The Final Distraction: McCain/Palin Worse Than Bush

We all know McCain has sold his soul to win. Big mistake: the Democrats are taking the GOP bait, especially on Palin. She is the ultimate distraction. If we're not careful she'll be the final distraction. The perfect new celebrity -- Sarah Barracuda -- to capture the message in the 24-hour spin orgy, all the while attacking Obama as an elite celebrity. Any narrative that focuses on her -- any -- is a win for Republicans, carrying an undercurrent of race wars, gender wars, class wars. All ending with a debate on God and a return visit to Rev. Wright.

Palin is a gateway drug to a back-alley brawl Obama can't win. A Joseph Conrad-produced reality show/sitcom with Palin replacing Roseanne Barr fighting for the little guy with sass and sex. Wonderful.

Watch McCain repeat "maverick" 300 times a day, like a mantra, 'til Election Day. Republicans and hockey moms against corruption and Lear jets. Orwell for second graders: distraction and chaos, phony scandals and bullshit patriotics from the crew that would install an inexperienced neophyte -- not even put through the crucible of the national stage -- a heartbeat away from the greatest nuclear arsenal the world has ever known, and not blink. Darkest reptilian politics that speak to the ultimate calcified cynicism of Republicans.

Democrats need to ignore her -- unless she speaks about policy -- maybe she can explain and solve the collapsing world markets -- and keep the focus relentlessly on the disastrous results of Bush/McCain/Republican rule. They need to remind voters of the disasters of the last seven-plus years. Specifically. And as people have been saying, we need to be mad as well as inspired.

John McCain is the Republican Party as much as Bush -- we need to be constantly reminded of the policies (and, yes, the crimes) that are threatening this country from within.

Obama must hit Republicans ten times harder. Let's hear about war profiteering, taxpayer-funded mercenary armies and privatizing core functions of state, habeas corpus and warrantless wiretapping and presidential signing statements, and Katrina and justice department politicization, and phony intel and Abu Ghraib, rendition and torture.

If the Democratic leadership wants to disregard its base and continue to disregard the rule of law, they deserve to lose...and will. Let's hope the Obama campaign doesn't come to this conclusion 10 days out. He needs to articulate his vision of the future, but he also needs to articulate a version of reality. The fiercest urgency is needed now.

But some other fundamentals seem to be lost in the frenzy. McCain is no maverick, but it is worth understanding why the rabid right wing is cheering his call for government "reform" and to change "how government works at every level."

McCain won't just be more of the same -- it will be worse than Bush-Cheney -- using the disasters of the past eight years and the actual crises we face to double down on the American Enterprise/Heritage Foundation vision of government that desires, as Grover Norquist said, to shrink government until "we can drown it in a bathtub."

I would recommend a return visit to the groundbreaking Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein.

McCain, who said he knows nothing about economics, will surely hand over the reins to the Friedmanites and neoconservatives who have sent the country on a path to ruin. Anyone looking at his team could tell you that. Palin and the interests she represents are even further to the right.

Now, no one in their right mind -- including reasonable independents and Republicans -- wants to double down on neocon ideology, but here comes the "maverick" and his economic advisers to use the crises we face to implement more "change" and "reform" to the system by privatizing everything in sight. Is this what the American people want? When they are aware of it, the answer is always no. It's the same bullshit re-branded.

It may happen in a shock therapy in the first 100 days, or financial chaos may force them to wait until things stabilize, but sooner or later they will follow their fundamentalist creed. Ruin the government you are purporting to run and turn it over to privatization frenzy, creating a shadow government of private corporate rule. That's the whole idea.

So let's brand bust this maverick gibberish but understand the coded language that belies their true mission... we should take them at the true meaning of their words.

Not just more of the same -- worse than the same. Times of crisis are great opportunities to implement the radical agendas we usually reject.

That's also the idea.

McCain and the neocon ideologues won't "reform" government, they will gut government and privatize everything in sight in the name of responding to the crises they helped engineer through Bush and Cheney. Their view of government is the reverse of the Hippocratic Oath: do harm and then when the patient is sick, give the wrong medicine, watch him die, and sell off the body parts.

They will destroy the Department of Energy, HUD and anything else they can get their hands on. With this crew, all you need to do is destroy government, privatize it and get out of the way, and then a magic utopia appears. Well, actually it doesn't, but a lot of connected people get rich, and in the privatized war business, blood money flows and a fuck of a lot of innocent people die. The numbers and the misery are staggering. The legacy of Bush/McCain is a legacy of shame. Any man that stood with this criminal administration should be forced to answer for it.

The Republicans have been ruinous and most of it stems from an ideology that leaves the government in ruins. McCain has been on board hook, line and sinker. He voted with Bush over 90% of the time. End of story.

It is fundamentally corrupt and dishonest to call it reform when leaders want to cripple government, then hand it over to private industry, usually subsidized by taxpayers, but for other people's profits. More like contempt for government.

Red meat for dummies... a horror show for the rest of us.

Obama needs to explain to the country what this will cost us in real terms -- however many billions a day in Iraq and what that could buy, repair, fix, and allow in human terms -- ask us if can we afford it, and Obama must -- to use imagery the neocons can understand -- knock them down, put his boots on their throats, and never let up.

Comments

[OETKB]

Let's put the picture of this corrupt politician into the backdrop of the tableau of the state of Alaska. Gov Palin is a corrupt politician since she makes deals in secret, hires her buddies who are not qualified, and only communicates with a select group as governor. She also is a religious fanatic whose beliefs dictate her agenda. Her corruption is not based on lining her pockets but moving her state to be prepared for the "End Days."

Alaska itself is no model for the rest of the nation. It is totally dependent on the rest of the country to exist. With supposed rich resources it has the highest price for a gallon of gas in the US. Their so called riches are in the ground but they have no capacity to turn it into usable products.

Wake up America! She is part of our problem, not its solution.

[joannericec]

Wow, John, that takes my breath away! And, I sincerely hope Barrack has an opportunity to read your powerful piece altho' it sure seems he's going in that direction. I was taken, too, with your recent TV spot and hope you do more of them. And, please forgive me for veering off message here...but, "Serendipity" is intoxicatingly wonderful! My favorite escape.

[SoonerThought]

Palin is a sideshow, right on. Focus on McCain. I do these days...though I must admit it is tough to ignore her: she's such an easy target. http://soonerthought.blogspot.com/

[andmyopinionis]

If the entire Bush Administration and their gooooood friends would empty their pockets before leaving the white house, the taxpayers would collect much more than is needed for this significant bail out. If only the theives would fest up. Fat chance.....

[andthenshesaid]

Very eloquently put, Mr Cuzack. Interesting. Went forward to see that UTube flick of Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein and it sadly makes sense. It appears that, when the rest of us are in a state of shock, it's a good agenda decoy for the timing of "The Big Players" to "get their gonads on". And Daveinoz, I checked out that recommended video of Carlin on UTube also. Carlin was ahead of his time and strangely forecasting the WallStreet incident we are now seeing. Observing the Keynesian Policy and Phillips Curve of economics there appears to be an exception at this time. There is no lower unemployment thus allowing for the high rate of inflation to stabilize the situation. There is no lower rate of inflation to counter high unemployment as we are seeing now. There is a jump in unemployment and we are seeing inflation of prices. Guess the point is, how will we correct the situation as it does not appear to be correcting itself at this time. Do we "ride it out" or do we approach it in a more cerebral (mixed with common sense) manner? In other words, one finger plugging a hole in the dam is not going to fix the dam, damnit. And I certainly do not trust McBush/Pal­incomparis­on to lead our country as they will drive it further into the ground and beyond. "Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall..." Obama/Biden in 2008 (dammit!!!)

[Yermammy]

Truth to Power. I have always admired you, John, and your movie about the absurdity of war (and this criminal administration) has endeared me to you and what your views mean to America. You are definitely on my list of "Fan of" at this blog (or any other). As a die hard activist for ALL of our personal right and freedoms, I can say, with certainty, that you are correct in your assessment. A complacent public will be the doom of this country. I don't know what it'll take to make people understand that things have come to a breaking point (maybe battle tanks rolling down Main St. will get their attention- by then, far too late for civil discourse). I'm guessing people are just numb from the outright barrage on our sensibilities and have receded into their shells of electronic games and reality shows. People refuse to believe that History is being made every single day and the situation is dire beyond belief- therefore they don't. You are right up there with the best of patriots this country has produced. Godspeed, John.

[2lib4oh]

Truth is intoxicating isn't it? John is right about Obama's task but we as citizens have to watch his back too in our own local political arenas.

"You have the power!" Obama says.We, as citizens, have the duty to police the bad behavior of Rethugs in our own state governments..Right now in OHIO the Rethugs are taking aim at our Democratic Secretary of State. They are trying to discredit her by making false claims of voter disenfranchisement. Which is a total joke if you know Ohio politics (Ken Blackwell).

Ohio has a Democratic Gov.SOS, Treasurer, and AG but they have a Republican Legislature.The Ohio Supreme Court is responsible for making the laws yet they want to hold the SOS responsible for laws they created! The McCain Campaign sent out an absentee application ballot with an extra unnecessary box to check to signify that the voter is registered to vote.Problem is, a lot of voters didn't check it making the application void.The SOS immediately sent out the Ohio's own ballot application form to these voters to prevent them from losing their eligibility.What do the Rethugs do?
They file a law suit against her! Their goal is to create enough fake outrage to have her unseated
in 2010. Be aware citizens! They are attacking at many levels.It requires unwavering eternal vigilance to prevent them destroying good government from the bottom up.

[Mariel]

Do I ever agree! That the shadow government is operating things under the present administration and congress. And that McCain would probably continue this.

But I don't see Obama changing all this. We should have opted for Ron Paul. Or even Duncan Hunter or Mike Huckabee (the latter being not perfect on all issues, but obviously good enough to NOT be good enough to be McCain's VP).

[Coinyer101]

no more republicans ever!

[kein-name]

As always "Fat Cat Rule"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNZ3ZUxznuk

[ladycubsfan]

John,

I've always been a fan of yours when it comes to acting, but I had no idea you were so smart ( no offense!) and such a good writer! Sadly, too many people will be quick to dismiss your opinions because you're from "Hollywood." As an American citizen, you have as much right as anyone else to voice your political views. I commend you for this and I hope you can get through to those who are blind to the dangers a McCain/Palin win pose to us all.
On a side note: How about those Cubs? WooHoo!!!
Obama/Cubs 2008, Yeah, baby!!!!

[MPeter]

He is as brilliant as they come. I am a fan. Dems had better heed your words of wisdom. McPalin is the final WMD. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59mOukUZNUo

[BarryF]

I'm glad McCain is a "uniter, not a divider." (Has a familiar ring to it, eh?)

[epitome]

I have read Naomi Kleins book and it was one of the scariest reads ive ever read.Granted it was a great book but i guess there are times id rather take the blue pill i guess lol.But if our country is headed down the road the numerous ones she listed are headed down from that chicago boys ideaology?Then it just makes me wonder how much longer this country has left of any kind of freedom.

[Yermammy]

Your adjective of a Harvard Law Review Head as "boy" speaks volumes about you and your (lack of) moral upbringing. Shrill racist innuendo has no place on this website, especially on this fine article by John. You're a disgrace to the human species.

[sedum]

Yermammy,

Congratulations on understanding epitome. I couldn't make head nor tales of it so I checked her/his comment log and found all sorts of lib stuff so it's all too confusing
Conclusion. A recovering pug who hasn't yet learned the art of diplomacy or a disrespectful Hill-shill.

I'm a diehard Hillary fan and know that her future will be large but I'm also an
Obama fan and know that the only way to have a future of any kind is to put it in his capable hands.

[Mojane]

Your arms are draggin', your forehead has a pronounced slope, a bit bulbous and unfortunately way beyond anything a plastic surgeon could fix. P.S. It's okay if you decide to go back to school to get an education....I promise, it's not really elitist.....just a smart move.

[Bateman]

John, I'm sorry to be off topic, but ...

I just saw Igor. At one level, a whimsical kids' movie with terrific visual design. I know you didn't write it, but maybe you can answer a question. Is it supposed to be a geopolitical parable with Malaria = America, King Malbert = Bush, clouds = terrorist bogeyman, evil = neocon ideology?

I'm not saying that's my own geopolitical view; I'm saying that's my perception of what the movie was suggesting. Or am I reading too much into it?

[Badergin]

I have to say, for the first time in my children's lives, I'm afraid for their future in this country. If the current administration continues with the election of McCain, what is to become of us? Obama must win if America has a chance at recovery. It's not too late!

[lenzorizzo]

What, you weren't paying attention in 2000? Or maybe you didn't have kids then.

[Yermammy]

I'll forgive foolish choices people made in 2000. Not so much in 2004. Now if you do, knowing what you do now, then there's no hope for you or you ever recovering. You have to choices. Ones not great, but the other one is appalling. Obama/Biden in this pivotal year of America's survival and the Rule of Laws.

[citizenNW]

Mr. Cusack, indeed this economic crisis is turning into another "shock therapy" as per N. Klein's very important book. Notice today [9/19/08] Paulsen and W. urged haste for Congress to pass their plan [not a plan created by the Congress] to give hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars to Wall street firms, urging that their plan be passed before the September Congressional recess. Congress, with elections coming, will not want to look as if its is ignoring the crisis. Meanwhile, while their plan calls for more welfare for the ultra-rich and their companies, it offers nothing for Americans who are losing their homes. With the urgency, there will be little to no debate [like with the Iraq war], and while there are other options [hear Robert Reich on Marketplace tonight for an example], those will not be considered due to the hastiness to pass something. By the shock doctrine, likely as the crisis deepens, there will be a further push to sell-off what is left of the commonwealth to the lowest bidders. Folks who have not read Klein's book would be wise to do so now. Good luck, America!

[politicky]

Russia is the next Lehmans, AIG
Posted: September 18, 2008, 12:02 PM by Diane Francis
Greed, Energy, Russia, U.S. Politics
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/francis/archive/2008/09/18/191444.aspx

[Yermammy]

Don't bet your life on it. Russians are far tougher than we are in every way. Russians know hardship and can survive what would kill you in a matter of weeks (if not days). Russia doesn't concern itself with aesthetics or polish, rather functionality and effectiveness (look no further than the superb AK-47). If your banking on Russia to fail, well... I have a bank share, I own, I'd like to sell you.