The most important question in politics is this: Who treats politics as a means to policy outcomes, and who treats it as an end in itself? If you are in the former camp, you will be more appalled when Republicans do liberal things because that prevents us from ever achieving our goals. I use this theme to provide updates on the atrocious hostage deal, budget reconciliation, and some of the Cabinet confirmation hearings. Republicans are now going to the media and bashing the only plan on the table to actually cut spending. Why? Because politics is an end in itself. Finally, I discuss why the housing and credit crises are all related to the inflation-driven spending, yet Republicans are making up excuses to distract from cutting spending. 

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