Nicholas Kristof: Republicans, Zealots and Our Security

[babylonsister]

Republicans, Zealots and Our Security
By NICHOLAS D. KRISTOF
Published: July 23, 2011


IF China or Iran threatened our national credit rating and tried to drive up our interest rates, or if they sought to damage our education system, we would erupt in outrage.

Well, wake up to the national security threat. Only it’s not coming from abroad, but from our own domestic extremists.

We tend to think of national security narrowly as the risk of a military or terrorist attack. But national security is about protecting our people and our national strength — and the blunt truth is that the biggest threat to America’s national security this summer doesn’t come from China, Iran or any other foreign power. It comes from budget machinations, and budget maniacs, at home.

snip//

In other words, Republican zeal to lower debts could result in increased interest expenses and higher debts. Their mania to save taxpayers could cost taxpayers. That suggests not governance so much as fanaticism.

More broadly, a default would leave America a global laughingstock. Our “soft power,” our promotion of democracy around the world, and our influence would all take a hit. The spectacle of paralysis in the world’s largest economy is already bewildering to many countries. If there is awe for our military prowess and delight in our movies and music, there is scorn for our political/economic management.

more...

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/24/opinion/24kristof.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

[gordianot]

1. Correct. n/ t

[lunatica]

2. The US isn't all that grandly respected anywhere in the world

Yankee go home is a common feeling because most people get it that we've been running a Shock and Awe Disaster Economic Empire, especially in our Hemisphere.

[treestar]

3. Rec'd for putting the blame on the real villains

The Republicans make us a laughingstock, and a dangerous one. It must be frustrating to live in other countries that would be affected but have no vote.

[checks-n-balances]

4. A voice of reason

Let's hope the ones we have left can still be heard by the general public - that is, those who haven't been brainwashed into thinking that the NYT is "leftist".