Politics and other nightmares

I just did a blog post yesterday about the couple of hundred million the Obama administration is "saving" while spending trillions, and I did an editorial about the $8 billion set aside for high-speed-rail development. Today comes the news that more billions are being spent to save police jobs across the country. So when a story like this comes along, my first reaction is: Why is the state making such a big fuss over peanuts?

When Graham Richard was mayor, his preference for the policy-wonk part of the job over the public-appearance part was an issue. Even I got into the act. This is from an editorial I wrote in 2003: "There is something about leadership that Mayor Graham Richard still doesn't get. In voluntarily seeking the public arena, he was entering into a contract with the electorate that requires him to be visibly engaged in the community's issues.

What paragons of fiscal restraint we have in Washington:

A challenge that President Obama made to his Cabinet in April resulted in cost-cutting measures that more than doubled the original $100 million target, his administration said Monday.

At his first Cabinet meeting, Obama asked Cabinet members to find $100 million in savings in 90 days. The deadline passed last week with no announcement, and the White House responded to reporters that information was being compiled.

Eight Midwestern governors, including Indiana's Mitch Daniels, have signed a memorandum that sets up the Midwest Rail Steering Group, which plans to lobby hard for a share of the $8 billion set aside by the federal government for high-speed rail projects. They plan to pursue a system that would connect 12 metropolitan areas with Chicago as the hub, but they're a little sketchy on the cost.

Today's evidence that the End Times might be nearer than we think:

Michael Jackson fans have launched a campaign calling for the superstar to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

[. . .]

Is President Obama an economic illiterate?

Obama professes to believe in free market economics. But no one expects his policies to reflect the unfettered capitalism of a Milton Friedman. That's too much to ask. Demonstrating a passing acquaintance with free market ideas and how they might be used to fight the recession--that's not too much to ask.

U.S. Sen. Jim DeMint, R-South Carolina, typifies what's wrong with the Republican Party these days as it struggles with being the minority party:

DeMint, speaking on ABC's “This Week,” said Congress and the White House need to “slow down and get this right.”

Today, we test your powers of observation and deduction. You've probably heard about the town manager in Florida who was fired when it was discovered that the manager's spouse was a porn star. The town is defending the move because it feared governance would be difficult "with all the disruption and interruption," which is, oops, just what it has since news of the firing broke. Anyway, your quiz today: Which one is the porn star?

I hope city and county officials are paying attention to other taxing units. The Allen County Public Library, it is reported, plans to flat-line spending to meet property and income tax deficits. In some places, it's even tougher:

The answer to the question posed at the very beginning of this article is so obvious it shouldn't need to be asked:

What businesses should and should not be allowed into downtown Newburgh?