Arthur Cordell wrote, >Not sure that the banks are the best place for information on how the >economy works. Sort of like having GM explain the transportation >system--it will sure be biased toward the automobile. That's exactly what I thought when I heard Ray Protti, pres. of the CBA, on the radio and the reason I posted the press release. I phoned in a taped response to the CBC afternoon show that aired Protti's announcement expressing my hope that the Bankers would "commitment to reflecting the diversity of views" about the economy. I'm also going to contact the Bankers Association and talk to them about some of the educational tools I've developed. My message to the CBC afternoon show: I heard Ray Protti's announcement of "Building a Better Understanding" on the afternoon show and I visited the Canadian Bankers' Association website. The results of the survey of Canadians' Economic and Financial Understanding are very interesting and I agree with the findings that there is a need for a better understanding of the economy and how it functions. The survey results are especially interesting to me as a policy researcher because I have just finished a series of interviews with people who are very knowledgable about economic issues: labour market analysts, human resource managers, stock brokers, commerce professors, government officials, business leaders. The picture that I get is that there isn't a single understanding of how the economy functions and I certainly hope that the CBA commitment to raising awareness is also a commitment to reflecting the diversity of views, even among the "experts". My research has found two main clusters of opinion, with people from the two clusters strongly agreeing on some issues and strongly disagreeing on other issues. For example, there is a broad consensus on two issues: Government reports on unemployment conceal a bleaker reality in which many job seekers have become discouraged or take part-time work. People who have prospered owe something back to the community that has enabled them to prosper. But there is sharp disagreement about the following statements: The best strategy for fighting unemployment is to create a confident business climate and eliminate the obstacles to private investment. Today's corporate culture says if you don't join the rest of the 'team' that stays late or takes the laptop home, you just don't fit in and you might as well get out. On the key issue of hours of work, there is a great deal of polarization around the following views: Proposals to redistribute work time are met with a resistance that tangles cultural and economic factors with corporate short-sightedness. Although voluntary reductions in work time may be worthwhile, it would be economically unsound to impose change through legislation or collective bargaining. These are just some examples of the diversity of views. Part of the challenge of communicating is acknowledging and honouring this diversity. I hope the CBA is equal to that challenge. Regards, Tom Walker ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Know Ware Communications Vancouver, B.C., CANADA [EMAIL PROTECTED] (604) 688-8296 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The TimeWork Web: http://www.vcn.bc.ca/timework/
