On “Ronald Reagan (1911-2004): An obituary”

 

 

Thank you, David North, regarding Ronald Reagan, one of the worst cardboard predecessors to the present cardboard president in setting out what propped up that marquee on the American stage.

 

The billing of Ronald Reagan for what he accomplished is nothing more than a presentation of what his trumpeters would like to accomplish in the future, as though the present accomplishments aren’t enough!

 

The conclusion to the article is so well written as to be quotable; the larger conclusion to be drawn from the obituary on ‘the legacy of Reaganism’ is there, quiet as a whisper.

 

The current call to Reaganism by much of the Republican party—that he is their beloved favored president—is a blatant call for them to shoulder the mantle of his legacy.

 

The irony is how well Barack Obama and all the propaganda surrounding him is doing so, with so little realization.

 

Michael S
7 February 2011

 

On “Obama’s cold-blooded defense of Egyptian regime”

 

When Frank Wisner, the US envoy to Mubarak, called for Mubarak to stay on I was reminded of the West’s previous endorsements of dictatorship in the 1930s (Germany, Italy), both endorsements being preceded by profound economic crisis. But before I could check it out on the net Frank’s statement had been repudiated by the US State Department. Well, that’s crisis for you; confusion and disagreements in the leadership become public, as has the dissension in the European elites. Now all of the representatives of European capitalism would like the current Egyptian regime to continue.

 

 

If that was possible. But most do not think it is possible. The old USSR was incomparably stronger than the current Egyptian regime. Yet the European political rulers, especially the German Chancellor, ask where is it now? Once again the European elites will be pressured to follow a policy that they publicly question. And about which they obviously have deep forebodings. From Iraq to Afghanistan they have trailed behind in the wake of the USA. But have now effectively broken with the USA on both.

 

It is clear from the perspective of the European elites that American imperialism will not embrace managed decline. Equally clear this makes other imperial disasters inevitable. There is a developing imperative on the side of the European political class to put as much distance as possible between themselves and their counterparts in the USA.

 

Chris
8 February 2011

On “One in seven Americans on food stamps”

 

In addition to the initial application process, my state requires me to re-submit my earnings and other information every five months such as proof that I’ve paid my child support. The time frame that they give to collect and submit is inadequate and is dependent on other agencies to supply the information in a timely manner.

 

While many like to say that this is welfare for the poor, it is actually welfare for businesses. If a living wage were required in this country we could remove all of the working poor from the food stamp rolls. With a minimum wage that is more than 30 percent less than the 1968 level (in current dollars), people have no hope of providing food, shelter and transportation for themselves, let alone crazy extravagances like health care.

 

Troy J
Arkansas, USA
8 February 2011

On “Julian Assange condemns Australian Labor government at public meeting”

 

Brilliantly executed report.

 

Jim J
8 February 2011

 

 

On “AOL buys Huffington Post for $315 million: So much for America’s ‘progressive’ media”

 

Like all people sitting on the 50-yard-line, Ms. Huffington does not want anything to change.

 

PK
8 February 2011

 

***

 

 

I could not agree more. AOL is a slavish mouthpiece for reactionaries like Palin and Beck. When I heard that Huffington sold out to them, I realized that the pseudo-liberalism of the Post would degenerate into an embrace of AOL-ism. Wealth and the opportunity for more wealth changes these people into whatever accommodates their wealth-craving agendas. Another dark day.

 

Hank G
8 February 2011

 

On the uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East

 

 

You forgot to mention 2500 people marched in San Francisco Saturday for solidarity with Egypt and Tunisian revolutions.

 

Charles R
7 February 2011