What the hell is wrong with Tapped these days? They are going rightwing on immigration, trashing "identity politics", and now they are sounding all DLC-like in dissing labor unions.

I hear there are elections coming up.

This may explain Tapped.

--Kynn

Another response to TAPPED's whiff on unions:
http://joekenehancenter.typepad.com/kenehanmain/2003/09/reinvigorating_.html

I totally missed that line from them when I was there earlier, and I'm with you on TAPPED: They've been putting some "funny" ideas out lately.

This may or may not be meaningful, but Matthew Yglesias (from the blog of that name) just signed on with TAPPED, and I believe he writes at least some of their blog. That "half a century ago" line sounds like it was written by someone short on years. Maybe Matt?

Matt's also not exactly fond of unions.

Good points. Are those who write Tapped not in touch with people there like Harold Meyerson? Carter Wright points out all of the things that labor advocates that benefit unorganized workers more than organized workers: health care, minimum wage, health and safety protections, etc.

We've grown sadly accostomed to even many Democrats assuming that advocating for workers somehow means "pandering" to self serving, corrupt, special interest "union bosses." (I thought Bustamante lumping his labor contributions in with his Indian gambling contributions was indicitive of a similar mindset.)

But when one of our too few articulate left mouthpieces falls into the same ignorant blather, one wonders what hope we have. This is not only symtomatic of political naivite, but also of a total lack of understanding of American political and social history (not to speak of current events). I dispair when I look at my kids' high school curriculum and their lack of current events, politics, economics or government. One would hope, however, that those writing at Tapped whould have risen above thise handicaps. Or else woe is us.

Maybe TAPPED just doesn't understand basic union principles. That would make sense, they're kind of an upper-class take on liberal principles, and even if they took a class in college, it's not the same thing as having lived it. The disturbing part to me was about how "those jobs aren't coming back."

NOW THAT'S VISION!

blech.

A little early to blame Yglesias; I think his first bylined article over there appeared today.

I've been reading blogs for, oh, several months now and have several (too many?) bookmarked. I have never gotten into reading TAPPED because, quite frankly, it sucks.

That certainly was ridiculous.

BTW a tangential comment: Anytime you hear somebody say "those jobs aren't coming back" then immediately say "oh, you think they're lying about the benefits of globalization, then?"

Because that's exactly what they're saying. If globalization is going to bring everybody up to 1st world living standards (and if it isn't then ask them why not and really watch them really wiggle) then at that point shouldn't you be able to produce anything (good or service) anywhere for roughly the same cost?

Act all innocent and big-eyed while you ask these questions. You can come up with further fun games: ask if they are considering a move to a "comparative advantage" country & etc.

My favorite is that when they start "teaching you Economics 101" get them going on the free market and competition. Nod wisely and say: Ok, if individuals act in their own self-interests it works out to everybody's advantage, and if companies persue their own self-interest it works out best for everybody, so logically if nations persue their own self-interest it...???

Maybe- unlikely but, maybe- you can get them to see that globalization is like communism: a nice theory that works perfectly everywhere but in real life. Maybe when Homo Sapiens gives way to Homo Superior its time will have come.

Hmmm, I feel like going over and torturing Prof. DeLong. But he really doesn't deserve it. Unless he subjects me to another condescending lecture on "comparative advantage"... then all bets are off.

ahem, sometimes they also "pursue" their own self-interest...