[lbo-talk] Ehrenreich responds to BDL

[Brad DeLong]

>On Thu, 21 Aug 2003, Kelley wrote:
>
>>  >This is also IMHO the main problem with Ehrenreich's argument: it's
>>  >unrepresentative.
>>
>>  how could you possibly know?
>
>I'm using her own figures.
>
>>  aside from that, your response illustrates exactly Ehrenreich's point as
>>  to why _feminists_ shouldn't hire domestics. You've taken on the
>>  position of "benevolent boss". That isn't exactly the best position to
>>  be in if you want to foster feminist solidarity.
>
>If you think the cash nexus is inherently corrosive, then sure, it's
>impossible to conceive of mutual benefit and personal friendliness.  If
>not, not.  I can think of lots of cases where hiring domestic help would
>express more solidarity with women both in and out of my family than the
>non-cash alternatives.

I don't think that the argument is that the cash nexus is inherently 
corrosive. I think that the argument is that the cash nexus combined 
with tenfold differences in wealth is inherently corrosive.

I'm not sure whether or not the argument makes sense, myself...

Brad DeLong