Paul Krugman on Iran, Social Security, Bush's "Fair & Simple Tax Reform"

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

Posted on Thu, Aug. 18, 2005

A lesson for the future

By Paul Krugman

The New York Times

But the campaign for privatization provided an object lesson in how the administration sells its policies: by misrepresenting its goals, lying about the facts and abusing its control of government agencies. These were the same tactics used to sell both tax cuts and the Iraq war.

And there are two reasons to study that lesson. One is to be prepared for whatever comes next on Bush's agenda. Despite the tough talk about Iran, I don't think he can propose another war -- there aren't enough troops to fight the wars we already have. But there's still room for another big domestic initiative, probably tax reform.

Forewarned is forearmed: The real goals of reform won't be as advertised, the administration will say things about the current system that aren't true, and the Treasury Department will function in a purely partisan capacity.

The other is that the public's visceral rejection of privatization, together with growing dismay over the debacle in Iraq, offers Democrats an opportunity to make an issue of the administration's pattern of deception. The question is whether they will dare to seize that opportunity, when for some of them it means admitting that they, too, were fooled.

[BlueEyedSon]

1. Orig pub date 8/15, NY Times. Link below.

August 15, 2005
Social Security Lessons
By PAUL KRUGMAN

Social Security turned 70 yesterday. And to almost everyone's surprise, the nation's most successful government program is still intact.

Just a few months ago the conventional wisdom was that President Bush would get his way on Social Security. Instead, Mr. Bush's privatization drive flopped so badly that the topic has almost disappeared from national discussion.

But I'd like to revisit Social Security for a moment, because it's important to remember what Mr. Bush tried to get away with.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/15/opinion/15krugman.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1124373706-OI0bDhZN5Ksah/5rFBbfow

[Toots]

2. "it means admitting that they, too, were fooled"

I somehow doubt that any Democrats were fooled. They are a part and parcel of what is going on. They know the ins and outs and to say they were fooled is in itself foolish.

[PurityOfEssence]

3. Be fair; some probably were

When you're briefed by your own CIA and other intelligence experts with fear-kindling lies about nukular weapons and oceans of poison, it's somewhat understandable to be somewhat gullible. Many of our legislators are surprisingly dim, and if these issues lie outside of their areas of "expertise", it's fair to assume that they were suckered good and proper.

I still feel, as most of us do, that the conflation of terrorism and the careful timing of the IWR vote to be right before an election made many go for the "safe" vote. These people made their deal with the Devil, and hopefully they'll pay for it in the long run.

Still, I'll bet some trusted their government and got suckered like a plaid-suited bumpkin on his first day in the big city.

[Supersedeas]

4. will the Democratic leadership stand up and point out the lies...this time