Economist Paul Krugman: War on 'woke washing machines' shows America’s 'political sickness'

10 May 2024

On Tuesday, May 7, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act of 2024. The bill, introduced by Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-Arizona), attacks the Biden Administration's energy efficiency standards and passed 212-195.

Only seven Democrats voted in favor of it, but among House Republicans, there were no dissenters.

In a biting New York Times column, liberal economist Paul Krugman slams Lesko's Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act as performative nonsense — stressing that GOP lawmakers' crusade against "woke washing machines" shows how devoid of substance their party has become.

"In April, Republicans planned to vote on a series of more specific bills: the Liberty in Laundry Act, the Refrigerator Freedom Act and more," Krugman observes. "These votes were delayed but may still happen. If all of this sounds absurd, that's because it is."

Krugman laments that in 2024, MAGA Republicans will turn anything into a "culture war" battle — from "lab-grown meat" to "energy-efficient appliances."

"It seemed pretty clear that what really bothered conservatives was the very suggestion that American consumers should take into account the adverse effects their choices might have on other people," Krugman argues. "That sort of consideration, after all, is what the right mainly seems to mean when it condemns policies as 'woke.'"

The liberal economist continues, "And as ever, there are the conspiracy theories: No, the Biden Administration isn't planning to ban gas stoves. So yes, it's funny that Republicans are trying to pass something called the Liberty in Laundry Act. But the silliness is a symptom of political sickness that isn’t funny at all."

Paul Krugman's full New York Times column is available at this link (subscription required).

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