David Stockman was a Republican Congressman from the State of Michigan, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget under President Ronald Reagan. His earlier book, “The Great Deformation,” offered a comprehensive history U. S. economic policy.
Stockman’s most recent book, “Trumped! A Nation on the Brink of Ruin...And How to Bring It Back,” illustrates how fast scenarios change as new thinking alters national issues and creates new perspectives.
In his latest book, Stockman repeatedly writes, “Give Trump a chance.” But he, like many of us, occasionally falls into the trap of linear thinking.
He’s right on some things: the China bubbles; and the Left’s paranoid delusions and perspectives on traditional historical wars and societies/cultures.
But there are ways available to navigate through America’s challenges and problems.
Take, for example, student debt. Until Barack nationalized this debt it was on the books of Citigroup. They were the lead provider of student loans and carried the debt. Returning this to the private sector is now underway. There are ads running on radio (e.g., Rush Limbaugh) and television (e.g., Sean Hannity) offering indebted students a way to refinance their loans at lower interest rates.
Stockman rightly addresses ISIS, Iraq, Afghanistan and the cost of wars.
Trump and his team have re-engaged Saudi Arabia for the future. Thus, along with the Israelis and other neighbors, they are in the forefront as part of the anti-Iran solution. Their money, not ours, represents a new vanguard of Mideast change. Think of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan and Israel all on the same side.
Iraq and Afghanistan are harder challenges, but, with Secretary of Defense James Mattis, America is readjusting the costs of conflict in that theater. ISIS in Iraq is on the run. They’ll still do bad acts, but they will not require a response with the U.S. manpower and costly equipment needs of past wars. In the future, the frontline war fighters will be drones, robots and artificial intelligence.
Medicare/Medicaid debt is huge and growing. But healthcare is not a federal entitlement. Trump’s strategy is to return it to the states and private sector, release the power of technology, and reduce Big Government bureaucracy.
State debt – like those in several coastal states, and in Illinois – will bankrupt some states. Others will adopt new fiscal ideas, as more states are efficiently run with surpluses.
All this is a result of practical, common-sense thinking. Younger Americans will make these changes and fix problems with technology, innovative ideas, and the support of the private sector.
Stockman is right about debt being the Achilles Heel for the nation. It can, and will, be mitigated.
Trump and his team of leaders are leading a generational fix. We are on the cusp of a new range of thinking, with society, supported by technology, innovating, creating and pushing change.
The ObamaCare pessimism of death panels will, as people live longer, give way to optimism as healthcare costs dramatically decrease.
America’s future is bright, if we hold sway and have courage.
Gary Nelson is on the Board of Directors of Nelson Buchanan & Öostergard Pte Ltd, and the NBOGroup Ltd. He is the Founder and Chairman of the NBOGroup. He and his wife Bonnie have lived and worked in Asia since 1984. Previously, he was Vice President and General Manager for IBM’s Pacific Rim organization, leading IBM's operations in 16 countries with more than 10,000 employees. Gary established the NBOGroup in 1988, a leadership development and communication firm supporting organizations across Asia Pacific. He writes and presents on technical and economic trends. His management book, "What Bosses Want - A Guide To Building Leadership Competencies,” is in its third edition.
David Stockman was a Republican Congressman from the State of Michigan, and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget under President Ronald Reagan. His earlier book, “The Great Deformation,” offered a comprehensive history U. S. economic policy.
Stockman’s most recent book, “Trumped! A Nation on the Brink of Ruin...And How to Bring It Back,” illustrates how fast scenarios change as new thinking alters national issues and creates new perspectives.
In his latest book, Stockman repeatedly writes, “Give Trump a chance.” But he, like many of us, occasionally falls into the trap of linear thinking.
He’s right on some things: the China bubbles; and the Left’s paranoid delusions and perspectives on traditional historical wars and societies/cultures.
But there are ways available to navigate through America’s challenges and problems.
Take, for example, student debt. Until Barack nationalized this debt it was on the books of Citigroup. They were the lead provider of student loans and carried the debt. Returning this to the private sector is now underway. There are ads running on radio (e.g., Rush Limbaugh) and television (e.g., Sean Hannity) offering indebted students a way to refinance their loans at lower interest rates.
