Pete and Repeat (with a Machiavellian Thread)

So I have nothing new today. Please read the three great threads on GIRLS, TYLER COWEN, and Carl’s view of LIBERTY. There’s nothing else going on anywhere that’s smarter and more timely than they are.

Most important, for now, is Pete’s post below this one. I would summarize as follows: The shutdown could be justified as the House using a “constitutional means” to highlight huge political problems and suggest modest attempts at partial solutions that might be acceptable to the president and implemented right now. That teaching method or putting those modest demands in NEON LETTERS FOR ALL TO SEE is not being used. The Republican really rich guys and their consultants are worthless. The Republicans need a statesman who could reach beyond preaching to the base. That’s tough to do that given the collusion between the Democrats and MSM, but not impossible. Goals such as stopping Obamacare or big-time entitlement reform can’t be achieved through the shutdown. Among the reasons: Republicans lack the mandate (having not gone for it in the recent election disastrously mismanaged by the consultants), and there’s no popular uprising. Plus, there’s no actual crisis dire or at least imminent enough to justify this approach. Shutting down the government is being exploited and overhyped by the Democrats. Sure. Stop whining! What else would you expect? Still, there are also some really bad things about the shutdown (and being perceived as responsible for it), as there are in playing chicken with the debt ceiling and all that. What’s the way out? To begin with, listen to Yuval and Pete.