The problem, in some ways, is not that Mayor Pete is proposing a more "moderate" position on, say, free public universities. The problem is that he's using logic (such as it is) that is explicitly rightwing—he's directly attacking the very idea of universal public goods.

Everything Mayor Pete is saying, as many have pointed out, could be directed at public high schools, public parks, and so on.

For these public services, the rich should pay more because of progressive taxation—not because the services themselves are means-tested.

As I mentioned previously, when politics becomes a contest of parsing who exactly is "deserving" of these goods and services, you've given the game away to the right. You'll not out means-test the right—they'll always out demagogue you.

If you're not on board with everything the left wants, fine, I guess. But talk about pragmatism or moderation rather than using GOP talking points about means-testing. Don't viciously attack the very idea of universal public goods funded through progressive taxation.

And, I'm not the first to say, means-testing is hell for anyone who has to do all the paperwork to "prove" they fall into the "correct" category to deserve this or that good. You're just making the lives of already harried workers miserable.

So, sorry, I'm not going to shut up about this. For the sake of his massive ego, his own ambitions, his boundless narcissism he's attacking the very foundations of a decent society. He's a smug, condescending troll. Just go back to working for McKinsey!

How do you say, "Go away!" in Norwegian?