Thursday, January 13, 2011

Focusing on Comebacks

Comeback America
He's one of America's most capable, canny, candid, and independent financial experts. Now David M. Walker sounds a call to action. Comeback America is a tough-minded, innovative, inspiring guide to help us avoid the approaching economic abyss and put the country back on track again.

As comptroller general of the United States and head of the Government Accountability Office (GAO)—"the nation's top auditor"—Walker warned Congress and the administration as the federal surplus became a giant deficit under George W. Bush. As president and CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, he now works full-time to raise public awareness regarding mounting debt burdens being imposed on future generations. Comeback America is his crucial manifesto, a way for President Obama to end out-of-control government spending and reform our tax, retirement, health care, defense, and other systems—before it's too late.

Walker believes that by 2030, absent significant reforms to current government programs and policies, federal taxes could double from current levels, meaning less money and poorer education for kids—which will hurt families along with our nation's economic strength and position in the world. If our foreign creditors—such as China—decide to buy fewer of our Treasury bonds, interest rates will rise and cars and homes will become less affordable.

But it doesn't have to be that way. Comeback America shows how we can return to our founding principles of fiscal responsibility and stewardship for future generations. The book includes bold ideas to control spending, save Social Security, dramatically alter Medicare, and simplify the tax code—all taking into account the Obama Administration's current efforts, which receive never-before-published assessments both complimentary and critical.

Nonpartisan, non-ideological, and filled with a love of the country its esteemed author has spent his life serving, Comeback America is a book for anyone interested in America's economic future—in other words, a book everyone should read.


The Comeback
America seems to be on a downward slide. Our government spends too much; our economy creates too little; and we aren't preparing our children to compete in a global marketplace. Yet our politicians - Republican and Democrat alike - just don't get it. While once-great cities fall into decay, Washington thrives, living off the hard work and tax dollars of the private sector. It's time for an American comeback -- and it starts with innovation.

Throughout its history, America's great innovators have been the drivers of our unsurpassed economic success. American innovation transformed a country of ragtag farmers into the epicenter of the world's technological progress. Innovation creates jobs, markets, and new industries where none existed before. Most importantly, innovation moves us forward as a nation, pushing us to succeed and strive for a better tomorrow. In short, innovation is the American Dream.

In The Comeback, Gary Shapiro shows us how to return innovation to its rightful place at the center of America's economic policy.


The Comeback Kids

Few experts picked the Reds to win the National League Central Division Championship. Loaded with great young talent, the team was expected to move up in the standings and maybe even to break its nine-year streak of losing seasons. But win the division? Hardly.


No one realized the level of heart and tenacity this team possessed, the pluck and verve this team could summon in the face of adversity. The Reds came from behind to win 45 games, and whenever they took a tough loss, they bounced back the next game. They truly were “The Comeback Kids.” As baseball fans throughout the country waited for them slide back to expectations, they just kept hustling—and winning.

The Reds led the league in many offensive categories, with a lineup anchored by budding superstar Joey Votto and aging veteran Scott Rolen. Though the pitching staff lacked a true ace, many pitchers contributed quality games. The bullpen did the same, until September, when heralded phenom Aroldis Chapman came up from the minor leagues and threw 100 mph fastballs, taking the staff to a whole new level.

The Comeback Kids tells the remarkable story of the 2010 Reds, a team that relied on every player to achieve a stunning division championship. Featuring nearly 100 photos, this full-color book is the ultimate keepsake for every Reds fan, helping them remember a season, and a team, they never want to forget.


Comebacks
Insight from leaders who experienced major setbacks and redefined success

In tough economic times, when careers are derailed and leaders are forced to rewrite their professional plans, this book enlightens and uplifts. "Comebacks" features an all-star cast of ten leaders who endured setbacks-for some a public fall in the midst of media scrutiny-then reassessed and moved ahead with new purpose. Based on revealing interviews, the book presents a behind-the–headlines glimpse into the lives of leaders; how they drew upon resources, both internal and external, to move on; and the lessons that helped them redefine success. Leaders profiled include: Jacques Nasser, former CEO of Ford Motor Co., recently appointed Chairman of BHP Billiton, the world's largest natural resources company Patricia Dunn, former Chair of Hewlett-Packard, vilified for her alleged role in corporate espionage only to be exonerated from all charges, today active in philanthropy Jamie Dimon (JP Morgan), Herbert "Pug" Winokur (Enron Corp.), David Neeleman (JetBlue), and more

Redmond, a top executive recruiter, and Crisafulli, author of The House of Dimon, show how all leaders face adversity, but true leaders turn adversity into success.


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