Why Washington’s growing irrelevance is good for the country

ReutersEDITION:U.louis vuitton outlet online ReutersEDITION:U.[url=http://www.tustininformationcenter.com title=louis vuitton usa]louis vuitton usa[/url]S.S. SIGN INREGISTER HOME BUSINESS MARKETS WORLD POLITICS TECH OPINION BREAKINGVIEWS MONEY LIFE PICTURES VIDEO » Analysis & Opinion Home Opinion The Edgy Optimist Follow The Edgy Optimist Why Washington’s growing irrelevance is good for the country By Zachary Karabell DECEMBER 13, 2013 Email Print inShare BUDGET | COMPROMISE | CONGRESS | CRISIS After three years of sclerosis, Congress is poised to at last pass an actual budget. SIGN INREGISTER HOME BUSINESS MARKETS WORLD POLITICS TECH OPINION BREAKINGVIEWS MONEY LIFE PICTURES VIDEO » Analysis & Opinion Home Opinion The Edgy Optimist Follow The Edgy Optimist Why Washington’s growing irrelevance is good for the country By Zachary Karabell DECEMBER 13, 2013 Email Print inShare BUDGET | COMPROMISE | CONGRESS | CRISIS After three years of sclerosis, Congress is poised to at last pass an actual budget. We’ve been so consumed with the dysfunction of the parties on Capitol Hill that this feat appears significant. We’ve been so consumed with the dysfunction of the parties on Capitol Hill that this feat appears significant. In fact, it should be routine.louis vuitton outlet online In fact, it should be routine. Yet in the context of the past few years, it is anything but. Yet in the context of the past few years, it is anything but. The budget that passed the House still must wend through the Senate, and it is not exactly a study in legislative daring. The budget that passed the House still must wend through the Senate, and it is not exactly a study in legislative daring.[url=http://www.tustininformationcenter.com title=louis vuitton neverfull gm]louis vuitton neverfull gm[/url] It is, however, an actual budget, passed with substantial support from both parties by a vote of 332 to 94 and negotiated by two leaders, one from each party and each chamber — Representative Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) and Senator Patty Murray (D-Washington). It is, however, an actual budget, passed with substantial support from both parties by a vote of 332 to 94 and negotiated by two leaders, one from each party and each chamber — Representative Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) and Senator Patty Murray (D-Washington). The bill is the most modest endorsement of the current status quo, which stems from both the automatic and crude 2013 budget cuts known as the sequester, and from the chronic inability of either party to compromise over the past three years.louis vuitton outlet online The bill is the most modest endorsement of the current status quo, which stems from both the automatic and crude 2013 budget cuts known as the sequester, and from the chronic inability of either party to compromise over the past three years. Even though the only real change over current spending is a modest $60 billion increase (meager in relation to the $15 trillion-plus U. Even though the only real change over current spending is a modest $60 billion increase (meager in relation to the $15 trillion-plus U.S.S. economy), conservative groups still condemned it as too profligate and liberal groups assailed it as too draconian. economy), conservative groups still condemned it as too profligate and liberal groups assailed it as too draconian. Said Ted Cruz, who may be having mild limelight withdrawal, “The new budget deal moves in the wrong direction: it spends more, taxes more, and allows continued funding for Obamacare…I cannot support it.louis vuitton outlet online Said Ted Cruz, who may be having mild limelight withdrawal, “The new budget deal moves in the wrong direction: it spends more, taxes more, and allows continued funding for Obamacare…I cannot support it.[url=http://www.tustininformationcenter.com title=louis vuitton outlet online]louis vuitton outlet online[/url]” Paul Krugman argued the contrary — that the bill is too meager, and does nothing to address the problem of structural, chronic unemployment.” Paul Krugman argued the contrary — that the bill is too meager, and does nothing to address the problem of structural, chronic unemployment. Writes Krugman: “if you look at what has happened since Republicans took control of the House of Representatives in 2010 — what you see is a triumph of anti-government ideology that has had enormously destructive effects on American workers. Writes Krugman: “if you look at what has happened since Republicans took control of the House of Representatives in 2010 — what you see is a triumph of anti-government ideology that has had enormously destructive effects on American workers.” Partisanship aside, it’s tempting to look at the budget deal in one of two ways: our political system has fallen so low that just doing the minimum amount required to be a functional government is seen as a victory, or the fact that it took three years to pass a budget that essentially makes no changes is proof that the system is broken.” Partisanship aside, it’s tempting to look at the budget deal in one of two ways: our political system has fallen so low that just doing the minimum amount required to be a functional government is seen as a victory, or the fact that it took three years to pass a budget that essentially makes no changes is proof that the system is broken. A third perspective is even closer to the mark — and cause for optimism.louis vuitton neverfull gm A third perspective is even closer to the mark — and cause for optimism. Namely, that both parties’ willingness to pass a budget that no one much likes is a sign that Washington neither can nor will torpedo the country. Namely, that both parties’ willingness to pass a budget that no one much likes is a sign that Washington neither can nor will torpedo the country. It is a sign as well that Washington neither can nor will save the country. It is a sign as well that Washington neither can nor will save the country.[url=http://www.tustininformationcenter.com title=louis vuitton neverfull gm]louis vuitton neverfull gm[/url] That’s a far cry from an activist government doing good, or a small government doing much less. That’s a far cry from an activist government doing good, or a small government doing much less. But it should come as a positive sign.louis vuitton tote But it should come as a positive sign. The self-created Washington crises over the past years have created an image of government as the vital actor on the American stage. The self-created Washington crises over the past years have created an image of government as the vital actor on the American stage. But these crises have failed to either impede or energize economic activity, and they have led large numbers of Americans to tune politics out. But these crises have failed to either impede or energize economic activity, and they have led large numbers of Americans to tune politics out. In the New York mayoral race, for instance, voter turnout was 24 percent, which appears to have been a record low. In the New York mayoral race, for instance, voter turnout was 24 percent, which appears to have been a record low. Similar numbers were seen in New Jersey and Virginia.louis vuitton tote Similar numbers were seen in New Jersey and Virginia.[url=http://www.tustininformationcenter.com title=louis vuitton tote]louis vuitton tote[/url] The political class, from Washington to the local level, has managed to alienate voters and make government less relevant, except in its ability to spy on citizens and manufacture crises. The political class, from Washington to the local level, has managed to alienate voters and make government less relevant, except in its ability to spy on citizens and manufacture crises. The result of the budget deal is to remove crisis from the agenda in 2014. The result of the budget deal is to remove crisis from the agenda in 2014. Yes, the debt limit still has to be raised in February, but it is difficult to see Congress refusing to increase the limit on a budget that it passed. Yes, the debt limit still has to be raised in February, but it is difficult to see Congress refusing to increase the limit on a budget that it passed. Crisis also creates a negative feedback loop with partisans such as the Tea Party and the media.louis vuitton tote Crisis also creates a negative feedback loop with partisans such as the Tea Party and the media. You need crisis to fuel passion, and donations to the cause, and you need crisis to justify media coverage. You need crisis to fuel passion, and donations to the cause, and you need crisis to justify media coverage. As proof, notice how little attention the budget deal received in the media, relative to October’s government shutdown — which dominated the news and the airwaves. As proof, notice how little attention the budget deal received in the media, relative to October’s government shutdown — which dominated the news and the airwaves.[url=http://www.tustininformationcenter.com title=louis vuitton outlet online]louis vuitton outlet online[/url] The budget deal didn’t even merit a page one story in the New York Times when it passed in Congress. The budget deal didn’t even merit a page one story in the New York Times when it passed in Congress. And for all of this, we should be thankful.louis vuitton outlet online And for all of this, we should be thankful. In an ideal world, we would be served by a political system of noble legislators attending to the public good with dignity and passion. In an ideal world, we would be served by a political system of noble legislators attending to the public good with dignity and passion. There are many such individuals throughout government, on the local, state and federal levels. There are many such individuals throughout government, on the local, state and federal levels. But Washington has become a morass of a system, and expecting and demanding the locus of societal change to emanate from that system is unrealistic and counterproductive. But Washington has become a morass of a system, and expecting and demanding the locus of societal change to emanate from that system is unrealistic and counterproductive. Lowering the volume, shifting the focus away from the goings on of government, and turning to what is happening outside of that realm, in a world teaming with billions of new entrants to the middle class and hundreds of millions of Americans navigating a changed workplace without daily reference to government, that is all for the best.louis vuitton usa Lowering the volume, shifting the focus away from the goings on of government, and turning to what is happening outside of that realm, in a world teaming with billions of new entrants to the middle class and hundreds of millions of Americans navigating a changed workplace without daily reference to government, that is all for the best.[url=http://www.tustininformationcenter.com title=louis vuitton outlet online]louis vuitton outlet online[/url] PHOTO: Senate Budget Committee chairman Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) (R) and House Budget Committee chairman Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI) shake hands after a news conference to introduce The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 at the U. PHOTO: Senate Budget Committee chairman Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) (R) and House Budget Committee chairman Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI) shake hands after a news conference to introduce The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2013 at the U.S.S. Capitol in Washington, December 10, 2013. Capitol in Washington, December 10, 2013. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst « PREVIOUS POST More From Reuters Where is the political accountability for America’s pension disasters? The budget deal’s central achievement: protecting America’s military… Asian nations call for freedom of air, seas as U.louis vuitton usa REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst « PREVIOUS POST More From Reuters Where is the political accountability for America’s pension disasters? The budget deal’s central achievement: protecting America’s military… Asian nations call for freedom of air, seas as U.S.S.-China maritime… Don’t ignore America’s youth unemployment crisis The budget deal and Washington’s new politics of compromise From Around the Web Meet One Of The Hottest Gadgets Of 2013 (Laptop Magazine) The World\'s Best Bathing-Suit Optional Beaches (Photos) (Travel Channel) Why can’t you bring made in America to Asia? (Singapore Sessions) 10 Insanely Overpaid Public Employees (The Fiscal Times) Vitamin D Linked to Skin Cancer (MedPage Today) [?] COMMENTS 5 COMMENTS SO FAR | RSS COMMENTS RSS DEC 14, 2013 3:54 AM UTC But dude, there are far more reasons why Washington’s growing irrelevance is BAD for the country.-China maritime… Don’t ignore America’s youth unemployment crisis The budget deal and Washington’s new politics of compromise From Around the Web Meet One Of The Hottest Gadgets Of 2013 (Laptop Magazine) The World\'s Best Bathing-Suit Optional Beaches (Photos) (Travel Channel) Why can’t you bring made in America to Asia? (Singapore Sessions) 10 Insanely Overpaid Public Employees (The Fiscal Times) Vitamin D Linked to Skin Cancer (MedPage Today) [?] COMMENTS 5 COMMENTS SO FAR | RSS COMMENTS RSS DEC 14, 2013 3:54 AM UTC But dude, there are far more reasons why Washington’s growing irrelevance is BAD for the country.[url=http://www.tustininformationcenter.com title=louis vuitton neverfull gm]louis vuitton neverfull gm[/url] Start by the fact that the rest of the countries in the world now realize that there is no stable government in the US to deal with anymore. Start by the fact that the rest of the countries in the world now realize that there is no stable government in the US to deal with anymore. Even our allies now know this.louis vuitton tote Even our allies now know this. This will lead to emerging economies looking to China. This will lead to emerging economies looking to China. At least their government is consistent, reliable, and improving all the time. At least their government is consistent, reliable, and improving all the time. Posted by tmc | Report as abusive DEC 14, 2013 1:56 PM UTC This is crazy. Posted by tmc | Report as abusive DEC 14, 2013 1:56 PM UTC This is crazy. What Karabell is advocating is an end to regulation, which will hurt the economy, not help it.louis vuitton outlet online What Karabell is advocating is an end to regulation, which will hurt the economy, not help it.[url=http://www.tustininformationcenter.com title=louis vuitton tote]louis vuitton tote[/url] Posted by rvm3 | Report as abusive DEC 14, 2013 3:40 PM UTC Whipping voters up into an emotional “anti-government/anti-Obama” lather didn’t work for the Republicans, so they’re backing down quietly. Posted by rvm3 | Report as abusive DEC 14, 2013 3:40 PM UTC Whipping voters up into an emotional “anti-government/anti-Obama” lather didn’t work for the Republicans, so they’re backing down quietly. The danger to their crises tactic was, and likely still is, that while they may get their constituents to vote for them, they also inspire their opposition to vote against them. The danger to their crises tactic was, and likely still is, that while they may get their constituents to vote for them, they also inspire their opposition to vote against them. Plus, they’re gearing up for the 2016 election. Plus, they’re gearing up for the 2016 election. A nice quiet period between now and 2016 may help to diffuse the anti-Republican sentiments throughout the nation.louis vuitton tote A nice quiet period between now and 2016 may help to diffuse the anti-Republican sentiments throughout the nation. Democrats don’t have that short a memory though. Democrats don’t have that short a memory though. @tmc, our “emerging economies” have been in China for a long time. @tmc, our “emerging economies” have been in China for a long time.[url=http://www.tustininformationcenter.com title=louis vuitton neverfull gm]louis vuitton neverfull gm[/url] It isn’t new – but I agree with you; it’s not good for the U. It isn’t new – but I agree with you; it’s not good for the U.S.louis vuitton outlet onlineS. Posted by JL4 | Report as abusive DEC 14, 2013 6:36 PM UTC One of the great gifts of Federalism is we don’t rely on D. Posted by JL4 | Report as abusive DEC 14, 2013 6:36 PM UTC One of the great gifts of Federalism is we don’t rely on D.C.C. for divine guidance. for divine guidance. But de-centralization is happening world wide, and while China is modernizing faster than some other places, it’s also happening in places like rural Ethiopia, where the pace of change and development is amazing.louis vuitton tote But de-centralization is happening world wide, and while China is modernizing faster than some other places, it’s also happening in places like rural Ethiopia, where the pace of change and development is amazing.[url=http://www.tustininformationcenter.com title=louis vuitton usa]louis vuitton usa[/url] One of the core rules of Claude Shannon’s Information Theory is that Information Breaks Down Hierarchies. One of the core rules of Claude Shannon’s Information Theory is that Information Breaks Down Hierarchies. Stalinists in the old USSR were finally forced grasped that, it’s taking longer for it to sink in to American Liberals. Stalinists in the old USSR were finally forced grasped that, it’s taking longer for it to sink in to American Liberals. Posted by ARJTurgot2 | Report as abusive DEC 16, 2013 9:24 AM UTC This follows faithfully the ‘both sides are equally at fault’ paradigm so popular in the media. Posted by ARJTurgot2 | Report as abusive DEC 16, 2013 9:24 AM UTC This follows faithfully the ‘both sides are equally at fault’ paradigm so popular in the media. If everything comes down to a simple matter of two sides unwilling to move their positions, why has the country been drifting rapidly to the right for the last 3 decades ? Posted by brianpforbes | Report as abusive POST YOUR COMMENT Submit Comment We welcome comments that advance the story through relevant opinion, anecdotes, links and data.louis vuitton tote If everything comes down to a simple matter of two sides unwilling to move their positions, why has the country been drifting rapidly to the right for the last 3 decades ? Posted by brianpforbes | Report as abusive POST YOUR COMMENT Submit Comment We welcome comments that advance the story through relevant opinion, anecdotes, links and data. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters.[url=http://www.tustininformationcenter.com title=louis vuitton tote]louis vuitton tote[/url] For more information on our comment policy, see http://blogs. For more information on our comment policy, see http://blogs.reuters.louis vuitton neverfull gmreuters.com/fulldisclosure/2010/09/27/toward-a-more-thoughtful-conversation-on-stories/ Zachary Karabell is president of River Twice Research and River Twice Capital.com/fulldisclosure/2010/09/27/toward-a-more-thoughtful-conversation-on-stories/ Zachary Karabell is president of River Twice Research and River Twice Capital. In addition to writing the Edgy Optimist column for Reuters, he is a regular commentator on CNBC and MSNBC, and the author of the forthcoming \"The Leading Indicators: A Short History of the Numbers that Rule Our World\" (SImon and Schuster) as well as eleven other books including \"Superfusion: How China and America Became One Economy and Why the World\'s Prosperity Depends on It. In addition to writing the Edgy Optimist column for Reuters, he is a regular commentator on CNBC and MSNBC, and the author of the forthcoming \"The Leading Indicators: A Short History of the Numbers that Rule Our World\" (SImon and Schuster) as well as eleven other books including \"Superfusion: How China and America Became One Economy and Why the World\'s Prosperity Depends on It.\" He received his PhD from Harvard University.\" He received his PhD from Harvard University. RECENT POSTS Why Washington’s growing irrelevance is good for the countryThe real issues behind the minimum wage debateThe youth unemployment crisis may not be a crisisTweeting our way forwardHealthcare.louis vuitton outlet online RECENT POSTS Why Washington’s growing irrelevance is good for the countryThe real issues behind the minimum wage debateThe youth unemployment crisis may not be a crisisTweeting our way forwardHealthcare.[url=http://www.tustininformationcenter.com title=louis vuitton outlet online]louis vuitton outlet online[/url]gov is just the beginning MORE REUTERS NEWS Riot in China\'s Xinjiang kills 16, \'terror gang\' blamedChile\'s Bachelet promises reforms after landslide election winDeath toll in Syrian bombing raid on Aleppo rises to 76: monitorBombs, suicide attacks in Iraq kill at least 21: police, medicsSaved a state bailout, Slovenes question hefty banking bill TAG CLOUD 2012 affordable care act barack obama ben bernanke brazil budget central banking central banks chained cpi china congress congressional budget office consumer price index consumer sentiment currenct debt ceiling economy elections europe eurozone eurozone crisis federal reserve fiscal cliff FOMC gold healthcare housing income inequality inflation latin american economy mario monti markets mexico minimum wage monetary policy obama obamacare quantitative easing recession social security startups statistics technology Thanksgiving unemployment ARCHIVES Back to top Reuters.gov is just the beginning MORE REUTERS NEWS Riot in China\'s Xinjiang kills 16, \'terror gang\' blamedChile\'s Bachelet promises reforms after landslide election winDeath toll in Syrian bombing raid on Aleppo rises to 76: monitorBombs, suicide attacks in Iraq kill at least 21: police, medicsSaved a state bailout, Slovenes question hefty banking bill TAG CLOUD 2012 affordable care act barack obama ben bernanke brazil budget central banking central banks chained cpi china congress congressional budget office consumer price index consumer sentiment currenct debt ceiling economy elections europe eurozone eurozone crisis federal reserve fiscal cliff FOMC gold healthcare housing income inequality inflation latin american economy mario monti markets mexico minimum wage monetary policy obama obamacare quantitative easing recession social security startups statistics technology Thanksgiving unemployment ARCHIVES Back to top Reuters.com BusinessMarketsWorldPoliticsTechnologyOpinionMoneyPicturesVideosSite IndexLegal Bankruptcy LawCalifornia LegalNew York LegalSecurities LawSupport & Contact SupportCorrectionsAccount InformationRegisterSign InConnect with ReutersTwitter Facebook LinkedIn RSS Podcast Newsletters MobileAbout Privacy PolicyTerms of UseAdvertise With UsAdChoicesCopyright Our Flagship financial information platform incorporating Reuters Insider An ultra-low latency infrastructure for electronic trading and data distribution A connected approach to governance, risk and compliance Our next generation legal research platform Our global tax workstation Thomsonreuters.com BusinessMarketsWorldPoliticsTechnologyOpinionMoneyPicturesVideosSite IndexLegal Bankruptcy LawCalifornia LegalNew York LegalSecurities LawSupport & Contact SupportCorrectionsAccount InformationRegisterSign InConnect with ReutersTwitter Facebook LinkedIn RSS Podcast Newsletters MobileAbout Privacy PolicyTerms of UseAdvertise With UsAdChoicesCopyright Our Flagship financial information platform incorporating Reuters Insider An ultra-low latency infrastructure for electronic trading and data distribution A connected approach to governance, risk and compliance Our next generation legal research platform Our global tax workstation Thomsonreuters.comAbout Thomson ReutersInvestor RelationsCareersContact Us Thomson Reuters is the world\'s largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.comAbout Thomson ReutersInvestor RelationsCareersContact Us Thomson Reuters is the world\'s largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms.louis vuitton neverfull gmcom, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests. NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes.[url=http://www.tustininformationcenter.com title=louis vuitton neverfull gm]louis vuitton neverfull gm[/url] Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.louis vuitton usa For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.