Watching Robert Samuelson contort himself over economic inequality is actually sort of fun*. In a column that accurately diagnoses the problem, it's remarkable how studiously he dodges identifying any causal mechanisms that could suggest the economy is in any way unfair, or tilted against workers. CEO pay, for instance, isn't going up because of cozy Board of Directors arrangements, but because of "globalization." Unions, apparently, don't exist. The ability of corporations to smartly use increased worker anxiety and global pressure to turn fewer profits into wage increases while jacking up salaries on the executive level is never mentioned. In fact, says Samuelson, "as for what's caused greater inequality, we're also in the dark." Particularly when you refuse to turn on the lights in the rooms you don't want to look.
But even if Samuelson's diagnosis is riddled with omissions, his prescriptive paragraph is both brave and trenchant. "It would be healthier if the trend toward greater economic inequality reversed itself spontaneously."
Yes Robert. Yes it would.
*Fun may be the wrong word here.
