I just read Jason Furman's 2005 piece on Wal-mart, as well as some of his other 'insights' on the wonders of free market globalization. I think it's time we clarify this 'Change' thing.
I'm deeply concerned about how any message of real economic change or hope jibes with these status-quo, look-out-below policies.
In one of the most heated exchanges of all the Democratic primary debates, you chastised Senator Clintonfor 'sitting on the board of directors at Wal-mart.' Now you want one of Wal-mart's greatest apologists to advise you on the economy? With all due respect, that is the height of hypocrisy, sir. Worse, we hear constantly that one of your greatest challenges is winning over 'blue-collar' voters. How does this help? I live in Flint, MI. If you think that working class folks aren't keyed into these types of slights, or that their level of awareness and political power are low enough that your campaign need not worry, you insult them again and truly risk losing this can't-lose election. How pandering to neo-liberals fits into any real plan for real change is an utter mystery to most of the people I talk to every day.
We want to support you, Senator Obama. More than you'll ever know. We are thrilled that your campaign has energized so many. You make us proud. Inspired. Confident. But to solicit advise on the number one change-starved issue of our time from a run-of-the-mill Wall Street free market disciple spells doom for any hope of real economic change – and potentially doom for your Presidential bid altogether.
One gets the feeling that your campaign is starting to play us all for dupes. Please don't insult our intelligence. Stop talking tough while playing it safe. Stop reaching left then right for advice in the hope that you'll hit America's big, sweet center. The new center, that we thought you could see over the horizon, is way out in front of you. Understand, we know posturing when we see it. Perhaps today's announcement of the UAW's endorsement of your campaign is an example of this – meant to deflect rank-and-file union members' and real change advocates' attention away from Jason Furman's view of global economics. If that's true, that's politics-as-usual with a new-and-improve slickness and sinisterness, sir. I hope I'm wrong. Please, start listening to people like David Harvey, Gregg Shotwell, Sam Pizzigati, and, yes, Congressman Kucinich. You have the once in a lifetime opportunity to ignite a real, meaningful and lasting new vision for American progress. Don't blow it.
Sincerely,