Great natalist link. Much better than bonuses. I think you need to do something on the expense side too. Easiest way to get a big impact is to get rid of the CAFE rules. Forcing people into small cars makes it impossible to carry more than two car seats and later on all the paraphernalia needed for sports.
I have argued that New Right economics have recast Republican politics not American politics. Democrats are still the uneasy coalition of socialists and neoliberals.
I really wish the Orszag piece (and Oren for that matter) would spell out *exactly* what the issues are with increasing national debt. The U.S. is able to issue its own currency, and so there is no risk of default, unless politicians stupidly decide to do so. I recognize there is inflation risk with deficit spending (which manifested in the wake of Trump and then Biden COVID stimulus). But inflation is back to 2-2.5% now.
I always consider Oren a worthwhile read on economic matters. On politics, not so much. I'm learning to skip the latter, and wish I'd skipped this one.
On Orszag's first point, Protecting the reserve currency means not promoting crypto.
On his last, Addressing spending in the big categories (not performatively as with DOGE), and raising revenue to approach that spending (by funding the IRS, raising income taxes at the top, and not pretending tariffs will solve the shortfall), would be what he seriously means.
Oren is actually correct that Democrats are like deer in the headlights. The problem is, they lost to a corrupt, aging, incoherent game show host and have no power. What matters is what the "new" right, the "modern" Republican establishment is doing, under their taco-eating fearless leader, Don. It's been a big week for Don and his high powered cabinet in their never ending quest to help the little guy. The big dinner for the foreign adversaries lining his pocket with meme coin loot. Polishing up that groovin new 747 from his Qatari buds. Clemency for a bunch more creepy criminals. Stopping our smartest scientists from publishing in leading journals. Cutting research funding, in turn squandering our world leadership. Pushing the horrific budget busting reconciliation bill that redistributes wealth from his rich tech-bro buddies to the workin stiffs. Being played by Vlad, again. Allowing that embodiment of human health-RFK, to return us to the Middle Ages with his wacky anti-vax conspiracies. Breaking up with the world's richest man, the one he deputized to kill the world's poorest children and steal our data under the ruse of fiscal sanity. And just think, the military parade honoring himself is just around the corner-an act of fascist cosplay not seen in American peace time. I hope he goes full North Korean authoritarian, with the big ole penile missiles, how proud we'll be. I feel for poor Oren, all he's left with is changing the subject to the minority party. I mean, the last thing he wants to do is talk about the MAGA establishment's tariff policy, the policy where we tariff Ukraine but not Russia. Keep at it Oren!
This is just corruption, and not important. What IS important is "squandering our world leadership", as you put it. In the context of Trump's four-day visit to the Middle East, it means that he announced that the US would no longer engage in regime change wars. He called out the neocons and neoliberals by name. THIS was a huge deal, which nobody seems to notice, especially progressives who have for generations denounced these wars. Their silence is deafening!
"... budget bill that redistributes wealth from his rich buddies to the workin stiffs..."
Indeed, it is true that Trump's wealthy supporters will rake in the dough here, but the REALLY big money will flow to the mostly Democratic supporting finance capitalists on Wall Street. Recall that when the Democrats gained the House in 2020, they didn't rush to reverse the "Trump tax cuts".
I belly laughed on that one. Hundreds of millions from foreign adversaries directly into the dear leaders pocket, is "just corruption" and "isn't important". Interesting perspective. What would you say is similar corruption perpetrated by other presidents? And, maybe you're right, and Don's clever 4D strategery on the world stage is unfolding in a way mere mortals can't comprehend. But maybe I'm right, and Don is the imbecile other leaders snicker about together backstage before they play him like a drum. Treat him to a parade, some lavish gifts, build him a few golf courses, and he's putty in your hands. Then there's Vlad, who dispenses with the gifts and just subjects him to repeated humiliation, he knows a taco when he sees one. Finally, neocons and neoliberals are powerless, they were excommunicated years ago. MAGA is the establishment now, has been for 10 years. Time to man up and take responsibility.
The so-called Progressives "now find themselves operating in a democracy that does not share their vision of social justice." As an economic Progressive I have always disavowed the primacy of narrow identity interest groups in the idea of Social Justice, or more straightforwardly, Justice. To advocate "social justice" for just one issue without nuance and without advocating justice for ALL is really to advocate injustice. The overreach of of the big social justice movements exposed their shallowness and inevitably led to again overreaching backlash.
I have had the suspicion that these movements were adopted by the Democratic party by the Big Money operatives precisely to keep attention off of economic issues and specifically wealth inequality and working class degradation. This is no different than Big Money operatives in the Republican party utilizing social identity issues "in reaction" to so-called progressives. In reaction in quotes because it was not reaction, it was interaction, convenient if not actually planned. And the whole point of the whole conflict is to prevent the public from focusing on Big Money control of the people's government and directly over their lives.
Portraying the democratic party as out of touch is not inaccurate but it is deceiving. It elides the reality that Big Money calls the shots for Both parties. Oren is part of a "movement" of new Conservatism that professes to be pro-working class. Much of the rhetoric and analysis I agree with because it is exactly progressive economic policy. My hunch, and my fear is that it serves the same role as "progressive" social identity rhetoric serves for the democratic party financial elite. IE, it is meant to attract votes, and yet still fail to enact policy that meaningfully promotes working class well-being and ends up still enriching the wealthy. Maintaining a virulently Conservative viewpoint, antagonizing nominally liberal economic progressives effectively and STILL splits the voting block of economic progressives so we cannot get the voting power to overcome Big Money control of policy.
When I refer to the voting block of economic progressives that means most of the working class including the right-wing populists, the politically disengaged working class, and "socialist" oriented left wing working class. Together, most of the working class and most of the US population. The reality is most of non-conservative voters are also pro-family, moderate socially, and want respect, agency, and material security, like the conservative working class. Universal health care, for example, is enormously popular. Ask any blue collar or small shop small business owner along with their employees. It's about material security.
Therefore, continuing to split the working class majority with conservative and liberal ideation is effectively rendering its voting power ineffective. The pro-worker progressive movement was starting to make serious inroads withing the democratic party. Sanders had huge momentum with his economic populist agenda. That scared the shit out of Big Money in the Democratic party which then flexed its power to "unify" behind Biden on the eve of Super Tuesday. IF that movement were to continue in the democratic party it could have a shot at actually wresting the party from the Big Money owners. So this "populist movement" in the Republican party is magically convenient for the Big Money owners of Both parties. It draws away economic populists who saw the democratic party as the best opportunity for actually gaining working class political agency.
If Oren is serious, as he portrays himself to be, he will address this fundamentally undermining dichotomy to working class power. To argue that non-conservative economic progressives should align behind Trump is absurd and disregards the reality of Trump. So don't bother going there. And we mustn't forget that the old school Republican brand is literally Big Money hegemony and Steve Bannon's assertions to the contrary, it's not dead. I don't see the New Conservative populist movement by itself as having a chance in hell to actually enact serious pro-working class policy. In some fashion, the economic progressive or, if you must, conservative populist elements have to transcend the barriers both parties have erected to prevent worker power. While disparaging the Democratic establishment as corrupt is not inaccurate it is not helpful for moving the working class economic agenda forward without also disparaging the Republican establishment for the same reason. Oren has to figure out a way to transcend tribalism to be actually serious. So far, I'm not seeing it. Sanders is the one calling out the problem of corporate power most directly. And he has to contend with the so-called progressive identity group hangers on who have worked to hijack his working class agenda. Oren and Sanders should work together, if Oren is serious.
Yes, the article discussed in this post is generally dumb. For example, America absolutely knows how boost growth, from the 1830s (at least) until well after WW2 it ran a an economy and scientific and engineering complex that was simultaneously highly competitive WHILE AT THE SAME TIME geographically and sectorally diffuse with deliberate redundancy. But that would require re-decentralization and re-democratization which Oren Cass seems steadfastly opposed to. Which gets us to AI, its complex, but the so called "Big Beautiful Bill" has a Section within it that prohibits states and localities from engaging in regulatory actions related to AI, that makes it very likely that if there are the sorts of bad things people claim are coming, then theyll happen, and also it makes it much less likely that we'll have a diversified and redundant AI sector with several paths of innovation so less growth. But, again, Oren Cass seems steadfastly opposed to any re-decentralization or re-democratization
I have a book manuscript out under review currently that aims to provide a blueprint to many constitutional short-comings like the debt one you mention in this post. Watch my Substack for excerpts coming soon please. Thanks!
Great natalist link. Much better than bonuses. I think you need to do something on the expense side too. Easiest way to get a big impact is to get rid of the CAFE rules. Forcing people into small cars makes it impossible to carry more than two car seats and later on all the paraphernalia needed for sports.
I have argued that New Right economics have recast Republican politics not American politics. Democrats are still the uneasy coalition of socialists and neoliberals.
I really wish the Orszag piece (and Oren for that matter) would spell out *exactly* what the issues are with increasing national debt. The U.S. is able to issue its own currency, and so there is no risk of default, unless politicians stupidly decide to do so. I recognize there is inflation risk with deficit spending (which manifested in the wake of Trump and then Biden COVID stimulus). But inflation is back to 2-2.5% now.
I always consider Oren a worthwhile read on economic matters. On politics, not so much. I'm learning to skip the latter, and wish I'd skipped this one.
On Orszag's first point, Protecting the reserve currency means not promoting crypto.
On his last, Addressing spending in the big categories (not performatively as with DOGE), and raising revenue to approach that spending (by funding the IRS, raising income taxes at the top, and not pretending tariffs will solve the shortfall), would be what he seriously means.
Oren is actually correct that Democrats are like deer in the headlights. The problem is, they lost to a corrupt, aging, incoherent game show host and have no power. What matters is what the "new" right, the "modern" Republican establishment is doing, under their taco-eating fearless leader, Don. It's been a big week for Don and his high powered cabinet in their never ending quest to help the little guy. The big dinner for the foreign adversaries lining his pocket with meme coin loot. Polishing up that groovin new 747 from his Qatari buds. Clemency for a bunch more creepy criminals. Stopping our smartest scientists from publishing in leading journals. Cutting research funding, in turn squandering our world leadership. Pushing the horrific budget busting reconciliation bill that redistributes wealth from his rich tech-bro buddies to the workin stiffs. Being played by Vlad, again. Allowing that embodiment of human health-RFK, to return us to the Middle Ages with his wacky anti-vax conspiracies. Breaking up with the world's richest man, the one he deputized to kill the world's poorest children and steal our data under the ruse of fiscal sanity. And just think, the military parade honoring himself is just around the corner-an act of fascist cosplay not seen in American peace time. I hope he goes full North Korean authoritarian, with the big ole penile missiles, how proud we'll be. I feel for poor Oren, all he's left with is changing the subject to the minority party. I mean, the last thing he wants to do is talk about the MAGA establishment's tariff policy, the policy where we tariff Ukraine but not Russia. Keep at it Oren!
Some thoughts on your post.
...new 747 from his Qatari buds..."
This is just corruption, and not important. What IS important is "squandering our world leadership", as you put it. In the context of Trump's four-day visit to the Middle East, it means that he announced that the US would no longer engage in regime change wars. He called out the neocons and neoliberals by name. THIS was a huge deal, which nobody seems to notice, especially progressives who have for generations denounced these wars. Their silence is deafening!
"... budget bill that redistributes wealth from his rich buddies to the workin stiffs..."
Indeed, it is true that Trump's wealthy supporters will rake in the dough here, but the REALLY big money will flow to the mostly Democratic supporting finance capitalists on Wall Street. Recall that when the Democrats gained the House in 2020, they didn't rush to reverse the "Trump tax cuts".
I belly laughed on that one. Hundreds of millions from foreign adversaries directly into the dear leaders pocket, is "just corruption" and "isn't important". Interesting perspective. What would you say is similar corruption perpetrated by other presidents? And, maybe you're right, and Don's clever 4D strategery on the world stage is unfolding in a way mere mortals can't comprehend. But maybe I'm right, and Don is the imbecile other leaders snicker about together backstage before they play him like a drum. Treat him to a parade, some lavish gifts, build him a few golf courses, and he's putty in your hands. Then there's Vlad, who dispenses with the gifts and just subjects him to repeated humiliation, he knows a taco when he sees one. Finally, neocons and neoliberals are powerless, they were excommunicated years ago. MAGA is the establishment now, has been for 10 years. Time to man up and take responsibility.
The so-called Progressives "now find themselves operating in a democracy that does not share their vision of social justice." As an economic Progressive I have always disavowed the primacy of narrow identity interest groups in the idea of Social Justice, or more straightforwardly, Justice. To advocate "social justice" for just one issue without nuance and without advocating justice for ALL is really to advocate injustice. The overreach of of the big social justice movements exposed their shallowness and inevitably led to again overreaching backlash.
I have had the suspicion that these movements were adopted by the Democratic party by the Big Money operatives precisely to keep attention off of economic issues and specifically wealth inequality and working class degradation. This is no different than Big Money operatives in the Republican party utilizing social identity issues "in reaction" to so-called progressives. In reaction in quotes because it was not reaction, it was interaction, convenient if not actually planned. And the whole point of the whole conflict is to prevent the public from focusing on Big Money control of the people's government and directly over their lives.
Portraying the democratic party as out of touch is not inaccurate but it is deceiving. It elides the reality that Big Money calls the shots for Both parties. Oren is part of a "movement" of new Conservatism that professes to be pro-working class. Much of the rhetoric and analysis I agree with because it is exactly progressive economic policy. My hunch, and my fear is that it serves the same role as "progressive" social identity rhetoric serves for the democratic party financial elite. IE, it is meant to attract votes, and yet still fail to enact policy that meaningfully promotes working class well-being and ends up still enriching the wealthy. Maintaining a virulently Conservative viewpoint, antagonizing nominally liberal economic progressives effectively and STILL splits the voting block of economic progressives so we cannot get the voting power to overcome Big Money control of policy.
When I refer to the voting block of economic progressives that means most of the working class including the right-wing populists, the politically disengaged working class, and "socialist" oriented left wing working class. Together, most of the working class and most of the US population. The reality is most of non-conservative voters are also pro-family, moderate socially, and want respect, agency, and material security, like the conservative working class. Universal health care, for example, is enormously popular. Ask any blue collar or small shop small business owner along with their employees. It's about material security.
Therefore, continuing to split the working class majority with conservative and liberal ideation is effectively rendering its voting power ineffective. The pro-worker progressive movement was starting to make serious inroads withing the democratic party. Sanders had huge momentum with his economic populist agenda. That scared the shit out of Big Money in the Democratic party which then flexed its power to "unify" behind Biden on the eve of Super Tuesday. IF that movement were to continue in the democratic party it could have a shot at actually wresting the party from the Big Money owners. So this "populist movement" in the Republican party is magically convenient for the Big Money owners of Both parties. It draws away economic populists who saw the democratic party as the best opportunity for actually gaining working class political agency.
If Oren is serious, as he portrays himself to be, he will address this fundamentally undermining dichotomy to working class power. To argue that non-conservative economic progressives should align behind Trump is absurd and disregards the reality of Trump. So don't bother going there. And we mustn't forget that the old school Republican brand is literally Big Money hegemony and Steve Bannon's assertions to the contrary, it's not dead. I don't see the New Conservative populist movement by itself as having a chance in hell to actually enact serious pro-working class policy. In some fashion, the economic progressive or, if you must, conservative populist elements have to transcend the barriers both parties have erected to prevent worker power. While disparaging the Democratic establishment as corrupt is not inaccurate it is not helpful for moving the working class economic agenda forward without also disparaging the Republican establishment for the same reason. Oren has to figure out a way to transcend tribalism to be actually serious. So far, I'm not seeing it. Sanders is the one calling out the problem of corporate power most directly. And he has to contend with the so-called progressive identity group hangers on who have worked to hijack his working class agenda. Oren and Sanders should work together, if Oren is serious.
Yes, just put in to get your book. I'll make sure to pass it around. Thanks for your contributions, Oren, much appreciated.
Yes, the article discussed in this post is generally dumb. For example, America absolutely knows how boost growth, from the 1830s (at least) until well after WW2 it ran a an economy and scientific and engineering complex that was simultaneously highly competitive WHILE AT THE SAME TIME geographically and sectorally diffuse with deliberate redundancy. But that would require re-decentralization and re-democratization which Oren Cass seems steadfastly opposed to. Which gets us to AI, its complex, but the so called "Big Beautiful Bill" has a Section within it that prohibits states and localities from engaging in regulatory actions related to AI, that makes it very likely that if there are the sorts of bad things people claim are coming, then theyll happen, and also it makes it much less likely that we'll have a diversified and redundant AI sector with several paths of innovation so less growth. But, again, Oren Cass seems steadfastly opposed to any re-decentralization or re-democratization
I have a book manuscript out under review currently that aims to provide a blueprint to many constitutional short-comings like the debt one you mention in this post. Watch my Substack for excerpts coming soon please. Thanks!
“It is the book to press into the hands of that person in your life who doesn’t understand what’s going on but wants to.”
Could you be any more intellectually, ethically, and morally clueless?
Here is a far better ‘understanding what’s going on’ example:
https://www.counterpunch.org/2025/05/30/but-hamas/
20M dollars to "study the syntax, language and content that gains attention and virality in these spaces." ?
ahem....."stop insulting and demeaning them and doing everything in your power to economically disenfranchise and culturally ostracize them".
You're welcome. Now give me a big fat grass-fed Ribeye steak and we'll call it even. :)