Jindal is Toast

If Bobby Jindal was one of those "up and comers" who watched gleefully from the sidelines while Sarah Palin got skewered during the Presidential election, he got his come uppance yesterday in response to his speech Tuesday night after the President.

In what turned out to be Mr. Rogers meets Young Frankenstein, Jindal spewed all the old tire lines as if he were an amalgamation of Republican corpses dug up, spliced together and shocked to life just after Obama had finished his speech.

Where Obama treated us like Adults, able to understand nuance and to handle the bad news, Jindal treated us like children, and low IQ ones at that. In a showing that brought to mind Mr. Rogers, Jindal treated us to a bunch of silly anecdotes that made no sense, criticized actions of his own party, and then expected us to come around to his point, if we could have figured out what it was.

If Jindal has a future in the Republican party it is only because there's so few people left who believe anything they say that without him they can't even field a team. If it turns out that he made up the story about himself and the sheriff, as Keith Ohlberman suggested last night, he's toast.

"Sledders Return"

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The Two Documents Everyone Should Read to Better Understand the Crisis

Irrespective of the fact that this piece was without reference to the two articles cited, the fact remains that If the Bush Administration should have known the extent of the problem based on these two articles, so too should Sen Dodd and Rep Frank. It would be useful to know whether any of them, or their staffs actually read these articles and why there was no response.
About Timothy Geithner
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McCain Confronts Obama On Marine One (VIDEO)

Its really unfair to cast the exchange between McCain and Obama on military procurement as a confrontation. To do so really reflects on the reporting more than the story.



This is a friendly exchange between the President and Sen McCain. The fact is that if we are going to get a handle on the procurement issue, we need to take every opportunity to encourage folks to work together. If every exchange is going to be characterized as a confrontation, there will be fewer exchanges and that's not good for anyone.
About Video On HuffPost
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Calling Jindal's Bluff

The Obama administration should issue guidelines about refusing any portion of the Stimulus money as a part of their transparency requirements. The guidelines should require that a Governor list the specific tranch that they will be refusing, the amount of money and percent of total stimulus funds that it represents. This way we will know if Gov. Jindal is grandstanding over 1/2 of 1 percent of the funds and accepting the other 99.5 percent.



It should also require that both the Governor and the Legislature sign off on all funds so that the Governor can't just let the legislature do his dirty work. We should NOT deny relief to the citizens of the state however, just because their governor is playing politics.



Finally, in Jindal's case, I'd be curious to know if the feds have set up a system for auditing the money that has been flowing to Louisiana for hurricane relief. If Jindal is playing fast and loose with money that is suppose to be helping hurricane victims, as a means of circumventing stimulus reporting requirements he should go to the Big House not the White House.
About Stimulus Package
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Holder Opens the Door to Nuanced Dialog

No matter what your reaction was to last week's speech by US Attorney General Eric Holder one must admit that it has done one important thing that Holder surely hoped it would do. It has gotten America talking about race. This is important and healthy.

Holder has taken a page out of President Obama's book. That page says that with thoughtful leadership America is capable of tackling the big issues in thoughtful manner.

The left and right jumped on Holder's remarks about America's cowardice in discussing race. It was red meat for the extremes and gave them an opening for putting forward their own agenda's. For the rest of us, it has indeed spurred a useful dialog.

More important than these remarks - and equally important to the dialog about race - were the remarks that Holder made regarding Affirmative Action. Holder called for a healthy and nuanced discussion about affirmative action.

Tackling Affirmative Action may be Obama's "Nixon in China" moment. Moving toward a system that focuses on socio-economic based disadvantages rather than strict racial disadvantages. Whether such a discussion generated change or simply a healthy dialog, it would be another historic moment in an era that seems to have more than its share already.

"Ice Fishing on Newfound Lake"


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Tirade Among the Traders - Time for Santelli to Go

Santelli Fans the Fires of Class Warfare

If CNBC wants to give Rick Santelli his own show where he can spend his time ranting in support of the bankers and wall street folks, that's just fine, but he should not be allowed to behave as he has in the guise of someone reporting the news from Wall Street.

To begin with he displayed a complete ignorance of the actual details of Obama's plan to do something about the mortgage meltdown and his tirade among the traders showed a man completely out of touch with the pain on main street.

President Obama has tried not to turn our nation's economic troubles into class warfare. It would be easy to do and completely counter productive. Santelli is fanning the embers and if the embers turn to flames, we'll all be burned.

Creating the Conditions for a Post Partisan Future

Obama's army will need to be the frontline in the battle to secure a post-partisan future and the President will need to lead by example.

Many times over the months since the election, Barack Obama has described the current economic meltdown as a nexus of crisis and opportunity. Most recently the words he has chosen to use in describing this are "Paradox and Opportunity". These terms could just as accurately be used to describe the challenge of building a post partisan atmosphere in Washington.

The President for his part will need to carefully walk the line between his role as the instigator of that revolution and the titular head of one of the chief antagonists in the drama - the Democratic Party. He must protect his Democratic flank as he reaches across the aisle to help create a third way of doing business in Washington.

Ironically, in another parallel to the economic crisis, he has to foster a revolution while maintaining the marketplace that drives the engines of ideas and innovation. Like Roosevelt, who is often said to have been the person who saved capitalism, he must - on both fronts - lead us to a place where the creative conflict that has been the hallmark of the system survives and thrives in a new era, but the bitter, snarkiness of partisanship, greed and one-upsmanship of the current environment gives way to an era of accountability, transparency and civility.

There are many who say it cannot be done. There are also many who say it should not be done because success would mean the destruction of the creative forces that shape the dynamism of the American example.

Those among us who believe that it can and should be done must avoid the pitfalls of cynicism and simplistic thinking and sloganeering if we are to succeed. We should not simply write off the concerns of those who are worried about the destruction of the marketplace of ideas. They have a legitimate concern. After all, Americans will never march in lockstep. We cherish the diversity of viewpoints in both the financial marketplace and the marketplace of ideas. Rightfully, we believe that it is the forge in which our greatness is cast.

Likewise the political parties cannot be expected to relinquish their principles, nor should they. There will be some times when the chasm separating the two parties will be so broad that nothing can bridge it. At those times civility would be an adequate substitute for bi-partisanship.


So here are a few suggestions for all of us - especially for those of us who want to see us move toward a post-partisan future.

Post-Partisan is NOT necessarily Bi-Partisan
Don't confuse "Post-Partisan" with "Bi-partisan". Post partisan presumes that we are attempting to move beyond the divisions of the rabid partisanship that has characterized the legislative process for the past 10-16 years. It refers more to a set of principles and an atmosphere of civility than to some mythical place where the same number of legislators sign on from both parties.

Bifurcate the quest for bi-partisanship and post partisan behavior.
Seek Bipartisanship in a pragmatic way. Inside the beltway it will most difficult of all. Our expectations and approach should reflect this. Don't expect elected officials from one party to embrace the ideas of the elected officials from the other party. What happens inside the Washington Beltway will, by necessity, be mostly for atmospherics. Not for show but rather to develop an air of civility. Build your important coalitions outside the Beltway. If you are going to make appointments across party lines, elected officials are just about the last place you want to look, for two important reasons, first because the partisans won't be vested in your success (see: Gregg, Judd, R-NH); second - and probably more important - these folks may understand the politics but they will rarely actually have a well balanced understanding of the issues themselves.


Look for representatives of the other party from the ranks of those who are DOING not talking and who naturally have a stake in success that is not tied to the next election. Back to Judd Gregg for a moment - since he's the Senator from my state - President Obama would have been better off to offer the Commerce position to the Republican that our Governor was going to appoint to take over for Judd in the Senate. Bonnie Newman would have been a better choice for Commerce right from the start, based on the depth of her experiences and her record of actually being able to work across party lines.


In short: build bi-partisanship where parties have a stake in the success of the outcomes. In other words, work directly with the folks who are outside the beltway where the message of bi-partisanship isn't a foriegn concept and force feed bi-partisanship to the folks inside the beltway.



Create Post-Partisan Centrist Coalitions
This is one of those places where the Obama supporters will need to take the lead and recognize that the President has a duality of interest that encumbers his ability to act in a completely free manner on this front.

One of the great ironies of the current situation is that the success of the Democrats during the last two elections has made "moderate" republicans an endangered species in the House and threatens to do the same in the Senate.


Obama was unable to form a bi-partisan coalition on the stimulus bill because the centrists within the Republican party's elected ranks have been "killed off" during two elections that became referrenda on the Bush Presidency and the irrelevancy of the Republican brand.


At a time when our President would like to reach out, he looks over and realizes that all the folks to whom he could have reached out lost to Democrats in the last election or the proceeding one. Sometimes their replacement is a Democrat even more conservative than the Republican they replaced. In truth, the President would - in many cases - have been better off with a moderate Republican occupying that seat, but the obligation of the party is to win with a Democrat. Herein lies the rub. We need a political force that works to create or strengthen the middle . . . a force not beholden to either the Democrats or the Republicans.



Keep Taking the Case to the People
Ronald Reagan did it effectively and Barack Obama figured out very quickly that he should take a page out of Reagan's book. The people, collectively, are a whole lot smarter than most politicians and pundits give them credit for. Don't talk down to them, tell them the truth and give them the good and the bad and you will be rewarded for it.




"S-Curve in Green"



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Crash of Flight 3407 Stills Vital Voices

The crash of Flight 3407 on the evening of February 12, 2009 has stilled 50 voices, all of them important, all of them loved. Four of those voices are among the many who have used their lives in areas that have affected me personally.

For those who, like myself, find themselves inexorably drawn to the joy and tragedy of the African experience, the death of Dr. Alison Des Forges is a terrible blow. Des Forges was a leading authority on the Rwanda genocide and has been a Senior Advisor to, and board member of, the world's foremost human right organization, Human Rights Watch, for nearly twenty years. Dr. Des Forges' example and wisdom have served to help us to better understand the triumphs and failing of the human condition and to see broadly the complexities of relationships between countries and ethnic groups.



Beverly Eckert was a picture of strength and dignity after the loss of her beloved husband in the tragedy of 9-11. She was the hammer of justice in her refusal to quietly accept the less-than-adequate response of the US government after the tragedy. Eckert became an amateur lobbyist and a tireless advocate for accountability and a justice that did not tarnish the moral authority of the United States. She spoke out against the human rights abuses perpetrated in the names of the 9-11 victims and right up until the day she died she had thrown herself into this new role. She was fond of explaining that her preference would have been for her husband to return home on that fateful day and her mission was now to make sure that other husbands would.

Alison Des Forges and Beverly Eckert were accidental heroes, drawn into the caldron of heroism by events not choice, but who embraced their roles with humor and humility. They will be missed by those who knew them and thousands more who simply admired their ideals and work and drew strength from their example.

Jazz Musicians Gerry Niewood and Coleman Mellett were also on board the flight, headed for a gig with Chuck Mangione in Buffalo. For anyone who has listened to the "Live in Central Park" CD by Simon and Garfunkle, the name Gerry Niewood will be familiar, Art Gunfunkle introduces Niewood during the live album

Gerry Niewood

Coleman Mellett was a regular band member of Chuck Mangione's band and was married to the daughter of jazz legend Dizzie Gillespie.

Coleman Mellett

"Among the Lupines on the Jefferson Highlands"



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A Novel Approach: Using Unemployment Benefits as a Means for Stimulus

Very interesting concept. Add the ability for folks to take a lump sum payment to start their own business and you have the working of a very entrepreneurial approach.
About Stimulus Package
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NPR Tells Fox News: Please Don't Associate Juan Williams With Us

For Fox to say that they were just trying to be helpful to NPR by mentioning Juan William's association is just disengenuous. They mention it because it gives them credibility by associating their brand with that of NPR. If the Juan Williams who appears from time to time on NPR were the same Juan Williams who show's up on Fox New, I would have no problem with that. However, its clear that when Juan Williams is on Fox he has marching orders to play the "Fox way". Its really too bad. Williams clearly has no idea how much damage he does to his own brand when he seems to schill for whoever happens to be paying for his time.
About Video On HuffPost
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Senator King Touts Reinvestment Side of the Stimulus on Political Chowder

Former Senator Wayne King, now President of Moosewood Communications, appeared this week on Political Chowder with Arnie Arnesen where he placed a heavy emphasis on the Reinvestment side of the Stimulus plan, particularly enhancing our position with respect to green energy and green jobs.

Watch Political Chowder.

Leahy Embraces Truth and Reconciliation Commission

As first suggested in this Blog on January 13, the idea for a "Truth and Reconciliation"panel at the congressional level has been embraced by Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont. The idea for the panel, announced yesterday morning by Leahy's office came up at President Obama's first televised news conference last night.

As predicted, Professor Jonathan Turley trashed this notion tonight on Keith Ohlberman's "Countdown". However, I'd remind Professor Turley that Bishop Tutu was called a "traitor" for his role in creating the process in South Africa that ultimately turned out to be a major factor in helping to heal the country and move it beyond the dark days of Apartheid.

While I am pleased to have the idea gain momentum, I would be negligent if I did not mention that it will be necessary to give some latitude to the folks at CIA and other agencies who acted on behalf of their superiors. It would be a real mistake if this process ended up focusing only on low level people who were following the orders of superiors who insured them that they were acting on the authority of the SecDef or the President and Vice President.

"A Golden Moment"



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Express the Grays, Mr. President

President Obama must trust the American people to see the gray areas of the challenge ahead.

The three weeks since Barack Obama became President of the United States have been a roller coaster for the President and the American people.

On Monday evening he will address the American people in a televised news conference, the next in an ongoing series of "most important addresses" that the President faces.

Understandably, the pundits are all in the "what he needs to say" mode. So here's my take on this: 1. Be strong, be calm and be optimistic but frank, 2. Express the urgency of immediate action; 3. restate the goals of that action; and, 4. most important, speak directly to the American people in a manner that recognizes the grays - not just the black and white's upon which the partisans and the media seemed to have focused.

As he did with his remarkable speech on race. President Obama should trust the good judgement of the American people to see the problem in all its complexity and ask for their prayers and support as he works to get both sides to be both more humble in their approach and more bold in their implementation. In short - to paraphrase Lincoln - to ask both sides to stop acting as if God were on their side and quickly craft a humble concensus, hoping and praying that we are on God's side.

In an interesting piece on Politico.com yesterday, Elizabeth Sherman, of the Tractenburg School of Public Policy at GW University gave a simple, but compelling, response to the question of "what to say" by reminding the President to stay on message with a restatement of the need to move beyond partisanship and the specific goals of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 package.

In other words, remind them that we are not red states and blue states but the United States and then speak frankly about the goals of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

1. Targeted tax cuts and investment spending to get the private sector working again and renewing confidence in the system;
2. Strategic short and longer-term investments to fund infrastructure and to invest in our competitiveness in the new green economy as we emerge from the recession;
3. Proving a safety net for those hardest hit by, (and often least responsible for) the economic meltdown.

Sherman is right on target with this advice, but it will fall short if the President does not then use it to do an end run around the Congress and the media straight to the American people with a plea for their help in setting a new tone with expanded expectations.

He can start by reminding the American people that changing the landscape in Washington is not going to be easy - that it will only happen with their support. One only need look at the actions of the major players in the past few weeks to see how difficult it will be.

With some wordsmithing, he can both highlight the problem and secure the support of the American people. He can - for example - demonstrate how he tried to reach across the aisle during the past week only to have the Republicans seek unfair advantage by insisting on their package and crying partisanship when they got less than 100% of their demands. He can show strength by taking a Reaganesque approach to the Republicans, a "trust but verify" approach that expects cooperation and hits back when cooperation is not given or disingenuous. Just as Reagan firmly held the Soviets to his expectations, so too will Obama hold the Republicans to his - rewarding them when they live up to their promises and pushing back when they don't -
always vowing to continue to press for a post partisan approach.

Obama can start by forgiving the partisans and the press for their transgressions of the past two weeks:

Forgive the Democrats who, heady from their victory on election day, have failed to see that the election results were not an endorsement of the Democratic party, but a clarion call for a new way.

Forgive the Republicans for their transgressions by pointing out that they are understandably confused and without direction. Their ideas have suffered from the rejection of the American people after eight years of national experimentation and they are struggling to find a voice that makes them relevant in an era of diversity and global competitiveness.

Forgive the media for finding conflict more newsworthy (and profitable) than concensus and for the understandable difficulty of finding simple ways to report on complex problems.

Ask for the help of the American people in the immediate problem of taking action on the recession and in the longer-term challenge of creating higher expectations for a post-partisan future.


"Lincoln Memorial at Night"


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A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Post Partisanship

Changing the way Washington does business won't be easy or quick.

A funny thing happened on the way to a post-partisan Washington. The Democratic House decided it didn't need to be post-partisan because it had the votes and the Republicans decided that they could play all the worst partisan games with the stimulus and Barack Obama would not be able to fight back without seeming to go back on his promise.

It seems that President Obama is going to have to revise his approach to creating a post partisan American government. I suggest that he take a page or two out of Ronald Reagan's play book. The one that says "The Soviets: Trust but Verify".

I suggest this because the Republicans are acting very much like the Soviets of old.

Sure, they have an old tyme ideology that provides plenty of cover on their anti-spending dogma and just like the Soviet leaders with their dachas and expense accounts they never worry about whether their message is consistent with their example.

More disturbing, however, is the way in which the Republicans have mimicked those wiley Soviets by demanding concession after concession and then acting as if President Obama's expectations that his election should give him some control over the agenda was an about face on his promise to reach across the aisle.

Like the Soviets, they have figured that they can have the best of both worlds. They can line the pockets of their friends and still vote against the final bill. If the Stimulus bill works, they can claim that their tax cuts were what created all the jobs; and, if their tax cuts have crowded out the strategic investments needed for the measure to actually succeed, they can crow about how they were right to vote against it.

It almost makes one long for the good old days of bitter partisanship.

President Obama will need to develop a response for this kind of behavior or they will continue to run that play like a prison football team from The Longest Yard. That's where the Ronald Reagan approach might come in handy.

1. Regularly warn the American people that they can't be trusted and point out their behavior each time they engage in it.
2. Play the partisan in response to their shenanigans, using humor works well.
3. Raise the stakes suffiently so that there is an incentive for real and honest post partisan behavior.

In short, institute a policy of Mutually Assured Destruction for playing the slime card.

The polls show that the American people see what the Republicans are doing here. Yes, there is some damage to the President's agenda but, according to just released national polling, the minute that President Obama began to fight back the American people came down on his side. It won't be long before the Republicans find - as the Soviets did - that the price of their gamesmanship may just be a lot higher than they thought.

A Peek at a McCain Presidency

McCain Shows the Wisdom of the American People's Choice

Yesterday, John McCain gave the American people a rare glimpse at the fate they were spared by their election of Barack Obama. McCain rolled out an alternative "stimulus" plan that was nothing more than a ratty old copy of the Bush playbook that has gotten us into this mess to begin with.

Fortunately, neither Congress, nor the American people were buying it - or even paying much attention for that matter.

There will surely be time for John McCain to show that he has not had his principles completely hijacked by the Sarah Palin wing of the Republican Party, but this is not an auspicious beginning for the Senator who's legacy already took a serious hit over the past year.

"Fawn at Welton Falls"


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An Economist Mind with a Mother's Intuition

One of the best blogs out there when it comes to understanding the current economic crisis and the efforts to do something about it is the Economist Mom, edited by Diane Lim Rogers of the Concord Coalition.

Lim Rogers declares the blog as the place . . . “where analytical rigor meets a mother’s intuition”–where honest math and sound economics is communicated in a way that makes common sense and is relevant to our daily lives. The issues they discuss span a wide and unusual range as suggested by the blog’s title–from “do deficits matter?” (yes) to “can I get my family life in perfect order?” (no, she can't). Lim Rogers says that "among the broader policy issues there will be a particular focus on the economics of fiscal responsibility, with the hope that this blog will be part of a newly effective, “grassroots” movement involving ordinary American parents and grandparents, encouraging our policymakers to “do the right (fiscal) thing” for the sake of our children and grandchildren.

I'm a big fan of Lim Rogers, but if there is a criticism that I would make of the over-arching theme of the blog it is that by relying on a "mother's intuition" to generate the common sense side of the blog, Lim Roger's sometimes falls short on understanding the strategic choices that need to be made in order to find that sweet spot where fiscal responsibility and a mother's intuition meet meet effectiveness of effort.

A recent case in point was Lim Roger's (vocal) appearance tonight on NPR's Marketplace. Unlike so many other commentators, Lim Roger's understood that the bill being considered by Congress right now has two key components: stimulus and competitiveness. She gave a concise and clear explanation of the two components that should be framed and placed right in frot of every pundit in the country so that they understand it as well. However, on her Blog she seems to make the case that we can afford to wait on the parts of the package that will take longer to get into the economy but will position the US to be competitive in the global economy. This is where she's wrong and a bit of common sense and mother's intuition will go a long way toward understanding why.

If you think that the partisanship and posturing over the current bill is bad - just wait until we are another trillion dollars in the hole. Even the most far sighted folks will be wringing their hands about spending the money needed to achieve the goal of creating a "smart grid" or bringing some other sustainable technologies to market. In fact, I would make the case that if we had to choose between immediate stimulus and investments that will ensure our competitiveness for the future, that we should endure the hardship of short term for the promise of the long term.

When the crisis of 9-11 generated international goodwill that could have been turned into an opportunity to unite the world in an all out effort to end our dangerous dependence on fossil fuels, President Bush told us all to go shopping and he missed the most powerful teachable moment in recent history. Woe unto us if President Obama is equally shortsighted.

If we sacrifice what is important for what is urgent, we will emerge from this recession as a second rate economic power without the will or the courage to take the action that will be necessary to make us competitive for the long-run.


"Deep Roots" Poster and Card

Quote under the photo:

All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by frost.

J. R. R. Tolkien

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Bill Bradley - A Logical Choice

"The number one principle of the New American Story is that Country comes before Party. When there is a choice between them, a patriot chooses Country." - Senator Bill Bradley

If there are two books that belong together on a bookshelf labeled "Ideas and Ideals" they are Barack Obama's "Audacity of Hope" and Bill Brdley's "New American Story". Both express the necessity for citizens to rise up and compel the political establishment to change the way in which it does business.

That's the first reason why Bill Bradley is the logical choice to head up the department of Health and Human Services and to take the point position on National Healthcare.

The second is that Bradley has all of the assets of Tom Daschle and few, if any, of the liabilities. Well respected by both Democrats and Republicans; Bradley knows how to "work the Hill" and he knows the challenges that lie ahead.

Bradley's depth of understanding and knowledge on Health Care Reform is well known. It was his principle issue in the Democratic nomination process of the 2000 election and Bradley's view was comprehensive and pragmatic.

Furthermore, and this is what separates Bradley from others like Howard Dean, he has the temperment for the job. If there is one aspect of Bill Bradley that more closely mirrors his connection with Barack Obama on political philosophy, it is his temperment. Bradley's cool headedness is a perfect fit for "no-drama Obama".

It may just turn out to be a stroke of good luck that President Obama has been asked to revisit the appointment of HHS Secretary, although it surely can't feel that way at the moment. After all, by the time we are through getting the country out of this recession, getting Americans to think big again on Healthcare is going to be very tough indeed.

"The Peacock"




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The Gregg Appointment

The appointment of Judd Gregg to the position of Commerce Secretary is a first rate choice by the President. Judd Gregg has been intimately involved in developing the budget and providing oversight for the Department of Commerce for many years. He knows how the department works and he knows how to make things happen.

Furthermore, among US Senators, no one has a better understanding of the severity of the economic crisis facing this nation. Judd Gregg was the choice of his Republican leader to represent Republicans in the difficult days following the announcement by the Treasury secretary that we were in meltdown territory.

Despite the looney ramblings of Michelle Malkin in her blog and the critics on both sides, President Obama meant it when he asked us to step beyond partisanship and Judd Gregg values Country over Party. Thats a good starting point for what will be the very difficult days ahead.


"Mr. Lincoln's Legacy"


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Understanding Why It Happened

There's no end in sight on the financial crisis, but that has not kept several foundations from supporting efforts to understand how the crisis came about and ensure that it does not happen again. In the meantime, they also serve as a touchstone to the more immediate issues surrounding the crisis. We suggest that you bookmark the sites and return to them regularly to keep up with our understanding and future trends.

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation has provided three grants totaling $1.7 million to:

• The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania;
• The National Bureau of Economic Research; and.
• The Brookings Institution

Each has received funds to study the ongoing financial market crisis and to improve public understanding of economics and finance.

The Sloan foundation made an additional $1 million grant to the NewsHour with Jim Lehrer for a series of reports on the crisis, with the same goal of improving the public’s economic and financial literacy.

Wharton's Website provides timely analysis and insight into the origins of the financial crisis, how it's affecting our economy, and what we can expect for the future. Check this page frequently as news posts and information will be added regularly. Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania

"National Bureau of Economic Research is the nation's leading economic research organization and posts working papers, data, and other resources for business professionals, public policy makers.

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct high-quality, independent research and, based on that research, to provide innovative, practical recommendations that advance three broad goals:

• Strengthen American democracy;
• Foster the economic and social welfare, security and opportunity of all Americans and
• Secure a more open, safe, prosperous and cooperative international system.

"A Sea of Boys"

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