Positively Krugman: on President Obama’s second Inaugural Address
“President Obama’s second Inaugural Address offered a lot for progressives to like. There was the spirited defense of gay rights; there was the equally spirited defense of the role of government, and, in particular, of the safety net provided by Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. But arguably the most encouraging thing of all was what he didn’t say: He barely mentioned the budget deficit.
“Mr. Obama’s clearly deliberate neglect of Washington’s favorite obsession was just the latest sign that the self-styled deficit hawks — better described as deficit scolds — are losing their hold over political discourse. And that’s a very good thing.
“Why have the deficit scolds lost their grip? I’d suggest four interrelated reasons.”
The reasons, in short:
1. Scolds cried wolf
2. Declining deficits and public spending
3. Failure of fiscal austerity in practice
4. Agenda increasingly exposed
River of Asymmetry 