by Robert Reich
Last night, nine likely or official Republican presidential candidates converged just outside Des Moines to woo conservative voters at the Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalitions 15th annual candidate forum. But the "moral crises they spoke about gay marriage, abortion, and prayer involve personal decisions. They are no business of government. The real crisis of our time doesnt involve private morality. Its a crisis of public morality -- the torrent of big money drowning our democracy, insider trading on Wall Street, corporations buying back shares of stock to pump up prices when their executives cash in stock options, influence-peddling in Washington and state capitals, and the increasingly savage inequalities of income, wealth, and power in America.
Which is why questions about the relationship between politics and wealthy donors who support the Clinton Foundation are troubling. At the least, Hillary Clinton must fully address how she dealt with potential conflicts of interest as secretary of state and how she intends to prevent such conflicts should she become President. There must be full and complete disclosure of all sources of funding that went and is still going to the Foundation, and the ban on donations from foreigners in effect when she was secretary of state should be reinstated for the remainder of her candidacy. Abuses of power, and the close nexus between wealth and politics, are the reason the deck is stacked in favor of those at the top. If she is to be a credible champion of everyday Americans, Hillary Clinton must leave no doubt about whose side she's on.
https://www.facebook.com/RBReich?fref=nf
haikugal
(6,476 posts)He is a communicator with clear, honest points to make. I'd like to either see him on the ticket or in the cabinet. I wonder why he hasn't run for office?
I agree with him, there needs to be complete disclosure, NOW.
elleng
(131,106 posts)'He also published an associated campaign book, I'll Be Short. Reich was the first Democratic candidate for a major political office to support same-sex marriage. He also pledged support for abortion rights and strongly condemned capital punishment. His campaign staff was largely made up of his Brandeis students. Although his campaign had little funding, he surprised many and came in a close second out of six candidates in the Democratic primary with 25% of the vote.'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Reich
I must have been in my"I don't have time period" and missed it he'd make an excellent candidate in my view.
Thanks elleng! Appreciate it!
elleng
(131,106 posts)He's a friend of the family, so I've paid pretty close attention.
To me that's like saying you know Margaret Mead! I'm jealous...he has to be entertaining and informative, capable of good conversation. Kudo's to your family!
elleng
(131,106 posts)his father and my mother's brother attended college together, but I did invite him to dinner once, in DC. His folks + my mother+ did socialize.