Privatization Pep Rally

[Max Sawicky]

>Max Sawicky wrote:
>
>>The political fact with which we have to work
>>is that the 'middle' scenario assumes anemic
>>growth, relative to the present, so the shortfall
>>becomes a political fact.
>>
>>We could yell and scream that there will be no
>>shortfall and be ignored entirely.
>>
>>Alternatively, we could dispute the probability
>>of slow growth and provide palatable solutions
>>to the shortfall that the rest of the world is
>>referring to when they deal with the issue.
>>
>>We chose option b.
>
>Boy, if that doesn't show what life in Washington does to your political

I have a new policy.  Every time someone
uses my zip code to evaluate my statements,
I will remind readers of the highly atypical,
mind-altering bohemian environs of my critics.


>imagination. The elite agenda-setters cast an untruth as truth, and all you

The future growth rate is hardly as simple a
thing as "truth" or its opposite.


>can do is kvetch about the details. Since politics is all about compromise,
>if you start out compromised, you'll end up with something between mush and
>disaster (e.g., the Clinton health plan).

We're doing a bit more than kvetching,
you kvetch.  In summary, we are:

1.  circulating destructive criticism of
privatization plans (tax increases,
benefit cuts, and less security)

2.  pointing out the uncertain nature of
current, pessimistic projections

3.  downplaying the opposition's depiction
of the magnitude of the problem;

4.  pointing out the self-interest of
privatization advocates

5.  motivating benign solutions.

6.  defending the concept of redistributive
social insurance.

Struggle resolutely to rise above defeatist
trotskyist sectarian marginalization and lead
the broad, social-democratic masses of just
plain folks to victory!

There's your pep rally.

MBS