Irresistable Quotes

Economist Bruce Bartlett began his political career working for Republican Ron Paul in 1976. He went on to work for Reagan, helping to shape the economic reforms that became known as Reaganomics.
This mantra of cutting taxes in any circumstances, rather than setting policy in response to economic realities, is more akin to religious belief than sound policymaking, Bartlett says.

''And I don't think it is a coincidence that the Republicans have become the party of religious fundamentalism,'' he says, arguing that once you have accepted a set of ideas founded in belief rather than reason, it is easier to transpose similar thinking to politics.

Fighting the right: conservatives find Republican party line hard to follow. Date: July 14 2012

Nick O'Malley