Journalists I Like

Here is a list of journalists on the left that I like and respect. They represent a fairly large swath on the leftist continuum. All have a definite point of view but they all write from the coolness of reason and on the basis of fact rather than fear, anger, or misrepresentation. And some of them are downright eloquent.

(In no particular order):

• Sarah Leonard
• Ta-Nehisi Coates
• Matt Taibbi
• Jelani Cobb
• Chris Hayes
• Ezra Klein
• Bhaskar Sunkara
• Kevin Drum

Foxconn Quickie

One other point about the Foxconn deal in Wisconsin, sort of following up on my last post. Foxconn is one of the largest--and most ruthless--companies in the world. When they negotiate with a Howdy Doody like Scott Walker, there's no doubt in my mind who got the better end of that deal.

Wisconsin's (Un) Ayn-Randism

As one who was born and raised in Wisconsin, and who hasn't lived there in many years, I have watched the deterioration of the state by Scott Walker and the Tea Party/Koch Bros legislature. The right-wing narrative is of the angry liberal. But as for me, it is not anger but sadness. Economically, Walker has--quite successfully I'm afraid--turned the state from a progressive beacon toward the direction of a poor southern state. Politically, he has turned the state from the textbook example of clean, honest, and open government to one of corruption for which we used to ridicule New Jersey (my apologies to New Jersey). It leaves me sad and dismayed rather than angry.

I suppose this is really unrelated to the purpose of this post--which is the proposed FoxConn deal--but only serves as a preamble.

The Wisconsin/FoxConn deal is a great illustration of the disconnect between what so-called small-government right-wing capitalists say they believe, and what they actually practice. On the one hand, they say that government can do nothing worthwhile (and they mean nothing). And on the other hand--as in the FoxConn corporate socialism example--they say that capitalism won't work without the most severe government intervention in the "free market". So much for Ayn Rand.

The Whiner in Chief

The Whinefest of President Trump and is supporters has become an epic comedy. There is a Republican in the White House; both houses of Congress are controlled by Republicans; the Supreme Court is controlled by fringy right-wing Republican appointees; half the criticism of Trump comes from Republican politicians and media outlets (even Fox News can't help it sometimes); shoot, even Robert Mueller is a Republican. The Democrats have virtually no power in government. And yet, Trump and his core supporters whine that his entire agenda is being thwarted by these powerless Democrats. Very funny.