Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

JHB

(37,128 posts)
Fri Feb 1, 2019, 11:30 AM Feb 2019

Toles: The elites have led the way: Permission granted to be irresponsible

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/02/01/elites-have-led-way-permission-granted-be-irresponsible/
The elites have led the way: Permission granted to be irresponsible
By Tom Toles
Editorial cartoonist
February 1 at 9:23 AM

It is more than a little ironic to see progressive ideas being subjected to the test of whether they are responsible. Where does the idea come from that responsibility is a standard anymore?

Elites — and I define those as the wealthy, the leaders of corporations, government, think tanks, universities and the media — enjoy their positions and privileges to set the ethical standards for a society and to guide the direction a society moves in. So how have they been doing?
***
Last I saw, the federal government gave stupendously MORE in tax cuts to the rich. How was this funded? It wasn’t! It was written entirely in red ink! Oh, yeah, the deficit. Which has been another area of endless empty lecturing from the elites. And yet there is always room for more tax cuts for the rich.

***
But suddenly, it’s: Is Medicare-for-all RESPONSIBLE? Are higher marginal tax rates RISKY? Is a Green New Deal properly DETAILED? Mightn’t there be costs or TRADE-OFFS? And — again, for progressives only — what about the DEFICIT? These progressive proposals aren’t irresponsible. They are aimed at undoing prior irresponsibility. If we are going to use responsibility as a standard, let’s let the current swath of leaders back things up, reduce the vast inequality they have allowed and institute their own program of carbon reduction, and then we’ll resume the discussion about responsibility.
***
9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Toles: The elites have led the way: Permission granted to be irresponsible (Original Post) JHB Feb 2019 OP
Kick dalton99a Feb 2019 #1
Amen. shanny Feb 2019 #2
K&R KPN Feb 2019 #3
Ditto! Can't add anything more! nt SWBTATTReg Feb 2019 #4
K&R!! 2naSalit Feb 2019 #5
Kicking this Hekate Feb 2019 #6
Yeah, heard a panel on NPR talking about Medicare for all... robbob Feb 2019 #7
K & R LiberalLovinLug Feb 2019 #8
"there is always room for tax cuts for the rich". oasis Feb 2019 #9

KPN

(15,585 posts)
3. K&R
Fri Feb 1, 2019, 12:10 PM
Feb 2019


This is what I want and expect to hear from Dems running in 2020 primaries. It's also worth bookmarking for future personal use as needed.

2naSalit

(86,031 posts)
5. K&R!!
Fri Feb 1, 2019, 01:35 PM
Feb 2019

I love his cartoons! I heard him on Arts & Lectures on NPR a few months ago, made me like him even more.

robbob

(3,514 posts)
7. Yeah, heard a panel on NPR talking about Medicare for all...
Fri Feb 1, 2019, 02:29 PM
Feb 2019

And of course the expected “concern” that left-leaning Dems are moving “too fast”, talk of slowly expanding coverage even while acknowledging that millions have lost health care under tRump. I found myself yelling at the radio; what about the f***ing military budget? How many TRILLIONS of $$$ have been wasted in the Iraq quagmire! How is THAT helping Americans?

I’ve learned a simple lesson about American (primarily reThug) politics; if you ever wonder why we can’t have better schools, medical coverage, roads and bridges just ask the question: who will get rich from it? Paying teachers, nurses and construction workers a decent living wage doing jobs that benefit ALL Americans isn’t helping the super rich accumulate even more riches, so of course it’s a low, “how can we afford it” priority. But there’s always money for another war, more missiles, huge tax breaks. It’s discouraging.

LiberalLovinLug

(14,153 posts)
8. K & R
Fri Feb 1, 2019, 03:12 PM
Feb 2019

This.

I am sick of "conservatives" spending the treasury like sailors on themselves, and then the MSM dusts off their old print outs, the pages a bit curled, and the papers stained with spilled coffee from years of use, and repeat repeat repeat (through carefully selected guests) how horribly irresponsible it is to spend money on healthcare, minimum wages, or social security for American citizens, things that would help all, but not a peep about Republicans lavishing themselves and others in the highest incomes with tax scam giveaways that they can't pay for.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Toles: The elites have le...