"They're turning into Socialists!"

How dare they! Human beings behaving responsibly and rationally instead of like awesome capitalist robots or FoxNews employees (and Herman Cain would like to say "how inscrutable" at some point):

With hundreds of thousands of people displaced up north from the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis, anything with the barest hint of luxury invites condemnation. There were only general calls for conservation, but within days of the March 11 quake, Japanese of all stripes began turning off lights, elevators, heaters and even toilet seat warmers.

But self-restraint goes beyond the need to compensate for shortages of electricity brought on by the closing of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. At a time of collective mourning, jishuku also demands that self-restraint be practiced elsewhere. Candidates in next month’s local elections are hewing to the ethos by literally campaigning quietly for votes, instead of circling neighborhoods in their usual campaign trucks with blaring loudspeakers.

Concern for your fellow citizens; campaigning seriously rather than seriously campaigning, not spending on unneeded extravagant items? It is positively un-American!

Poor Larry Kudlow, the greatest tragedy of all has come to pass.


[cross-posted at Firedoglake]