May 11 2009
Hatin’ on the Kruge
I really dislike Paul Krugman’s writing. However, lately he’s been flying under the radar for me because the economic situation has kept him writing about Economics. When he does this, I think he’s on much sturdier ground then when he tries to venture out of that to, say, humor or politics. I know nothing about Economics or, you know, math so I might just be getting blinded by the glare of his Nobel.
His latest column, however, reminded me what irks me so much about his style. Namely, decrying all powerful yet nebulous groups. The column relates to some companies who previously opposed health care reform but are now seemingly willing to lend support by figuring out ways of cutting health care costs.
“What’s presumably going on here is that key interest groups have realized that health care reform is going to happen no matter what they do, and that aligning themselves with the Party of No will just deny them a seat at the table. (Republicans, after all, still denounce research into which medical procedures are effective and which are not as a dastardly plot to deprive Americans of their freedom to choose.)”
Krugman, I think condescendingly because he probably knows better, always seems to frame his arguments in this played out dichotomy of the hard working American against the evil Republicans (they’re always an entity – he never seems to have beef with just one).
The “presumably” in that sentence clues you in to the fact that we should just trust him and no he won’t provide any evidence. He mentions their past lobbying and ties to Republicans but if they’re not lobbying against it anymore and they’re breaking their ties to Republicans then that’s a good thing, no? I mean if you wanted to interest us why not write about the concessions Obama might have to make to them if he accepts their help knowing that in the past they lobbied against health care reform. I don’t know why, but he doesn’t and instead we get a column that seems to me mostly about some vague distrust of these companies and Republicans (which Krugman imagines as all powerful, inefficient, dumb and tactful all at the same time).
Finally, I would like to take this time invite you all to join me in trying to figure out a way stop the op-ed writers at the New York Times from using cutesy dismissive names for things they don’t like (see Maureen Dowd, Thomas Friedman).
[...] who I don’t often agree with said this another way. Democrats in both houses already voted for this. It’s too late to [...]