Memories of 1980

I remember well the fall of 1980 when we elected Ronald Reagan, ushering in America's disastrous love affair with supply-side economics, culminating in the mini-depression that began in 2007-08.  Unfortunately, I also remember that in 1980 senators like Gaylord Nelson, Frank Church, and Birch Bayh--i.e., men of integrity, substance, and a modicum of statesmanship--were replaced by the likes of Robert Kasten, Steven Symms, and Dan Quayle.  We have already seen Russ Feingold replaced by the lightweight Rob Johnson.  We also got Ted Cruz and Mike Lee.  And its looking likely that we'll get Joni Ernst and who knows who else.

Well, the Republic survived Kasten, Symms, and Quayle.  So far we seem to have survived Johnson, Cruz, and their cult.  Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised on November 4, but if not, I will try to stay optimistic that we'll also survive the latest crop of shallowness.

Today's Gripes

• The NRA isn't so much pro-gun as it is pro-Republican.  Pryor and Begich are finding out what it's worth to sell out to the gun lobby: not much if you're a Democrat.  Kinda serves them right.
• When I was growing up in Wisconsin, it had the reputation as being the least politically corrupt state.  Whether it was Republicans like Warren Knowles and Lee Dreyfus, or Democrats like Patrick Lucey and Gaylord Nelson, you felt confident of their honesty.  I never voted for a Republican, but I never questioned their integrity.  No more, I'm afraid.  Now you have Scott Walker and the Republican legislature essentially being bribed bought by the Koch brothers, the mining industry, and ALEC (not to mention the enactment of Jim Crow voting laws).  Notice to Wisconsinites: You are no longer allowed to crack jokes about New Jersey politics.
• Is Iowa really going to elect Joni Ernst?  It'll be like having Michele Bachmann in the Senate.
• It puzzles me that liberals dislike Walmart so much, but eagerly shop at Amazon.
• Is Politifact becoming just another boring and predictable cog in the gears of the mainstream media?
• From Ed Kilgore at Washington Monthly:  "I realize the remarks of politicians should not be imputed to the entire populations they govern or represent. But still, it's hard to avoid noting that Texas—the very sovereign State of Texas, I should clarify, where the federal government is generally not welcome—was at a loss in dealing with a single Ebola case until the feds stepped in."  Or as Kevin Drum blogged:  "Please Rescue Us, Now Go Away".