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whataboutbob:
Stiglitz would be a great advisor, but he admits being too outspoken for a government worker...
Joseph Stiglitz - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Stiglitz moved to Washington in March 1992 to join the Clinton Administration, first as a member, and then as Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers, in which capacity he also served as a member of the cabinet. He became deeply involved in environmental issues, which included serving on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and helping draft a new law for toxic wastes (which was never passed).


Most economists teach a theoretical framework that has been shown to be fundamentally useless. -- James K. Galbraith
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Mar 20th, 2009 at 06:10:21 AM EST
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I can't remember the source, but Stiglitz just had an interview in the last week or two where he said he was happy to be an academic now, because he can state his opinions without censorship

"Once in awhile we get shown the light, in the strangest of places, if we look at it right" - Hunter/Garcia
by whataboutbob on Fri Mar 20th, 2009 at 06:17:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Government is a collegial affair - you cannot state opinions contrary to the government's consensus and remain in a cabinet post for long.

That is not censorship.

Most economists teach a theoretical framework that has been shown to be fundamentally useless. -- James K. Galbraith

by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Fri Mar 20th, 2009 at 06:19:20 AM EST
[ Parent ]
Obama CLAIMS to want a diversity of opinions in his administration.  I would settle for quarterly round tables consisting of his entire economic team, top Treasury people, if there are any besides Geithner, Bernanke, and a group of outsiders who are priviledged to ask questions and follow up those questions vigorously, with Obama presiding.  The outsiders should include Stiglitz, J. Gailbraith, Krugman, Roubini, Soros, Mason Gaffney, etc.  

Having the whole proceeding broadcast on CSPAN would be icing on the cake.  Obama could demonstrably fulfill his pledge to "seek a wide range of opinions" and the country could have the confidence that at least all serious options and opinions had been considered.  

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."

by ARGeezer (ARGeezer a in a circle eurotrib daught com) on Sun Mar 22nd, 2009 at 06:26:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Isn't that why you have a Congressional committees on economic affairs?

Most economists teach a theoretical framework that has been shown to be fundamentally useless. -- James K. Galbraith
by Carrie (migeru at eurotrib dot com) on Sun Mar 22nd, 2009 at 06:28:12 PM EST
[ Parent ]
Well, a congressional committee would probably call one or two outside experts to give testimony, but would not likely have a free wheeling round table discussion driven by questions from those who are critical of the dominant narrative.  Might as well dream big.

"It is not necessary to have hope in order to persevere."
by ARGeezer (ARGeezer a in a circle eurotrib daught com) on Sun Mar 22nd, 2009 at 06:54:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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