Time for New GI Bill

My favorite columnist Nicolas Kristoff looks at data showing that America's economic leadership has more to do with near-universal post-elementary education than with government attempts to expand industry. Highly-educated people innovate, and create the industries that create jobs. Consider how many jobs Bill Gates created for other highly-educated people, who went on to form their own companies that employed other college-educated people, and so on. Think Silicon Valley.

Personally, I'd like to see the GI bill reinvented so that all returning veterans get a chance to educate themselves and, thereby, expand their opportunities. Obama's grandfather, who was a sergeant in Patton's Army in Europe during WWII, used the GI bill to get an education. I believe the GI Bill was a key factor in America's post war economic boom.

Whatever your views on the Iraqi war, the fact remains that the US government asked these men and women to risk their lives, and the US government owes an extraordinary debt to these soldiers. By investing in human resources, and offering financial aid to veterans and family members (who have suffered tremendously during soldiers' absence), the US can do good, and do well economically in the long run.

Work-Family Balance: White House Style

FINALLY, the possibility of genuine, serious attention to work-family issues -- not the past and current BS debate about whether a woman should "work" or not (because the unpaid stuff moms do doesn't count as "work," which is limited to activities that have present or future economic value). Check out the New York Times Magazine story about how the Obama family might manage their leadership and family roles.


Here's the REAL DEBATE (based on, and relevant to, the realities of life, as lived by real people): How can mothers AND fathers do demanding paid work as well as demanding unpaid work (of caring for families, including extended family like grandparents).

Attention will focus on Michelle's ability to "balance," of course. Alas, we'll have to take baby steps on honesty's road... Perhaps someday we can talk about whether it's possible for fathers to have a hyper-charged career and adequately parent their children? Looking at Bush, Jr., and some other not-so-leading sons, suggests sometimes the answer is no.