Well, July just flew by. We’re now into the dog days of summer in Ashland where the weather resembles a slightly more humid version of Boise; clear blue skies, hot. We’re also into the dog days of America where the president has become a Prime Minister and the party that’s prepared to be most intransigent gets to make policy.

Here’s what two smart people are saying:

“Anyone who characterizes the deal between the President, Democratic, and Republican leaders as a victory for the American people over partisanship understands neither economics nor politics.” – Robert Reich

“In the long run, however, Democrats won’t be the only losers. What Republicans have just gotten away with calls our whole system of government into question. After all, how can American democracy work if whichever party is most prepared to be ruthless, to threaten the nation’s economic security, gets to dictate policy? And the answer is, maybe it can’t.” – Paul Krugman

I don’t pretend to grasp the complexity of the current debate over, ostensibly, the debt ceiling but a blind man using a cane can see the Republicans have entered uncharted waters for American politics.

The time to start seriously looking for a new country is nigh… somehow i don’t think a letter-writing campaign, a $50 donation to Move on dot org and a few petitions via email are going to turn this one around.