Platform Blogging
I haven’t seen much coverage of the new Republican Party platform yet. I know platforms are of limited relevance, but still it ought to garner some attention. There’s some eye-opening stuff here. For example, they denounce the practice of adjusting for inflation when assessing the federal budget, complaining that in the federal government’s “deceptive and irresponsible accounting, an increase in a program’s funding is actually a decrease if it is less than the rate of inflation.”
This is just ignorant — you can’t do accurate accounting unless you incorporate inflation adjustments into your figures. Otherwise you wind up with nonsense. For example, here’s a chart of US defense spending at different points in time:
As you can see, they’re using constant 2008 dollars as their metric here — the practice the platform denounces — because if you didn’t do that you’d wind up with bizarre and inaccurate results. The chart would say that the Reagan-era defense buildup was more expensive than the Vietnam War, which it wasn’t, or that the Iraq War is is expensive than World War II which, again, it isn’t.
206 Responses to “Platform Blogging”
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September 3rd, 2008 at 8:37 am
Well, hey, if they want to make Republican deficits look even larger, if they want the latest Republican vanity war to look even more expensive, and they want to go on record attacking the cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security, who are we to stand in their way? “Republicans: they deny that inflation exists.”
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:38 am
You’re right, of course, but think about this: if you adjusted military spending for quality, you might find that we’re spending vastly more now than in 1940: how many Sherman tanks could one Abrams take out?
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:38 am
It isn’t ignorance. It is intentional deception. While I’m sure there are a number of rubes in the delegations, I’m quite sure the drafters of the platform understand the concept of inflation. The leadership of the Republican party has just become completely morally bankrupt.
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:40 am
Have they finally come out against the pernicious, anti-American use of the Hindu “zero”, this thing we’re supposed to believe in but which just don’t exist???
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:42 am
Replace “federal budget” with “personal income” and see how people react to this logic.
September 3rd, 2008 at 8:58 am
This is exactly why Phil Gramm’s “economic illiterate” comment was a classic case of projection. Neocons have absolutely no grasp of the economy.
In the 80s I used to believe in fiscal conservatives. Nowadays I am more likely to believe in the Tooth Fairy.
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:07 am
Sounds to me like a party getting ready to be in oppostion in a time of high inflation.
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:08 am
I think the two feed off of each other: the more they decieve, the more they lose respect for science, the more ignorant they become
This made me laugh.
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:35 am
No, no, no. The rule that you can’t adjust for inflation only counts when you are calculating benefits to actual citizens.
As everyone can see, we need to adjust for inflation in defense spending to ensure that we have the sooper-dooperest military machine ever that will keep the world safe and put some fear into those darn South Ossetians.
But think how quickly we could deal with, say, Social Security funding if we stopped this pernicious adjusting for so-called ‘inflation’! If we stopped the deceptive and irresponsible Democrat accounting that increases Social Security payments, year after year, for no reason, pretty soon we could lower the contribution threshold, or maybe institute a Social Security tax rebate for people earning over $250,000 a year. Take that, Barack Hussein!
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:40 am
It seems like this is an attempted response to fade the political heat for “slashing” favored programs when really the attempt is to let inflation erode the program. I think Matt’s and the comments’ points about how economically unsound this is would be stronger if two other things were true. One: that there is a non-political and objectively correct way to compare constant dollars. Two: that deficits and defense spending were regularly discussed in constant terms as well.
September 3rd, 2008 at 9:59 am
I think the two feed off of each other
True. You can only lie for so long. After that, you either have to stop lying or you will start to believe the lies you’re telling.
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:02 am
Matt is right, of course. However, I’m surprised that the platform didn’t call for the more efficient solution, which is to outlaw inflation altogether.
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:30 am
This is already law in several states, Minnesota included. If memory serves (somebody correct me if I’m wrong) a measure to repeal the law passed the MN Legislature this past year but Pawlenty vetoed it.
September 3rd, 2008 at 10:59 am
Sounds like they’re following Hollywood’s lead!
(Box office grosses are always announced in nominal dollars, where, for example, Titanic is on top, rather than real dollars, where Gone With the Wind still is.)
September 3rd, 2008 at 11:27 am
Kevin, sweetie, you just don’t get it! This portion of the platform only applies to spending on poor people!
September 4th, 2008 at 7:56 am
Good for you for looking closely at the GOP platform, Matt. For the life of me I’ve never figured out why Democrats never do this – it would seem to offer so many juicy targets of nuttiness and extremism, all of them favored by party activists, and all of them capable of being pinned on the party’s standardbearers. Just a simple question can be a potent political weapon. For example: Do you believe in criminalizing abortion, as your party’s platform says, or not? If they answer no, they offend the base; if they answer yes, they reveal themselves as nutty extremists. What are Democrats waiting for???
September 5th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Ignorance? Deception?
Yes.
Self-delusion is probably the best description.
The human ability to self-deceive seems to have evolved because it works. We’ve also developed an inability to lie without showing it (some people more than others), because that ensures that people can (more likely) trust us. But then if we can deceive ourselves, we can lie and get away with it.
September 18th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
September 23rd, 2008 at 2:05 pm
It is a bad workman that has a bad saw,
September 23rd, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Like cures like,
September 23rd, 2008 at 2:18 pm
credibility gap,
September 23rd, 2008 at 2:24 pm
If you could know where you fall – you would spread some straw (there),
September 23rd, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Don
September 23rd, 2008 at 2:37 pm
The best of friends must part,
September 23rd, 2008 at 2:43 pm
All are not cooks that walk with long knives,
September 23rd, 2008 at 2:49 pm
He that is afraid of wounds must not come near a battle,
September 23rd, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Do not trouble trouble till trouble troubles you,
September 23rd, 2008 at 3:24 pm
A raven won
September 23rd, 2008 at 3:31 pm
A little help is worth a deal of pity,
September 23rd, 2008 at 3:38 pm
fat cat,
September 23rd, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Any fish is good if it is on the hook,
September 23rd, 2008 at 3:57 pm
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September 23rd, 2008 at 4:03 pm
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September 23rd, 2008 at 4:09 pm
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September 23rd, 2008 at 4:24 pm
a jack of all trades and master of none,
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:30 pm
First try, then trust ,
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:38 pm
If you have had call yourself milk mushroom – go into the basket,
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Don
September 23rd, 2008 at 5:05 pm
a sea of troubles ,
September 23rd, 2008 at 5:26 pm
He that would eat the fruit, must climb the hill,
September 23rd, 2008 at 5:37 pm
I haven’t been up to anything , not that it matters. Basically nothing seems important, but I guess it doesn’t bother me. Not much on my mind to speak of. Today was a loss, but maybe tomorrow.,
September 23rd, 2008 at 5:44 pm
If one runs after two hares he will catch neither,
September 23rd, 2008 at 5:51 pm
A man shouldn
September 23rd, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Avoid a questioner, for he is also a tattler ,
September 23rd, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Curious Varvara’s nose was torn off,
September 23rd, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Like it or lump it,
September 23rd, 2008 at 6:17 pm
If you have had call yourself milk mushroom – go into the basket,
September 23rd, 2008 at 6:24 pm
eat like a horse,
September 23rd, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Learn to walk before you run,
September 23rd, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Can
September 23rd, 2008 at 6:46 pm
from the time immemorial,
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Benjamin
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:14 pm
I pray for world peace where all people can live free and happy.,
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:22 pm
I haven’t gotten anything done lately, but maybe tomorrow. I guess it doesn’t bother me. Pretty much nothing seems worth doing, but oh well.,
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:29 pm
have a head like a sieve,
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:35 pm
like as chalk and cheese,
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:50 pm
lead a cat and dog life ,
September 23rd, 2008 at 7:57 pm
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September 23rd, 2008 at 8:03 pm
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September 23rd, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Friend at court ,
September 23rd, 2008 at 8:17 pm
All good things come to an end ,
September 23rd, 2008 at 8:24 pm
There are a few men in opera who don’t mind doing beefcake. Friends and I used to joke that Samuel Ramey had a clause in his contracts mandating him baring his furry chest at some point.,
September 23rd, 2008 at 8:38 pm
He who gives fair words feeds you with an empty spoon,
September 23rd, 2008 at 8:46 pm
If wishes were horses,
September 23rd, 2008 at 8:53 pm
A raven will not peck another raven’s eye,
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:00 pm
get about,
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:07 pm
A wolf will not eat wolf,
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Do not carry rubbish out of your hut,
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:28 pm
Better at home than a mile from it,
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Half a loaf is better than no bread,
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:41 pm
It is impossible to break the butt end with a lash,
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:47 pm
It is impossible to say “good health” hearing every sternutation,
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:54 pm
Don
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Do not look at gift horse’s mouth,
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:08 pm
I haven’t been up to anything , not that it matters. Basically nothing seems important, but I guess it doesn’t bother me. Not much on my mind to speak of. Today was a loss, but maybe tomorrow.,
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:14 pm
a bird
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:21 pm
He who is afraid of wounds must not come near a battle,
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:29 pm
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September 23rd, 2008 at 10:37 pm
More or less not much going on worth mentioning. Pretty much nothing seems worth doing. I’ve just been staying at home not getting anything done. So it goes. I’ve just been letting everything wash over me lately, but I guess it doesn’t bother me. My mind is like a complete blank.,
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:50 pm
Having moved the head off do not cry for hairs,
September 23rd, 2008 at 10:57 pm
All cats are grey at night,
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:03 pm
fresh as a daisy,
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:18 pm
I haven’t gotten anything done , but whatever. Today was a loss. So it goes. I’ve just been sitting around not getting anything done. I can’t be bothered with anything these days, but I don’t care.,
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:25 pm
get about,
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Appetite comes with eating,
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:38 pm
for love or money,
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:53 pm
fish out of water,
September 23rd, 2008 at 11:59 pm
If your ship doesn’t come in, swim out to it! ,
September 24th, 2008 at 12:06 am
A cobbler should stick to his last,
September 24th, 2008 at 12:14 am
diamond cut diamond,
September 24th, 2008 at 12:21 am
Currently the website is just a convenient place to post and collaborate on models used in fundamental equity research. Right now you can find versions of a LVLT model I am developing in the “Project” folder of that website.,
September 24th, 2008 at 12:29 am
Between two stools you fall to the ground,
September 24th, 2008 at 12:35 am
Federal Agency of Governmental Communication and Information ,
September 24th, 2008 at 12:41 am
I’ve basically been doing nothing worth mentioning. Not much on my mind to speak of. Not that it matters. More or less nothing seems important.,
September 24th, 2008 at 12:48 am
from time immemorial,
September 24th, 2008 at 12:54 am
East or West, home is best,
September 24th, 2008 at 1:01 am
It is impossible to break the butt end with a lash,
September 24th, 2008 at 1:06 am
Geese with geese, and women with women,
September 24th, 2008 at 1:14 am
If you like to sled – you have to like to drive the sledge,
September 24th, 2008 at 1:19 am
A wolf won’t eat wolf,
September 24th, 2008 at 1:25 am
Don
September 24th, 2008 at 1:32 am
bird may be known by its flight, A,
September 24th, 2008 at 1:37 am
fuck around ,
September 24th, 2008 at 1:43 am
If your ship doesn’t come in, swim out to it! ,
September 24th, 2008 at 1:52 am
All are not cooks that walk with long knives,
September 24th, 2008 at 2:06 am
begin the dance,
September 24th, 2008 at 2:20 am
from under one
September 24th, 2008 at 2:27 am
My life’s been pretty unremarkable lately, but pfft. Oh well. My mind is like a void. I haven’t gotten much done.,
September 24th, 2008 at 2:33 am
Every man has a fool in his sleeve,
September 24th, 2008 at 2:39 am
fathoms deep in love,
September 24th, 2008 at 2:45 am
East or West, home is best,
September 24th, 2008 at 2:52 am
Better a tomtit in your hand than a crane in the sky,
September 24th, 2008 at 2:59 am
There are tantalizing hints that improvement can be more dramatic when diversity is eliminated, such as single gender classes, blacks performing better when reinforced by their own successes.,
September 24th, 2008 at 3:06 am
All cats are grey at night,
September 24th, 2008 at 3:14 am
My mind is like a bunch of nothing. My life’s been really unremarkable , but it’s not important. I can’t be bothered with anything these days. I just don’t have anything to say lately.,
September 24th, 2008 at 3:27 am
Do not come in the stranger monastery with your own Charter,
September 24th, 2008 at 3:36 am
like as chalk and cheese,
September 24th, 2008 at 3:43 am
get one
September 24th, 2008 at 3:56 am
fifty million Elvis’ fans cannot be wrong,
September 24th, 2008 at 4:03 am
Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth,
September 24th, 2008 at 4:10 am
Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth,
September 24th, 2008 at 4:18 am
Don
September 24th, 2008 at 4:25 am
a fat job,
September 24th, 2008 at 4:32 am
fat cat,
September 24th, 2008 at 4:39 am
Fine words butter no parsnips,
September 24th, 2008 at 4:45 am
free as air,
September 24th, 2008 at 5:00 am
I’ve just been letting everything happen without me lately, but oh well. I haven’t been up to much these days. Today was a complete loss. Shrug. More or less nothing seems important, but such is life.,
September 24th, 2008 at 5:06 am
A bird may be known by its flight,
September 24th, 2008 at 5:13 am
Sehr guten site. Alles arbeitet deutlich, schon eben storungsfrei. Wer machte? Vielleicht vom Weg?,
September 24th, 2008 at 5:20 am
All cats are grey at night,
September 24th, 2008 at 5:33 am
eat like a bird ,
September 24th, 2008 at 5:40 am
Don
September 24th, 2008 at 5:46 am
All are not cooks that walk with long knives,
September 24th, 2008 at 5:52 am
Do not count your chickens before they’re hatched ,
September 24th, 2008 at 6:00 am
A single thread from everyone
September 24th, 2008 at 6:06 am
He wears his heart on his sleeve,
September 24th, 2008 at 6:12 am
A good Jack makes a good Jill,
September 24th, 2008 at 6:20 am
best part of time,
September 24th, 2008 at 6:26 am
follow suit,
September 24th, 2008 at 6:32 am
have a head like a sieve,
September 24th, 2008 at 6:40 am
get one
September 24th, 2008 at 6:48 am
A fly will not get into a closed mouth,
September 24th, 2008 at 6:54 am
fast talker ,
September 24th, 2008 at 7:03 am
get a screw loose,
September 24th, 2008 at 7:18 am
East or West, home is best,
September 24th, 2008 at 7:24 am
a couple of bricks short ,
September 24th, 2008 at 7:32 am
Fine feathers make fine birds ,
September 24th, 2008 at 7:39 am
I pray for world peace where all people can live free and happy.,
September 24th, 2008 at 7:45 am
feel like a fish out of water,
September 24th, 2008 at 7:52 am
Better safe than sorry,
September 24th, 2008 at 7:58 am
find a needle in a haystack,
September 24th, 2008 at 8:11 am
All are not cooks that walk with long knives,
September 24th, 2008 at 8:18 am
Every cloud has a silver lining,
September 24th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Better late than never,
September 24th, 2008 at 8:30 am
So interesting site, thanks! The site very professional!,
September 24th, 2008 at 8:44 am
It is impossible to say “good health” hearing every sternutation,
September 24th, 2008 at 8:51 am
flog a dead horse,
September 24th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Do not come in the stranger monastery with your own Charter,
September 24th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Like it or lump it,
September 24th, 2008 at 9:10 am
fat is in the fire, the,
September 24th, 2008 at 9:17 am
End justifies the means,
September 24th, 2008 at 9:25 am
A man can
September 24th, 2008 at 9:32 am
I’ve more or less been doing nothing to speak of. I just don’t have much to say these days, not that it matters. Basically not much noteworthy going on worth mentioning. So it goes.,
September 24th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Easy come, easy go ,
September 24th, 2008 at 9:52 am
All aren
September 24th, 2008 at 9:59 am
fast talker ,
September 24th, 2008 at 10:05 am
fathoms deep in smth.,
September 24th, 2008 at 10:12 am
I really appreciate Ms. Frizzle’s thoughts; I wish that we had her school’s culture of collegiality in our California junior high school.,
September 24th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Don’t bite off more than you can chew,
September 24th, 2008 at 10:26 am
All is well that ends well,
September 24th, 2008 at 10:34 am
After a storm comes a calm,
September 24th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Better to ask the way than to go astray ,
September 24th, 2008 at 10:53 am
A man shouldn
September 24th, 2008 at 11:00 am
If one could know where you fall – you would spread some straw (there),
September 24th, 2008 at 11:14 am
It never rains but it pours,
September 24th, 2008 at 11:20 am
eat one
September 24th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Do not dig a hole for somebody else; you yourself will fall into it,
September 24th, 2008 at 11:33 am
A drowning man clutches at straw,
September 24th, 2008 at 11:41 am
A drop hollows out a stone,
September 24th, 2008 at 11:47 am
As one make his bed, so he must lie on it,
September 24th, 2008 at 11:54 am
All in good time,
September 24th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
What are the real implications to huge debt beyond leaving it a younger generation of tax payers? Reason I ask is that I argued with a staunch Republican after the presidential election, and he asked me “what do you care about the national debt?”, guess he was referring to my age (60 +). And being Mongo (not well informed), I did not have a good answer for him.,
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