Hello, I am the new Chair of the DPOE Issues Committee. I was motivated to take this position by a love of stimulating, informed conversation about political and economic issues. Towards this end, you are invited to an Issues Movie Night (check the “Messages from the Party” section of the website.)
As a liberal economist, trained at the University of Chicago, I naturally have an interest in economic policy issues. The documentary, “Inside Job”, raises many questions without clear answers nor obvious villains or heroes. To me, it's ironic to see Elliot Spitzer raging about the whore-ing on Wall Street or seeing Dominique Strauss-Kahn portrayed in a positive light. I'm curious about other people's reaction to this film because, unlike me, most Americans are not economists, yet are still adamant about their opinions concerning economic policy.
Personally, I think Democrats have mostly won the debates about social policies. The death penalty (and the “throw the book at 'em” attitude) is being scaled back; gay marriage is increasingly accepted; marijuana is now completely legal in two states. But there is still great confusion about economic policy. What is the proper balance between debt and stimulus? How do we balance the needs of today's retirees with those of tomorrow's? How do we get good, comprehensive healthcare at reasonable cost?
As Issues Chair, I hope to bring forums, films, and web links to your attention in the hope of stimulating conversation and possibly producing political action. I am certainly open to non-economic topics. (Scientific issues, such as global warming, or technological issues, such as internet privacy or so-called intellectual property, are also favorites.) I invite everyone to make suggestions or join the Issues Committee to bring your passion issues to Democrats' attention.
In the meantime, I am greatly concerned about the increase in economic inequality in this country and around the world. Here are a few articles I recommend:
Inequality and the world economy - True Progressivism
http://www.economist.com/node/21564556
The Nordic countries are reinventing their model of capitalism, says Adrian Wooldridge
http://www.economist.com/news/special-report/21570840-nordic-countries-are-reinventing-their-model-capitalism-says-adrian
Capitalism and Inequality - What the Right and the Left Get Wrong
http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/138844/jerry-z-muller/capitalism-and-inequality
And back to the subject of “Inside Job”- why I love Sen. Elizabeth Warren:
WATCH: Sen. Elizabeth Warren Grills Regulators On Taking Banks To Trial
http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/02/14/172045516/watch-sen-elizabeth-warren-grills-regulators-on-taking-banks-to-trial
