Congressman Barney Frank is taking some flak from Progressive writer David Sirota about his thoughts on a grand bargain between Business and Labor. What I understand Rep Frank to have said is that he wanted to explore some collaboration to improve workers conditions and benefits in exchange for lightening regulations on business.
Sirota, a passionate writer and devoted Progressive writes “that politicians will often move to the right unless there are strong, consistent progressive voices holding them accountable.” He is concerned that Mr. Frank is inclined to betray progressive expectations and capitulate to free trade.
I think that it is important for people like Mr. Sirota to be the voice of conscience for his values. Just as Reps. Mike Pence or John Shaddegg are the voices for fiscal restraint.
But I think we elect our Representatives to deliberate among various options to arrive at policies that respect the legitimate interests of the major stakeholders. I don’t expect or desire that one interest group prevail over another. Too much accommodation to labor and we end up with some of the economic problems they have in the EU. Too much accommodation to Business and we have a falling quality of life. It would be fine with me if labor got higher wages, lower cost health care, Pension protection and business got some flexibility on wage and hour laws and some balance between free and fair trade. I prefer that US business be as competitive as possible in the global economy. There are infinite combinations of give and take here.
I don’t want the perfect to be the enemy of the good. I just want to see the ball moved down the field once in a while. The goal being a sustainable and improving quality of life, for us and the entire world.
Born 1950, Married, Living in Austin Texas, Semi
Retired Small Business owner and investor. My political interest
evolved out of his business experience that the best decisions come out of an objective gathering of information and a pragmatic consideration of costs and benefits. I am interested in promoting Centrist candidates and Policies. My posts are mostly about people and policies that I believe are part of the solution rather the problem.