Top Links: GOP should visit Northern Ireland’s fake stores before proposing any more austerity

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Top Links: GOP should visit Northern Ireland’s fake stores before proposing any more austerity

Top Story: Germany’s walk back from austerity leaves John Boehner and Republicans as its only true disciples. Just ask a Northern Ireland "shopkeeper."

Republicans may want to plan a European vacation before promoting another round of "austerity."AP

May. 31, 2013, 1:14 PM EDT

By John Flowers

Top Story: Germany’s walk back from austerity leaves John Boehner and Republicans as its only true disciples. Just ask a Northern Ireland “shopkeeper.”

How bad’s the economy in Europe? So bad that the Northern Irish town hosting next month’s G8 summit is putting up fake stores to make the place a little sunnier. Seriously, you have to check out these pictures: (Irish Times)

Funny? For a second, and then you realize the horror that implies: After three-plus years of “austerity”, Europe now is suffering record unemployment. (Reuters)

Even Germany is finally admitting that, maybe, Prussian-style austerity is killing southern Europe. (Der Spiegel)

Of course, that’s because Germany’s austerity chickens are coming home to roost. (Bloomberg)

And so — with all that evidence you’d think Republicans would wise up. You’d think that, wouldn’t you? (Jonathan Weisman)

Instead, austerity continues to take a bite out of our “best of a bad lot” economy (Reuters)

Consumers, however, are bullish. In fact, more so than economists thought (and Republicans hope). (Business Insider)

And if you’re surprised, you’re not paying attention. (Joseph Weisenthal)

Of course, this bullish attitude assumes you have stocks and/or real estate that’s increasing in value. (National Journal) (Bloomberg)

What? You don’t have a stock portfolio and/or real estate increasing in value? Well, just be glad you don’t live in Conserv-istan, i.e. North Carolina. (The Washington Post) and (Think Progress)

Krugman: “Estimates from the consulting firm Moody’s Analytics suggest that each dollar spent on food stamps in a depressed economy raises G.D.P. by about $1.70.” (Paul Krugman)

The RNC’s answer to the “jobs” question? The Keystone pipeline and only the Keystone pipeline —> (RNC)

“Boehner said jobs are his top priority. After 183 votes, The House has held only 1 vote on jobs legislation.” (Ari Melber)

Polls are pretty clear, too: Voters are “meh” on the various scandal investigations when compared to the ” jobs” question. (Talking Points Memo)

So what does the GOP need to do? Well, for starters it needs to become more than — as one conservative puts it — “the party of heroic entrepreneurs and tax cuts” (James Pethokoukis)

John Flowers