It speaks volumes about the state of our discourse when you can find more objective political analysis in a business publication than you can in the Times or at the Post:
The random slashing represents a genuine victory for the conservative movement. For them, cutting spending is no longer a means to an end---efficiency, for example, or arguably even low taxes. It is the end. But the effort also confirms that Republicans increasingly view themselves less as a party vying for majority support than as a guerilla band operating in enemy-controlled territory.
This should also serve as a reminder to Team Democrat that any time they attempt to co-opt or re-cast Republican budget-cutting mania in the form of "smart and sensible spending cuts," they are (1) enabling the guerillas by legitimizing their message, and (b) they're buying into a philosophy of governance that postulates no constructive role for government to play in the lives of its citizens save as a cash cow to be plundered by the party's allies, and a cudgel to be wielded to punish its political opponents. That's how Republicans have governed for the last 30 years, and that's how they'll govern the next time they're given the chance. You really can't compromise with a gang of nihilists---you need to push them to the margins, chart your own course, then beat them at the polls at every opportunity.
This assumes, of course, that Team Democrat sees a more expansive and supportive role for government, in which case they should say so, plainly and unequivocally. They might just find out that most voters happen to agree with them.
---Baron V
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