John Buell - Bangor Daily News

Excess of supervisors dulls firms’ productivity

Remember when the U.S. model of “flexible” labor markets, deregulated transportation and innovative finance was supposed to be an example to the world? Freed from the constraints of minimum … more

By John Buell | 3/16/10 | 462 views

Rewarding failure, at our expense

Many middle-class Americans are outraged by the bonuses Goldman Sachs is paying its top traders. The corporate media treat such outrage as “populist” irrationality or simple envy. CNBC’s … more

By John Buell | 3/2/10 | 845 views

Car culture and global energy conflict

This ad (herein condensed) did not make the Super Bowl roster, but Sarah Palin probably likes it: “My name is Ram and my tank is full. I’m fueled by optimism. Driven by passion and stopped by … more

By John Buell | 2/16/10 | 588 views

State needs a skilled work force

If that first dip in the cold bath of recession wasn’t bracing enough, how about a second dip? Most of the mainstream media along with the financial markets are pronouncing the Great Recession … more

By John Buell | 2/2/10 | 595 views

Our ethical obligations to Haiti

What to say about a disaster as horrific as the earthquake in Haiti? An earthquake that destroyed Lisbon in the 18th century led Voltaire to satirize Leibniz’s claim that “this is the best of all … more

By John Buell | 1/19/10 | 423 views

The best bipartisanship

Will the U.S. Congress finally assert its independence of both the finance industry and party leaders beholden to its goals? This would be bipartisanship of which we could be proud. The Huffington … more

By John Buell | 1/5/10 | 450 views

Division between developed and developing countries

Why did Copenhagen yield meager results? Divisions between the so-called developed and developing worlds have been cited as one of the major causes, with the developed nations — especially the U.S. — being seen as especially more

By John Buell | 12/22/09 | 826 views

Obama and his (virtual) virtuous war

I expected to be disappointed by President Barack Obama’s West Point address. During the campaign he constantly reminded us that this war had been thrust upon us. Like World War II, it would define us. more

By John Buell | 12/8/09 | 927 views

Bad times could get worse for Obama

The Obama administration faces the midterm elections in the vortex of forces that might impale it. Does President Obama recognize the magnitude of the risks? more

By John Buell | 11/24/09 | 1682 views

Capitalism’s incarnations

Is capitalism evil? Is it bound to pass from the scene? I thought such questions were forever relegated to occasional seminars in a few cloistered left academies. Now, compliments of Michael Moore and the Great Recession, such questions are part of our national discourse. more

By John Buell | 11/10/09 | 1362 views