Comment on: "Macron’s Art of the Deal", by Roger Cohen, NYT Sept. 21, 2017

Macron’s Art of the Deal

by Roger Cohen, Sept. 21, 2017

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/21/opinion/columnists/macron-trump-paris-climate-iran.html?comments#permid=24154176

As usual, a very good piece by Mr. Cohen.

Just two brief points.

Embarrassingly, in describing Macron's efforts to try and modify the idiocy of Thump's nationalist/isolationist pronouncements (Climate Accord, and Iran deal), he sounds like a teacher in a special-ed class (Macron) trying to modify the irrational behavior of s slightly retarded young student without, in deference to the parents (the US population) being too direct or insulting. 

As a related side note, when Cable TV describes the exchanges between Kim Yong Il and Trump, one never quite knows who is being quoted - they both sound identical in their 8th grader rantings.

On Macron's domestic priority of reforming labor laws and regulations, I am hoping he can do that without breaking the labor unions, because, although currently they are part, if not the primary reason for past failures, in the long run well functioning labor unions are vital to ensuring rising wages for employees.

Germany managed to reform its labor markets, but the labor unions still play a vital (and in most cases constructive) role in ensuring the rights and fair wages of workers - they are also at the forefront of confronting the misuses of "Leih-Arbeit" (contract workers), which was part of the German reforms.

The British, under Thatcher, had to emasculate the once overly powerful British unions, which got the British economy going but hurt workers in the long run. Hopefully Macron learns from these historical precedents.

Comment on "Greek Tragedy, Act V" NYT, Sept. 19,2017

Greek Tragedy, Act V

by Roger Cohen, Sept. 19. 2017

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/19/opinion/greece-crisis-euro-tsipras.html?comments#permid=24127016

I'm glad to see pundits acknowledge the role of the EU and NATO in helping to get Greece through the "Euro Crisis", and, yes, the Greeks deserve much credit for "keeping their cool" and not following the path of, for example, Venezuela, into complete chaos - their democratic institutions held, bravo.

However, I still see even in Mr. Cohen's column, the only slightly disguised "blaming" of Germany, being the economic leader of the EU, for its "humiliating tutelage" of Greece, while at the same time himself listing all the still remaining inadequacies in Greek political culture to successfully deal with the problems of a modern world - bloated, unaccountable public services, bribery, inability to implement a modern taxation system, etc. etc.

What most pundits still don't recognize, is that the Euro was a political tool to move forward with a tighter European Union, much more than it was a economic tool. This is evidenced again by both Mr. Macron's and Mr. Junker's urging for more countries to join the EURO zone, because it is only through these kinds of institutional unifiers that other levels of cooperation and unity can progress.

Comment on: "The Democratic Party needs to become a workers’ party"

The Democratic Party needs to become a workers’ party

by Scott Courtney, WP, Sept 4, 2017

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2017/09/04/the-democratic-party-needs-to-become-a-workers-party/?hpid=hp_no-name_opinion-card-c%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.b9f78f7669ab#comments

As someone who became politically conscious in Germany of the 50's and 60's, with "Social Democracy" gaining in relevance in Europe at the time, I agree that a re-vitalization of Unions is vital as a counterweight to the economic and political power of the 0.1%. However, the American model of Labor Unions is completely outdated and ineffectual. 

Labor Unions in Germany have a much more effective, successful structure, being organized around a sector-wide model with much more power in setting wages and work-standards sector wide, rather than just employer-by-employer.  

But most importantly, employees/labor in Germany have a guaranteed right to participate in corporate decision-making by virtue of their membership in Corporate Boards. This implements the, for Europeans, self-evident truth, that Corporations have responsibilities NOT ONLY to their share-holders, but also to their employees and to society in general. Thus, for example, corporation have an obligation to directly participate in the training and re-training of the workforce they need to stay competitive, rather then just lay them off and then expect, miraculously, to have the properly trained people available when they need them.

Comment on: "A 2020 Democratic agenda is emerging" by Ed Rogers, WP, Sept 4, 2017

A 2020 Democratic agenda is emerging

by Ed Rogers, WP, Sept 4 2017

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/wp/2017/09/04/a-2020-democratic-agenda-is-emerging/?hpid=hp_no-name_opinion-card-f%3Ahomepage%2Fstory&utm_term=.abfc7407ae03#comments

Ed Rogers typifies the mindless ignorance of today's conservatives, as in his core statement - "Economic polices will consist of government giveaways and anti-business crusades. Social causes will give no quarter to moderate positions, and LGBT special interests, labor unions, global warming fanatics and factions such as Black Lives Matter, along with other grievance industry groups, will face no moderating counterforce".  

What he lambasts as a "radical agenda" and "a dangerous lurch to the left" is what most other advanced civilized societies consider to be centrist policies such as "a single-payer health-care system, a $15 minimum wage, free college tuition". 

Take single payer health care. EVERY other advanced society has adopted this model and as a result pays on average half as much as the US in per capita expenditures for healthcare, with hugely better outcomes in them of almost every indicator of societal well-being. 

Free university is another one of those issues, where the US conservatives cannot see beyond the tips of their own nose. A well educated populace is the main guarantor for economic progress - even conservatives mouth that self-evident truth - and also of a well functioning democracy. with $20,000 - $40,000 annual tuition, only a small segment, the 1%, can afford to send their children to university. For the rest it means either crippling debt for years to come, or relying on a worthless high school diploma.  

Finally, Mr. Rogers use of "antifa" as a Boogyman is typical of the current Trumpian effort to divert attention from the current fascist tendencies of Trump-followers.

Comment on: "The Biggest Misconception About Today’s College Students"

The Biggest Misconception About Today’s College Students

by Gail O. Mellow AUG. 28, 2017

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/28/opinion/community-college-misconception.html?comments#permid=23903548

The US is missing the boat (again!) compared to basic European policies regarding what areas should be supported by public funds. A well educated populace is a huge long term benefit to any society and free college and apprenticeship education is the most cost effective way of preventing the formation of an un- or under-educated subclass, which will cost society dearly downstream.

Comment on" "What if Steve Bannon Is Right?" by Timothy Egan

What if Steve Bannon Is Right?

by Timothy Egan, Aug. 25, 2017

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/25/opinion/bannon-trump-polls-republican.html?comments#permid=23863730:23869941

The Democrats under Bill Clinton in the US were not the only ones who switched course to a more business friendly policy position.

At about the same time the Social Democrats were in power in Germany, a time during which Germany was described as "the sick man of Europe", with a sluggish economy and high unemployment. Under the leadership of the SPD the unemployment/social service/job protection schemes in Germany were radically altered in favor of business interests. One can fairly argue that this contributed to the dramatic economic up-turn in Germany, turning it from the "sick man in Europe" to "the economic power of Europe".

The difference, however, is that even the Conservative CDU/CSU in Germany is probably more "progressive" than the Democrats in the US. The primary "loosening" in Germany was around job protection, with the introduction of temporary (rather than permanent) work contracts, and of "Leiharbeit", essentially domestic outsourcing. However, the basic social safety nets (universal healthcare, meaningful unemployment/social benefits, strong unions, free college, apprenticeship programs, etc.) are still in place, and under the principals of the "social market economy" even the Conservatives would never consider reducing these.

These are the kind of programs the Democrats should fight for.

Comment on: Angry Trump Grilled His Generals About Troop Increase, Then Gave In

Angry Trump Grilled His Generals About Troop Increase, Then Gave In

By MARK LANDLER and MAGGIE HABERMAN AUG. 21, 2017

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/21/world/asia/trump-afghanistan.html?comments#permid=23825103

We should all be worried that there are now a significant number of Generals in lead positions of our (civilian?) government. One of the few sensible campaign promises Trump made was to remove us from the insane involvement in the war in Afghanistan (and Iraq).

Our Generals have a disastrous track record with their recommendation in Iraq and Afghanistan, yet Americans, very unfortunately and very dangerously, have the notion that "patriotism" requires supporting military leaders suggestions. ALL the predictions by "the Generals" in these wars have been wrong. The notion that another 4500 soldiers (or whatever the "secret number turns out to be) can accomplish what 100,000 soldiers could not is pure stupidity. The notion that Afghanistan is a terrorist training ground which directly endangers America's homeland is absolute nonsense - none of the terrorist attacks in recent years have had anything to do with Afghanistan - even 9/11, although planned by Bin Laden, who was holed up in Afghanistan, was almost exclusively carried out by Saudis, radicalized by the Saudi brand of Islam - yet Saudi Arabia is still one of our "trusted allies".

The whole effort in Afghanistan was originally justified by our then "Clown in Chief" with the notion that we had to "get bin Laden", which would somehow solve all the terrorism problems. Well, "we got bin Laden", and absolutely nothing has changed.

Get out of Afghanistan NOW!