I think you are correct here, Gar. He formed, in the '70s, an
employee-owned solar business, then later came Working Assets. I
think he is proud to be a capitalist, and is successful, but also
very generous and sponsors non-profit organizations.
Gene Coyle
On Sep 6, 2007, at 8:37 PM, Gar Lipow wrote:
On 9/6/07, Michael Perelman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
I don't think it is fair to call him a retired CEO. When I knew
him he was West
Coast Editor for the New Republic. It was a good publication
then. He then became
active in the Land Reform movement. I am not sure how
capitalistic Working Assets
was.
Liberal Capitalist. Genuinely on the side of the good guys most of
the time, but ideologically pro-capitalist. Honestly, I'm not
attacking Barnes. I think he has a lit of insight and does a lot of
good things. But I don't think it unfair to describe him as a
capitalist, or pro capitalist. And working assets was very capitalist
- which again is not a slam. How on earth do you run a mainstream
business in the U.s. and not make it capitalist? Anyway the idea
behind it was progressive, responsible capitalism. I don't think
Barnes would be insulted at being called a capitalist, or at hearing
working assets described as capitalist. Nor I think would he dispute
their accuracy. The whole point of his book is that capitalism does
not have to be oppressive--something I dispute, but don't expect
everyone to share. The whole point of "Capitalism 3.0" is that it can
be made to work.
Barnes described himself in a number of bios as retired CEO of
Working assets in 1995. I tend to associate the word "retirement"
with old age. I tend to associate early retirement either with
supplementation by McJobs (something Barnes does not have to worry
about) or a move into unpaid volunteer works if you don't need the
income. I was mistaken in Barnes' case and I apologize for it,
especially since I consider him one of the good guys. He has mostly
been there and on the right side for important fights, and that is
more important than ideological agreement. From the ferver with which
Michael and Eugene defended him , I'm guessing he is a good guy
personally as well.
B
