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October 15, 2008

Explanations on the Other Side of the Coin

Justin Katz

I caught a snippet of U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse on WPRO this morning remarking on the great mystery of Rhode Island's horrible economy. Paraphrasing: "I don't think anybody knows why it's so bad. We should be in the middle of the pack."

Well, perhaps such outcomes are puzzling when the actual explanation is ruled out for ideological and political reasons. "Nobody knows the reason" sounds an awful lot like "we don't want to admit that we're responsible," whether the distinction is conscious or subconscious.

Comments

I heard that this morning. It's idiots like him that cause us to have "Do not operate heavy machinery" warnings on sleeping pills and "CAUTION! HOT!" on coffee cups.

Posted by: Greg at October 15, 2008 12:50 PM

I hope DePetro (or whomever he was speaking with) replied: "It's because we tax too much and spend even more often".

This stuff isn't difficult folks. I love how the talking heads try to make this stuff sound so in order to further confuse the alreday muddled masses.

Posted by: Rasputin at October 15, 2008 1:51 PM

Possibly the Senator's careful lack of insight stems from the fact that it was his party, with their super majority control of the General Assembly, which has engineered Rhode Island's horrible economy.

Posted by: Monique at October 15, 2008 2:08 PM

You guys play ring-a -ring o' roses and don't know it. Here's a doggerel to the Anchor:


Here's to Anchor Rising,
Home of the Right wing rant,
Where Justin speaks only with Monique
And Monique obviously can't.
OldTimeLefty

Posted by: OldTimeLefty at October 15, 2008 4:03 PM

Remember John Laroquette in "Stripes"?
Sheldon.Useless fop serving out of a sense of noblesse oblige to us hoi-polloi.

Posted by: joe bernstein at October 15, 2008 4:08 PM

Monique,

I always wonder why the Dems, who have a "super-majority" control over the General Assembly, have managed to win re-election time and time againa, while simultaneously bankrupting this state and ruining this economg?

I guess it means our Republicans are a sorry bunch of idiots, or the people who live in this state are very, very stupid.

Maybe it's a combination of both?

Posted by: Rasputin at October 15, 2008 4:29 PM

I don't mean to rub it in, but y'all are a big reason why Sheldon's in the Senate.

Posted by: rhody at October 15, 2008 5:55 PM

I voted for Chafee over Whitehouse, but would never, ever consider voting for Laffey. I agree heartily with rhody here. I'll say it again, the only thing that makes the Democrats look good is the Republicans. And you people are still trying to figure it out.!
OldTimeLefty

Posted by: OldTimeLefty at October 15, 2008 6:29 PM

I'll take all of the changes of subjects as confirmation of my point: Rhode Island's horrible economy was executed by Democrats in the General Assembly over the last two or three decades who enacted some seriously misguided policies.

It's a straightforward concept. Smith Hill wants all the goodies (read: money) exuded by corporations. Yet inexplicably, they have enacted a raft of laws to chase them out of the state. To get corporations back into the state (and keep the ones with their foot out the door), they need to correct or rescind those laws.

Posted by: Monique at October 15, 2008 8:38 PM

Rhody does bring up a good point.....

Posted by: Anthony at October 15, 2008 10:25 PM

I didn't vote for Sheldon.When I worked with his office on prosecutions during his tenure as US Attorney I was appalled at the decline in the quality of leadership in that office compared to Lincoln Almond,who,while less than a ball of fire as Governor,was an outstanding US Attorney-honest,engaged,knowledgeable,and able to pick the best of his staff for critical positions.Sheldon was lucky if he could find the restroom on his own.
He was an atrocious State AG.Patrick Lynch and Jeff Pine were far superior,both prior to and after he held office.I'm not being partisan here at all.Meg Curran was a much better US Attorney-Bush even left her in office until she had to leave for health reasons.My point is that this man can't do a credible job of serving the public,so we make him a Senator.What a disgrace.
We have a great crew in DC.Reed is no dope,but he is apparently not above taking money from those people whose business he oversees.
Kennedy is a substance addicted,mentally ill human wreck.
Langevin is mediocre,but not as bad as the other three.
It's a shame after being represented by Caliborne Pell and John Chafee.

Posted by: joe bernstein at October 15, 2008 11:52 PM

jb,

sadly your analysis is correct.going back, sheldon was bruce sundluns butt boy. sundlen realy created him when he was governor and sheldon exploited himself big time.


Posted by: johnpaycheck at October 16, 2008 11:48 AM

Monique,

I'll ask again and hope you don't dodge this question: Why don't we elect some more Republicand to the General Assembly.

Do you think the people of Rhode Island are VERY stupid? Or the local GOP VERY imcompatent? It's got to be one or the other right?

Posted by: Rasputin at October 16, 2008 12:46 PM