Five Easy Theses

April 1, 2016

Stone (founder & CEO, Plymouth Rock Assurance Corp.; former chair, Commodity Futures Trading Commission) looks at five broad problems the United States faces: budget deficits and unfunded future liabilities; income and wealth inequality; inadequate K-12 education and ruinously expensive college; an inefficient, expensive health-care system; and ineffective regulation of the financial sector. For each, he presents a number of thesis statements fleshed out with background and evidence to explain what is wrong and how to fix each issue. On Social Security underfunding, he demonstrates that the country's pay-as-you-go funding method is running into trouble as a result of a growing retired population. Possible solutions include privatization, higher taxes, and increasing the eligibility age. While the problems may be what he calls "easy," Stone accepts that the best remedies will be difficult politically with painful tradeoffs. VERDICT In a presidential election year, Stone does a wonderful job summarizing these critical topics clearly for a wide readership.--Lawrence Maxted, Gannon Univ. Lib., Erie, PA

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