Paul Krugman: Two Speeches and an Editorial

Two Speeches and an Editorial:

President Obama, yesterday:

Rather than pointing fingers or assigning blame, let us use this occasion to expand our moral imaginations, to listen to each other more carefully, to sharpen our instincts for empathy, and remind ourselves of all the ways our hopes and dreams are bound together.

President Obama, May 1, 2009:

I view that quality of empathy, of understanding and identifying with people’s hopes and struggles as an essential ingredient for arriving as just decisions and outcomes.

National Review, May 4, 2009:

Empathy is simply a codeword for an inclination toward liberal activism.

And let me add Grover Norquist, May 26, 2003:

We are trying to change the tones in the state capitals—and turn them toward bitter nastiness and partisanship. Bipartisanship is another name for date rape.