What we do know, from excerpts provided by the English press and the Wall Street Journal, is he has made one significant contribution -
To summarize: I profoundly disagree with the statist, so-called Keynesian response to the economic crisis; I believe we should be projecting strength and determination abroad, not weakness or uncertainty; I think now is the moment for more government reform, not less; and I am convinced we have a huge opportunity for engagement with the new emerging and emerged powers in the world, particularly China, if we approach that task with confidence, not fear.
In short, we have become too apologetic, too feeble, too inhibited, too imbued with doubt and too lacking in mission. Our way of life, our values, the things that made us great, remain not simply as a testament to us as nations but as harbingers of human progress. They are not relics of a once powerful politics; they are the living spirit of the optimistic view of human history. All we need to do is to understand that they have to be reapplied to changing circumstances, not relinquished as redundant.
Blair mentions Keynes - a name synonymous with the economy:
Keynes argued for a mixed economy, at least in word, but he argued that private industry was occasionally inefficient and needed government oversight or direction to achieve the action/policy best needed. He has been a staple since 1936 when FDR picked him up and took off for the races using his program.
Imagine, using the theory of a man who had not written anything substantive, whose ideas had not been tested - and taking a country down that path.
In any case, Keynes also argued for heavy government spending to stimulate whatever lackluster areas of the economy needed a boost.
Kennedy almost fell for Keynes, but flipped back quickly to a more sane understanding of taxation and spending.
Business/private industry will, more times than not, sort itself out. Sometimes the sorting out period is painful, but is preferred to government intervention - not so for Keynes, FDR, or Obama (who follows Keynes down this merry road).
Apparently Blair has seen the light.
More government reform:
Blair uses code words, perhaps because he doesn't want to offend, perhaps because he is British. Reform is more government change, introspection, reform within government of agencies and purpose. Revise, consolidate, and cut.
It is the next idea I believe profound "we should be projecting strength and determination abroad, not weakness or uncertainty." This is the state of America today. Europe has been in this rut for about a century and we see the consequence in nearly every European country - a pathetic assemblage of states afraid of everything, yet emitting bravado with every puff they pronounce, as if they are or should be taken seriously. This assemblage of states have sold their soul for guilt and remorse, and in the process adopted economic policies they hope will at the very least comfort them while they wallow in their guilt and remorse at colonization and imperialism.
The very depressing part of this equation is they should feel great guilt for what has transpired, but they should never have allowed that guilt to overwhelm their sense of purpose and mission. The US today stands at the same point, while Islam is steadfast in its mission and purpose, and is unrelenting in pushing its agenda,
Blair has begun to understand this. Too late Mr. Blair. You have contributed to it with the waffling and wavering. You know the intelligence that existed in 2002-2003 and you know it was more than simply American or Israeli intelligence. Yet you have allowed the very vocal left dictate your statements on this issue which very nearly invalidates everything else you say. It is this left wing Mr. Blair, you are striking out against with your statements about Keynes and purpose, yet they will never recognize the message.
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