If you are at all concerned about how our politics appear to be broken.
Here's a taste:
"Today, Democrats and Republicans live in different universes, both intellectually and morally.
"Take the question of helping the unemployed in the middle of a deep slump. What Democrats believe is what textbook economics says: that when the economy is deeply depressed, extending unemployment benefits not only helps those in need, it also reduces unemployment. That's because the economy's problem right now is lack of sufficient demand, and cash-strapped unemployed workers are likely to spend their benefits. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office says that aid to the unemployed is one of the most effective forms of economic stimulus, as measured by jobs created per dollar of outlay.
"But that's not how Republicans see it. Here's what Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona, the second-ranking Republican in the Senate, had to say when defending Mr. Bunning's position (although not joining his blockade): unemployment relief 'doesn't create new jobs. In fact, if anything, continuing to pay people unemployment compensation is a disincentive for them to seek new work.'"
Yeah, those unemployed people are such drag. Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?
What a flawed argument.
Krugman's analysis seems to center around the idea that the Democrats are, on the whole, a more "moral" group of people than the Republicans. He thinks this to be the case because the Democrats are doing everything in their power to prop up our failing economy and provide a safety net for the unemployed. To the ignorant reader, I can imagine that his argument is quite convincing.
Now consider this: for every penny that is paid to these unemployed workers, a penny must be taken from somebody else. This is done through taxation, borrowing, and the creation of new money by the Federal Reserve system. We have been trained to believe that these actions are harmless, but if one would do a little digging they would discover that our social welfare system is based on common theft.
The Democrats intend to use their power, as representatives of the people, to take money from those of us who are working and then redistribute it to those who are not working. If we attempt to disagree with their methods we are labeled as selfish, greedy, immoral and cold-hearted. Little to the Democrats (and the majority of the Republicans for that matter) understand that using government force to create a social safety net goes against everything that is moral. It goes against everything that is constitutional.
Imagine what sort of world we would live in if those who were unemployed had to actually go door to door to collect their unemployment funds? If they actually had to beg for that money? I highly doubt that they would remain unemployed for long! But instead, in today's world, those who do not want to work are able to solicit help from their representatives in government who in turn use force to collect money through taxation.
That, Mike, is immoral. Nobody would, in their right mind, condone plunder of one person by another. Why then would they condone plunger of one person by a government, which is simply a group of people?
Sigh...meant to say "condone PLUNDER of one person by a government", not PLUNGER. Let the toilet jokes begin... ;0)