solid backgrounds in business/economics/taxes:

Goldberg:
-BA-English (?)
"I guess one of the things I wish I had paid more attention to is math. I basically have an English major's grasp of math; I tend to think of it all as witchcraft." https://davidson.edu/news/news-stories/170904-jonah-goldberg
>Partial work history
- Taught English
- American Enterprise Institute
- Worked on PBS documentaries
- Worked on two documentaries (Gargoyles: Guardians of the Gate and Notre Dame: Witness to History)
- National Review editor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonah_Goldberg

Brooks:
- BA-History
>Partial Work History
- Reporter - City News Chicago
- Intern - National Review
- Wrote movie reviews - Washington Times
- Weekly Standard editor
- Newsweek/Atlantic Monthly editor
- NPR commentator
- NYT columnist
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Brooks_(cultural_commentator)

Solid.

[Momto2]

Catching up - can I add one of my pet language peeves? It is starting a sentence with "basically." My 20ish-year-old son does it constantly when he is explaining something to me.

[Extraneus]

Good one, Bebo.

[Momto2]

Senate will vote on tax bill around midnight tonight. There are 50 GOP votes (Flake TBD). Pence will be there if his vote is needed.

Will the Senate vote before the House re-votes?
I'm confused.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

daddy,

I stand by what I said earlier. They have posed as experts and intellectuals for years, and they cannot stand it that Trump won and has shown them that they don't know anything about the military, foreign policy, or economics.

Even the ones who are "coming around" like that Guy Benson dweeb who was on with Jonah, act condescending about Trump's victories and hold out that they will criticize him "when the occasion warrants."

I am so sick of this! The war we are waging is with people who want to destroy this country and rule over us like the Soviets.

Goldberg and Benson are like second-stringers on a football team, sitting on the bench and criticizing the star quarterback's form after he's scored 3 consecutive touchdowns.

[-peter]

Passionate is the word that recreates the sound of nails on a chalkboard for me

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Momto2,

The Senate wiwll vote later tonight. Then the House will re-vote tomorrow afternoon, last I heard.

[-peter]

gracias, Narc

[Jim Eagle]

MM.

You belong on ESPN but then again you'd be redundant as they get down to 2 employees. The guy in front and the guy behind the camera.

Its coming soon.

[narcisoyea]

So skipper wax coked up, what's the rest of the networks excuse, ergot innthe watercooler.

[Jim Eagle]

Sorry, 13th not 15th. But a miracle shot not the least.

[Dave (in MA)]

Per the previous thread, if it didn't include the word "ask" used as a noun, it's fake news.

[Momto2]

Thanks, MM - I always thought the House *had* to vote first for some reason.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/454754/donald-trump-2017-successful

Conrad Black is about the only person who would get me to click on the NRO web site.

I heartily recommend you do so as well. Here is the final paragraph:

Donald Trump was a joke until nominated, unelectable until elected, incompetent until he succeeded on most fronts, and about to be impeached until he debunked the collusion nonsense; he has had a very successful year. His enemies have been weighed in the balance and they have been found wanting. They shall have their reward. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all readers, especially the president and Mrs. Trump.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/19/hillary-clinton-campaign-dnc-accused-corrupt-money-scheme-in-new-fec-complaint.amp.html?__twitter_impression=true

[Tom R]

Is there a practical reason for waiting until midnight to start the vote in the Senate?

[maryrose]

Well , Well , Well
Ryan’s House passed the tax cut bill and will tomorrow as well.
This is me taking a well deserved victory lap...
Knew they would do it.
Glass half full wins again!

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

MM, I think you're half right about the nevertrumpers.
They do hate Trump's accent and perceived low class, low brow ways.
But the thing they truly hate is he kicked their ass, continues to kick their ass and doesn't give a flyin' fig about any of their opinions.
They don't mind guache, dumb cads like Drumpf so long as he knows his place and doesn't think to not only invade their tidy, little, insincere sinecures but kick over their tea sets and post-modern furniture while laughing at them all at the same time.
That this Cheetos Babbitt is actually running rings around them and is actually accomplishing what they were content to endlessly talk about has turned their asinine little world upside down and they HAAAAAAAAATE it...and him...and us, who made it all happen.

[narcisoyea]

Interesting Michael Walsh, tried a sequel to casalanca sometime in 90s. He projected that blaine and Co, would try to get involved with events in czechoslavia, in part basing it on victor laslo's connection.

[Janeprobably about 10 minutes after getting there]

MM,

You are wrong about Jonah,

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

My sister and I stopped by the grocery today prior to baking. Here is what we saw at the check-out:

Every person who goes through the check out at every Kroger store saw this. It was at every check-out stand.

My sister said that she couldn't believe that the National Enquirer was more up to speed than the networks. I reminded her they were correct about Bill Clinton and John Edwards.

Anyway, word is getting out.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Jane,

If I am wrong, it is because I can only go on his public actions and personal presentations.

If he has a nicer, more reasonable side, then it is his obligation to show it to the public at large, and not just people he meets on the National Review cruises.

I understand that people have a public and private side. However, if you are going to be a public person and present yourself as a snark-master about the president, then that is how I will judge you.

Maybe you could drop him a note. I am not being snarky, I am serious. Does he not realize how he comes across to people?

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

Maybe you could tell Jonah the real him is not coming across, Jane.
At this point you're kind of giving us the 'me or your lyin eyes' choice.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

Heh, MM.

[Captain Hate]

Why is Miss Marple wrong about the NR dreamboats but never daddy? He says just as many nasty things about them as anyone but is never called out for it?

[Jim Eagle]

jane,

Curious, what is MM wrong about when it comes to Jonah?

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

--#NeverTrumper Jonah Goldberg on Brett's panel just said that Trump is doing much much better than expected over the last few months...--

In what way is Trump any different now than then?

[boatbuilder]

I once thought Trump was a joke and that Jonah Goldberg was a sharp, perceptive and incisive conservative writer. I no longer believe either of those things.
As Hillary would ask, What Happened?

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Captai Hate,

Maybe it''s because I am not as jovial a writer as daddy.

I am happy to take the slings and arrows. I stand by my opinion.

Like I said, if Goldberg is much nicer and more supportive of the President than he seems, he needs to SHOW me on TV and in columns.

I can only go by the evidence I have.

[Bon]

"Is there a practical reason for waiting until midnight to start the vote in the Senate?"

The bill was released early this afternoon. The reconciliation process allows for up to 10 hours of debate. You can be sure the Dems will drag it out as long as possible. Once the debate time limit is reached, the vote will take place.

[jimmyk]

I am appalled that Republicans didn’t seek to balance this tax bill with an equal effort to help the people who actually got them elected.

Doesn't the increase in the standard exemption, plus ending the deduction of state and local taxes basically help the people who elected Trump by shifting the tax burden to high-tax blue hells?

Why yes indeed it does. STFU Brooks.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

This is an interesting libertarian leaning site;
Quillette.
Started by this lovely Australian, Claire Lehmann;

[narcisoyea]

Squirrel riding San saddle:

https://mobile.twitter.com/omriceren/status/943291160747012096?p=v6

[boatbuilder]

Plus daddy is a freakin' Tarheel. What gives? He richly deserves all the abuse that can be mustered.

[Beasts of England]

Catsmeat bought me a guitar for Christmas? Wow - thanks!! :)

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

David Martosko‏Verified account @dmartosko
4h4 hours ago

It occurs to me that tonight would be a splendid moment for @SenateMajLdr to scrap the Byrd rule, a decades-old piece of idiocy that's kept around to honor a former Ku Klux Klan grand wizard.
==============

Daily Mail US political reporter. Do follow him - he's very fair and good at snark o the dems when they get out of hand.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

I understand the difficulties in developing self driving cars [an infinite number of routes, thousands of other cars, etc], but shouldn't we have largely self driving trains already?

[Janeprobably about 10 minutes after getting there]

MM, your fantasies about Jonah are fantasies. I know you hate him, but you really don't have to make stuff up.

[Catsmeat]

You wouldn't want it, Beasts! You might beat it over the head of a no-goodnik just for sport (we are talking entry-level...) Isn't there support in the various rock/blues legends of the greats who started with a $39 dollar Woolworth guitar (I made that up, but something like that)? I hope he doesn't get that good, as he's really good at piano and he might shift to this new lure.

[jimmyk]

shouldn't we have largely self driving trains already?

And put union workers out of work? You're such a kidder.

And surely you're not suggesting that getting propped up by the government for 40 years might have stifled Amtrak's innovation.

[Captain Hate]

boatbuilder, are you in the Wolfpack?

[Beasts of England]

Jimmy Page still plays a Sears guitar (made for them by Danelectro, I believe), so there's no shame in entry-level axes. We all developed our calluses on them!!

[Beasts of England]

About tipoff time for my second-ever Alabama basketball game. Roll Tide!!

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Jame,

My goodness. What are you talking about? Fantasies?

What fantasies? Has he criticized President Trump in a snarky manner? Yes. Did he get an entre into National Review due to his mother's fame? Yes.

What in the heck are you talking about?

[Buford Gooch]

I used to correspond with Jonah. He's sharp, quick witted, self deprecating. But when it comes to Trump, he's an ass. He pretends to not hate Trump, but to just be straightforward and honest. However, his honesty comes down on the anti-Trump side the vast majority of the time. I quit reading his stuff and listening to him on TV a while back. Hopefully, he will grow out of his current attitude and become what he was before; a good writer and clever pundit.

[Janeprobably about 10 minutes after getting there]

Jib,

Let me give you an analogy: you and I have never met, yet I can say with certainty that everything yo have in this world is a result of your father. You have no accomplishments of your own, and I state that as a fact because I disagree with you.

Is it clearer now?

[Captain Hate]

there's no shame in entry-level axes. We all developed our calluses on them!!

I'll never forget when I took my mouthpiece off my student sax and put it on my teacher's Buffet. Like a hot knife through butter.

[exdemocrat]

"your fantasies about Jonah are fantasies."

project much?

[JimNorCal]

Hopelessly behind but curious why Appalled wanted to bring attention to Kurt Schlicter's latest
https://townhall.com/columnists/kurtschlichter/2017/12/18/some-real-talk-for-conservatives-about-2018-n2423833

[boatbuilder]

No Cap--I'm, well--I guess there's no easy way to break this--I'm a Duke alum. As are my wife, daughter, father-in-law and mother-in-law.

We can still share abuse of Tarholes...right?

[Janeprobably about 10 minutes after getting there]

She projects constantly.

[daddy]

Is there a practical reason for waiting until midnight to start the vote in the Senate?

Tom R,

One of the earlier FOX News Anchors said that the Rupub's had to go thru 5 hours of speeches/debates and the Dem's had to go through 5 hours of speeches/debates, and only after that would the Final Vote start. Senate rules, I suppose.

[-peter]

I know with pianos, there is a theory that to really develop a kid's musical ability you need a good piano because the harmonics are much more accurate than on a cheap spinet, but hey sometimes you have to drive a Plymouth Valiant to appreciate a Mercedes S class.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Well, Jane, there is no defense against that accusation.

I think, since you were here before I was, I will just let things be and not give my opinion on Goldberg.

I try very hard to not :project: but since you have made the accusation, I will consider it and not give opinions, and just do links.

That's all I have to say.

[daddy]

This is me taking a well deserved victory lap...
Knew they would do it.
Glass half full wins again!

Posted by: maryrose

Kudos to you, Maryrose!

You were right and I was wrong, and I'm glad I was wrong.

[Clarice Feldman]

https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2017/12/19/the-answers-we-need-are-behind-questions-not-being-asked/

Maryrose is never wrong IIRC.

[Buford Gooch]

Miss Marple, longevity on the blog doesn't bestow any special privileges.

[Clarice Feldman]

How do we get into such silly fights when we really do care a lot for each other?

[Janet 🚬]

Write what you want, MM.
Give your opinions.
This is an open BLOG for heaven's sake.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Nice picture:

[Jack is Back!]

Jane,

Are you okay? I ask a sensible and legit question and you go all ad hominem? Well, when I think more about how you answered then I understand you didn’t understand the question to begin with. A little paranoia snuck in there.

[Janeprobably about 10 minutes after getting there]

You can give any opinion you want MM. opinions are not facts. If you want to state a fact about someone somebody here knows, I suggest you get it right. Think of it this way, do you want people here to state facts about your kids or friends? I don't think so.

I have no problem with what you post unless I know it is untrue.

[Captain Hate]

That's ok, boatbuilder; I have some Dookie buds. And, yes, we can be united against that team in pussy blue.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

https://twitter.com/Johnnyr0b_/status/943105485049393152

Soldier in Afghanistan thanks the President for an autographed hat and other things. Picture at the link.

[narcisoyea]

That was the phrase that came to mind re Mrs Yates. Specially in light of jubals note about her place in the chain of command.

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

What MM said;
"he got his position because of his mother's prominence during the Clinton scandals"

What she did not say;
"everything yo have in this world is a result of your father"

Is the first statement false?
Wikipedia doesn't think so;
"Goldberg's career as a pundit was launched following his mother Lucianne Goldberg's role in the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal, when he wrote about the "media siege" on his mother's apartment in The New Yorker.[3][4]"

[henry]

At least she didn't say "done deal." Good call maryrose. :)

I'll be happier when the ink is dry. Then I can decide if I like the deal.

[Captain Hate]

Miss Marple's family and friends aren't public figures.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Jane,

Facts I give are based upon evidence I see in the media and from my personal knowledge.

If you know something which contradicts what I p[ost, then post the counter evidence.

You have not done so with Goldberg. You have simply accused me of projections (which doesn't exactly fit(. You also accuse me of doing projection all of the time.

If I have my facts wrong, correct them. I am always willing to admit I am wrong about something.

[narcisoyea]

From marko'sFeed:
https://mobile.twitter.com/phillyrich1/status/943082483859501057/photo/1

[daddy]

How do we get into such silly fights when we really do care a lot for each other?

Beats me. I'm taking the dogs out in super nasty weather for a breather. Blowing like crazy and slippery as heck so I've got the metal cleats hooked on to my boots. Both girls are home and we are having Christmas Dinner tonight since I'm leaving on a trip Friday. I think I'm getting a new book for Christmas, written by my Brother in Law, the Head of the Purdue History Department. Here's his latest: Agriculture and the Confederacy: Policy, Productivity, and Power in the Civil War South (Civil War America)

Somehow he makes the most boring topics interesting as heck:)

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Wisconsin Governor's Residence Christmas decorations on the video at this link. I love the wildlife figures under one of the trees!

https://twitter.com/GovWalker/status/943294619277651974

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

Mark Knoller‏Verified account @markknoller
29s30 seconds ago

Wednesday at the WH: Pres Trump has a Cabinet meeting schedule, 9th and last one of the year. WH also expected to have event celebrating final passage of the tax cut bill, but the bill itself not expected to be enrolled and ready for signing yet.
0 replies 0 retweets 0 likes

[narcisoyea]

I take yogi out about 3:30_4:30, the weather is better but a little Grey.

[Miss Marple the Deplorable]

daddy,

Your brother-in-law is the head of Purdue's History department? I am very impressed!

Sorry you have to travel over Christmas, but I guess that goes with the territory. Have a happy early Christmas, and check in as you travel over the holidays!

[Ignatz Ratzkiwatzki]

The "signal" in the law.
That would be the signal that the government is going to punish you if you don't buy something it wants you to.
I hope someone uses Gruber's head to try and derail a train.