What bothered me about Reich was his after the fact interest in doing something. It is like a building inspector on the take and looking the other way when, say, the building is a fire hazard but becoming very vocal after leaving the job. Why not do something when he had a chance. If he was a team player during the Clinton years why not keep his silence or at least talk about the pressures that were on him to conform to the party line. I know he did something like this in an earlier book (Locked in the Cabinet?) Was he afraid to speak out when in Cabinet? Why not resign in protest? As I said: Wimp. arthur
________________________________ From: Ed Weick [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sun 2/17/2008 7:48 AM To: Cordell, Arthur: ECOM; Darryl or Natalia Cc: futurework Subject: Re: [Futurework] Fw: [Ottawadissenters] Another book one shouldn'tread! I don't think we disagree, Arthur, at least not strongly. You say: "I think its the job of those who are appointed to positions of power, police officers, firefighters, elected officials to act in the public interest." I agree, but you raise many questions. Most importantly, what is the public interest and who defines it? Is it, for example, Harper acting through the PMO? There are various publics, which raises the question of which ones our elected and appointed officials should most strongly give their attention to. In Harper's case how should he weigh and balance the interests of the Alberta oil patch versus street people in our largest cities, or for that matter Ontario auto parts makers versus the oil patch? And one can't ignore the fact that political parties are corporate entities whose prime interest is remaining in power and not necessarily helping you or me even if, to remain in power, they have to appear to be useful to the public. I read Reich's final chapter very quickly, but I rather liked his message that democracy belongs to everybody and if it has been captured by "elites", storm the ramparts and take it back. But of course I recognize that we're not going to do that and he probably does too. Ed ----- Original Message ----- From: Cordell, Arthur: ECOM <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Ed Weick <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ; Darryl or Natalia <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: futurework <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Saturday, February 16, 2008 6:30 PM Subject: RE: [Futurework] Fw: [Ottawadissenters] Another book one shouldn'tread! I diagree with you folks. I think its the job of those who are appointed to positions of power, police officers, firefighters, elected officials to act in the public interest. Robert Reich was secty of Labour in Clinton cabinet. . Reich saw many things while in cabinet. He saw the downside of globalization, he saw the increasing bi-modal distribution of incomes. He saw. But he did nothing. He said nothing. He stood for nothing. He did not discharge his duties in the public interest: He acted in his own best interests. He stood by and watched while major structural changes were underway. Now Reich displays some academic prowess and his answer to the many problems that only govts can address?? Civic governance. We have to roll up our sleeves and take back the economy. Hunnnh. In a word, Reich is a wimp. Self-centered wimp. Who is trying to peddle some books. ________________________________ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] on behalf of Ed Weick Sent: Sat 2/16/2008 5:32 PM To: Darryl or Natalia Cc: futurework Subject: Re: [Futurework] Fw: [Ottawadissenters] Another book one shouldn'tread! Hi Natalia, and thanks for the response. Where I agree with Reich and disagree with you is that I really don't think we can keep blaming "elites" for the mess we're in. As Reich argues, we really do have to start blaming ourselves. If our so-called democratic system isn't working for us but is working for people who are far richer than we are and can manipulate us, what are we doing about it? Very little, I'd suggest. The subprime mortgage debacle is a case in point. How on earth would people who had no hope of meeting the requirements of those mortgages get themselves into them? And of course there were crafty buggers waiting in the wings for bad stuff to happen. It happened alright, but it turned out to be far worse than they thought it would be. And Walmart. Last time I shopped there, about a year ago, I was told that an "associate" would help me. An associate may get a few benefits to keep the peace, but not nearly as many as a good ol'fashion union member (I know a little about the benefits of collective action because as a west coast boom man I once belonged to the International Woodworkers of America). Why don't the associates just get together and walk out that door? I suppose it's because there are ever so many others out there waiting to get in. But why are they? Where the hell solidarity and our mutual interdependence gone? Reich's final chapters, which I read quickly, deal with taking back our democracy. If the elites have grabbed it off, we've let them. Perhaps it really is time to see what some vigorous marching and fist shaking will do! Ed ________________________________ _______________________________________________ Futurework mailing list Futurework@fes.uwaterloo.ca http://fes.uwaterloo.ca/mailman/listinfo/futurework ________________________________ --- avast! Antivirus: Inbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 080212-0, 02/12/2008 Tested on: 2/13/2008 6:25:31 PM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2008 ALWIL Software. http://www.avast.com <http://www.avast.com/> ________________________________ avast! Antivirus <http://www.avast.com/> : Outbound message clean. Virus Database (VPS): 080215-0, 02/15/2008 Tested on: 2/16/2008 12:03:34 PM avast! - copyright (c) 1988-2008 ALWIL Software.
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