News Roundup for 9/20/11

America's Second Least Useful Pundit, After Bill Kristol

-Headline of the Day-
"Yup, moderates and independents support taxing the rich."

If there's one hobby you might consider taking up, it's David Brooks avoidance. The New York Times columnist and TV talking head suffers from a really bad case of High Broderism that dictates that the only wise course for a politician -- especially a Democratic politician -- is straight down the center line of the interstate.

In his latest reality-challenged column, Brooks becomes very sad that President Obama has chosen a lane with his deficit reduction and job creation plans. "In his remarks Monday the president didn't try to win Republicans to even some parts of his measures," Brooks complains. "He repeated the populist cries that fire up liberals but are designed to enrage moderates and conservatives."

See, when the chips are down, moderates always side with conservatives. Is there any evidence of this? Not especially, but don't try to tell David Brooks that. It's heresy in his Church of the Almighty Middle.

And don't try to point out reality either. It's not going to sink in. If Brooks hasn't wised up by now, he's never going to. But that doesn't stop Greg Sargent from giving it the old college try.

"[A]s it happens, strong majorities of moderates and independents support tax hikes on the wealthy as the best way to close the deficit," he points out and provides big poll numbers to prove it. Will taxing the wealthy "enrage" moderates? No. How do we know that? Because someone asked them!

Note to Dave: mindreading acts are unnecessary in a world where polling exists.

Seriously, the best first step you can take in understanding American politics well would be to swear to remain forever in ignorance of what David Brooks thinks. (Plum Line)


-Economics 101-
When you really think about Republican economic talking points, they don't make a whole lot of sense.


Click to embiggen

Which would explain why a lot of people don't really think about them. (McClatchy)


-Bonus HotD-
"American Family Association Freaks Out Over Ice Cream Named After Testicles."

This is a real thing. (Wonkette)