John Boehner was and is an unprincipled ward-heeler who simply couldn't weather the transition of the Republican Party from a corporatist party with a sizable conservative base to a purely conservative party. Alex Pareene More Quotes by Alex Pareene More Quotes From Alex Pareene Vaccines don't cause autism. Vaccines, instead, prevent disease. Vaccines have wiped out a score of formerly deadly childhood diseases. Vaccine skepticism has helped to bring some of those diseases back from near extinction. Alex Pareene some back vaccines childhood I grew up in a politically aware household: very civically-minded, good Minnesota liberals. Alex Pareene aware very good up What really destroyed Tucker Carlson, respected magazine journalist, was TV. TV exposed him as glib, smug, and not nearly as clever as he thought he was. Alex Pareene magazine him thought clever The Pentagon budget, like all government spending, is an expression of priorities. Alex Pareene like priorities government expression Donald Trump, an oft-bankrupt make-believe mogul clown with a television show where he pretends to fire America's saddest former celebrities, is one of the Republican Party's most prominent national figures because he is on TV and people have heard of him. Alex Pareene clown fire people television For most of the millions of people who watch TED videos at the office, it's a middlebrow diversion and a source of factoids to use on your friends. Except TED thinks it's changing the world, like if 'This American Life' suddenly mistook itself for Doctors Without Borders. Alex Pareene friends life people world An American parliamentary system with proportional representation wouldn't immediately or inexorably lead to a flourishing social democracy, but it would at least correct the overrepresentation of an ideological minority and cut down on intentional tactical economic sabotage. Alex Pareene american down economic democracy There are a lot of people whose livelihoods depend on keeping lots of conservatives terrified and ill-informed. The groups that exist to raise funds raise more funds when they endorse the crazier candidate. Alex Pareene candidate depend more people Cory Booker became a millionaire because this is how the economy works for people of his class: Rich people give other rich people money to do nothing, simply because they 'deserve' it. Alex Pareene nothing rich money people I think humor can be an effective way of getting the point across, but there are definitely times where I just write very earnestly. Alex Pareene just think humor way I don't want to be totally repetitive and doing the same thing over and over again for the rest of my life. I don't want to do that at all. Alex Pareene my-life rest doing life I guess if you want me to stop writing horrible, mean takedowns of everyone, give me a really, really cushy columnist gig. Alex Pareene stop me you writing Modern political speechwriting is not a high-minded pursuit for brilliant talents. Alex Pareene talents modern brilliant political Modern political speechwriting is certainly a skill, and one that requires experience and practice to master. Alex Pareene skill experience political practice The State of the Union is less written than it is designed, structured and organized around applause prompts and camera cues. Alex Pareene union than camera applause Many people - especially those people who earn livings by convincing editors and bookers that rich and influential strangers consider their thoughts and opinions interesting - have ideas about who should or should not run for president. Alex Pareene thoughts rich people ideas In some future America, there could be a plausible Michael Bloomberg path to the Democratic nomination. I would love to read a column by a smart person actually attempting to persuade me of this, using evidence. Alex Pareene me future path love American politicians are responsive almost solely to the interests and desires of their rich constituents and interest groups that primarily represent big business. Alex Pareene politicians big rich business Please don't begin to believe that the American political establishment is anything but a corrupt puppet of oligarchy. Alex Pareene american anything political believe Political battles are won when the rich favor them. Alex Pareene battles favor rich political
