That Used to be Us by Thomas L. Friedman & Michael Mandelbaum (2011)

Friedman is probably the only non-fiction author, whose latest books I try to make sure and read. He didn't disappoint. Maybe a bit wordy, otherwise I would really have my son read his books, but his analysis of the economic world we live in makes sense. He has co-authored this book with Mandelbaum, and they say they would start discussing the world and end up talking about what is not working in the U.S. So this is a continuation of The World is Flat and Hot, Flat and Crowded.

These two guys believe that the U.S. can be great once again, if it gets back to the ways that made it great - full of innovators, but those need a better education, a better infrastructure, more research, we need to get away from our dependence on oil from other countries (very strong focus on alternative energies and dealing with global warming), and straighten out politics (including revamping regulations - weeding old, impractical ones, strengthening others to control excesses), oh and immigration, since so much of what has been innovative in the U.S. has come from bright, hard working immigrants. I am not going back to the book or other reviews on purpose. I want to see what stuck in my mind.

A couple of surprising things - they explained that unions may shoot themselves in the foot and be the cause of jobs going overseas. They had a great example of a manufacturer in Buffalo, who is the oldest continual manufacturer in the city, and how the owners worked with the unions to make sure the jobs did stay local, but it was a lot of give and take from both sides. Having gone through our contract negotiations this summer ourselves, I am aware of some of the issues, and at times did not agree with the union's approach.

The other thing that Friedman and Mendelbaum explained were the problems with Republicans and Democrats, and that one cannot promise to continually cut taxes (these Mideast wars are the first the U.S. has fought without raising taxes and duh, we now have an incredible debt). I loved it that they called the W. Bush years the "Terrible Two's". But the democrats can't keep promising to never cut any programs or benefits. Looks like Social security and Medicare both need some trimming, so there would be enough when I get around to using them. But these are sacred cows and the AARP has a strong lobby. I don't think I will be spoiling the plot of the book if I say, that the final recommendation is to get a strong third party candidate to run for president in the next election and to tell it like it is. Not to win, that would be impossible, but to force the other two parties to work together and incorporate these centrist ideas that the people would support. He gave examples of Teddy Roosevelt (in 1912), George Wallace (1968) and Ross Perot (1992) influencing those who actually became presidents.