Monday punditry, of a delicate and subtle flavor. Like anchovies.
Paul Krugman:
Tensions are rising over Chinese economic policy, and rightly so: China’s policy of keeping its currency, the renminbi, undervalued has become a significant drag on global economic recovery. Something must be done.
But we owe them. So how does that work?
It’s true that if China dumped its U.S. assets the value of the dollar would fall against other major currencies, such as the euro. But that would be a good thing for the United States, since it would make our goods more competitive and reduce our trade deficit. On the other hand, it would be a bad thing for China, which would suffer large losses on its dollar holdings. In short, right now America has China over a barrel, not the other way around.
So we have no reason to fear China. But what should we do?
Krugman says play hardball.
Ross Douthat goes to the movies:
Our nation might be less divided, and our debates less poisonous, if more artists were capable of showing us the ironies, ambiguities and tragedies inherent in our politics — rather than comforting us with portraits of a world divided cleanly into good and evil.
Don't blame Hollywood, Ross. Blame Bush and Glen Beck and Fox News. Until you confront the truth, your column will continue to be one dimensional.
WaPo:
Obama's focus on financial rules, Supreme Court opinion could aid Democrats
Despite holding high-profile meetings last week on energy and immigration reform, President Obama will focus the next few months on two issues that could help his party in November: stronger financial regulations and ways to mitigate a Supreme Court ruling that allows direct corporate spending on behalf of candidates.
It must have pained them to write that headline. In any case, see bobswern's diary on Chris Dodd's opening salvo.
Tom Davis (ex-R-VA):
Eight months is an eternity, full of surprises, unpredictable events and chess moves from both sides that can affect the outcome and alter the course of history.
For Democrats, the path is clear but decidedly uphill. For Republicans, the future appears sunny, though storm clouds could gather.
Republicans have to watch out for pitfalls. If the 2010 elections are a referendum on Democratic performance, the year belongs to the GOP.
But Republican leaders need to be wary of traps set by the Democrats to make the elections a choice between competing visions. An election based on choice will significantly temper Republican gains. After all, the voters rebuked the GOP in ’06 and ’08, and memories are not that short.
Davis is a smart guy.
Republican leaders also need to measure their words and actions so that they do not drive away independents or motivate complacent Democrats. The GOP base is already motivated — against the Democratic agenda. Red meat is more likely to awaken the Obama surge voters than to prompt additional turnout among Republicans.
But can they resist? I doubt it, not with teabaggers, Fox News and other right flank loonies pushing them.
Robert J. Samuelson shows why he can't be depended upon to interpret health reform.
How often, for example, have you heard the emergency-room argument? The uninsured, it's said, use emergency rooms for primary care. That's expensive and ineffective. Once they're insured, they'll have regular doctors. Care will improve; costs will decline. Everyone wins. Great argument. Unfortunately, it's untrue.
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A study by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that the insured accounted for 83 percent of emergency-room visits, reflecting their share of the population. After Massachusetts adopted universal insurance, emergency-room use remained higher than the national average, an Urban Institute study found. More than two-fifths of visits represented non-emergencies.
A), that means 3/5 are emergencies and 2) access to care is a different reform than financing, and both are different than quality. (Did you just see A) and 2)? I love doing that.) Most Emergency Departments have "urgent care" fast tracks and they compete with "doc in the box" urgent care centers (which actually give decent short term care) but with better hours. IOW, it's a feature, not a bug. The 3/5 "true" emergency visits are the health issue. The 2/5 urgent visits are a competitive business model. You might as well rail about 24 hour stores being open at midnight even though there's more traffic during the day. And get off my lawn.