Tuesday, September 30, 2008

The BBC perspective

After yesterday's "No!" in Congress, BBC "business editor" Robert Peston refers to a "breakdown in the US political system."

To me, it's the very opposite: it's a prewar Lagonda that has spent years with its axles on bricks, and it's just had a new set of tyres put on; after long disuse, the engine has finally turned over. Maybe it will seize up again, but for now there is a hint of democratic accountability.

For example, is it not interesting that more Democrats voted against the Bill, than Republicans for (both as a percentage and in absolute numbers)?

I watched Peston on TV last night and said to my wife, "I should be in front of that microphone." I heard him on the radio this morning and still want his job.

The MSM: one despairs.

5 comments:

hatfield girl said...

The US constitution is like the mills of God. Best not to set it going, they built to work and they built to last in those days.

Sackerson said...

One hopes.

Anonymous said...

For example, is it not interesting that more Democrats voted against the Bill, than Republicans for (both as a percentage and in absolute numbers)?


Not so - 95 Democrats and 133 Republicans voted against.

Anonymous said...

Agree on Peston - I sure things would be a lot calmer if he was given tranquilsers and/or sent on a long holiday

Sackerson said...

Sorry, Anon, but I compared D "against" and R "for", demonstrating the "bipartisan" quality of the Congress, whereas here in the UK often it's one side of the House of Commons one way and the other, the other.

As to Peston - in his place I'd have torn strips off the bankers and called for more and bigger failures, while safeguarding the depositors. Bank shareholders and execs need to bear maximal losses.