I really enjoyed this book. I can actually point to 3 things I think made this book really good.

1. President Clinton used data from what works in other countries and from local governments to make the case for his suggestions and initiatives. This is a problem with many people who push policy. They ignore when something similar was tried elsewhere (whether to good or bad result). If a program has been tried, then expand it. It takes a little of the risk of investment out of the solution.

2. The book is filled with actionable items. If you're in business, you know how important action items are. You can talk about changing a culture, but without action items, it's just philosophy.

3. The book suggests we try a lot of things and keep what works. This is a tenet of Jim Collins research on what makes a great company (one of many) and is something we should do. The problem is that I don't think the United States government has the flexibility to attempt many new things (especially not with a conservative government - even Dems are conservative when it comes to new ideas)

The problem, and one that Clinton points out, is that there is a fear of spending. It's understandable given the bank bailouts. But the problem is that the bank bailouts were done with no strings attached. That was the equivalent throwing money at the problem (which Republicans always accuse Democrats of doing). Intelligent spending (which may be impossible for our Congress) spends money where it needs to be spent and asks for results. For instance, if you have a leaky roof, it's not throwing money at the problem to hire a roofer to fix it. But you would expect the money you spent to stop the leak. Clinton's book, figuratively, gives us the names of several great roofing companies.

I don't know how much of this book will be implemented, but there are so many solutions that trying just a handful could have great positive results.

Great read for anyone looking for solutions to our current economic crisis.