[PEN-L:11453] Re: child tax credit

[James Devine <jdevine@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Rakesh writes: >Clinton is just using tax policy against those whom he
doesn't have the guts to call openly "the unfit". <

I think it's a mistake to focus too much on the mental processes inside
Clinton's head. This leads to too much moralism, too much crying about
Clinton's bad attitudes, too much focus on personalities. It's clear,
however, that the _objective_ results of his policies are anti-poor and
racist.

It's also clear that Clinton lacks the guts for _anything_. The reason he
is in favor of screwing the poor is (1) they don't have the money to
contribute to his or his party's war chest and (2) they're not organized
politically, pressuring the Beltway Bandits to do things for them. And of
course, events such as the riot/rebellion/civil disturbance in Los Angeles
a few years ago (a temporary substitute for serious political organizing)
are dim memories at this point. Anyway, such problems have been prevented
(so far) by tossing a large chunk of the impoverished youth into prison as
part of the "war on drugs."

When Doug writes about dueling versions of meanness, it reminds me of
"dueling banjos" in the film "Deliverance." I guess we've already seen the
kind of rape scene that occurs in that movie, this time as government policy.

BTW, the letter I posted to pen-l a couple of days ago concerning
affirmative action seems likely to be published in the L.A. TIMES early
next week. A cue for would-be letters to the editors writers: keep 'em
short and witty. This has always worked for me.

that's it for today.

in pen-l solidarity,

Jim Devine   jdevine@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Econ. Dept., Loyola Marymount Univ.
7900 Loyola Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045-8410 USA
310/338-2948 (daytime, during workweek); FAX: 310/338-1950
"Segui il tuo corso, e lascia dir le genti." (Go your own way
and let people talk.) -- K. Marx, paraphrasing Dante A.