[Publib] Liberals vs. Conservatives in Librarianship

[James Casey]

There is always something to be said for competency and effectiveness.
A daddy or a mommy who flubs and flounders is not especially valuable
regardless of which side forms one's inclination.  Arresting thousands
of people and locking them away without due process might seem "tough",
but if they are not the guilty ones, all you have done is created more
crime and more antagonism while the real culprits go free --- like a dad
who beats his kids at the slightest provocation and drinks away or
gambles away the family income.  The same is true of "give away"
programs where there is no accountability.  At the present time, I think
that the populace is looking for raw, basic competency in government ---
such things as balanced budgets, truthfulness, common sense, and
realistic appraisals of difficult situations.  I know that Boards and
Patrons and taxpayers look for such things in library service and
management.  If we don't deliver, someone else should be found who will.


James B. Casey ---- My own views.





-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Theresa Grieshaber
Sent: Thursday, November 01, 2007 4:31 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] Liberals vs. Conservatives in Librarianship


   I have noticed over the years what George Lakoff has described as the
"Mommy" approach to government as opposed to the "Daddy" approach to
government.  I just wish I had written a book about this  years ago so
that I now  would be the one getting all the attention, and not Mr.
Lakoff.  Anyway, the Mommy side of government is that side which
provides social services to people.  Libraries, health and welfare
agencies,  and schools  are examples.  The Daddy side is the side that
disciplines people for bad behavior and protects us from bad guys, both
foreign and domestic.  Prisons, the police, the district attorney's
office, and the military are examples.  

People in public employment tend to gravitate towards that side of
government that most closely reflects their their preferred approach to
government.  It is not surprising that library folk tend toward the
liberal or Mommy side of the aisle.  On the other hand, I have never met
anybody in the military or law enforcement who was not a Republican,  or
Daddy government type.

Let us not neglect the power of the purse, either, in shaping people's
politics.   Both  the Mommy  and Daddy sides know which party,  and
which philosophy, is more likely to fund their respective public
agencies.   

Theresa Grieshaber
Modesto CA
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