January
January 30, 2009
Idea of the Day: Create an Interagency Working Group on Human Rights in China
Overall, U.S. policy toward China has reflected a degree of incoherence is in part because of a fundamental uncertainty as to whether China is a prospective partner or adversary. When it comes to human rights, however, such incoherence could be mitigated by the creation of an Interagency Working Group on Human Rights in China.
January 29, 2009
Idea of the Day: Provide Financial Support for "Hacktivists" in China
Just as the United States supported efforts during the Cold War to break down the Iron Curtain’s control of information flow, principally through use of radio and short-wave, so it should support those private “entrepreneurs” who are trying to open electronic information channels for the average Chinese.
January 28, 2009
Idea of the Day: Invest in Data, Assessment, and Teacher Evaluation Systems
States and districts need the capacity to collect and use high-quality data to make accurate and fair determinations about teacher effectiveness.
January 27, 2009
Idea of the Day: A National Stem Cell Registry
In order to streamline research and improve research collaboration, the federal government should establish a national stem cell registry and possibly a national stem cell bank for all pluripotent stem cell lines, including both embryonic and iPS cell lines.
January 26, 2009
Idea of the Day: Suspend Effective Dates of Bush Final Rules
Final rules generally take effect 30 or 60 days after they are published in the Federal Register, depending on their significance. Rules not in effect by the inauguration may have their effective dates suspended.
January 23, 2009
Idea of the Day: Using Court Action to Fight Midnight Regulations
The Obama administration has several options it could use in court to challenge Bush midnight regulations.
January 22, 2009
Idea of the Day: Eliminate the Earnings Threshold on the Child Tax Credit
An improved child tax credit would be a valuable contribution to the nation’s recovery effort.
January 21, 2009
Idea of the Day: Get Executive Agency Officials to Commit to Serve for a Full Presidential Term
The president should get executive agency officials to commit to serve for a full presidential term. If a four-year commitment is not feasible, the president should obtain a two-year promise.
January 16, 2009
Idea of the Day: Lift Restrictions on Federal Stem Cell Funding
President Barack Obama should issue an executive document lifting the existing temporal restriction on the federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.
January 15, 2009
Idea of the Day: Restart a “Green the White House” Initiative
One relatively simple and visible way to communicate the benefits of clean energy to the public would be to “green the White House” by dramatically decreasing its energy use and employing renewable energy.
January 14, 2009
Idea of the Day: Reauthorize the State Children's Health Insurance Program
The Senate should move quickly to reauthorize SCHIP, coming to agreement with the House, and sending a bill to a president who is ready to sign it.
January 13, 2009
Idea of the Day: Announce a Timetable for Closing Guantánamo
The new president must first change the dynamic at Guantánamo by announcing a hard 18-month timetable to close the prison, and make the prison as transparent as possible for the remainder of its existence.
January 12, 2009
Idea of the Day: Lower Energy Bills Through Investments in Efficiency
A significant short-term benefit from investing in energy efficiency is keeping energy bills low.
January 9, 2009
Idea of the Day: Providing Fair Pay
Especially in a recession, no one should get less than a fair day’s wage.
January 8, 2009
Idea of the Day: Create Jobs Through Clean Infrastructure Investments
Investments in clean energy and efficiency as part of the upcoming economic stimulus package will help kick-start the clean energy economy and create millions of jobs.
January 7, 2009
Idea of the Day: Develop a Communications Plan for the Nuclear Posture Review
A communications plan for the 2009 Nuclear Posture Review will ensure that the United States reaps the maximum possible international diplomatic benefit from its new posture at the 2010 NPT Review Conference
January 6, 2009
Idea of the Day: Conduct the Nuclear Posture Review as a Strategy-Driven Exercise
The 2009 Nuclear Posture Review, the third formal review of U.S. nuclear strategy conducted since the end of the Cold War, should be conducted as a strategy-driven exercise guided by a vision for nuclear weapons policy elaborated by the president
January 5, 2009
Idea of the Day: Simplify and Standardize Health Care Administration
Standardizing codes and billing across industries would save much time and reduce errors and administrative costs for the government, insurance plans, and health care providers.
January 2, 2009