This Essay is no big deal.
I simply had a few moments before the markets closed — as I watched the Dow crumble along with the Dollar — so I thought I would read a few blogs on the Right and see what they’re talking about today. I like to read the Right Wing blogs when they discuss the economy. The Right thinks America has a grrrreat economy. Most of the time, it’s really pretty funny (gawd they’re dumb) but overall, their “optimism” can be a soothing balm after a big dose of reality.
Anyway, I noticed four “busy” topics over there I thought I would bring back here. (Plus, I’ve added a little note on each about how your fellow-voters see America and your place in it):
Some House Backers of Thompson Are Starting to Lose the Faith
Several House Republicans who endorsed Fred Thompson for president now say that they are frustrated with what they view as an apathetic campaign, and at least one regrets having committed to the former Tennessee senator.
“I think he’s kind of done a belly flop,” said an estranged Thompson backer who indicated he will not pull his public support before the “Super Tuesday” primaries. “We’ll just wait till after Feb. 5 because I think he’s going to get beat.”
The disaffected members of team Thompson say that he has failed to put to rest whispers that he is unwilling to campaign hard enough to win the presidency.
“He seems to be perpetuating it instead of defeating it,” another dissatisfied Thompson backer told CQ Politics. “I can’t see me bailing on him, but there’s some frustration.”
___________________________________________________________________________Typical Right Wing Reaction: “I started reading the article, but I stopped because it was a crock.”
U.S. Prison System a ‘Costly Failure’
The report calls for a major overhaul of the US justice system.
The US prison population has risen eight-fold since 1970, with little impact on crime but at great cost to the taxpayer, researchers say.
There are more than 1.5 million people in US state and federal jails, a report by a Washington-based criminal justice research group, the JFA Institute says.
Inmate numbers are projected to rise by 192,000 in five years, costing $27.5bn (£13.44bn) to build and run jails.
The JFA recommends reducing the number and length of sentences.
The Unlocking America report, which was published on Monday, also advocated changing terms of parole and finding alternatives to prison as part of a major overhaul of the US justice system.
“There is no evidence that keeping people in prison longer makes us any safer,” said JFA president James Austin.
___________________________________________________________________________Typical Right Wing Reaction: “Liberals want prison reform because their base is mostly felons.”