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Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT
Speaking before the Senate Budget Committee, Senior Fellow William Galston discussed how the Untied States’ current fiscal course is unsustainable. The level of deficits, debt, and borrowing from abroad projected for the next decade threatens not only our economic prosperity, but also our currency, global leadership, and national independence, he asserted. Galston recommended that an independent, bi-partisan commission be created to address the challenge of developing a sustainable fiscal policy.
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Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT
The nation appears to have entered a fragile state of recovery, with the worst recession since the 1930s at an end. After four straight quarters of contracting economic activity, the Commerce Department reported this morning that the economy grew in the third quarter of 2009, fueled by government spending on cars and homes. Experts from around the halls of Brookings responded to this news.
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Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT
The “Black Tuesday” stock market crash of 1929 still haunts us on its 80th anniversary this Thursday. William Galston describes the actions taken over this past year to avert a second Great Depression and suggests that the flap over Wall Street bonuses signals a return to business as usual. Our political system has a duty to act against the obvious abuses, he writes.
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Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT
In a recent op-ed in Roll Call, the Brookings and Duke Immigration Policy Roundtable offered substantive recommendations on how to usher in immigration reform, including enhanced enforcement of workplace laws, new legalization standards, the establishment of an independent standing commission and engagement with the Mexico on cross-border population issues.
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Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT
The immigration debate is exceedingly difficult given the challenges to the rule of law, exploitation of vulnerable newcomers, and real and perceived competition with Americans for jobs and public resources. The Immigration Policy Roundtable, a joint undertaking of Brookings and the Kenan Institute for Ethics at Duke University, agreed on a set of recommendations that address the most vexing and controversial obstacles to immigration reform.
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Tue, 22 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT
Despite months of negotiations, Senate Finance Committee chair Max Baucus was forced to introduce his long-awaited health reform bill without gaining the support of even one Republican senator. At first glance this outcome seems puzzling, but party polarization—the ideological gap in Congress between Democrats and Republicans–is at its highest level in more than a century, writes William Galston.
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Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT
As President Obama ascended the podium to deliver his pivotal health care speech, he faced a number of key challenges: to regain control of a debate, to reunify a divided Democratic party, and to allay widespread public fears that have weakened support for reform in recent months. Early polls suggest that the speech was well received and had moved a substantial portion of the public in the president’s direction. On the other hand, it seems likely that three major areas of public doubt remain; Medicare, the budget deficit, and employer-provided insurance coverage, writes William Galston.
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Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT
We are likely to enter a period of new normality marked by lower household debt, higher personal savings, and less consumption as a share of GDP, writes William Galston. Despite these positive trends, we still need a new era of public restraint, not just private thrift. Once economic growth has become self-sustaining and the private sector’s need for capital returns to more normal levels, Congress and the administration will have to turn their attention to the difficult fiscal questions they have long evaded.
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Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT
There is broad agreement that the nation needs to overhaul its immigration policies, but how to change national policy is shaping up to be a major debate. Sketching the policy outlook for immigration reform, William Galston divides the problem into the specific issues that new immigration legislation must confront: overall level of new legal permanent residents to be admitted; the role of family reunification; employment and skills; making the new law responsive to economic change; enforcement; coping with past policy failures, and integrating the new arrivals.
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Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:18:52 GMT
President Obama’s address to the Muslim world was largely well received by the Islamic community, the public and world leaders. William Galston says the speech covered many issues but hard work must follow the president’s eloquent words.
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Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT
The explicit theme of President Obama’s speech in Cairo, was "A New Beginning," writes William Galston. President Obama has wagered his presidency on the premise that the U.S. have entered new chapter. If he is right, he will be a transformative president of historic stature.
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Thu, 04 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT
As members of Congress prepare to delve into health care reform, William Galston writes that it’s time for elected officials to begin leveling with the American people about the choices they face if we are finally to achieve universal health insurance with meaningful cost containment.
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Tue, 02 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT
The United States faces a looming fiscal imbalance brought on by an aging population and rising health care costs. Yet, the current political environment discourages our leadership from making the tough choices required to fix our fiscal house. In this paper, a diverse group of budget experts reviews some of the recent history of appointed commissions, and discusses their potential role in long-term federal budgeting policy.
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Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT
In nominating Sonia Sotomayor, the Obama administration must be more than satisfied with the early reaction from a political standpoint, writes William Galston. While Democrats are united and Hispanics are thrilled, those who oppose her must choose their words and tactics carefully so as not to antagonize further the nation’s fastest-growing demographic group.
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Thu, 28 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT
As President Obama prepared for his historic speech in Cairo, he faced a dual challenge–not only to redefine the troubled relations between the U.S. and the Muslim world, but also to clarify the place of democracy and human rights in his administration's foreign policy. Brookings expert William Galston previewed Obama’s major address.
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Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT
Although his public support is high now, William Galston warns that the president might find himself politically weakened by next year if his economic and social programs do not show results soon. Budget deliberations in Congress over the next few months may be one defining factor.
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Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT
Although many commentators believe that President Obama will be forced, or at least well advised, to focus his agenda on the economy, President Obama has wagered his presidency on the proposition that the U.S. budget and political system can simultaneously absorb an economic stimulus, bail-outs of financial institutions, the housing sector and the automobile industry, and a social-democratic programme not seen since the days of Lyndon B. Johnson writes William Galston.
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Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT
Of all the major items on President Obama's agenda, health reform has the best chance of passage during the current Congress, writes William Galston. Yet, the strategic question before Congress is whether health reform will proceed on a bipartisan or Democrats-only basis.
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Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT
William Galston warns that partisan polarization means that parties are less likely to seek common ground or to make compromises. Its negative consequences include a dysfunctional judicial confirmation process, the difficulty of maintaining a steady foreign policy and the depression of public trust in government.
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Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT
The Congressional Budget Office’s analysis of President Obama’s budget proposal projects a deficit of $9.3 trillion over the next decade, thereby forcing congressional leaders to look for changes to reduce it. Although the Senate Budget Committee has not yet finished marking up its version of the fiscal year 2010 budget resolution, Democrats are likely to diverge from the president’s desires. While Congress supports most of the president’s priorities, they are poised to sideline many of the programs President Obama proposed to implement, writes William Galston.
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Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT
A strong cap-and-trade program seems unlikely to pass given the economic downturn, writes William Galston. Since a majority of Americans say economic growth should be given the priority and Midwestern states depend more heavily on coal-fired power plants, President Obama’s options for cap-and-trade legislation are limited.
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Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT
As the New Deal took shape, President Franklin Roosevelt was accused of undermining capitalism. His response was that he was saving capitalism, not least from itself. Today, in the midst of another economic crisis, cries of "socialism" once again abound. These are old debates, writes Brookings expert William Galston, which many of us thought had been resolved during the New Deal. The fact that they are being revived today testifies both to the gravity of our economic ills and to the persistence of longstanding misconceptions about how modern market economies actually work.
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Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT
Like Presidents Reagan and Carter, Obama has an ambitious agenda for the nation. But will President Obama be as successful in pushing his agenda as Reagan, or as unsuccessful as Carter? Surprisingly, a key indicator of success is not early economic performance. As Brookings expert William Galston writes, the core issue is clarity and self-discipline, to deal with only a relatively small number of issues at a time. Thus, President Obama needs to focus his considerable leadership and communication skills on the financial crisis.
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Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT
With an unflinching speech, President Obama went before Congress Tuesday night with ambitious plans to rebuild the weakening economy and achieve goals ranging from energy diversification and emission reductions to health care and education reform. William Galston writes that public reaction is likely to be favorable in the short term. But his bolds words may end up producing more doubt than hope if the president’s reach exceeds his grasp.
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Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT
A bipartisan group of budget experts from 7 different organizations view President Obama’s Fiscal Responsibility summit as a good first step to addressing the enormous long-term fiscal problem facing the United States, but urge him to lead a major public engagement effort – beyond a one-day summit – to inform Americans of the scale and nature of the long-term fiscal crisis, explain the consequences of inaction and discuss the options for solving the problem. The effort should include the creation of an independent and truly bipartisan commission or other mechanism capable of bringing about decisive action that has broad public support.
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Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT
The Obama administration won a hard-fought and much needed victory this week as U.S. lawmakers prepare to pass a $789 billion stimulus package to revive the struggling economy. But as Bill Galston cautions, the compromise reached by congressional negotiators—which cut items dear to liberals and the business community, and included less for states than the House and administration wanted—is hardly sufficient to inspire public confidence in government and fix the economy.
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Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT
The Obama administration seeks to promote three goals through the stimulus package: jump-start an immediate surge in consumer demand and job creation; make a down-payment on longer-term campaign promises; and initiate a new era of bipartisanship. However, writes William Galston, due to the bill's divided focus, its stimulative effects may prove too weak to halt or reverse more than a fraction of the job losses predicted for the next two years.
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Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT
A diverse group of experts urged President Obama, in his first budget submission, to strike a judicious balance between America’s short-term and long-term economic needs. While the need to boost spending to stimulate the economy is important, they say these short-term steps must not make it harder to achieve our long-term goals. They note that fundamental reforms of major entitlement programs and the tax system are needed to bring spending and revenues into better balance over the longer-term.
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Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT
On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States. In his first speech as president, Obama called for a return to the values of “restraint and humility” in foreign policy, boldly declared an end to the debate over the proper role of government, and instead pledged pragmatism on domestic issues—government that works. Expert Bill Galston assesses the inaugural address.
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Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT
William Galston examines what’s wrong with our current political institutions, given the current financial crisis and lack of coherent governance, and proposes how to create a better government.
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Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT
Television viewers knew early that Barack Obama would be the 44th president and Democrats would hold greater margins in Congress. But in the reality of the day, writes William Galston, the president-elect and congressional leaders have only a short time to make key decisions and must coalesce around a set of promises that can be met before voters rethink in 2010. While Republicans regroup, Democrats have a chance to make their case.
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Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT
By the end of February 2009, the next president will have to define his top domestic priorities, submit a budget, and begin the difficult process of unwinding America's combat presence in Iraq. Despite today's crisis environment, William Galston cautions that the next president shouldn’t emulate FDR's first 100 days, or LBJ's feverish legislative pace in 1965 and 1966. The more ambitious the agenda, the more likely it is to fall victim to entrenched political realities.
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Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT
In wake of the financial crisis and the $700 billion financial rescue package, William Galston and others joined Bill Bennett to discuss the role of government in the United States in a second special edition of CNN’s Beyond the Politics.
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Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT
In the past week, Barack Obama made substantial gains in both national surveys and the key battleground states. Surveys indicated that Obama had bested McCain in the first presidential debate. Rather than reversing the impression Obama made in the first debate, he reinforced it, writes William Galston. McCain talked extensively about his own experience but did not make a strong case that Obama lacked the experience to be president. The town hall format made it more difficult for McCain to mount a sustained attack against Obama. As a result, Obama is one step closer to the presidency.
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Fri, 05 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT
On Thursday, Republicans wrapped up their convention in St. Paul, Minnesota with John McCain’s acceptance speech. He delivered an honorable but paradoxical acceptance speech, writes William Galston, pledging to end bipartisanship rancor in Washington while allowing his campaign to choreograph a convention filled with highly charged personal attacks against the Democratic nominee.
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Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT
Although Barack Obama's speech did not rise to the heights of his 2004 convention speech, writes William Galston, the nominee reached out to portions of the electorate that have been unresponsive to Obama's eloquence and high-flying idealism. He said, in essence, I share your values.
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Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT
William Galston joins Markos Moulitsas and John Podesta on The Diane Rehm Show to discuss the impact of selecting Senator Joe Biden as Barack Obama's running mate and how the Democratic Party will try to define their candidate and unify the party at the National Democratic Convention.
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Mon, 25 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT
With the announcement of Senator Biden as Barack Obama's vice president, Obama "chose someone whose strengths complement rather than underscore his own," writes William Galston. Although Biden is an ideal candidate, will he make a difference in the upcoming election and what does this mean for John McCain?
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Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT
Today's economy requires an expanded role for government, writes William Galston. In this article, he argues that the United States needs a new social contract that reorganizes responsibilities among government, individuals and the private sector.
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Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT
William Galston discusses Senator Barack Obama’s historic victory in the Democratic presidential nominating contest and the key challenges ahead for him and Republican Senator John McCain in the general election race.
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Sun, 11 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT
The ideological differences between the political parties are growing, write Pietro Nivola and William Galston, and political polarization has become akin to political segregation. You are less likely to live near someone whose politics differ from your own. While many Americans want less polarization, they argue, "the underlying structure of our politics remains so deeply divided, the 2008 election may not requite their wish."
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Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT
Voters in North Carolina and Indiana padded Barack Obama’s popular vote margin by more than 200,000. William Galston writes that continuing warning signs remain. Obama doesn't have a strong base among religious and more moderate voters. Plus, if nominated, he must reunite the party.
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Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT
In the 2008 Democratic nominating contest, Catholics have emerged as key members of Hillary Clinton’s base, says William Galston. Therefore, he says, if Barack Obama is the party's nominee, "he will have to work hard to improve his standing among white Catholics. If he does not, even states that Democrats count on—such as Pennsylvania—may be up for grabs this November.”
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Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT
In the Pennsylvania primary, Hillary Clinton won an overwhelming victory, writes senior fellow William Galston. These results have quieted calls for her to leave the race and will probably slow the steady flow of superdelegates to Obama. Nonetheless, her path to the nomination remains steep.
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Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT
Unsustainable deficits in the federal budget threaten the health and vigor of the American economy. When the next president and Congress take office in January 2009, they will face one crucial question that has been almost absent from the current election campaign: how to close the enormous gap between projected federal spending and revenues.
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Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT
In the 21st century, spreading global public understanding of America’s institutions, culture and political values is as important as the work of traditional diplomats, writes William Galston. Galston proposes creating a Cabinet-level agency with the mission to make the case for America as a force for peace, prosperity and political reform.
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Wed, 05 Mar 2008 00:00:00 GMT
As the certain GOP presidential candidate, John McCain starts the long dash to November, while Democratic contenders Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton will continue to sprint for voters and superdelegates. William Galston writes that only prudent foresight among Democratic party leaders will ward off controversy and chaos that might ensue if their party's nomination goes all the way to the convention.
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Wed, 20 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT
While John McCain has virtually clinched the Republican nomination, most observers believe that Hillary Clinton must win both Texas and Ohio on March 4, and do so by wide margins, to overcome Barack Obama's delegate lead. This will not be easy, writes William Galston.
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Wed, 06 Feb 2008 09:54:45 GMT
A record number of voters flooded the polls in 24 states on Super Tuesday, leaving the Democrats facing a possible nomination battle but the Republicans closer to deciding on a nominee. Senior Fellow William Galston says both parties have work to do as they begin to move from the nomination stage toward the general election.
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Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT
Republicans took a giant step toward selecting their nominee on Super Tuesday; Democrats did not. This fundamental fact, as William Galston writes, will define the flow of events in coming weeks.
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Wed, 07 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT
In 1960, roughly 70 percent of 30-year-olds were married, financially independent and starting a family. By 2000, fewer than 40 percent of 30-year-olds had done the same. William Galston discusses the trend and implications.
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Thu, 04 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT
Presentation by William A. Galston (10/04/07)
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Fri, 21 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT
President Bush made Social Security reform his top domestic priority in 2004. In this paper, Brookings's William Galston examines why the president's proposal failed and the politics of Social Security reform.
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Wed, 19 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT
Interview with William A. Galston; NPR Tell Me More (9/19/07)
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Fri, 07 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT
Interview with William Galston and Akbar Ahmed; Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly
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Mon, 23 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT
Interview with William A. Galston; NPR's Tell Me More (7/23/07)
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Wed, 28 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT
Americans are living longer, but not necessarily living better. With fewer Americans saving adequately for retirement or their long-term health needs, and the corresponding decline in public and private pension plans, we are facing both a retirement and health security crisis. Brookings scholar William Galston argues that the next President must create a new social contract to promote individual financial security enabling older Americans to lead longer, healthier, and more productive lives.
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Thu, 01 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT
Opinion by William Galston; ABC News (2/1/07)
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Wed, 01 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT
It has become conventional wisdom that contemporary American politics is deeply and debilitatingly polarized. But is this supposition true? William Galston and Pietro Nivola examine the extent of polarization in American ideology, culture and politics.
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Mon, 01 Sep 1997 00:00:00 GMT
Brookings Review article by William Galston and Peter Levine (Fall 1997)
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Tue, 17 Dec 1996 00:00:00 GMT
Opinion by Diane Ravitch, Nonresident Senior Fellow, and William Galston, Guest Scholar (1998), the Brookings Institution, in the Washington Post, December 17, 1996