Fighting for Nebraska – Feb 1, 2009

Posted by neal

from the Lincoln Journal Star

renewable energy stimulus education social services jeff fortenberry adrian smith lee terry

It’s been fun watching Republicans justify their total opposition to the stimulus package. The “Deficits are bad, therefore we should have new permanent tax cuts” one was fun … the “Hopefully the economy will tank and then we can say ‘I told you so!’ and all the voters will suddenly love us for it” rationale was great … but my new favorite is “Rahm Emmanuel hurt our feelings.”

Happy Inauguration – Jan 21, 2009

Posted by neal

from the Lincoln Journal Star

barack obama inauguration health care pete stark stimulus infrastructure tax cuts

I found out about 10 minutes before I needed to have my final idea approved that I could submit an Inauguration idea, so this was a pretty extemporaneous and unfiltered collection of thoughts. Usually my LJS cartoons are pretty restricted to local issues, but my editor thought it was a unique enough occasion that I could step out of those usual confines.

I was motivated to respond — maybe too bitterly — to the gleefully ignorant cynicism that many seem to think is interchangeable with critical analysis. I’m sure I’ll disagree with a lot of what comes of the next four years in the name of compromise and inclusion, but what inspires me and fills me with hope about this administration is the willingness to discuss these issues as adults — and the desire to be the government for all Americans, not just the ones who voted for the winner.
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Fiscal conservatism – Jan 18, 2009

Posted by neal

from the Lincoln Journal Star

jeff fortenberry fiscal conservative stimulus plan barack obama

I got a kick out of this quote from Andrew Sullivan on Friday:

Every time you think: nah, they can’t say this with a straight face, they can’t actually pretend – in January 2009 – that the Bush Republicans were adept at fiscal discipline for the past eight years, can they? … not after doubling the national debt, not after raising spending more swiftly than LBJ or FDR, not after a surplus became deficits of trillions of dollars as far as the eye can see, they can’t say that, can they? … you realize – yes they can!