Friedman and Mandelbaum produced a thought-provoking book about many of the ills facing America, and some insights as to how these problems could be corrected. Major topics included our Educational System, Energy, technology, climate change, budget deficit, and globalization. Our Educations system was explored in some detail, and I enjoyed some of the improvements made in Colorado, and how the Teachers Union partnered in those ideas.

The authors also took issue with our current political paralysis, and found much to fault with both major Parties. I suspect that if one was keeping track, they were slightly more critical of the GOP than the Dem's, but since neither party was supported, it really shouldn't matter. I found their discussion on the value of a Third Party Candidate very interesting. Like many, I had considered a vote for a third party candidate to be a wasted vote, but the book provides examples of how unsuccessful third party candidates from the past, from Teddy Roosevelt at the beginning to Ross Perot at the end of the 20th Century, actually were able to influence the policies of the major parties, even in losing their elections.