A picture emerges, but...

... it may not be the one the administration wants to hear.

Bernanke:  "But given the significant costs and risks associated with a rapidly rising federal debt, our nation should soon put in place a credible plan for reducing deficits to sustainable levels over time," using cuts and tax simplification.  The Fed chief said the economy is stronger when taxes aren't too high and are collected in an efficient, equitable and transparent way.  "At present, a broad consensus exists that the U.S. tax code does not satisfy these criteria and is in need of reform."

Jeepers!

UPDATE 4/28:  Another version of the story:  "Bernanke said the U.S. economy could not grow its way out of the problem."

"Report says health care will cover more, cost more"

From this AP summary of the actuarial report:  "It's a worrisome assessment for Democrats.  In particular, concerns about Medicare could become a major political liability in the midterm elections. The report projected that Medicare cuts could drive about 15 percent of hospitals and other institutional providers into the red, "possibly jeopardizing access" to care for seniors."

I'll guess that we have not heard the end of the reality checking on this plan.

And here's the video report from Fox News.

An essential document

A Long Post: The Complete List of Obama Statement Expiration Dates - The Campaign Spot - National Review Online

Democracy and learning

Submitted without further comment, from the Preface to "The Great Conversation"--

We believe that the reduction of the citizen to an object of
propaganda, private and public, is one of the greatest dangers
to democracy. A prevalent notion is that the great mass of
the people cannot understand and cannot form an indepen-
dent judgment upon any matter; they cannot be educated, in
the sense of developing their intellectual powers, but they
can be bamboozled. The reiteration of slogans, the distortion
of the news, the great storm of propaganda that beats upon
the citizen twenty-four hours a day all his life long mean
either that democracy must fall a prey to the loudest and
most persistent propagandists or that the people must save
themselves by strengthening their minds so that they can ap-
praise the issues for themselves.

Saving this video to show later

May he have a long retirement

Stupacked himself, apparently.

Krauthammer’s Take on the Mid-terms

Krauthammer’s Take

More good advice for the loyal opposition.  Find a program, express it clearly, don't let up.