AS WITH THE PENTAGON
SO WITH THE TREASURY

Paul Krugman writes in the New York Times via Working for Change:

Traditionally the Treasury, like the C.I.A., stands somewhat above the political fray. Externally, it is supposed to provide objective data that Congress and the public can use to evaluate administration proposals. Internally, long-serving Treasury analysts traditionally ride herd on political appointees, warning them when their proposals are ill conceived or irresponsible.

But under the Bush administration the Treasury takes its marching orders from White House political operatives. As The New Republic points out, when John Snow meets with Karl Rove, the meetings take place in Mr. Rove's office.

To the general public, the most obvious consequence of this subservience has been Treasury's meek acquiescence in an economic policy that hasn't produced any jobs, but has produced a $450 billion deficit. Insiders, however, are if anything even more dismayed by the erosion of Treasury's intellectual integrity — an erosion exemplified by its denial and deception on the subject of tax cuts.

For more White House tales of Enron style behavior, click here.

In an episode of the Simpsons from a few years back, Marge tries her hand at real estate sales, but has problems succeeding in her new job due to her honesty. Her boss, sleazy lawyer Lionel Hutz, takes her aside to explain some of the realities of salesmanship:

Marge: But all I did was tell the truth!

Lionel: Of course you did. But there's...(face becomes unfriendly, voice deepens) the truth (shakes head, "no"), and (voice becomes chirpy, smiles) the truth (nods head, "yes")!

More and more, the White House is sounding like it's being run by Hutz...funny, yes...comforting, no.

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