Back to Work: Why We Need Smart Government for a Strong Economy

Back to an RA Favorite book as I finished meeting with the spring RAs going to London and Shanghai.  Enter Bill Clinton, who has had another book on the RA Favorite read list, this time:  Back to Work: Why We Need Smart Government for a Strong Economy.  Who says RAs aren’t politically active and engaged?  Welcome to bi-partisan politics with a plan that suggests government should work smarter for the people, by the people.  I love the fact that Clinton is adept at adding all of his successes and how his policies would have brought a balanced budget by 2013, oh my, that is now!  Oh well?  There is always hope with Hillary!  Clinton reminds us all that government is actually needed to create programs and opportunities to enhance the “system” and that if overseen correctly by investing in people we can turn this whole thing around, even with 8 years of Bush rule.  Clinton takes a few “shots” at the Tea Party, especially for their “anti-government” views.  There are a number of reports with charts indicating how far the US has fallen in comparison to other countries, especially in the area of education, major economic slowdown (which he notes both parties are responsible), and medical support of our citizens.  I liked a number of Clinton’s suggested changes for future assistance for US politics: raising caps to Social Security, fight those loopholes in the tax code, and start working more across the aisle!  This was a refreshing read from a former President who had a decade of reflection to think through his various policies and decisions that he may have made differently.  He probably is setting the stage to assist Hillary on the issues that need more focus and oversight.  All you poly-sci students, a good read and will help citizens 100 years from now look at a point in time and how things could be improved for our citizens.  A good read for us to be more learned on the issues that we should be focused when it comes to voting in 2016!