Although I'm happy to see DeLay get the first of what I hope are several indictments for the Republican leadership, I think there's a sidebar worry that we should think about.  Just as Katrina showed that the federal government was ineffective and therefore "part of the problem, not part of the solution," I think the DeLay indictment will result in a further effort to show that you can't trust any politicians, and again show that government is the problem.  Since as liberals, we think that government can do good things and that an activist government is good for protecting the most needy, this overarching distrust of government can only fit into Grover Norquist's world of drowning the federal government.  We have to be careful, I think, to show that it is THESE PEOPLE in government who are destroying the utility of having a federal government, but that competent people can actually solve problems, be fiscally responsible, and be a government that betters Americans' lives.

Posted at September 28, 2005 11:13 AM in response to Full Speed Ahead on DeLay

Although I'm happy to see DeLay get the first of what I hope are several indictments for the Republican leadership, I think there's a sidebar worry that we should think about.  Just as Katrina showed that the federal government was ineffective and therefore "part of the problem, not part of the solution," I think the DeLay indictment will result in a further effort to show that you can't trust any politicians, and again show that government is the problem.  Since as liberals, we think that government can do good things and that an activist government is good for protecting the most needy, this overarching distrust of government can only fit into Grover Norquist's world of drowning the federal government.  We have to be careful, I think, to show that it is THESE PEOPLE in government who are destroying the utility of having a federal government, but that competent people can actually solve problems, be fiscally responsible, and be a government that betters Americans' lives.

Posted at September 28, 2005 11:12 AM in response to Full Speed Ahead on DeLay

Isn't the key phrase from his speech, " I've instructed them to work closely with state and local officials, as well as with the private sector, to ensure that we're helping, not hindering, recovery efforts."  Does Bush really think that in a disaster like this that the federal goverment will hinder what the local officials and private sector are doing?  This concept of government is unacceptable. 

Posted at September 1, 2005 7:35 AM in response to First statements matter