MMM shows she's worth whatever Atlantic is paying her in this brilliant fisking of the Chicago 'Gang of 100' whine about the proposed Friedman Institute. Her money quote:
Their assessment of the effects of the "neoliberal global order" is forehead slapping, head shaking, did-they-really-say that? stupid. I haven't heard such transparently wishful claptrap since my fifteen-year-old boyfriend tried to convince me that sex provided unparalleled aerobic exercise. If you put all 100 in a room with unlimited access to Lexis-Nexis and a mountain-sized peyote stash to bring their quasi-communist fantasy life into 3D technicolor, they still couldn't name a country where neoliberalism has undermined a vibrant democracy.It hardly gets any better than that.
Comments (6)
"As Friedman and others continually demonstrated, design of public policy without regard to market alternatives has adverse social consequences."
When will ignorant leftists learn that aggressive assertion is not a legitimate supporting argument? How did these nitwits get their doctorates? Oh yeah - from other similar nitwits.
Incidentally, Marc, I've enjoyed reading your blog and comments on Cafe Hayek for over a year. Great blog and great comments. Incidentally, 12 years ago, you were my boss at Stern Stewart.
Posted by Kat | July 15, 2008 10:46 PM
Posted on July 15, 2008 22:46
Well, my mystery worker, I guess I didn't beat you up too badly. I'm glad you're enjoying the site. Your comments are most welcome.
Posted by M. Hodak | July 16, 2008 9:14 PM
Posted on July 16, 2008 21:14
Incidentally, how many times can I say "incidentally" in a row? Sheesh. I must real proof what I write after my husband distracts me!
No, you were a nice boss and a nice person. At SS, you weren't doing the beating. You know, I occasionally meet people who have come across Stern and Stewart (usually through some lecture on the magic of EVA) and every one of them has a visceral reaction to them. Without exception. It's actually a bit bizarre.
I won't put my name on a public board, but if you think about Amtrak and Shelter Components and that our paths last crossed at Sanford Bernstein six or seven years ago, you should have a pretty good idea of which one of your many former peons I am.
We've had exchanges on your blog before and probably will again and it always felt weird that I knew exactly who you were and you didn't know that I knew you. Anyway, I love your blog and I love the comments you leave on other blogs (I'm discovering we read the same ones). You have a lot of intersecting and insightful things to say and you say them well. Unfortunately, I didn't know this side of you when I was your analyst. It's a shame. We could have had much better conversations on those bloody train trips to Amtrak's headquarters!
Posted by Kat | July 17, 2008 6:16 PM
Posted on July 17, 2008 18:16
"intersecting" = "interesting"
Last time I let spell check auto-correct my spelling
Posted by kat | July 17, 2008 11:43 PM
Posted on July 17, 2008 23:43
And, as I recall, Amtrak didn't take our recommendations. So, are you still at SB? You should drop me a line on my regular e-mail.
Posted by M. Hodak | July 18, 2008 1:43 PM
Posted on July 18, 2008 13:43
Of course Amtrak didn't take our recommendations. They're not required to make a profit. All they're required to do is present congress with 30-year forecasts that have minor fluctuations in the growth rate 15, 20 and 25 years out because congress won't buy a constant growth rate! Hilarious!
I haven't been at SB for many years. I'll give you the scoop on your regular email.
Posted by Kat | July 18, 2008 2:38 PM
Posted on July 18, 2008 14:38