Business, Ahem, As Usual
The New York Times had it right in its editorial this morning, commenting on the president's executive order suspending prevailing-wage laws along the Gulf Coast: "a shameful proclamation."
Once again, the role of the federal government under this administration is to use any -- any! -- pretext for pushing its radical anti-worker agenda down the throat of America. Whether it was 9/11 and terrorism as cover for passing its domestic agenda (tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, gutted government services for everyone else) or, now, the use of Katrina to accomplish who knows what.
I'm looking forward to the cruel, pretzel-like logic that will call for going forward with repeal of the $70 billion/year inheritance tax; indeed, as the rising waters engulfed the sick and infirm and elderly in New Orleans, Grover Norquists blast-faxed a memo explaining how estate-tax repeal would spur economic growth which "is exactly what the residents of the Gulf Region need at this time to start the rebuilding process for their neighborhoods and more importantly for their lives." This is Don Quixote-ish in its faux noble claims: we must slay the imaginary dragon of taxes on the very, very, very, very, very wealthy in order to protect -- nay, not just protect, but help -- the suffering peasants! This Norquist guy is shameless, callous, clueless, and, it seems, in league with the darkest forces of the underworld.
Even if federal response to disaster under this president is slow and incompetent, the primary Bush standard operating procedure is in clearly in effect. Whether it's a force of nature or American bombs that do the destroying, the one part of Bush's federal government that works with impressive efficiency and speed is how it awards fat reconstruction contracts to Bush cronies -- as often as possible without a fair bidding process or timely congressional oversight. It's Halli-bastic! And Bechtel-lerific!
Once again, the role of the federal government under this administration is to use any -- any! -- pretext for pushing its radical anti-worker agenda down the throat of America. Whether it was 9/11 and terrorism as cover for passing its domestic agenda (tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans, gutted government services for everyone else) or, now, the use of Katrina to accomplish who knows what.
I'm looking forward to the cruel, pretzel-like logic that will call for going forward with repeal of the $70 billion/year inheritance tax; indeed, as the rising waters engulfed the sick and infirm and elderly in New Orleans, Grover Norquists blast-faxed a memo explaining how estate-tax repeal would spur economic growth which "is exactly what the residents of the Gulf Region need at this time to start the rebuilding process for their neighborhoods and more importantly for their lives." This is Don Quixote-ish in its faux noble claims: we must slay the imaginary dragon of taxes on the very, very, very, very, very wealthy in order to protect -- nay, not just protect, but help -- the suffering peasants! This Norquist guy is shameless, callous, clueless, and, it seems, in league with the darkest forces of the underworld.
Even if federal response to disaster under this president is slow and incompetent, the primary Bush standard operating procedure is in clearly in effect. Whether it's a force of nature or American bombs that do the destroying, the one part of Bush's federal government that works with impressive efficiency and speed is how it awards fat reconstruction contracts to Bush cronies -- as often as possible without a fair bidding process or timely congressional oversight. It's Halli-bastic! And Bechtel-lerific!
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