Episode 65: Possession Obsession
Understanding My Obesessions.
When I first started the EnRoute Podcast (which was called something else), I tended to do a lot of solo podcasts. But there were a number of issues I wanted to get out there into podcast-land before Christmas. Hence, episode 65 which is called "Possession Obsession" (which is the title of a Hall and Oates song.) The focus of the episode is on my obsessions. I've written a lot over the last few years about the downfall of Sears and Kmart. One of the best podcast episodes is about Sears. What all these articles and the podcast below are saying is that Sears isn't dying because of Amazon or bad decisions in 1986. They might have a small role, but not the main role. The main reason is because of a hedge fund manager that has caused two well-known chains to falter. Listen to the episode below to learn about the story.
But I wanted to come clean about why I've written so many articles and made podcasts about these two retailers. There are three reasons for my obsession. First, I really believe in the free market. I believe capitalism can lift people out of poverty. I saw that happen 20 years ago when I visited China (on the other hand, the people in China were most certainly not free). When the market is working well, it will benefit workers and customers. What’s happening with Sears and other companies is the market is only benefiting are those at the top. The Second reason includes my parentage and geography. I grew up in Flint, Michigan, a town known for building cars. Both parents worked for General Motors and were union members. Unions might have their problems, but they are a way that workers can have a voice and I believe every worker should have a voice in how a company is managed. The final reasoning is simply that I am a Christian and a pastor. I believe Christians are called to “do justice.” What is happening with Sears is not just. I also have a strong dislike for the financialization of America. I’m writing because I want people to get involved. I want them to speak up. I don’t know if it is too late for Sears, but we can still say something somehow. I also talk a bit about the media's role in this story. Save for some business reporters, the media pretty much ignored the story. I explain why.
Finally, I talk about my time as a writer with Frum Forum a news website by David Frum. Frum Forum was started in 2009 and brought a number of writers to talk about forging a conservativism that can win again. Frum was ahead of the curve in making the case for a larger role for the government among conservatives. I make the case that we need to have a website like this today. (You can read a written version over at Medium.)
If you haven’t listened to the podcast, I hope you will take the chance to listen. When you listen, please leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts. I plan to publish one more entry before Christmas.