Election

Publicly-motivated public workers

Public sector workers more pro-socially motivated than their private sector counterparts, multi-country study finds

New research has found public sector workers are typically more pro-socially motivated than their private sector counterparts. The University of Bristol study, published Sept. 21, examined motivational indicators in workers from both sectors across 51 countries.

Public sector workers more pro-socially motivated than their private sector counterparts, multi-country study finds

I saw a separate article saying public workers perform their duties for a fraction of the cost of private employees.

NADA - New American Dark Ages

“The Republicans are now the ‘How great is it to be stupid?’ party.”

Egghead and Blockheads – NYTimes.com

By MAUREEN DOWD Published: September 17, 2011

The Republicans are now the “How great is it to be stupid?” party. In perpetrating the idea that there’s no intellectual requirement for the office of the presidency, the right wing of the party offers a Farrelly Brothers “Dumb and Dumber” primary in which evolution is avant-garde. …

The occupational hazard of democracy is know-nothing voters. It shouldn’t be know-nothing candidates.

Egghead and Blockheads – NYTimes.com [hat tip to NewMexiken and to Pat]

Where are the compassionate conservatives? – The Washington Post

By Eugene Robinson, Published: September 15

Blitzer interrupted: “But Congressman, are you saying that society should just let [someone without insurance] die?” There were enthusiastic shouts of “Yeah!” from the crowd. You’d think one of the other candidates might jump in with a word about Christian kindness. Not a peep. ..

I believe the Republican candidates’ pinched, crabby view of government’s nature and role is immoral. I believe the fact that poverty has risen sharply over the past decade — as shown by new census data — while the richest Americans have seen their incomes soar is unacceptable. I believe that writing off whole classes of citizens — the long-term unemployed whose skills are becoming out of date, thousands of former offenders who have paid their debt to society, millions of low-income youth ill-served by inadequate schools — is unconscionable.

Perry, who is leading in the polls, wants to make the federal government “inconsequential.” He thinks Social Security is a “Ponzi scheme” and a “monstrous lie.” He doesn’t much like Medicare, either.

Where are the compassionate conservatives? – The Washington Post

NADA - New American Dark Ages

When I hear “Ponzi” I assume the speaker is an idiot …

“The first modern social insurance program began in Germany in 1889 and has been in continuous operation for more than 100 years. The American Social Security system has been in continuous successful operation since 1935. Charles Ponzi’s scheme lasted barely 200 days.”

Social Security [via NewMexiKen]

Yesterday, Krauthammer wrote a column about the SSA Ponzi scheme. In the last paragraph, he concluded it was morally necessary and good. That’s the paragraph no conservative will quote.

"It does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people's minds." — Sam Adams