OT: Power economics

[ProSense]

I no economics wonk, but this is interesting:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2509703&mesg_id=2509703

What do you think?

[sandnsea]

1. Clinton invested too

Specifically, the Technology Literacy Challenge Fund in 1996 which really pushed computer sales and internet expansion. I don't think it was just deficit reduction. Our country works better when government is taking the lead in pushing technology. If Bush had done that with either medicine or energy, we wouldn't even notice the jobs that had been outsourced. But Republicans don't believe in that which is why we never have innovation under their leadership.

http://clinton2.nara.gov/WH/Accomplishments/issues.html

[ProSense]

2. Agree!

I think that some of the checks weren't there, and outsourcing still has to be addressed not hidden. Clinton's plan, with the tech boom, was right for the time, but I agree with the OP article that new thinking is in order.

[sandnsea]

3. I agree with the power part

It's kind of comical that it would be written down, as a sort of epiphany of the modern era.

Workers need power and government protection?!? *gasp* You don't say!!!

Have we seriously had Democratic pundits and strategists who didn't KNOW that???

[ProSense]

4. You wouldn't think so, but

the Rubin versus Reich struggle within the Clinton admistration seems to suggest that a full understanding of that protection wasn't there, or a least there was resistance.

[blm]

5. There were other struggles that would have made an enormous difference

to this country if they had gone the other way.

One that comes to mind is Gore and Hillary. Gore thought the smartest move would be to tackle Welfare Reform and easily push a bill through successfully THEN introduce the Health care plan.

Had Clinton a greater understanding of how Congress worked, he would have sided with Gore at the time and life would be a hell of alot different than it is today.

Governors don't always make the smartest presidents in their first few years.