ECONOMY
CAP experts immediately turned their attention to a second stimulus this week as the 111th Congress opened its session. Scott Lilly released a report on Monday entitled "Pumping Life Back into the U.S. Economy" that details why a stimulus package must be large and targeted. Heather Boushey and Will Straw show in a series of infographics released Tuesday why we need a stimulus, and Straw rounded out the coverage on Wednesday with a column making the case for a stimulus and broadly detailing areas that could be funded. These follow a report released last month outlining how to spend $350 billion in a first year of stimulus and recovery.
BOOK
Matt Miller released a new book on Monday entitled The Tyranny of Dead Ideas that offers a unique blend of insights to illuminate where today’s destructive conventional wisdom came from and how it holds our country back. He also introduces us to a new way of thinking—what he calls "tomorrow’s destined ideas"—that can reinvigorate our economy, our politics, and our day-to-day lives. He spoke about the book at an event in DC on Thursday and will discuss it again next week at an event in Los Angeles, CA.
HEALTH CARE
After failing 15 years ago to reform the American health care system, we now have an opportunity to achieve affordable, accessible, and effective health care for all. Ben Furnas on Thursday provided analysis of how our health care system has weakened since the last attempt at reform in "American Health Care Since 1994." And James Kvaal gave insight in a short video on Wednesday into how our economic prosperity and health reform are intrinsically linked.
NATIONAL SECURITY
Ken Gude held an event (video available) on Monday with Elisa Massimino, Dr. Sarah E. Mendelson, and Rudy deLeon on the key challenges and choices facing President-elect Obama in closing the prison at Guantánamo. He also released that day a Closing Guantánamo 101 that builds on his report "How to Close Guantánamo" by explaining why we need to close the prison and six steps for how to do it.
EMPLOYMENT
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released new numbers today showing that employment declined by 524,000 jobs in December, 2008—this is the 12th month in a row of job losses. Heather Boushey provided analysis of the numbers, saying, "Today’s data underscore the need for quick action on an economic recovery package that focuses on stopping job losses and getting the economy back on track."