David Boren

Former senator and current University of Oklahoma president David Boren has written a timely and very much worth-reading short book, A Letter to America (Univ. of OK Press). Boren, a strong centrist, takes a close look at the shabby shape of American politics and political discourse today and offers some meaningful advice which if followed might allow us to begin emerging from the hyper-partisan morass we've become engulfed in.

Boren's policy ideas are largely uncontroversial - he makes the sort of common-sense suggestions that 90% of people could agree on immediately (and do, when asked in polls), but which don't get acted upon because the political process is too gummed up with partisan shenanigans. "Many of the solutions are obvious," he writes, "but each party is afraid to act because of the attacks they know will come from the other side to artfully press the emotional hot buttons of American voters" (p. 45). We all know we've got to come up with real ways to solve the major problems we face: entitlement solvency, energy reform, gigantic deficits, climate change and the negative global perceptions of America. But those tough issues and many more have fallen prey to the never-ending campaign cycle and the shrill-toned blather which currently passes for political debate.

At just 110 pages, Boren's book is a very accessible, very succinct, and very clear exposition of the centrist worldview. I recommend it highly, and hope it will be widely read. His is a voice of reason when more of those are sorely needed.

http://philobiblos.blogspot.com/2008/03/book-review-letter-to-america.html… (altro)

An excellent read from an author who writes with great clarity. I think he does a great job explaining what is wrong about America and it's impact on our status as a global superpower. He believes that major reforms are needed to restore our status or we will slide into the oblivion of many great nations before us. His solutions are sound.
Unlike the author, I believe we are too late, too removed from our weaknesses, too arrogant as to our capabilities. And when it is finally discovered, becomes widely known, we will be the leader that was. I dearly hope my views are wrong. But the America of our forefathers is no more.… (altro)