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« GOP Axed Funding for Pandemic Prepa… | Gaming Roundup »

Monday, April 27, 2009

History Another Blow for the GOP

Posted by Charles Mudede on Mon, Apr 27, 2009 at 11:50 AM

From Huff Post: GOP Stripped Flu Pandemic Preparedness From Stimulus...

Famously, Maine Senator Collins, the supposedly moderate Republican who demanded cuts in health care spending in exchange for her support of a watered-down version of the stimulus, fumed about the pandemic funding: "Does it belong in this bill? Should we have $870 million in this bill No, we should not."

On the economy (deregulation), on the environment (the volcanoes), on healthcare (preparedness), the GOP has shown that it has no contact with the real. They truly live in the crystal world of the mind; the world as it ought to be and not as it is. They are the last utopians. But the real remains rational.

I know, I know, Paul has already posted this story. But I want to point out that the problem with the pig flu, as with the bird flu, is neoliberalism. Look no further than that. It turned the world into a world market, but sans any substantive infrastructure or social institutions outside of the advanced capitalist economies. We can not live in a world that only sustains markets and cash flows and nothing else. The world made from the image of the neoliberal ideal is a very dangerous one.

Comments (12) RSS

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"The world as it ought to be"? I should hope not.

Posted by LeslieC on April 27, 2009 at 12:13 PM

Please stop posting. I'm asking nicely.

Posted by mintygreen on April 27, 2009 at 12:15 PM

Slog Ticker:

First case of flying-pig flu confirmed in Seattle, Washington, when Charles Mudede, described by some as a local "writer" started babbling feverishly and experiencing hallucinations.

Coworkers are being quarantined, having exposed themselves to potential infection for several hours.

"He always acts like this. How could we have known?" an anonymous tipper pondered.

Posted by Ackham on April 27, 2009 at 12:18 PM

No, the problem with the pig flu is that it kills people. The only issue that has neoliberalism as the cause of its problems is your theory on neoliberalism.

Posted by Critical theory cured my swine flu! on April 27, 2009 at 12:25 PM

I hope this is on "Countdown" tonight.

Posted by Vince on April 27, 2009 at 12:26 PM

i hope it kills lots of useless brown people

Posted by Sean Faggity on April 27, 2009 at 12:31 PM

If they hadn't then swine flu would not happen.

That's science.

Flu preparedness prevents flu.

Absolutely.

Posted by First Order Logic on April 27, 2009 at 12:35 PM

The only place for America-hating GOP is in the International Criminal Court for the War Crimes Trials.

Make it so.

Posted by Will in Seattle on April 27, 2009 at 12:37 PM

#8:

So you would imprison people illegally for their political beliefs?

Posted by Won't In Seattle on April 27, 2009 at 12:46 PM

Charles, Anthony & Paul,
It is greatly unfortunate what is happening in Mexico. I don't believe it necessary to politicize or make light of this situation. Swine flu has nothing to do with Sen. Collins, the GOP, neoliberalism or anything else except public health. The USA is far better prepared than most countries to combat a pandemic should it occur. It is an exceedingly difficult task even to determine that. So, let's not panic but remain prepared.

Posted by lark on April 27, 2009 at 1:15 PM

Not just a blow against the GOP, but potentially against neoliberalism also promoted by Democrats. The potential cause of the pandemic: deregulation under NAFTA (remember Clinton?), exploited not by Mexicans but by unscrupulous American corporations:

http://www.grist.org/article/2009-04-25-…

Posted by Trevor on April 27, 2009 at 3:05 PM

No, their actions, @9.

Surrender, Dorothy!

Posted by Will in Seattle on April 27, 2009 at 4:50 PM