Word: reiche
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...Reich definitely sends us a mixed message throughout the essay. On the one hand, he admits that a shmo in his position is in reality "doubly blessed." Someone so blessed cannot really complain, he continues. Here, Reich is the voice of reason and humility. His choice is not so much a trail as a divine gift. And to confuse the two, it seems, would be sacrilege...
...Reich goes on to describe his predicament as "a painful choice." Now it seems we are to have pity for the fellow. Balance between meaningful work and family is impossible. He has worn himself ragged trying to make it work. Suddenly, Reich doesn't seem like a blessed man anymore. Now we are subjected to the voice of his younger son Sam, who just wants to know that his father will be home that night...
Blessed or pained? Either route has us believing that Reich has had to sacrifice. If we consider him blessed, it is because the pain of his sacrifice is small compared to the magnitude of his blessing. If you listen carefully though, there is an undercurrent in Reich's article that makes this whole question of tone seem preposterous...
...Reich may not have managed to strike a balance between work and family at the same time, but he has sure managed to work it out over time. Here is that triumphant key again. Reich has had his cake and eaten it too. Not only has he had a phenomenal career, but he gets to choose to slow that career to spend more time with his family. And, all of this without being compelled by sickness, corporate failure or death...
...should be hearing Robert Reich singing hallelujahs and hosannas until he is blue in the face. If he has made a sacrifice, it is so small in comparison with his blessed three times over. While Reich speaks nobly of the loss of leaving important work for the more private pleasures of family life, it is insulting to find melodrama here in the place of thankfulness...