About the Blog
I write about economics, politics and the media.
Mission Statement:
This website uses critical thinking methods and proposes solutions to the biggest challenges that the United States faces. Legal, monetary, and practical constraints are acknowledged. Attacking people is forbidden. Attacking people's arguments, biases, assumptions and conclusions are fair. We aim to bring policy issues into a higher level of debate.
About:
The United States faces challenging issues, such as illegal immigration, tax and healthcare policy, and the role of government itself.
Today's websites (news, blogs) focus on the process of these debates (a senate filibuster or the president vetoing a bill). Even worse, some columnists just attack the opposition by calling them "heartless" or "communists".
I believe:
- That critical thinking is lacking in our public conversation.
- That attacking your opponent is easier than engaging with him about your differences.
- That Americans want to hear from their leaders that reflect real, practical solutions given constraints from the law and our budget.
- That real deep analysis includes a dialogue of counter arguments with your opponents.
- That assumptions must be questioned and tested. Blanket statements are insufficient. (i.e. "All labor unions are great" or "All immigrants scam the system.")
- That our biases should be spelled out so that we recognize our weaknesses and strengthen our arguments.
My aim is to create a new dialogue going forward. This country is nuanced. With over 300 million people, answers do not come easy.
I created this website where people post solutions. But they also discuss their biases, assumptions, and counter arguments. Personal attacks are not allowed. Attacks on arguments and thinking processes are.
Let's start a new dialogue in this country where we use critical thinking and what is realistic and achievable to solve our problems.
These proposed solutions are not guaranteed to work. Circumstances change. Our priorities or values may change. But at least it's a start to tackle the problems in our country rather than hear politicians and pundit speak in platitudes or just toe their party's line.
About Me:
I grew up in the Bay Area. I hold an economics degree from NYU and an MBA from Cornell.