Don't Fear the Reaper

Line of Attack
A Republican plan to sharply cut federal spending this year would destroy 700,000 jobs through 2012, according to an independent economic analysis set for release Monday. The report, by Moody’s Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi, offers fresh ammunition to Democrats seeking block the Republican plan, which would terminate dozens of programs and slash federal appropriations by $61 billion over the next seven months.

Zandi, an architect of the 2009 stimulus package who has advised both political parties, predicts that the GOP package would reduce economic growth by 0.5 percentage points this year, and by 0.2 percentage points in 2012, resulting in 700,000 fewer jobs by the end of next year.

So the new line of attack by Dems against fiscal responsibility is that it will cost jobs. Presumably all of those jobs created by Zandi’s 2009 stimulus package. Forgive us if we don’t buy it. And by the way, what role did Moody’s play in the financial meltdown? Something about ratings on mortgage-backed securities?

If the Kaffiyeh Fits
Rep Peter T. King (R-N.Y.) ….his upcoming hearings on radicalization of American Muslims. King, the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, has called the hearings to start March 9. Faith leaders, Muslim American organizations, the ranking Democrat on the committee - Mississippi Rep. Bennie Thompson - and some law enforcement leaders challenged the idea that Muslims should be the focus.

Underwear bomber, Times Square bomber, Ft. Hood, and just this week the Saudi student in Texas….what do all these things have in common? Could King be onto something here?