Earlier today, the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy at Georgetown University Law School presented the event titled, Poverty Policy In The Age Of The Tea (Taxed Enough Already) Party, a political movement which is generally recognized as conservative and libertarian at Georgetown University Law School.
The speaker was Professor Edelman who is a professor of law, Co-Director, Joint Degree in Law and Public Policy; Faculty Director, Center on Poverty, Inequality, and Public Policy. His expertise includes constitutional law and Poverty. He talked about policy in America from the past through the present. He shared on his history with Bobby Kennedy and answered questions posed by students of Georgetown University Law School.
Below are excerpts from what he shared at the event:
On Unions:
Unions are the reason people have what they have now, even people who aren't or weren’t in the unions. Now they are trying to take away the union's power away.
On The TEA Party:
The TEA party is saying government doesn't work and should be de-funded, but people need to be reminded of what the government does. It's like the cliché of, "Don't mess with my healthcare." There's haste to make the government look bad that they forget that if not for the government they wouldn't have the amenities they take for granted now.
On The Government:
However, the government should be more aggressive about making the government work more efficiently at all levels. In the government today, there are so many hoops you have to jump through to get things done from grants, to regulation, to hiring, all of which should be reviewed. I have a cousin who is writing a book on how things work in the government and how it can be made better.
On The Economy:
Things will even out and get better, but a lot of damage can be done before it evens out if people aren't careful. Also, people need to get used to the new normal. Things are changing. There's a huge demographic of people who are retiring and leaving the work force, so there'll be many jobs for other people to take. I'm optimistic, but it's hard to predict how things will work out, but don't ask me to get detailed on my optimism.
On Robert Kennedy:
Robert Kennedy had affinity for excluded people. It might have been due to his being the 7th child and having to wait to get things. The Kennedys did a lot for minorities, but it took them some time to get to those issues.
On Teachers & Unions:
Teachers unions and the applicable laws vary from state to state, but my message is about the impediment to reform. It's sad to say, but to the extent they are being hammered because they are union isn't right. It's a touchy subject and often people don't listen to the details. Teachers that aren't performing but have seniority are an issue. They should be helped to become better teachers. They should also find an evaluation system that's widely accepted and the evaluations should be conducted in a way that doesn’t stigmatize teachers or deter those who want to become teachers from entering the field. From watching the documentary, Waiting for Superman, [which portrays teachers as both the solution and the education problem in America] I don't agree with how Randy Weingarten was portrayed, but my stand is, I like the DC contract and the legislation in states that support teacher’s contracts.
On Libya:
Libya is an example of what we discussed in class. The war power resolution is considered to have been complied with. I listened to NPR and Senator Lautenberg was asked if the president should have a declaration of war. He said, “I don't know.” We learnt that in class. I felt his response was the right answer because we never had a precedent. Here's a public official who should be an authority on the subject saying, “I don't know,” because it's right on the line. How clear can it be without any precedent? There's never been an occasion to provide that clarity.
For Professor Peter Edelman's testimony before the Senate Subcommittee on Children and Families visit,
http://help.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/PEdelman.pdf
For more information on Professor Edelman visit, http://www.law.georgetown.edu/faculty/facinfo/tab_faculty.cfm?Status=Faculty&ID=246
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