RSS 2.0 Feed“Never Waste A Good Crisis” – The Obama Administration’s Motto
by Doug MataconisIn Europe yesterday Hillary Clinton made this rather interesting comment:
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told an audience Friday “never waste a good crisis,” and highlighted the opportunity of rebuilding economies in a greener, less energy-intensive way.
Highlighting Europe’s unease the day after Russia warned that gas flows via Ukraine might be halted, she also condemned the use of energy as a political lever.
Clinton told young Europeans at the European Parliament that global economic turmoil provided a fresh opening. “Never waste a good crisis … Don’t waste it when it can have a very positive impact on climate change and energy security,” she said.
And Clinton isn’t the only member of the Administration to use this phrase, Rahm Emanuel said much the same thing a few weeks after the 2008 Election:
Hearing Emanuel and Clinton use the same exact phrase like this leads one to wonder if this isn’t some kind of internal talking-point inside the Administration.
After all, when you take a look at the stimulus bill, Obama’s proposed budget, and the mortgage bailout plan it certainly looks like they’re putting it into practice. All three of them are chock-full of things that have very little to do with their supposed objective, and everything to do with every Democratic pet project that’s been on the table for a decade or more. To put it bluntly, it seems as if the Administration is using the current crisis as an excuse to expand the size, scope, and power of the state in ways that they would not be able to do if the economic crisis didn’t exist.
Not that I’d question their real motives, of course
Update: Now, President Obama himself has said he seeks “opportunity” in the current crisis.
H/T: Althouse
Cross-posted at Below The Beltway
Shock Doctrine, anyone?
Comment by thomasblair — March 7, 2009 @ 5:47 amAnd of course, Bush used the same tactic to get the Patriot Act passed.
Comment by Stephen Gordon — March 7, 2009 @ 8:45 amA crisis is the best time of all to push for green technology.
Comment by Rick Cain — March 7, 2009 @ 4:06 pmIt’s another flavor of “Buy now! Quantities are limited!” “What can I do to get you into this car today??” “Looks like the other couple really wants to buy this house…”
Build a sense of urgency. You can always look for justification, friendly experts, and plausible excuses later.
We’re full speed into “Government by Crisis” now. Fear sells.
Comment by Akston — March 7, 2009 @ 7:41 pmRemember it was Bill Clinton who said the problem with the world economy was that America’s economy was growing too fast and we had to slow it down. He has his wish and Hilary’s but once again unintended consequences arise.
I guess Le Car, Disco, Platform Shoes, Polyester and Pet Rocks will be back in vogue soon – seems eerily 70′s like these days.
Comment by persnickety curmudegon — March 8, 2009 @ 6:16 am