Sunday, December 23, 2012

Sunday Afternoon Links

This and that for your Sunday reading.

- Murray Dobbin connects a pattern of economic trends which has seen more and more wealth concentrated in the hands of fewer and fewer people to the elimination of public discussion about work life:
The neo-liberal revolution of the 1980s proposed unfettered capitalism -- privatization, a downsized state, deregulation, free trade, low taxes and last but not least so-called "labour flexibility." That convenient euphemism simply means reducing the power, and independence of labour through cuts to EI and welfare and maintaining high unemployment levels that suppress wages. All of these initiatives were driven by globalization -- the hyper-competition of a voracious capitalism driven by finance capital.

But globalization is in its death throes and national economies are back. Those countries able to take advantage of robust domestic economies will fare better than those still trying to compete in a world of ever-increasing trade which no longer exists. Domestic economies thrive on high wage jobs and citizens who actually have money to spend and savings to fall back on when things get tough. They thrive when workers thrive -- when they feel valued, have enough leisure time to rest between work days, and are able to fully separate work from family life and, of course, when they have access to child care and elder care.
...
The days of ever-expanding trade are over but suddenly that strong domestic economy -- a safety net at a time of global recession -- has been severely weakened. Corporate CEOs and governments show no sign of having figured this out so the misery is likely to continue. Unions are scarcely any more attuned. Perhaps they should base their organizing and bargaining efforts more on work-life balance issues and demonstrate that they, at least, understand the problem.
- But then, Dr. Dawg notes that another problem has contributed to our continued corporatist drift - and it will take far more discussion about what we can do better (rather than merely what we're trying to preserve) to truly motivate citizens who have tuned out petty squabbles over what slightly different corporate-friendly options are available.

- And Sheila Pratt reports on Environics polling showing both that conservative economic messages have little resonance with the public at large, and that a strong majority of Canadians support protest movements to ensure citizens' needs are better reflected in public policy.

- Meanwhile, Bill Tieleman points out that continued poverty and inequality are antithetical to the spirit that should animate the Christmas season.

- Finally, Susan Delacourt laments the selection of Luka Magnotta as Canada's newsmaker of the year.

20 comments:

  1. Anonymous4:10 a.m.

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous1:27 p.m.

    Thanks for the auspicious writeup. It if truth be told was once a enjoyment account it.
    Glance advanced to far brought agreeable from you! However, how could we communicate?


    Also visit my webpage ... Converse Basse

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous12:54 p.m.

    Hi there mates, its enormous piece of writing
    about educationand fully explained, keep it up all the time.


    Here is my homepage ... Louis Vuitton Outlet

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous5:34 p.m.

    Hey there! Quick question that's entirely off topic. Do you know how to make your site mobile friendly? My website looks weird when browsing from my iphone. I'm trying to
    find a theme or plugin that might be able to fix this problem.
    If you have any suggestions, please share. Many thanks!


    Feel free to visit my page :: Chaussure De Foot

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous4:17 a.m.

    Very great post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to mention
    that I have really enjoyed surfing around your weblog posts.
    In any case I'll be subscribing for your feed and I'm hoping you
    write once more very soon!

    Also visit my homepage; Louis Vuitton Handbags

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous12:27 a.m.

    Its like you learn my thoughts! You appear to know so much about
    this, such as you wrote the book in it or something.

    I believe that you just could do with a few p.c. to pressure the message house
    a little bit, but other than that, that is excellent blog.
    A great read. I'll certainly be back.

    Feel free to surf to my homepage; Louis Vuitton Outlet

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous12:09 a.m.

    I am regular reader, how are you everybody? This piece of writing posted
    at this web site is genuinely good.

    my web site Abercrombie Pas Cher

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous5:56 a.m.

    Incredible points. Sound arguments. Keep up the amazing spirit.


    Also visit my weblog ... Basket Air Jordan

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous9:10 a.m.

    I am really enjoying the theme/design of your blog.

    Do you ever run into any browser compatibility issues?
    A handful of my blog audience have complained about my website
    not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox.
    Do you have any recommendations to help fix this problem?


    my blog: Chaussure Air Jordan

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous4:57 p.m.

    Thanks on your marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it,
    you may be a great author.I will ensure that I
    bookmark your blog and will come back at some point. I want
    to encourage continue your great posts, have a nice morning!


    Feel free to surf to my page :: Sac A Main Louis Vuitton

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous1:59 p.m.

    I'm excited to find this site. I need to to thank you for ones time for this particularly wonderful read!! I definitely liked every part of it and i also have you saved as a favorite to see new things on your site.

    Look into my webpage ... Mulberry Bags

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous1:30 a.m.

    It's actually very difficult in this full of activity life to listen news on Television, therefore I just use world wide web for that purpose, and get the newest information.

    Here is my web-site - Wholesale NFL Jerseys

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous8:58 a.m.

    Undeniably believe that which you said. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the net
    the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while people think about worries that they plainly
    do not know about. You managed to hit the
    nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people could take a signal.
    Will probably be back to get more. Thanks

    Feel free to visit my weblog :: Oakley Frogskins

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous9:26 a.m.

    you are truly a just right webmaster. The site loading speed is incredible.

    It sort of feels that you're doing any unique trick. Moreover, The contents are masterwork. you have done a excellent activity on this subject!

    My web site :: Air Jordan

    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous8:36 a.m.

    For latest information you have to pay a quick visit the web and
    on web I found this website as a finest web site for hottest updates.


    Also visit my web site :: Sac a main Guess

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous7:00 a.m.

    Hi, I think your site might be having browser compatibility issues.

    When I look at your website in Opera, it looks fine but when opening in Internet
    Explorer, it has some overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
    Other then that, wonderful blog!

    Feel free to visit my web blog ... More Info

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous6:47 a.m.

    Ahaa, its fastidious discussion on the topic of this
    paragraph at this place at this web site, I have read all that,
    so now me also commenting here.

    Here is my webpage related site

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous12:06 p.m.

    What a information of un-ambiguity and preserveness of precious know-how concerning unpredicted feelings.


    my homepage ... get more information

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous3:59 p.m.

    This design is spectacular! You definitely know how
    to keep a reader entertained. Between your wit and your videos, I was
    almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost...HaHa!) Wonderful job.
    I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.
    Too cool!

    Here is my homepage :: somalinow.net

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous10:17 p.m.

    I am genuinely thankful to the holder of this website who
    has shared this wonderful paragraph at at this place.



    Feel free to visit my web site; More Help *http://arsonicgaming.net*

    ReplyDelete