A Pig with Earrings Is Still a Pig
P. Schultz
March 1, 2013
There is an
old saying that if you put earrings and make-up on a pig you still have a pig!
Indeed and below is an article from the NY Times today that is the
“intellectual” version of putting earrings on a pig. This guy argues that
sequestration is about “a deep philosophical divide” between the Republicans
and the Democrats. And then he writes:
“But a step back [from the current
rhetoric] illuminates roots deeper than the prevailing notion that Washington
politicians are simply fools acting for electoral advantage or partisan spite.”
Now,
to be clear, I agree with Harwood that our politicians are not “simply fools”
but am laughing at the thought that Harwood wants to turn this into a “philosophic”
dispute. This reminds of my life experiences in academe where what is called
“curriculum review and reform” is always dressed up as a “philosophical”
dispute when, in fact, it is almost always merely a turf battle. Different
departments want to preserve their “turf” so they their departments can retain
their power and status within the institution.
And
this is precisely what is happening here, a turf battle both between and within
our “two” parties. Of course, our politicians are not as adept as are academics
at dressing up their disputes as “philosophic.” But then politicians are not as
well rehearsed in using “philosophic” language and not the “intellectual
bullies” that academics are.
Still,
this is what passes for “analysis” in our “paper of record.” And with this kind
of analysis we can go on living in our delusional world, hoping things will get
better when they will not and even cannot. And they cannot because those with
the power are not actually interested in making things better but are only
interested in preserving their power and status.
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