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You don’t get to peddle hatred on saturday and offer condolences on sunday.

No one could have predicted…

Lick the third rail, it tastes like chocolate!

He seems like a smart guy, but JFC, what a dick!

This country desperately needs a functioning fourth estate.

A snarling mass of vitriolic jackals

The next time the wall street journal editorial board speaks the truth will be the first.

Teach a man to fish, and he’ll sit in a boat all day drinking beer.

Today’s gop: why go just far enough when too far is right there?

Motto for the House: Flip 5 and lose none.

Republicans want to make it harder to vote and easier for them to cheat.

There are times when telling just part of the truth is effectively a lie.

Is trump is trying to break black America over his knee? signs point to ‘yes’.

The poor and middle-class pay taxes, the rich pay accountants, the wealthy pay politicians.

We can’t confuse what’s necessary to win elections with the policies that we want to implement when we do.

Baby steps, because the Republican Party is full of angry babies.

My right to basic bodily autonomy is not on the table. that’s the new deal.

When I decide to be condescending, you won’t have to dream up a fantasy about it.

The cruelty is the point; the law be damned.

You know it’s bad when the Project 2025 people have to create training videos on “How To Be Normal”.

This year has been the longest three days of putin’s life.

Thanks to your bullshit, we are now under siege.

Republicans don’t want a speaker to lead them; they want a hostage.

You are here: Home / Economics / Free Markets Solve Everything / There’s An Evil Virus That’s a Threat To All Mankind

Reader Interactions

65Comments

  1. 1.

    MikeTheZ

    But the invisible hand of the free market will protect the rich-er-virtuous from the evil virus!

  2. 2.

    MikeTheZ

    But the invisible hand of the free market will protect the rich-er-virtuous from the evil virus!

  3. 3.

    Poopyman

    Postscript: I would assume that GOP leaders would defend these cuts with the same line they always use: “We’re broke.” But we’re not, and if Republicans believe we can afford tax cuts and wars, but not immunizations for low-income children, that’s pretty twisted.

    Yeah, but that’s exactly how they roll.

  4. 4.

    The Political Nihilist Formerly Known As Kryptik

    Remember, the Government doing anything to promote health is SOSHULIZMS!

  5. 5.

    MeDrewNotYou

    “I don’t want to live on this planet anymore.”
    Dr. Farnsworth, Futurama

    On the bright side, Republicans are protecting our children from autism! Thank you guys!
    /snark

  7. 7.

    The Political Nihilist Formerly Known As Kryptik

    Postscript: I would assume that GOP leaders would defend these cuts with the same line they always use: “We’re broke.” But we’re not, and if Republicans believe we can afford tax cuts and wars, but not immunizations for low-income children, that’s pretty twisted.

    Steve has forgotten that the GOP inherently think Tax Cuts don’t have to be offset, that they’re not a cost to anything, thus we can always afford them. I agree with twisted thinking, but he gives the Republicans too much credit with that ‘if’.

  8. 8.

    Hermione Granger-Weasley

    Well the older tomahawks would be scrapped (or given away as military aid). so actually using the old ones really shouldn’t count in figuring the expense of the attack. it is, after all, a sunk cost which will never be recovered. At least this way we get some good out of them.
    From the Father of Warpimps Blog.

    Comment by the beancounter on March 20, 2011 – 12:08pm
    For those who caught the Q&A
    __
    For those who caught the Q&A ,yesterday, where the Vice Admiral stated “It was a mixture of our old Tomahawks and the newer tactical Tomahawks” and were curious about the cost of the new “tactical Tomahawks”: They cost a bit more than the old ones did , $731,501 ea in 2006
    __
    Really, though, expending them yesterday was a cost-saving move. It’s not like we pay for them as they come off the rail; they were already paid for. Weapons off-load for the returning vessels will be a shorter evolution. And ddn’t forget the costs of storing and maintaining these buggers. They only care and feed themselves once fired.

    Defangularium!

  9. 9.

    Just Some Fuckhead

    If we could figure out to make viruses attack just brown people with oil, we could save some money here and there.

  11. 11.

    Punchy

    Oh Lord, you may have answered my prayers….

    From:

    The increasing dominance of Iowa’s social and religious conservatives presents challenges to GOP presidential candidates as they start trooping in earnest to the state whose precinct caucuses traditionally launch the presidential nominating season.
    ……
    Unlike at the national level where social issues are taking a backseat to the economy, there’s no sign that Iowa Republicans are moving away from discussing topics like gay marriage and abortion.

    Please please PLEASE focus all your energy on abortion and gay marriage. Especially gay marriage. Devote all resources and money on this topic alone. Please.

  13. 13.

    Holden Pattern

    @Just Some Fuckhead:

    If we could figure out to make viruses attack just brown people with oil, we could save some money here and there.

    What if we custom-designed some viruses to turn brown people into oil? Doubleplusgood!

  15. 15.

    The Political Nihilist Formerly Known As Kryptik

    @Punchy:

    I’ll agree with focusing on gay marriage. But abortion…well, fuck, tea-pocrisy is winning the battle on that sadly.

  16. 16.

    Parallel 5ths (Irish Steel)

    What costs more? Immunization programs or lots of tiny coffins?

    OT, but first Spencer said, “Bosnia.” To which Cisco replied “Iraq.” Back and forth. ‘Til it was “Arab League” and “mission creep.” Then it was on!

  17. 17.

    The Dangerman

    Think of it as a jobs program for Raytheon that will have zero Republican opposition (missile inventory will have to be replenished, after all).

  18. 18.

    malraux

    I’ve often wondered if hypermilitarism is a part of the starve the beast strategy or just coincidental synergetic.

  20. 20.

    Hermione Granger-Weasley

    @Comrade DougJ:

    Kill them with autism instead of bombs.

    a lot of the conservative resistance to immunization programs devolved from the faked autism correlation data. Conservative Death Eaters are notoriously science averse.

  22. 22.

    Scamp Dog

    The purpose of government is to do things to people, not for people. Hence, wars and imprisonment are suitable government activities. Anything else is soc1alism.

  24. 24.

    ColeFan

    Wait, the Republicans are firing those cruise missiles? Christ, Cole, you’re as partisan and stupid as ever.

  25. 25.

    joe from Lowell

    If Republicans controlled the House and there was no Libya action, would this cut be on the table? Yes.

    If Democrats controlled the House during this Libya action, would this cut be on the table? No.

    Don’t let these bastards off the hook. There is exactly one appropriate target to blame here.

  26. 26.

    Svensker

    Because making sure the poor and ignorant don’t have communicable diseases is just sockalism. On the other hand, if all those poor and ignorant die of preventable disease that’s a win/win, isn’t it? Cuz all the good people will be immune?

    Whoever thought this up is a genius — taking out the hippie and buck spawn with one swell foop. I wonder if they’re worried that the price of T-bones and organic carrots could go down from lack of demand eventually, though.

  28. 28.

    cermet

    Even for thugs, this, I thought, would be beyond the pale – now I am starting to really understand what happened in the Balkans – these people do not belong on this planet except as dog food so they could be converted into their normal state – steaming pile of shit … assuming any dog wouldn’t be poisoned.

  29. 29.

    Ruckus

    I realize this was a rhetorical question but the cut is less than one fourth of the cost of the missiles fired on the first day.
    One fucking fourth. Less than 25%. One days worth of missiles.
    Conservatives boggle my mind.

  31. 31.

    Sister Machine Gun of Quiet Harmony

    Well, plenty of Dems have been hammering the GOP for their lack of a plan for addressing poverty. Here they show they do have a plan. They will reduce poverty by letting the poor die.

  32. 32.

    Villago Delenda Est

    There are no massive cost overrun profits in making simple vaccines, John. Contrast with the high six to seven figure price tag of one fucking cruise missile. That’s a lot of hookers and blow for the executive suites of Boeing and General Dynamics.

  33. 33.

    Barb (formerly Gex)

    @Svensker: There’s a tough line to skirt there, though. You can’t let enough serfs die such that there is upward pressure on wages. That’s when the let them die policy gets dicey.

  35. 35.

    BigHank53

    Ever wondered what it was like to live in a banana republic shithole? ‘Cause the GOP is determined that you should find out ASAP.

  36. 36.

    Linda Featheringill

    I have often asked how much it costs to bury a child, knowing that the answer is always “Way too much.” The actual money involved is a very small part of the total price.

  37. 37.

    Villago Delenda Est

    @BigHank53:

    I spent six months in Honduras in the mid 80’s.

    I’m pretty sure that’s the template the GOP is pushing to impose on the US.

  38. 38.

    Brachiator

    @Hermione Granger-Weasley:

    a lot of the conservative resistance to immunization programs devolved from the faked autism correlation data. Conservative Death Eaters are notoriously science averse.

    Huh? Much of the opposition to vaccination comes liberals, many of them the same morans who believe in the magical efficacy of “organic” foods and “natural” remedies.

    @Svensker:

    Because making sure the poor and ignorant don’t have communicable diseases is just sockalism. On the other hand, if all those poor and ignorant die of preventable disease that’s a win/win, isn’t it? Cuz all the good people will be immune?

    Sigh. There are probably some conservatives who believe that communicable diseases only target the poor or unworthy. But what the hell, I’ve always maintained that these people want to return the US to the year 1820, before large scale immigration, before the Civil War and emancipation, before unions.

    You know, the good old days when the US had Yellow Fever epidemics, wiping people out, without regard to wealth or status.

  39. 39.

    D-Chance.

    @Villago Delenda Est:

    Interesting you should mention Boeing and General Dynamics, if only because their highest-paid lackeys in Congress were both Democrats (Patty Murray for Boeing and John Murtha for General Dynamics).

  40. 40.

    Tsulagi

    I really should have known the Republicans would go after this next.

    Pretty much. They’ll rain their Beck/Orange Boner level tears while wailing about the sanctity of life needing to protect the fetus in the womb from evildoers. But once it draws a breath outside, fuck ‘em.

  42. 42.

    Kallisti

    I really wanted to get all righteous on my Republican Rep. over this, but Obama’s budget still cuts the CDC by $100 million as well.

  43. 43.

    Brachiator

    @Kallisti:

    I really wanted to get all righteous on my Republican Rep. over this, but Obama’s budget still cuts the CDC by $100 million as well.

    To be fair to both, you’d have to see the details of their proposed cuts.

  44. 44.

    Cris

    @D-Chance.: Anybody who says the Republicans are the War party and the Democrats are peace-loving is either naive or lying.

    This is why I roll my eyes at somebody who says “I’m not voting for Obama because of Libya.” In our two-party system, the major distinction is over domestic policy and spending priorities. American military superiority is bipartisan and unquestioned.

  45. 45.

    D-Chance.

    Maybe we could afford all this if we could just get Democrats to pay their “damn plane” taxes…

    BTW, I could never do it. I can only imagine the multi-multi-tasking involved in trying to caulk every crack, dot every “i”, and count every straw before launching into politics. But, still, it doesn’t look good when you’re a co-sponsor of a bill that you’re running afoul of.

  46. 46.

    Holden Pattern

    @Barb (formerly Gex):

    There’s a tough line to skirt there, though. You can’t let enough serfs die such that there is upward pressure on wages. That’s when the let them die policy gets dicey.

    Hence the attempts to eliminate access to birth control and abortion for the proles.

  47. 47.

    Yevgraf (fka Michael)

    You gotta love this – ‘Murkan retirees aren’t sticking with ‘Murka.

    investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/Article/566514/201103181902/Peace-And-Prosperity-Far-Away.htm

    “When you move to a foreign country, it’s like being reborn,” said Sholtis, who once worked as associate director of media resources at Rockefeller University in New York. “Everything is new; it really stimulates your mind.”
    …
    The Mexican lifestyle also is a lot cheaper — 40% or more by some estimates, depending on the locale.
    …
    “Here’s the amazing thing,” Sholtis said. “My real estate taxes are $175 — for the year. My water bill is less than $5 a month. My electric bill averages about $30 a month.”

    ‘Murkan exceptionalism – fuck yeah….

  48. 48.

    Holden Pattern

    @Yevgraf (fka Michael):

    ‘Murkan exceptionalism – fuck yeah….

    You do what you can, when you can, and then you triage…

    “Can” does a lot of work in there, doesn’t it? Almost like there are choices involved as to what you “can” do, and how you “triage”.

  49. 49.

    Otto Graf von Pfmidtnöchtler-Pízsmőgy (formerly Mumphrey, et al.)

    @Villago Delenda Est:

    Where were you in Honduras? I lived in Tela from 1994 to 1996, and, man, I tell you, I’d sure as hell rather be bringing up our child there right now than here. That’s a hell of a thing to say, but the way things are going here now, it’s true. A lot of it would be true anyway, even if one of our major parties weren’t becoming more fascist by the day. The food there is healthier; exercise is a normal part of life rather than something you have to make time for the way it is here; society is a lot more cohesive, you know all your neighbors and they’re your friends; needless to say, the weather’s better.

    But, I swear, the way we’re circling the drain here, Honduras looks better all the time. Hell, as long as I’m going to be living in a banana republic anyway, I might as well live in one where it’s always warm and I can pick avocados and oranges right off the tree in my own yard.

  50. 50.

    The Moar You Know

    “Here’s the amazing thing,” Sholtis said. “My real estate taxes are $175 — for the year. My water bill is less than $5 a month. My electric bill averages about $30 a month.”

    @Yevgraf (fka Michael): Yeah, about that. His real estate taxes are $175 for the year. In return for that, you get:

    Corrupt and wholly inadequate police protection
    No fire protection (privatized)
    No schools
    No ambulance
    Cash for service medical care only, no advanced facilities. You have a heart attack in San Felipe, you’re going to die because there’s no cath lab or even well-equipped small-town standard ERs there.

    His water bill is less than $5/month. That’s because you shouldn’t drink the water, because it’s not treated and it’s not tested. But it does consistently make people sick. It’s good for washing stuff, though. Except for dishes. They won’t let you use it for watering a lawn, because lawns are illegal. I’m kind of for that.

    Electric bill of $30/month? No way. The reason I know the above is because I’ve got relatives living down there, and the price of electricity – when it works – is about triple what it is here in San Diego, which has some of the highest electricity rates in the country.

    And it might not be a big deal for him, but it would be for me: online access. Insanely expensive for speeds that would have been slow a deacade ago. Telnor is one of the worst companies on the planet; shitty service, shitty product, sky-high prices.

    Gas is about 2/3 of what it is here, but most people don’t doa lot of driving, and it is kind of scary when you come up on a checkpoint with guys sitting around with M-16s – soldiers or criminals? You’ll find out, one way or another.

    FWIW, the soldiers are usually really nice. And the people are nice, with a sense of community you don’t find in America anymore. But let’s not bullshit ourselves; quality of life costs money, and if you drop your costs that much, you’re going to lose a lot in the process.

  51. 51.

    PIGL

    @Otto Graf von Pfmidtnöchtler-Pízsmőgy (formerly Mumphrey, et al.): Know who else is against everything that’s good and for everything that’s bad? Satan, that’s who.

    Republican’s are evil. There’s no two ways to it. They may act nice superficially, and go to Church on Sunday, but they are not good people. Good people can not be deceived into stoutly rejecting commmon decency.

    And yet the American people are poised to give the Republican Party a majority in the Senate. What’s it going to take? They are only one step from burning victims at the stake in front of the cheering multitude.

  52. 52.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @PIGL:

    And yet the American people are poised to give the Republican Party a majority in the Senate.

    Why do you say this? Link to polls? Anything?

  53. 53.

    jl

    They are nuts. They do want to take us back pre Enlightenmnet.

    What’s next up for elimination? Maybe obliteration of totalitarian ‘government run’ sewer systems and water treatment plants?

    Maybe those communist public storm drains and flood control infrastructure? I have long felt that one of the problems with Los Angeles is that the people’s spirit is crushed because they are surrounded (like fish in a barrel) by all those flood control drains, cachements, and little damlets in the surrounding mountains. Set them FREE, I SAY!

  54. 54.

    PIGL

    @Omnes Omnibus: It is what I thought I had been reading here and there lately, but I have not any particular link, and a 5 minute search shows nothing. I hope with all my heart that I am guilty of spreading unfounded rumour.

  55. 55.

    genetics prof

    Sorry to be pedantic, but whooping cough is a bacterium not a virus. And Republicans are in fact evil.

  56. 56.

    bemused

    Even kids that get all their immunizations are at more risk when there are more kids that don’t. Adults aren’t safe either. R’s in favor of cutting funds for immunizations, like most of their brilliant defunding ideas, never think it will ever impact their own lives. A few GOP legislators would have to come down with whooping cough before they figure this out.

  57. 57.

    Phoenician in a time of Romans

    @Holden Pattern:

    What if we custom-designed some viruses to turn brown people into oil? Doubleplusgood!

    Please don’t joke about that. Two days after that technology was invented, the wingnuts would be arguing that we need to liquify the fucking sand niggers in order to liberate them.

  58. 58.

    Wolfdaughter

    Sigh. Yep, Republicans are evil. And short-sighted.

    Bacteria and viruses won’t stop at the gates of their gated communities. So even if their kids go to elite private schools, or if they homeschool them, they still can get sick from diseases affecting children. And young adults these days, if they didn’t get vaccinations as children.

    The Dems are also letting a great propaganda opportunity pass here. Someone should put together a list of the Repubs’ proposed cuts, how much they add up to vs. the total expenditure pie, and what makes up the expenditure pie. And whom the Repubs’ cuts affect.

    Play this over and over again. I’d kick in some bucks to buy TV time for something like this.

  59. 59.

    Murphoney

    This story explains why the CDC called (and then called back) to try to conduct a survey with me inre: (1)immunization status and attitudes for persons 14yrs and under, (2) same, for infants 3yrs and under.

    I answered the call the second time but don’t have any of the target age-groups persons in the household, so we said our kind goodbyes.

  60. 60.

    RalfW

    Saving unborn babies is paramount. Letting them die of whooping cough is OK, though. Somehow, I just totally fail to grasp the morals of this bunch.

  62. 62.

    Xenos

    @RalfW: If your religion tells you the point of creation is to generate sin-free souls for Heaven to populate its armies of angels to fight against Satan, then the morals of it make some sense. It goes against the explicit moral instructions of you prophet/godhead, but if the whole system is geared to this end it can be pretty easy to rationalize.

    As a system of ethics it ranks up there with creating armies for Valhalla in the course of gaining honor and booty, but there you go.

  63. 63.

    Jebediah, a Bruce

    @cermet:

    these people do not belong on this planet except as dog food so they could be converted into their normal state – steaming pile of shit … assuming any dog wouldn’t be poisoned.

    I must warn you, sir, if either of my dogs develops so much as a tummy ache because you fed them any Republican, you may expect a sternly worded letter. Very sternly worded!

  64. 64.

    Yutsano

    @PIGL: FWIW Carlie Cook said it was likely, then walked it back because he realized teh crazy is still holding onto the Republicans. Remember, we were supposed to lose the Senate in 2010 too.

  65. 65.

    bob h

    Immunizing a child or giving he/her a nutritious lunch will endanger that child’s future, according to Republicans. (Orwell was the big winner in November).

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