NP: Elvis Costello, "(What's So Funny 'bout) Peace, Love and Understanding"

The Washington Post reports on GOP efforts to change election laws, and it's things like this and Citizens United that concern me about 2012 more than anything else. Because I have no problem with Republicans beating Democrats in a fair fight about the ideas and the direction of the country. That's sort of the point of democracy, isn't it? Marketplace of ideas, and all that.

No, what worries me is that there are systematic efforts underway to tilt the playing field, and that the media will be too lazy, stupid or complicit to factor that into the story. So the effects of unlimited corporate money will be heavily discounted versus the loud shouting of a small, vocal minority, simply because it's a more compelling narrative. Even if it's not accurate.

Which sounds like making excuses in advance, I know. A few months ago, I still would not have bet against Obama in 2012. On the one hand, now I'm not quite as confident (even if he is), but on the other hand, losing a couple of special elections fourteen months out might not be a bellwether as much as a wake-up call, like scoring against Barcelona in the first twenty minutes of a match.