Jack Burns Lives!

Rahm Emanuel And The Message Of Change

Obama’s first big move is to appoint a Israeli hardliner as Chief of Staff. Interesting, but not a surprising move. 

Emanuel supported NAFTA, supported the war in Iraq and is about as hawkish as you can get on Iran. He steadfastly works to keep military spending high, and he’s pro-business, having amassed a fortune of nearly $20 million in three years. 

Not that being “pro-business” is bad in and of itself. But when you hear “pro-business” in political terms, that’s a code word for growth, neo-liberalism and the use of militarism to support non-sustainable growth all over the planet. It’s the antithesis of sustainable, steady state economics. 

He’s a member of is a member of what’s know as the New Democrat Coalition (NDC), of group of center-right pro-business leaders dedicated to moving the party away from its progressive/liberal base. I question whether such a base really exists, but Emanuel is apparently dedicated to see that it doesn’t gain a foothold. 

The purpose and function of government is not to preside over change but to prevent change. By political methods when unavoidable, by violence when convenient.

As Edward Abbey once said “the purpose and function of government is not to preside over change but to prevent change. By political methods when unavoidable, by violence when convenient.”

As usual, Ed was right.