Comments on: Inequality and American Exceptionalism http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/16/inequality-and-american-exceptionalism/ The Sweet Release of Reason Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:11:50 +0000 hourly 1 By: odograph http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/16/inequality-and-american-exceptionalism/#comment-21347 odograph Tue, 17 Feb 2009 03:59:59 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2874#comment-21347 My comment might have seemed like a non-sequitur, because it certainly doesn't relate to the subtleties of Will's argument ... but I really think the big item is that we have chosen (somehow, perhaps not consciously) as a society to send certain jobs to the world wage. That's good for the world, but a requires a fast adjustment by some Americans. My comment might have seemed like a non-sequitur, because it certainly doesn't relate to the subtleties of Will's argument … but I really think the big item is that we have chosen (somehow, perhaps not consciously) as a society to send certain jobs to the world wage. That's good for the world, but a requires a fast adjustment by some Americans.

]]> By: asg http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/16/inequality-and-american-exceptionalism/#comment-21348 asg Tue, 17 Feb 2009 02:58:23 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2874#comment-21348 "Power to the People", a classic episode of Yes Prime Minister, develops Will's last point in sitcom format. “Power to the People”, a classic episode of Yes Prime Minister, develops Will's last point in sitcom format.

]]> By: odograph http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/16/inequality-and-american-exceptionalism/#comment-21349 odograph Tue, 17 Feb 2009 02:19:29 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2874#comment-21349 We seem to be in a funny phase where "geographically tied" jobs hold a US premium, and others drift toward a world rate.<br><br>As the only US-based programmer in a US small company (a few more in Russia and a few more in Asia) I can definitely see the globalization playing out. We seem to be in a funny phase where “geographically tied” jobs hold a US premium, and others drift toward a world rate.

As the only US-based programmer in a US small company (a few more in Russia and a few more in Asia) I can definitely see the globalization playing out.

]]> By: Braden http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/16/inequality-and-american-exceptionalism/#comment-21350 Braden Tue, 17 Feb 2009 01:47:53 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2874#comment-21350 I don't think that Barack Obama's election is indicative of much. Especially since voters aren't rational and policy might not be as important as image and perception. I don't think that Barack Obama's election is indicative of much. Especially since voters aren't rational and policy might not be as important as image and perception.

]]> By: Matt C http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/16/inequality-and-american-exceptionalism/#comment-21351 Matt C Tue, 17 Feb 2009 01:27:50 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2874#comment-21351 <i>BTW, it is not uniquely American for the wealthy to have greater influence, is it</i><br><br>No, nor will it ever be atypical. It is a part of the social hierarchy that is humanity. BTW, it is not uniquely American for the wealthy to have greater influence, is it

No, nor will it ever be atypical. It is a part of the social hierarchy that is humanity.

]]> By: Paul O'Pinion http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/16/inequality-and-american-exceptionalism/#comment-21352 Paul O'Pinion Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:46:29 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2874#comment-21352 "The advantage of the wealthy is further enhanced by a political system in which those with money are better able to have their interests served legislatively than the poor or working classes."<br><br>This is what special interests are all about. The poor and working classes can only vote for the choices given to them, served up by special interest-funded politicians in both parties. The opportunity to rise above the fray and be wealthy is possible, though, and new folks are doing it all the time.<br>BTW, it is not uniquely American for the wealthy to have greater influence, is it? “The advantage of the wealthy is further enhanced by a political system in which those with money are better able to have their interests served legislatively than the poor or working classes.”

This is what special interests are all about. The poor and working classes can only vote for the choices given to them, served up by special interest-funded politicians in both parties. The opportunity to rise above the fray and be wealthy is possible, though, and new folks are doing it all the time.
BTW, it is not uniquely American for the wealthy to have greater influence, is it?

]]> By: Paul O'Pinion http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/16/inequality-and-american-exceptionalism/#comment-22600 Paul O'Pinion Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:46:29 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2874#comment-22600 "The advantage of the wealthy is further enhanced by a political system in which those with money are better able to have their interests served legislatively than the poor or working classes."<br><br>This is what special interests are all about. The poor and working classes can only vote for the choices given to them, served up by special interest-funded politicians in both parties. The opportunity to rise above the fray and be wealthy is possible, though, and new folks are doing it all the time.<br>BTW, it is not uniquely American for the wealthy to have greater influence, is it? “The advantage of the wealthy is further enhanced by a political system in which those with money are better able to have their interests served legislatively than the poor or working classes.”

This is what special interests are all about. The poor and working classes can only vote for the choices given to them, served up by special interest-funded politicians in both parties. The opportunity to rise above the fray and be wealthy is possible, though, and new folks are doing it all the time.
BTW, it is not uniquely American for the wealthy to have greater influence, is it?

]]> By: GilM http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/16/inequality-and-american-exceptionalism/#comment-21353 GilM Mon, 16 Feb 2009 23:57:35 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2874#comment-21353 <i>Egalitarian liberals are going to continue to sound confused unless they can make up their minds about this.</i><br><br>Maybe to us. But, the strategy of denying that there's a trade-off has worked (rhetorically) for them so far. Most people they're talking to agree with the mistake. Egalitarian liberals are going to continue to sound confused unless they can make up their minds about this.

Maybe to us. But, the strategy of denying that there's a trade-off has worked (rhetorically) for them so far. Most people they're talking to agree with the mistake.

]]> By: Dan Miller http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/16/inequality-and-american-exceptionalism/#comment-21354 Dan Miller Mon, 16 Feb 2009 23:53:38 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2874#comment-21354 "Fourth, it is a mistake to assume that equality of democratic voice improves the prospects of the poor and working classes unless the poor and working classes support policies that actually promote their interests. "<br><br>This may be the first time I've seen you agree with Thomas Frank ;) “Fourth, it is a mistake to assume that equality of democratic voice improves the prospects of the poor and working classes unless the poor and working classes support policies that actually promote their interests. “

This may be the first time I've seen you agree with Thomas Frank ;)

]]> By: odograph http://willwilkinson.net/flybottle/2009/02/16/inequality-and-american-exceptionalism/#comment-21346 odograph Mon, 16 Feb 2009 19:59:59 +0000 http://www.willwilkinson.net/flybottle/?p=2874#comment-21346 My comment might have seemed like a non-sequitur, because it certainly doesn't relate to the subtleties of Will's argument ... but I really think the big item is that we have chosen (somehow, perhaps not consciously) as a society to send certain jobs to the world wage. That's good for the world, but a requires a fast adjustment by some Americans. My comment might have seemed like a non-sequitur, because it certainly doesn't relate to the subtleties of Will's argument … but I really think the big item is that we have chosen (somehow, perhaps not consciously) as a society to send certain jobs to the world wage. That's good for the world, but a requires a fast adjustment by some Americans.

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