Milbank: Let the bleak times roll

There was something entirely appropriate about the State of the Union address coinciding with Mardi Gras on Tuesday, says Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank. “One is a display of wretched excess, when giddy and rowdy participants give in to reckless and irresponsible behavior,” Milbank writes. “The other is a street festival in New Orleans.” Though there was less nudity in the House chamber for the president’s annual address, Milbank says—and slightly less inebriation—”what occurs beneath the Capitol Dome is as debauched as anything on Bourbon Street. But this spectacle, unlike the one in Louisiana, is not all harmless fun.” President Barack Obama made clear during his address that he’s not entertaining serious spending cuts or major entitlement reforms. Republicans, in their various responses, repeated that they are not budging on taxes. “The standoff gives new meaning to Fat Tuesday: The nation’s finances are a mess, but—what the heck?—let’s have another round,” Milbank says. “In reality, we eventually need both spending cuts and tax increases—and lots of them. But sacrifice will have to wait. In Washington, they’re still partying like there’s no tomorrow.” Read the full column here.