The Culture of Contentment
This is Galbraith's analysis of the bind we Americans have put ourselves in since Reagan-Bush. His thesis is that we have become a "culture of contentment" wherein the majority of those who vote are socially and economically advantaged and will fight like tigers to maintain that advantage by voting against increased taxation that would reduce the federal deficit and respond to aching social problems. "The result is government that is accommodated not to reality or common need but to the beliefs of the contented." "Having enough, many wish for more." Greed has thus given us reduced income taxes for the rich, Michael Milken, the S&L; scandal, a bloated military, etc. What is needed is a return to strong governmental regulation, reduced military spending, and a stringent progressive income tax. Nothing "would so contribute to social tranquility as some screams of anguish from the very affluent" that would provide more money to public education, welfare services, employment training, public housing, and libraries. "The question . . . is not what can be done but what will be paid." Essential for all academic and public libraries. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 12/91 . -- Jeffrey R. Herold, Bucyrus P.L., OhioCopyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.