Cary Neeper's Blog: Reviewing World-changing Nonfiction - Posts Tagged "bipartisan"

Luke LorenzThis book is an excellent guide to the issues you might want to tackle. The Table of Contents is your guide.

The section on “Creating a Skilled Workforce” emphasizes expanding vocational training and apprenticeships. “Infrastructure Development” suggests various banking, loan, bonds and decentralization fixes. Other sections outline manufacturing ideas, small business support, better trade policies, government spending reforms. “Defending Democracy includes upgrading voting machines and defending against foreign intervention. “Foreign Policy” and “National Unity” are addressed and the book ends with “Actions You Can Take--” getting involved personally, with contacts, town hall meetings, representation events, and writing letters to representatives.

The Conclusion? “…think critically and independently.” Democracy is built on scrutiny and criticism, not allegiance to a political party. “The vary notion of political allegiance is antithetical to this nation’s emphasis on freedom and questioning authority.”

The author is President of the Nonpartisan Policy Alliance and has worked as a policy analyst for a Washington DC think tank. He advises representatives and lobbies Congress on behalf of American workers.

A critical point he makes is that “It is imperative that we enact the Secure Elections Act as as soon as possible. It makes clear that every state retains authority over their election process. A note by Sarbanes was posted online in February that the SAFE bill passed the House. But  ”For months, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans have refused to allow a vote on any of these critical election security bills.”A Google search found that nothing else has been done.

Lorenz notes that there is the Problem Solver Caucus within the House of Representatives, founded in January of 2017 to “seek common ground between the parties.”The news this month indicates they have not been successful.

The author of this small book ends by listing “Actions You Can Take” He urges moderates in both parties to work to counter the active faction of extremists in both parties” He concludes: “…we must abandon our misguided allegiance to candidates and political parties. As Americans we pledge allegiance to our flag, not our leaders….they must always be questioned, criticized and held accountable. Our loyalty must be to our country and to the policies that will advance our economic, technological and financial security, not to any individual or party.”