'The Krugman Blues': Loudon Wainwright Takes On NYT Columnist In Song (VIDEO)

Paul Krurgman, the Nobel Prize-winning NYT columnist is everywhere of late -- including in verse. Calculated Risk points us to a recent performance of "The Krugman Blues" by Loudon Wainwright III in Madison Square Park.

If you've been following the financial news lately, you've no doubt seen - or empathized with -- Krugman's dour takes on souring economy. Wainwright put this way: "I guess that I identify with that pissed off look on his face."

Here's more: "I read the New York Times, that's where I get the news. Paul Krugman's on the Op Ed page, that's where I get the blues."

Wainwright takes a shot at Princeton, where Krugman teaches :

"Sometimes when he's on the TV in the background you can spot his school logo. Yes, that's right, Paul teaches at Princeton, so Krugman ought to know."

WATCH:

Get HuffPost Business On Facebook and Twitter!

Comments

[iblogleft]

Typical to attack intellect with emotion.

[Goliadkin]

I don't read it as an attack at all. It's more of an homage, IMHO. Loudon is not a right-winger at all. He's just a funny man and a great songwriter.

[bdaved]

Or to criticize from ignorance.

[tjskimt]

If I'm ever feeling too up I can always count on Paul to bring me right down. The glass ain't simply half empty for dour Paul. It's been broken, crushed into razor sharp shards and rammed up his poop chute. A weekend alone with The Prince of Darkness and I'd want to commit suicide.

[Joe Caps]

Krugman is a tool for the financial industry. No surprise he is pushing another bailout. He wants to take as much money from the people as possible and distribute it to the elites.

"The Americans must not be trusted to spend their own money!" -Krugman

[stevensnell]

Somehow I don't think that's a real quote...

[Jimboz22]

Mr. Caps, you must be living in another universe. In this one, Krugman is the most consistent progressive champion in the mainstream media. He's pushing for another stimulus, which goes to, you know, schools, local governments, and folks building bridges, not the financial industry. He's long argued for the temporary nationalization of the banks, not bailouts.

Your assessment is terribly wrong. Unless of course your definition of "the people" is the absurdly rich and your definition of "the elites" are working people.

[jekyll]

Krugman has been repeatedly dismantled by Tom Woods, Peter Schiff, Robert Higgs, Robert Murphy, and every other Austrian economist. These economists actually predicted and warned of this crisis years ago!! Also Krugman's economic and historic fallacies of the 1930's is outright laughable. I'm amazed at how anyone still considers this man as an expert in anything. Yet Huffinton Post continues to idolize this dolt.

[AndybHoboken]

Nothing against paul personally but F princeton. nothing good comes out of there except arrogance.

[RobinLandseadel]

I've been listening to Loudon since 1971. One of my favorite singer/songwiters. Here's one of his best, from just a few years ago:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPTkkqqzf90

[Fabini]

"I've been listening to Loudon since 1971."

I became aware when he showed up on M.A.S.H.
Loudon Wainwright III is the best chronicler of American middle class neurosis. He is the singing John Updike. He is the amusing Bob Dylan.

[winchestereast]

hard to lampoon a man who's been right so often, but everyone's gotta give it a try - no matter - same people who don't understand enough science to believe the globe is in peril, also don't understand enough economics to know the game has been rigged for a long time - THANKS, KRUGMAN, FOR BEING THERE TO SPELL IT OUT - the brainiacs and wonks are on your side - unfortunately, we're all riding in the same sinking ship , with the tiller manned mostly by idiots - HOPE OUR LUCK CHANGES -

[jeremyemilio]

Put down your Krugman and pick up you Taleb.

(If you'd like to see where "the brainiacs and wonks" are really hanging out these days, that is.)

[Goliadkin]

This is not a "lampoon" of Paul Krugman. It's a light-hearted appreciation and an homage. For those who understand anything at all.

[research]

7 trillion to the banksters, 1 trillion to mainstreet and most of the to large companies.

And you folks still think Paul is wrong?

[exitBxC]

The lyric says "He teaches at Princeton" -there is no mention of "alma mater" Pay attention, makes things easier.

[larmar]

The Paul Krugman negative train. Toot ! Toot !

[jlab]

God, he was great, wasn't he? Crazy how pale he was, and those dance moves used to be more energetic. But I had no idea he played the guitar and wrote funny lyrics. We miss you, Michael!

[Jeffery Edwards]

HAH! Good one.

[NWNHNM]

Princeton is not Krugman's alma mater. He went to MIT and Yale. He teaches at Princeton.

[AgentMacGyver]

Sadly, Ryan McCarthy is probably a college graduate himself.

[HistoryGeek]

I like it!