Jan

1

RIF: California 2025: Taking on the Future

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The future is now.

In mid-2006, the Public Policy Institute of California published a report called “California 2025: Taking on the Future.” The 300+ page report is filled with information every Californian needs to know.

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There is growing concern that rapid population growth and repeated budget shortfalls have brought California to a state of disrepair that could soon become a state of emergency. With support from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, PPIC undertook a study to see whether the state is facing a growth and infrastructure crisis, how big the problems are, and how to think about planning for the future. This report presents the findings of that study. It concludes that we haven’t reached a crisis—yet—but some trends and forces make it imperative to begin systematic, well-informed planning. Otherwise, the future California gets by default may not be the future residents want for themselves and their children.

I encourage you to download the full report or research brief and read it.

I read most of the report, but I lost my hard copy on a flight from Boston to San Francisco. :-P

Dec

30

RIF: Living, Leading and the American Dream

Filed Under Human Development, Personal, Reading is Fundamental | Leave a Comment

One of the things that I like most about vacation, and in particular Winter Break, is that it is truly a break.

Unlike Spring Break, which is a period of time nestled in between the semester, Winter Break is preceded by the end of a semester and followed by the start of not only a new semester, but a new year as well.

I just recently finished reading Living, Leading and the American Dream by John W. Gardner. Mr. Gardner worked as the Secretary of the Department of Housing, Education, and Welfare under President Lyndon B. Johnson. Throughout Gardner’s life, he has proven to have an acute understanding of the human mind and human spirit.

His book, Living, Leading and the American Dream, is more than an excellent read! It is an inspiring book about how live, how to lead, and how to fulfill the American Dream. The book is segmented into five parts.

My favorite part is titled “The Release of Human Possibilities.” This part includes chapters on Commitment and Meaning, Motivation and the Triumphant Expression of Talent, The Full Expression of Human Excellence and Our Moral and Spiritual Lineage.

There is one passage that I found most insightful on page 91:

“If our leaders at all levels are to be capable of lifting us and moving us toward excellence, they are going to have to believe in the people of this nation - a people able to perform splendidly and inclined to perform indifferently, a people deeply troubled in their efforts to find a future worthy of their past, a people capable of greatness and desperately in need of encouragement to achieve that greatness.”

I will carry this quotation with me for the rest of my life.

Mar

11

RIF: “How Congress Works and Why You Should Care”

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Last night I finished reading Lee H. Hamilton’s “How Congress Works and Why You Should Care.” It’s a great book!

The book is divided into six chapters: The Roles of Congress, The Impact of Congress, How Congress Works, Public Criticisms of Congress, Key Ways Congress Could Work Better and Civic Participation.

In Chapter 1, Hamilton describes three “key powers” of Congress: passing basic laws of the land, controlling the purse, and shaping foreign policy.

Regarding the third power, Hamilton writes “I was disappointed in every administration’s consultation with Congress on major foreign policy issues. Often the administration contacted just a few selected legislators, failed to consult on a regular, sustained basis, and frequently approached Congress after a decision had been made rather than seeking genuine input.” The failed Dubai Port deal reflects a lack of consultation on behalf of the President with Congress. Without thorough consultation on such close-to-home foreign policy matters, the President risks alienating party members and allies in the legislative branch, suffering a domestic backlash from members and their constituents and failing to see a proposal go through. It would be prudent for the President in the future to consult Congress before making such deals public. As Hamilton mentions, “genuine input” is critical.

Throughout the entire book, and in particular chapter 2 through 4, I like how Hamilton describes the impact of congress, how the institution works and the criticisms it regularly receives. Chapter 4 is of particular interest to me. Hamilton writes about the public’s trust of politicians that “it’s crucial for members of the public to listen very carefully and ask hard follow-up questions if they find too much wiggle room in an answer.” Next time I communicate with a legislator and I see wiggle room, I will ask another question.

Chapters 5 and 6 are thought-provoking because Hamilton writes about the “Key Ways Congress Could Work Better” and the importance of “Civic Participation.” In chapter 5, he lists a series of questions that legislators should be asking:

“What will be the size and composition of the American population in then, twenty, forty years? What are the biggest projected demographic shifts, and what impact will they have? What are the consequences of the growing number of unemployable youth in our increasingly technological society, as well as the growing number of the oldest members in our society and their increased need of services? What can we do to ensure we have adequate food, energy, and water supplies well into the future? What can be done to reduce the threat of both new and reemerging diseases? Will there be major consequences from the growing economic inequality within the nation, as well as between the United States and other nations? What fundamental challenges will we face to maintaining our economy that is both prosperous and free, and what might be new future threats to our national security? What changes will be needed to ease our government into the twenty-first century?”

Congress should do more strategic thinking and long-term planning. The institution cannot get lost in the heat of the moment for if it does, then we are severely being short-changed a better future.

Chapter 6 is my favorite because Hamilton offers some encouraging words for readers like me to get involved. The following statement struck me: “Most Americans simply do not recognize the power they have to make a difference.” And this must change.

Feb

5

RIF: “Trust and Mistrust in International Relations”

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I just finished reading “Trust and Mistrust in International Relations” by Andrew Kydd.

Kydd formulated game theoretical models to explore trust and mistrust in international relations. He applied the model to the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union.

The book was quite informative and useful. I referred to the book often in my Cold War History course. In chapter 9, the Conclusion, Kydd highlights the current state of affairs and the United States’ shift from containment to preemptive war.

The United States, Kydd argues, should implement measures to reassure the world that is does not want to dominate it.

The book’s mathematical models should not be difficult for someone with a strong grounding in calculus to understand.

I recommend the book for people who are interested in the subject.

Jan

15

RIF: “Presidential Greatness”

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After some thought, I have decided three things. One, I need to blog about what books I read because I want to keep a record and share my thoughts on them. Two, to better organize such posts, I should create a category. At first, I was thinking of the novel category “Books,” but after using some brain power, “Reading is Fundamental” is better. :-D Lastly, I need to read more. As I mentioned in a previous post, I have a voracious appetite to learn and while I can sit around and foolishly wait for a “The Matrix” like downloading mechanism, I need information and one method of obtaining it is through reading.

With that said, tonight I finished reading Marc Landy and Sidney M Milkis’ book “Presidential Greatness.” Published by the University of Kansas Press in 2000, Landy and Milkis highlight what greatness is and describe five past United States presidents who were great: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Each president approached the presidency differently. However, the five presidents had the ambition, ability, and opportunity to redefine the constitutional role of the president.

The three major themes I gathered from the book were the importance of the constitution and the president’s responsibility of educating the public, the rise of political parties and their ability to constrain the president and connect the public, and finally the fall of parties and rise of individuals in politics.

The book as triggered a lot of thought and I will continue to contemplate the broad themes and specific matters of the book.

However, I feel a renaissance of American politics is in order, but the crucial question is how do we bring about such a renaissance?

Jan

9

“An Unfinished Life,” A Finished Book

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After about 4 months, I have finally completed Robert Dallek’s “An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917-1963.”

This 700+ page, 4 Part, 19 chapter, book is brilliant for its ability to engage and communicate, with incredible detail and care, to the reader the life of JFK.

Subsequent to the book, I now have a better picture of the 35th President of the United States, the politics that surrounded him, and his career in public service.

I recommend Dallek’s book to others, especially to those people who want to learn more about a man that sought to change the world and how he went about doing it.

Learning so much from this book, I can only imagine the impact it will have on my future.