Romney's book, day two

I left off yesterday with Chapter 6.  After finishing this book, I will go back and do a more thorough coverage of Gingrich's book, and Huckabee's book.  There's no favortism here.



Chapter 7:  Healing Health Care.  Recounts his history as a troubleshooter ( did that earlier with his dad).  Tells about RomneyCare.  Defends his work, and contrasts with ObamaCare.  Why his is better.  Favors state by state solutions- not federal.  Next step is to deal with costs.  America spends too much on health care, not getting money's worth.  Info tech billed as solution- is not, transparency also, not either.  Need malpractice reform.  Lawyers put profit before people.  Single payer equal death panels.  Government has wrong incentive structure.  Single payer is threat to American experiment.  Should rely on free enterprise.



Chapter 8:  An American Education.  Tells about his own education, then as a parent, and finally as a public official.  Our lives are about choices.  Education builds competitive advantages, but we are losing that.    Post modernism struck in the 60's, impacted education. Teacher's unions oppose choice.  Pitfalls of bilingual education.  Myth of smaller class size in student performance.  Out of wedlock births.  Need better teachers, don't recruit from the top, but the opposite.  Obstacles to better schools: need mentors, cooperation from unions, accountability.  Need different priorities: children lose when unions win. Education and Innovation: successful programs opposed. Virtual academy possible answer.



Chapter 9: Running on Low (energy)  Must vigorously develop all energy sources.  Climate change: world's greatest scientists rate this as lowest priority in terms of cost and benefits.  Should pursue no regret policies.  Our Energy Legacy: Our own policies interfere with free market mechanisms.  Hydrogen and fusion- irresponsible to act as if energy miracles wait around corner (hear that Obama?).  Addressing Demand and Supply: super efficient commuter vehicles, fee bate plans, But Not Just About Cars: most oil consumption not by cars, Alternatives to Foreign Oil: nuclear power- but it is a boogeyman, Update the regulations.  Don't ignore coal nor natural gas. Anwr too.  Game Changers: cap and trade pitfalls- is an energy tax.  Proposal a tax swap of some kind that is revenue neutral- tax oil, but remove other tax.



Here's the outline of the last two chapters.  Haven't read yet, but will come back and fill in later today.



Chapter 10:  The Culture of Citizenship: David Landes's Wealth and Poverty of Nations.A nation of hard workers. Building the nation required a strong work ethic that remains today.  An Education Culture.  Too many don't think education makes a difference.  New development that is not good.   Risk and Its Rewards. A nation of entrepreneurs.  He recruited Steve Ballmer of Microsoft before Microsoft became Microsoft. Belief and Purpose.  Americans are a religious people.  A great nation is never built on hedonism.  My Country Tis of Thee.  Americans are patriotic. Patriotism shown in a story about the 911 flag brought into stadium and the surprising crowd response-silence of respect.  The Respect for Life. Leave no soldier behind.  It is a good sign that so many care about abortion.   It Takes a Family. Out of wedlock births are a tragedy. Safety net programs penalize marriage- must be changed. Must tell adults and children the truth.  Honor Law and Constitution.  Your word is your bond.  The individual is sovereign, not the rulers.  The Demands of Citizenship. Our system requires informed, involved, responsible citizenry. American Destiny. Nobility in the heart of all Americans.  America will meet its destiny for greatness for centuries to come.



Chapter 11: America the Beautiful.  Forecasting America's Strength.  A conversation with a friend.   A force for good.   American Greatness.


Note:

This file was just restored by Blogger.  It was lost for several days.  I did finish the report, but, as you see, the last chapter didn't get saved.  This will have to do.