Showing posts with label David Brooks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label David Brooks. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Burke and Obama
David Brooks has a warning of caution to the Obama administration about taking on too much at once. I think he makes some good points. The current economic situation certainly requires bold action, but proceding with caution and trying to build off of existing systems is a good way to good.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Education in America
I just wanted to direct you to a good piece by David Brooks in the NY Times about the slide of education in America over the last 40 years. He terms it "The Biggest Issue." Let's hope he really considers it the biggest issue when he votes this November:
If you look at Barack Obama’s education proposals — especially his emphasis on early childhood — you see that they flow naturally and persuasively from this research [on the importance of early childhood education]... McCain’s policies seem largely oblivious to these findings. There’s some vague talk about school choice, but Republicans are inept when talking about human capital policies.
If you look at Barack Obama’s education proposals — especially his emphasis on early childhood — you see that they flow naturally and persuasively from this research [on the importance of early childhood education]... McCain’s policies seem largely oblivious to these findings. There’s some vague talk about school choice, but Republicans are inept when talking about human capital policies.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Debt Culture
David Brooks had a very informative piece about the growing debt culture in America, from lottery tickets to credit cards. I'm very glad to see someone addressing the issue that so many Americans are falling into greater and greater debt. There are serious consequences. I first learned about debt from playing SimCity2000 as a kid and going way into debt and being kicked out of my mayor's office (aka losing the game). After that, I almost never took out a loan in that game ever again, and frankly, I've been very cautious about loans ever since. Brooks makes several good points about how our government has facilitated this transfer to debt culture, and some of the causes. Here is one excerpt:
Second, the transformation has led to a stark financial polarization. On the one hand, there is what the report calls the investor class. It has tax-deferred savings plans, as well as an army of financial advisers. On the other hand, there is the lottery class, people with little access to 401(k)’s or financial planning but plenty of access to payday lenders, credit cards and lottery agents.
Second, the transformation has led to a stark financial polarization. On the one hand, there is what the report calls the investor class. It has tax-deferred savings plans, as well as an army of financial advisers. On the other hand, there is the lottery class, people with little access to 401(k)’s or financial planning but plenty of access to payday lenders, credit cards and lottery agents.
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