Values and moral choices

E.J. Dionne wonders when will liberals learn?

New Year's prediction

From Robert Reich

What will happen to the US economy in 2011? If you're referring to profits of big corporations and Wall Street, next year is likely to be a good one. But if you're referring to average American workers, far from good. The two American economies -- the Big Money economy and the Average Working Family economy -- will continue to diverge. Corporate profits will continue to rise, as will the stock market. But typical wages will go nowhere, joblessness will remain high, the ranks of the long-term unemployed will continue to rise, the housing recovery will remain stalled, and consumer confidence will sag.

Coming soon to your local supermarket

Kosher foods are big business as Jewish and non-Jewish consumers trust the higher standards. It’s estimated that more than one-third of American food products are certified as kosher.  Now a new Commission of Conservative Judaism is preparing an even higher standard.  The “seal of justice” will  take into account ethical considerations including labor rights, animal welfare, consumer rights, corporate integrity and environmental impact along with the traditional ones.  Look for it in your supermarket in early 2011.

Greens, beans and pig

Have a good and prosperous new year.

A believer as pilgrim

Christianity Today features an interview with Condoleezza Rice. While strongly claiming an evangelical faith, she adds, “Sometimes I think evangelicals come at people so hard and so fast and don't take time to listen to where somebody is.”  Her thought on abortion, “I don't like the government involved in these really hard moral decisions.” On gay and lesbian civil unions, “I don't ever want anybody to be denied rights within our country.” Politics Daily concludes, “Rice came across as a believer who is as much a pilgrim as someone who has settled positions on every public policy issue related to her faith.”  A posture of openness we should all share.

Someone on our side

Elizabeth Warren is hard at work leading the creation of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.  She’s hiring staff, developing policies, and meeting with a variety of stakeholders. Warren wants consumers to know that they now have an advocate, "The very existence of the agency has sent a strong signal to the credit industry that Americans want a change. And they want someone on their side."

War report

Aid groups in Afghanistan disagree with the administration that the Taliban insurgency has been weakened. Nic Lee, director of the Afghanistan NGO Safety Office, says "Absolutely, without any reservation, it is our opinion that the situation is a lot more insecure this year than it was last year." New intelligence reports say that insurgent factions are beginning to move beyond their rivalries to join forces in coordinated attacks. And a senior U.S. military commander says it practically impossible to stop insurgents from crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan.  Civilian casualties in 2010 are up 20 percent, and coalition forces have suffered the highest death toll in nine years.

Born in the USA

The end for the birthers? Newly elected Hawaii governor Neil Abercrombie says he has told his attorney general and the state's Health Department director to determine what additional information he can release   documenting  that President Obama was born in Hawaii.  Abercrombie says it’s personal since he knew Obama’s parents, "It's a matter of principle with me... I was here when he was born. His father was one of the first scholarship students coming to the United States and he came to the University of Hawaii, which we were very proud (of). We became good friends."