Misapplying the burden of proof

[jaxx]

Misapplying the burden of proof
By Steve Benen
-
Fri Jul 6, 2012 9:16 AM EDT

<..> Perhaps now would be a good time for a reality check. Last fall, Obama said the job market wasn't nearly strong enough, and he proposed an ambitious jobs plan called the American Jobs Act. Independent estimates showed that the policy, if implemented, would create as many as 1.9 million U.S. jobs in 2012 alone. Congressional Republicans, however, killed it.

Indeed, consider this pattern of events:
1. With the job market struggling, Obama unveils the American Jobs Act, a State of the Union agenda filled with economic measures, and an economic "to-do list."
2. Republican lawmakers ignore the proposals, and the job market deteriorates.
3. The GOP then blames Obama when job numbers disappoint.

The accepted truth this morning is that weak job numbers are absolute, concrete, incontrovertible proof that the president's jobs agenda isn't working. News flash: we aren't trying Obama's jobs agenda.

<..> Something to keep in mind today as some in American politics celebrate the bad news.

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/20...proof?lite

[Velleity]

Republican governors' austerity efforts.