Irrational Liberal Exuberance.

How does Robert Reich get his jobs? He was treasury secretary and now he is professor of public policy at the University of California.

In a recent national newspaper editorial, Reich opined on Obama’s elimination of tax cuts for the wealthy. Reich opined that the wealthy do not spend the same percentage of their money as the non-wealthy; hence they do not deserve a tax cut. Taxes from the wealthy should go to Obama who will distribute it to teachers, firefighters and other people who will spend it. What does Reich, who I am sure is in the wealthy category, believe the wealthy do with their money? Place it under their bed? Reich’s argument for supporting Obama’s elimination of tax cuts for the wealthy defies all rational thought. Perhaps it is an example of irrational liberal exuberance.

In the same editorial, Reich also opined that America will never recover from this recession until we have a restructuring of the economy. Of course he never explained what he meant, how this restructuring would take place or even what restructuring is. The man gives new meaning to obtuse.

And if that is not enough, he hides behind a mantle of obscurity defining it as the identity symbol of a true professor. It seems that professors escape from an obligation to provide clear thoughtful explanations of reasons for supporting a particular Obama position because the “Ivory Tower Syndrome” vacates their obligation. I disagree of course.

I believe just the opposite. The long robes of professorship demand clarity because of the iconic position that workers, like me, surrender, perhaps irrationally to professors. Reich is proud of his professorial obtuseness. Apparently, he believes, it is an intellectual right uniquely conferred on professors and other smart people. And further, it is, in my experience, frequently accepted by them with genuine arrogance.

On the other hand, maybe we Americans are the obtuse ones. We put up with it. And the papers print it. And I read it.

Wait! Do you think that his position at the University of California has anything to do with his support of Obama? Did I mention he teaches at Berkeley?

Webtalkwithbob.