A Stunningly Accurate Portryal of the Bush Administration by Paul Krugman

[Composed Thinker]

Everything Is Political
By PAUL KRUGMAN

The agency's analysts find that they are no longer helping to formulate policy; instead, their job is to rationalize decisions that have already been made. And more and more, they find that they are expected to play up evidence, however weak, that seems to support the administration's case, while suppressing evidence that doesn't.

Am I describing the C.I.A.? The E.P.A.? The National Institutes of Health? Actually, I'm talking about the Treasury Department, but the ambiguity is no coincidence. Across the board, the Bush administration has politicized policy analysis. Whether the subject is stem cells or global warming, budget deficits or weapons of mass destruction, government agencies are under intense pressure to say what the White House wants to hear. And the long-term consequences are likely to be dire.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/05/opinion/05KRUG.html

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I'm going to post in the editorial section, where it belongs, as well, but I thought I'd post it here first.

[Eloriel]

1. Excellent column

When John DeIulio left his job as the Faith-Based guru for the White House, he said basically the same thing: everything is political. There ARE no "policy" mechanisms or offices or even discussions in this White House. Just all political.

Eloriel

[bryant69]

2. Thought

Someone needs to explain to President Bush and Karl Rove the difference between a Politician and a Statesman. I'm not sure they'd understand though.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[chimpymustgo]

3. The bogus Treasury numbers used by Russert "very interesting".

Even though Dean is not my favorite candidate, he was defintely sandbagged by Russert with those phony figures.

All of our candidates need to be aware of this - and be ready to respond with "real numbers".

Krugman is a treasure.