One my heroes died this weekend. I guess hero might not be the right word but I defiantly was an admirer of John Kenneth Galbraith. When I was in high school, one of my economics teachers introduced us to modern economic policy by making us study the great economist of the past. Then all semester long we learned the different polices of John Kenneth Galbraith and Milton Freedman. Although I was too young to know the difference between Republicans and Democrats or between liberals and conservatives I was able to understand the basic concepts between Friedman's, supply side economics and the Keynesian theory supported by Professor Galbraith. Later that summer I went to the library and checked out Galbraith's "The Affluent Society." It was difficult reading for a 16 year old and although I had to read some chapters more then once and I did not understand all of it, I got enough out of it to realize I liked it's basic premise. That our economic system is a great one and although it is capable of generating amazing wealth and great opportunities our economic policy should also have the horsepower to do good for those who are left behind by the so-called invisible hand.
As I got older of course I started to develop new opinions and experiences but I always looked up to Professor Galbraith as a author who enlightened me. His book caused me to pause and try to rationalize and think about things for this first time. Rest in Peace Professor.
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