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Wayne Swan, Australia's deputy prime minister
There was an interesting report out of Australia yesterday that made the rounds, and is worth appreciating given the larger perceptions of the United States abroad.
Wayne Swan has launched a blistering attack on US Republicans, declaring "cranks and crazies" have taken over the party and have come to represent the No 1 threat to the world's biggest economy.
As the US presidential campaign enters its final weeks, the Treasurer used a speech in Sydney this morning to criticise the Republican Party's position on the US budget, warning that negotiations in the new year to prevent a "fiscal cliff" caused by a major withdrawal of government spending will be a key to the future direction of the global economy.
Most of the article is behind a pay-wall, but Swan, Australia's deputy prime minister, said, "Let's be blunt and acknowledge the biggest threat to the world's biggest economy are the cranks and crazies that have taken over the Republican Party."
And in case there are any doubts, Swan was referring to our Republican Party, not some other country's Republican Party.
The quote was a reminder that economic decisions made in the United States still have an enormous impact on the global economy -- what's that old joke about the U.S. sneezing and the rest of the world catching a cold? -- but it was also a reminder about growing international fears over the radicalization of one of the two major American political parties.
This comes up more often you might think. A couple of years ago, when it looked like Senate Republicans might block ratification of the New START treaty, international observers found it unfathomable that policymakers in the United States might reject a treaty so favorable to the United States. One European ambassador reported to his colleagues abroad that Republicans might kill New START, and told the Washington Post, "People ask us, 'Have you been drinking?'"
A year later, during the Republicans' debt-ceiling crisis, the world was stunned by the recklessness of GOP tactics. The chief economist for Mesirow Financial told MSNBC, "Coming back from Europe, the Europeans just can't believe we'd be so foolish as to decidedly squander away our debt rating in such a frivolous manner. This just doesn't make any sense whatsoever." A British policymaker said at the time, "The irony of the situation at the moment ... is that the biggest threat to the world financial system comes from a few right-wing nutters in the American Congress rather than the euro zone."
And yesterday, it was Australia's deputy prime minister lamenting the "cranks and crazies that have taken over the Republican Party."
There is an underlying irony to this. If you listen to Mitt Romney or other prominent Republicans, one of their more common criticisms is that President Obama doesn't command enough international respect. On balance, they have this backwards.
It's also true that in some Republican circles, international criticism is seen as a strange badge of honor. If officials around the globe think the GOP has gone mad, the argument goes, it's proof Republicans are doing something right.
I find that kind of thinking misguided, of course, and enjoy the contradiction of the right arguing the world doesn't like Obama enough and global opinions of U.S. politics don't matter.
But the fact remains that international observers are watching the radicalization of the Republican Party, and they're worried about the global impact.
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Gosh, what a mean guy. I guess he won't be sending Scott Brown a donation? How on earth is Scotty gonna beat that squaw without outside cash? The nerve of that fella... we just sent the Marines to guard that backwards island, and this is the thanks we get...
"But the fact remains that international observers are watching the radicalization of the Republican Party, and they're worried about the global impact."
They have plenty of company in the USA.
So true. I am an Aussie expat (BTW, while I'm a proud resident alien, I'm unfortunately not allowed to vote, but I do pay way more in taxes in this country than Governor Romney) and I have been saying this for ages. What happens here affects the whole world, and many from other nations are watching with horror, bemusement, and trepidation as sense and concern for the greater good have all but departed for the cause of "Obstructionism."
So, the joke goes, what's the difference between an 8th Century Afghan and a 21st Century Republican?
Nothing.
Different costumes?
3...2...1...
Republicans :
We're not crazy . It's past time we cut diplomatic relations with Australia and nuked them.
We'll show them.....
The good news is, it looks like the Dems will hold the Senate.
The bad news is, they won't have a filibuster-proof majority.
The good news is, they can change the rules in January with 51 votes.
The bad news is, the real crazies are in the House of Representatives, where fiscal bills must originate.
The good news is, 100% of those Reps are up for election every two years.
The bad news is, too many of these Tea-Party cranks are in "safe" seats.
The good news is, if enough people see these obstructionists for what they are, they can still vote them out.
Let's hope.
I mostly agree, Mike- except I am not so sure those Tea Party cranks are still in 'safe seats'.
Economics is not, and never has been, the GOP's strong suit. It's bad enough they don't understand the domestic relationships, but when it comes to the global impacts of our fiscal policies, they are completely without a clue.
Hemorrhoid itch in 3...2...1...
Poor understood GOP. They have exposed themselves in a shameless display of arrogant ignorance and the world took notice.
Thing is this will either be ignored by the right or used as a prime example of how everybody picks on them.
It's them pesky fact checkers!
It will definitely contribute to their persecution complex.
Calls for going to war with Australia in 3, 2, 1...
A non-paywalled Australian article about this:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-21/swan-attacks-republican-cranks-and-crazies/4273300
"...is that the biggest threat to the world financial system comes from a few right-wing nutters in the American Congress rather than the euro zone."
And as the rest of the world watches US in horror - the GOTP will wear that distinction as a badge of honor! Europeans aren't the only ones horrified, I am too. Continually amazed I am at the dumbing down of the reich-wingers, the disconnect from reality, and the lies - meanwhile the "media" that is supposed to be informing US is either a) out to lunch, b) busy polishing their own celebrity status, c) too busy protecting their own jobs publishing fluff to care about US!!
The GOTP has shown over and over and over not just that the cannot lead US, but that they are only working for the 2% of American elite! Exactly what the sheeple cannot or refuse to acknowledge as they decry "big guv'rmint" yet are selfish enough to not see that they're being used as tools against their own economic interests is the conundrum!
I don't understand why the MSM hasn't talked more about Republican obstructionism these past 4 years, and its cost to our country and its citizens. That and all the GOP voter suppression tactics they have been attempting. It's not like the GOP hasn't outright stated what they are trying to do...they have actually said all they want to do is make Obama fail, and try to block voters so Romney will win. They don't care about America, or its citizens or veterans either.
I am more informed than most of my friends and it's only by watching MSNBC that I have realized how bad it has been. Where's the outrage?
Wednesday's Evening Standard in london had a small opinion piece wishing that they had saved the term Romneyshambles for last weeks multiple gaffes and finished with - it must take real talent to make GWB seem competent. i wish i could find the link..
The Romney tour continues with poor reviews from Russia, China, Australia, Palestine, Israel and England. On a more positive note, there 2 elderly Icelandic women who said we are proud of Mitt's support and somewhat conservative use of hair gel.
Having spent a good deal of time in Iceland, I suspect the old ladies were inebriated. Because Icelanders are well educated.
I sometimes wonder if people in other countries think about our missiles and bases on their soil, and shudder to imagine what a crazy Republican administration might do with them. The United States has been a reliable and fairly responsible holder of deadly power for over half a century, but that could change overnight with the election of a bunch of right-wing nutjobs.
Let's be blunter and acknowledge the biggest threat to not only the American economy but also the biggest threat to the entire Earth and it's climate. Surely everyone is aware of the calculations and implications of bringing the Keystone XL online.
Swan, Australia's deputy prime minister, said, "Let's be blunt and acknowledge the biggest threat to the world's biggest economy are the cranks and crazies that have taken over the Republican Party."
Ah, the refreshing candor of Australians, who know a crap deal when they see it. I always did like that place from the first time I visited it. There's definitely something to be said in favor of a democracy where voting is mandatory and not voting is a crime.
The world is watching........they know crazy when they see it.........Mitt didn't help with his overseas visit.
Republicans are also known inside this country as screwballs and dingbats. If we don't get them out of Congress the world might launch a rescue attempt?
What? Are you telling me that you are not impressed by Mitt the Twit, as the British so fondly call him, based on his not so elegant remarks during the Olympics? Do you think there is a chance the rest of the Republican twitheads, who may or may not read international news, will ever realize what a dunce they've picked?
I hope so; I'm looking forward to their pained expressions com election night!
Don't forget that the Australian is Murdoch's flagship in Australia so what is Rupe saying about the republicans?
The Republicans(tea party) are single-handledly responsible for the current drama wars going on in the House and Senate.They have taken this Country down. Any party that would kick a dog when it's down and on top of that hurl accusations and degrade the very people they represent, has to go. They have to go they're working in the opposite direction of the entire world. Just their mistreatment of women alone is getting worldwide attention, one of the reasons Muslims are protesting against us, are degrading of women.