With our boyish bravado that we could glide easily with trekking poles over icy snow quickly dispelled, we two changed course to our closest shop, Motivasi’s.   As long as the owners keep making incremental improvements to its decor and food offerings, we sense we’ll continue to feel some thrill of discovery there.

Today’s discussion topics included the Oregonian’s political leanings, especially with regard to the school district and union; how the animosity between the two interferes with attaining win-wins; Robert Reich’s failing – in Inequality for All – to point out that due to  globalization there’s no way for American manufacturing workers to ever recoup the pay/benefits they once received; the benefits of globalization with regard to reducing third world poverty; the multiple downsides of globalization as it is now configured; how through advanced manufacturing and skilled training, Germany’s manufacturing sector has been able to retain middle class wages; the available levers our policy-makers do have to reduce inequality; and our guess on Monday’s road conditions.    4502 NE 42nd     https://www.facebook.com/pages/Motivasi-Coffee…/126304677437461‎