Re: browsing the archives

[Daniel Davies <dsquared@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

on the positive side, a lot of the interesting economics discussion has come
about as a result of trying to answer questions raised by people who were
previously lurkers.  Which ought to suggest to lurkers that, as long as they
can avoid the subjects of Russia and Ralph Nader, they can usually get
something worthwhile by popping their heads up.

dd

-----Original Message-----
From: PEN-L list [mailto:PEN-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Michael
Perelman
Sent: 09 September 2004 17:44
To: PEN-L@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: browsing the archives


I was browsing the archives from a decade ago -- Nothing scientific, I just
took a
few minutes.  What struck me was the number of excellent people who have
left the
list since then.  Also, I noticed a much broader mix of people who were
contributing,
not the massive posting by a few with the rest in silence.  Of course, there
were
many lurkers back then, but the number of posters seemed to be much larger.

Also, I noticed that there was much less hostility.  I cannot see why we
need to keep
attacking those who disagree with us, even though they have positive
intentions --
people who support Kerry because they oppose Bush or people who support
Nader.  Let's
do away with the circular firing squads.

Finally, I wish that we would spend more time looking at the economy.  I
have never
seen an economy with so many mixed signals for so long.  As soon as one
positive
indicator crops up, another negative one follows.

Regardless of who wins the election, I expect to see serious cuts in social
spending
-- Kerry/Rubin to balance the budget, Bush for more tax cuts.  As leftists,
we should
have some good analysis ready.


 --
Michael Perelman
Economics Department
California State University
Chico, CA 95929

Tel. 530-898-5321
E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu