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bcole81's review
4.0
Great book. Wonderful explanation of how we got in the economic hot mess we still haven't dug out of yet.
agsmith07's review
3.0
The book was good, although at times, VERY depressing. We're in quite a mess (although I already knew that, the book really drives the point home). Mr. Clinton has some great ideas on turning things around….if we did only a handful of them, I think we’d be headed in the right direction. Yet, we’re not…why? I think his suggestions seem so obvious and so easy, yet no one seems to know how to get things moving. Ah…the curse of modern day partisan politics. I also suspect, these ideas will only work, if our country suddenly embraces a totally Liberal outlook for our future. Doubtful.
Still…just a few of his ideas and a few from the other side…it would be a start.
Mr. Clinton also spends half the book touting the success of his administration, ad nausea at times. He takes almost 100% of the credit for the boom time of the 90’s, when a big part of it was that he was really lucky to be president after Bush senior’s tax hikes and the height of the technology/internet bubble…just saying.
Still…just a few of his ideas and a few from the other side…it would be a start.
Mr. Clinton also spends half the book touting the success of his administration, ad nausea at times. He takes almost 100% of the credit for the boom time of the 90’s, when a big part of it was that he was really lucky to be president after Bush senior’s tax hikes and the height of the technology/internet bubble…just saying.
duparker's review
3.0
Bill Clinton is an intelligent man. He knows about government and he knows about governing. That said this book covers both, but it also leans too political, because that too is one of Clinton's traits. He knows what he thinks it takes to win elections and the book explains that.
The first section of the book is basically a retread of how great things were in the 90s. The damage done by anti-government politicians is recounted ad nausea. From there the book moves into what we can do as a nation to stem the tide of the recession and get people back to work and back to investing in the American idea. This section of the book is spot on. Whether you agree with it or not, the information is presented well, interestingly and appropriately. The graphs are good and the writing to the point. I'd rate it higher, but the first section was an ego fest and the ideas presented in the second section contain many of President Obama's ideas fleshed out.
The first section of the book is basically a retread of how great things were in the 90s. The damage done by anti-government politicians is recounted ad nausea. From there the book moves into what we can do as a nation to stem the tide of the recession and get people back to work and back to investing in the American idea. This section of the book is spot on. Whether you agree with it or not, the information is presented well, interestingly and appropriately. The graphs are good and the writing to the point. I'd rate it higher, but the first section was an ego fest and the ideas presented in the second section contain many of President Obama's ideas fleshed out.
kimball_hansen's review against another edition
2.0
I'd give this 2.5 stars. I liked this book not necessarily because of what he talked about but it got me thinking about other stuff. The book seemed a little rushed. I think a major purpose for Clinton publishing this book when he did was to help Obama get reelected. The beginning was tame but then it was basically left wing vs ring wing the entire time. It left me wondering, if the Right Wing thinks they're "absolutely one hundred percent correct" and the left wing thinks that too well then who is right? Then I started to wonder what if all my political thoughts are wrong and I needed to reevaluate myself. Basically I was like Joseph Smith wondering which of all the [political] sects were right. Maybe it's time to just cede and give control to one side and say "here you go, you win, prove to us we're wrong," then wait 20 years and see if their way was better. Like for example the hotly debated gun control topic. What if we do what the filthy liberals want and ban guns or whatever their agenda is. Then we'll see if crime/murder does go down. Trial and Error is a lot better than just debating and arguing with each other and getting nowhere. I'm at that point where I'm fine with letting go of the wheel and letting them drive instead of just fighting. What if they are right? Then life will be better. And if they are wrong then we try a new solution and until we get it right. I had a lot more thoughts yesterday after finishing this book. But some have dwindled away though due to time.
I think Bill Clinton would have preferred to call the book why we need a strong government for a smart economy but he didn't want to turn off a lot of people so he switched the words subtly. Seems like the liberals desires are, in a nutshell, to get the poor people to middle class and bring rich people down to middle class.
It's helpful to ask ourselves and each other, especially in politics, what is the underlying motive for a person doing what they are doing? We're all motivated by something. If we can figure it out then we know what a person's end goal is: power or money.
I think Bill Clinton would have preferred to call the book why we need a strong government for a smart economy but he didn't want to turn off a lot of people so he switched the words subtly. Seems like the liberals desires are, in a nutshell, to get the poor people to middle class and bring rich people down to middle class.
It's helpful to ask ourselves and each other, especially in politics, what is the underlying motive for a person doing what they are doing? We're all motivated by something. If we can figure it out then we know what a person's end goal is: power or money.
jennilynft's review
4.0
A quick read with a lot of interesting facts and suggestions for mprovement. I love how much he focuses on energy as a piece of the solution.
jrobles76's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I can actually point to 3 things I think made this book really good.
1. President Clinton used data from what works in other countries and from local governments to make the case for his suggestions and initiatives. This is a problem with many people who push policy. They ignore when something similar was tried elsewhere (whether to good or bad result). If a program has been tried, then expand it. It takes a little of the risk of investment out of the solution.
2. The book is filled with actionable items. If you're in business, you know how important action items are. You can talk about changing a culture, but without action items, it's just philosophy.
3. The book suggests we try a lot of things and keep what works. This is a tenet of Jim Collins research on what makes a great company (one of many) and is something we should do. The problem is that I don't think the United States government has the flexibility to attempt many new things (especially not with a conservative government - even Dems are conservative when it comes to new ideas)
The problem, and one that Clinton points out, is that there is a fear of spending. It's understandable given the bank bailouts. But the problem is that the bank bailouts were done with no strings attached. That was the equivalent throwing money at the problem (which Republicans always accuse Democrats of doing). Intelligent spending (which may be impossible for our Congress) spends money where it needs to be spent and asks for results. For instance, if you have a leaky roof, it's not throwing money at the problem to hire a roofer to fix it. But you would expect the money you spent to stop the leak. Clinton's book, figuratively, gives us the names of several great roofing companies.
I don't know how much of this book will be implemented, but there are so many solutions that trying just a handful could have great positive results.
Great read for anyone looking for solutions to our current economic crisis.
1. President Clinton used data from what works in other countries and from local governments to make the case for his suggestions and initiatives. This is a problem with many people who push policy. They ignore when something similar was tried elsewhere (whether to good or bad result). If a program has been tried, then expand it. It takes a little of the risk of investment out of the solution.
2. The book is filled with actionable items. If you're in business, you know how important action items are. You can talk about changing a culture, but without action items, it's just philosophy.
3. The book suggests we try a lot of things and keep what works. This is a tenet of Jim Collins research on what makes a great company (one of many) and is something we should do. The problem is that I don't think the United States government has the flexibility to attempt many new things (especially not with a conservative government - even Dems are conservative when it comes to new ideas)
The problem, and one that Clinton points out, is that there is a fear of spending. It's understandable given the bank bailouts. But the problem is that the bank bailouts were done with no strings attached. That was the equivalent throwing money at the problem (which Republicans always accuse Democrats of doing). Intelligent spending (which may be impossible for our Congress) spends money where it needs to be spent and asks for results. For instance, if you have a leaky roof, it's not throwing money at the problem to hire a roofer to fix it. But you would expect the money you spent to stop the leak. Clinton's book, figuratively, gives us the names of several great roofing companies.
I don't know how much of this book will be implemented, but there are so many solutions that trying just a handful could have great positive results.
Great read for anyone looking for solutions to our current economic crisis.
gilmoreguide's review
4.0
In this compact book about America’s current economic state former President Bill Clinton writes about where we are and what we can do. Fortunately, despite providing a tremendous amount of facts, figures, and statistics his prose is simple and interesting enough that the reader is neither overwhelmed or bored.
Clinton’s premise is that, despite the angry rhetoric of antigovernment groups, less government will only further weaken America and do nothing to halt our economic decline. His focus is on cooperation between corporations and smarter government rather then the bipartisan ‘every-man-for-himself’ gridlock. The book contains over 20 proposals in the areas Clinton feels are most critical to future success: unlocking the flow of money, jobs creation and increasing exports. A number of these proposals come from programs used by previous administrations that cost taxpayers little or nothing. Others are from respected non-partisan business analysts as well as from other countries who have implemented such programs successfully.
While written by a political leader this book approaches America’s issues from a business perspective. Unless politics are set aside and our leaders work together there’s likely to be a Pyrrhic victory for one group and a bleak future for everyone else.
Clinton’s premise is that, despite the angry rhetoric of antigovernment groups, less government will only further weaken America and do nothing to halt our economic decline. His focus is on cooperation between corporations and smarter government rather then the bipartisan ‘every-man-for-himself’ gridlock. The book contains over 20 proposals in the areas Clinton feels are most critical to future success: unlocking the flow of money, jobs creation and increasing exports. A number of these proposals come from programs used by previous administrations that cost taxpayers little or nothing. Others are from respected non-partisan business analysts as well as from other countries who have implemented such programs successfully.
While written by a political leader this book approaches America’s issues from a business perspective. Unless politics are set aside and our leaders work together there’s likely to be a Pyrrhic victory for one group and a bleak future for everyone else.
annakmeyer's review
4.0
Gets a little dense, a little self-congratulatory, but why not, really?
As always, good stuff from Mr. Clinton.
As always, good stuff from Mr. Clinton.
ceceinohio's review against another edition
5.0
A must read if you care about our country's future
Intelligent Plan to get our economy going again. Clinton's thoughts are provocative but filled with common sense. I learned a great amount about what I can do to help our future.
Intelligent Plan to get our economy going again. Clinton's thoughts are provocative but filled with common sense. I learned a great amount about what I can do to help our future.
booknerd_therapist's review
4.0
"America at its core is an idea -- the idea that no matter who you are or where you're from, if you work hard and play by the rules, you'll have the freedom and opportunity to pursue your own dreams and leave your kids a country where they can chase theirs...Work is about more than making a living...It's fundamental to human dignity, to our sense of self-worth as useful, independent, free people..."
Whatever your political leanings, you'd foolish indeed to disagree with that notion. I am a textbook example of a fed-up American: a recent college grad with loans to pay off, a laid off school teacher, unemployed for 6+ months, and sick to death of party politics and liberal and conservative extremism. Since I've been unemployed, I've picked up three freelance writing gigs, one of which is freelance journalism writing an independent politics column. In my (short) travels, I have met people in far worse circumstances than I am in: a domestic abuse victim who has been homeless since her husband threw her out on the street, a disabled young lady who was laid off and cannot find another job largely as a result of her disability, a mother who needs to live three hours away from her family and small business just to have a job with health insurance, children who take empty lunchboxes to school because they're too embarrassed to let people find out they can't afford to eat, and so on. Anyone who looks at these people and can say the system is fair with a straight face is ignorant at best and stone-cold heartless at worst.
A Florida resident for the last 21 years of my life, I am disgusted with the Conservative political climate in this state. Our educational system is all but defunct, we have the third highest population of homeless veterans, and our unemployment rate is well above the national average. And yet, Floridians refuse to change, still voting in the same people with the same ideas that don't work.
Unfortunately, Obama has been a disappointment as well. It's no comfort to promise people hope and change, and then do the same things Bush did. Race to the Top, for example, is only slightly different than No Child Left Behind, and every bit as ineffective. As long as our education system remains obsessed with standardized testing, there can be NO PROGRESS.
Rick Scott and Barrack Obama represent political extremism for their respective parties. If this country is going to get anywhere, we need to get away from that nonsense and use common sense.
Clinton, while a Democrat, is at least closer to center than others. What is most refreshing about this book is that he doesn't mention gay marriage, sex education, evolution, religion, or anything else that should remain private and personal. He focuses on practical issues that the government can and should have a role in, such as the development of new technology, improving the educational system, and, perhaps most importantly, what the government should do to help put people back to work. And no -- it's not raising taxes on the rich! It's offering incentives for hiring (such as a payroll tax holiday)! All of the bickering and finger-pointing is getting us nowhere. Instead of the Republicans demanding fewer taxes and Democrats arguing for more, take the same amount of money we have -- whatever may be left of it -- and use it to help put people back to work. The rich get a payroll tax holiday and the poor get jobs -- everyone wins.
Whatever your opinion of Mr. Clinton may be, one cannot deny the practicality of his suggestions and potential solutions. I strongly encourage others to read this book, and vote for people with practical ideas instead of party influence.
Whatever your political leanings, you'd foolish indeed to disagree with that notion. I am a textbook example of a fed-up American: a recent college grad with loans to pay off, a laid off school teacher, unemployed for 6+ months, and sick to death of party politics and liberal and conservative extremism. Since I've been unemployed, I've picked up three freelance writing gigs, one of which is freelance journalism writing an independent politics column. In my (short) travels, I have met people in far worse circumstances than I am in: a domestic abuse victim who has been homeless since her husband threw her out on the street, a disabled young lady who was laid off and cannot find another job largely as a result of her disability, a mother who needs to live three hours away from her family and small business just to have a job with health insurance, children who take empty lunchboxes to school because they're too embarrassed to let people find out they can't afford to eat, and so on. Anyone who looks at these people and can say the system is fair with a straight face is ignorant at best and stone-cold heartless at worst.
A Florida resident for the last 21 years of my life, I am disgusted with the Conservative political climate in this state. Our educational system is all but defunct, we have the third highest population of homeless veterans, and our unemployment rate is well above the national average. And yet, Floridians refuse to change, still voting in the same people with the same ideas that don't work.
Unfortunately, Obama has been a disappointment as well. It's no comfort to promise people hope and change, and then do the same things Bush did. Race to the Top, for example, is only slightly different than No Child Left Behind, and every bit as ineffective. As long as our education system remains obsessed with standardized testing, there can be NO PROGRESS.
Rick Scott and Barrack Obama represent political extremism for their respective parties. If this country is going to get anywhere, we need to get away from that nonsense and use common sense.
Clinton, while a Democrat, is at least closer to center than others. What is most refreshing about this book is that he doesn't mention gay marriage, sex education, evolution, religion, or anything else that should remain private and personal. He focuses on practical issues that the government can and should have a role in, such as the development of new technology, improving the educational system, and, perhaps most importantly, what the government should do to help put people back to work. And no -- it's not raising taxes on the rich! It's offering incentives for hiring (such as a payroll tax holiday)! All of the bickering and finger-pointing is getting us nowhere. Instead of the Republicans demanding fewer taxes and Democrats arguing for more, take the same amount of money we have -- whatever may be left of it -- and use it to help put people back to work. The rich get a payroll tax holiday and the poor get jobs -- everyone wins.
Whatever your opinion of Mr. Clinton may be, one cannot deny the practicality of his suggestions and potential solutions. I strongly encourage others to read this book, and vote for people with practical ideas instead of party influence.