Tag Archives: budget

Blame

Posted on January 24, 2019 by David S. Meyer

Federal workers ARE protesting the month-plus shutdown of part of the government. The image at right is of hundreds assembling for 33 minutes of silent protest in the Senate office building. The protesters held paper plates, calling for the end … Continue reading →

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Same as it ever was?: Budget politics and the Tea Party

Posted on December 13, 2013 by David S. Meyer

Successful politicians sell out the movements that give them leverage, visibility, and power.  Until yesterday, when the House of Representatives passed a rather mundane two year budget bill that disappointed virtually everyone, the House Republican leadership, particularly Speaker John Boehner, … Continue reading →

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Ronald Reagan sold out conservative movements

Posted on September 15, 2011 by David S. Meyer

Successful politicians exploit, buy off, and sell out the movements that animate their campaigns.  And Ronald Reagan was a successful politician.  He came into the presidency as the embodiment of a conservative movement coalition, and left, dismissed by movement leaders … Continue reading →

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Politics driven outdoors

Posted on August 19, 2011 by David S. Meyer

Several Republican members of Congress have stopped holding open meetings or taking questions from constituents who don’t pay for the privilege, Politico reports.  In addition to raising money, they are working to spare themselves embarrassment and to keep their opponents … Continue reading →

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Will parents protest education cutbacks?: The organizational deficit

Posted on July 27, 2011 by David S. Meyer

Sandy Banks, is a columnist for the Los Angeles Times and the parent of two daughters studying in the California State University system.  She’s frustrated that it’s costing her so much more to help her kids out, and angry that … Continue reading →

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The Movement Veto and Medicare

Posted on May 25, 2011 by David S. Meyer

When Democrat Kathy Hochshul won a normally Republican Congressional seat in special election in upstate New York, all of the party regulars weighed in with their distinctive spins on what this means or doesn’t mean for the elections coming up … Continue reading →

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Divining Authority (Religious Endorsements)

Posted on May 20, 2011 by David S. Meyer

Many many many Christians, readers have pointed out, are not worried about the Rapture tomorrow–despite the confident predictions of some committed co-religionists.  While some of the faithful have quit jobs to prepare–and to alert others of the coming judgment, other … Continue reading →

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Rapturous Provocation

Posted on May 19, 2011 by David S. Meyer

People protest in opposition to something.  When those opponents promise something particularly egregious, it’s easier to convince your supporters of a real threat and the necessity of taking to the streets. That’s why social movements activate their opponents.  Every potential … Continue reading →

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Authenticity at the Town Hall Meetings?

Posted on April 28, 2011 by David S. Meyer

Republican members of Congress who supported Paul Ryan’s budget plan (almost all of them) are having to defend their votes against hostile crowds at town meetings.  (Note that there is a lot to get angry about in this budget plan.  … Continue reading →

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Can the Tea Party Party? (Notes on the Budget Agreement)

Posted on April 14, 2011 by David S. Meyer

It certainly looked as though Speaker John Boehner did pretty well in negotiations about the past year’s budget.  At the last minute, the Speaker, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and President Obama announced that they had come to an agreement … Continue reading →

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