Birther Crazy: Called It!

Back in 2009 I said birtherism was a long game, aimed at spreading Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt (FUD) for 2012. I hate being right.

Comment Elsewhere: The Birther Game

Over at Washington Monthly I wrote:

I've become convinced that the Birther meme is a long-term game. Nothing that happens now or in the near future matters, as long as the issue remains in the news on a regular basis. What matters is 2012, when Obama's electoral filings are going to be challenged everywhere. While those challenges have very little chance of succeeding individually, the complete derailing of political discourse -- and the potential for a bad judicial or commission decision is small but real -- will almost certainly be destabilizing.

Capitalism and its Discontents

Change comes from action. History is not a natural process, but the result of decisions made. Etc., Etc.

Capitalism, especially U.S. capitalism, will not simply collapse because it causes harm to the majority of Americans. In fact stock valuations rise with massive lay-offs and salary and benefit reductions. Nor will it decline by academic fiat deduced from general theory; nor will it inevitably decline because knowledgeable historians point to previous empires. Capitalism or any other mode of production can survive numerous crises unless a new class is able to overthrow it and replace it with another, presumably socialist system. In the meantime, in the present period, neither the internal mechanisms of capitalism are in disrepair, nor are the supporting cast of workers, consumers, and taxpayers showing any signs of rebellion, let alone organization.

-- James Petras, "Crisis of Capitalism" [subscribers only until June], Z Magazine, January 2007, p. 54.