Unapologetically moderate : my search for a rational center in American politics / Bill King.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

King, Bill, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

United States--Politics and government.

United States.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (264 pages)

Place of Publication:

Houston, Texas : bright sky press, 2014.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Bill KIng, former Mayor of Kemah, became a political columnist at the Houston Chronicle when his op-ed about hurricane preparedness struck a profound chord with the community. Since then, his regular column has covered a range of topics, all with the same fact-based approach. Bringing together the best of Kings work, Unapologetically Moderate explores topics ranging from the demographic revolution sweeping America to the pressing need for Social Security reform to the place of religious faith in politics. Kings reach extends from Houstons local government scene to the Austin statehouse and the halls of Congress. Whatever the subject, Kings dispassionate, fact-driven approach to hot-button issues sets him apart from other political observers. His clear explanation of complex subjects provides welcome perspective on topics that have become muddled by partisan interpretations.

Contents:

Cover

Copyright

Table of Contents

Introduction

Changing Face of America and the World

A Lesson From Jefferson

Population Apocalypse: Part I

Population Apocalypse: Part II

Seven Big Issues We Must Address

Federal Deficit

The Deficit in Perspective

Spending Problem or Revenue Problem?

Debts and Delusions

Income and Healthcare for our Elderly

Social Security:

Is Social Security a Ponzi Scheme?

State of the System Today

Trusting the Trust Funds

What Needs to Be Done?

Social Security as Entitlement

Public Pension Plans:

Don't Look for Villains

Pensions and Investment Returns

Advice to Public Employees

Solving the Mess

Medicare:

What Drives Medicare Costs?

Few of Us Contribute Enough

Healthcare for Everyone Else

Is Single Payer Inevitable?

Do Americans Pay Too Much?

Bad Policy, Bad Politics

Personal Responsibility Has Limits

Lessons From Canada

Hard But Necessary Conversation

Employment and the Decline of the Middle Class

Drilling Down on Income Disparity

Real Reason for Rising Unemployment

Unemployment: A Graying Problem

Immigration Reform

Give Thanks for Being Born Here

Sanctuary Is Not a Dirty Word

Yogi Berra Immigration Plan

Mass Deportation No Option

What Amnesty Doesn't Mean

What's Really at Issue

Self-Defeating Politics

Gift That Keeps on Giving

Mental Health, Addiction and Homelessness

Broken Brains Are to Blame

The Madness Continues

Let's Invest in Mental Health

Basics of Drug Policy Reform

How We Think About Homelessness

Homelessness and Mental Illness

Homelessness: Changing the Law

Homelessness: A Worthy Legacy

Nature's Challenges: Windy and Warm

Hurricane Preparedness (And Lack Thereof)

Sensible Approach to Climate Change.

Government Dysfunction

Impossible Dream

No Place to Call Home

Tyranny of Minorities

Two Irreconcilable Camps?

Ways Forward

The Rule

What Candidates Aren't Saying

Failure of Term Limits

Open Primaries Deserve a Look

Misplaced Priorities

America's Place in a Changing World

Complexities of Foreign Policy

Russians Being Russians

A Cautionary Sign

Unrest Here to Stay

Arab Spring and the Islamic Renaissance

Unscrambling the Middle East

Faith, Courage, Compassion

Let's Stop Praying in Public

Difference a Life Can Make

What the Bible Says About Immigrants

Robben Island

The Irreversible Penalty

Erasing the Mark of Cain

Best Option for Ending Abortion

Early Childhood Education

Technology Renews Human Connection

Dream of a Post-Racial America

Reflections of a Christian

Appendix: Case Study of Light Rail in Houston

Six Myths About Light Rail

End of the Line

What Do We Want?

Metro Does Something Right

Acknowledgments.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (ebrary, viewed March 4, 2015).

ISBN:

1-931721-81-5

OCLC:

908090380