The Ripon Forum
Volume 45, No. 2
Spring 2011 Issue
Growing our Economy
by DAN COATS
“There is an ongoing debate in Washington over how to reduce the exploding national debt and strengthen America’s economic outlook. While spending cuts must occur, these reductions alone will not solve the nation’s problems.”
Improving Public Safety Through Prisoner Reentry Programs
by BOB McDONNEL
“Preparing prisoners for successful re-entry into communities is not soft on crime; it is sound public safety policy. It creates an opportunity to reduce recidivism, and reflects the idea that America is a nation which believes in second chances.”
“More Work to Be Done”
by SUE MYRICK
“For decades, Americans with serious mental illnesses — like bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia — and those who love them, have battled an overwhelming stigma that kept discussions about these diseases at the level of hushed whispers, and kept many of us ignorant of the potential for treatment and recovery.”
Beyond the Arab Spring
by LORNE CRANER
“When change did come this past spring with uprisings throughout the Arab world, Washington policymakers were left scrambling…
Unfortunately, such linear thinking — with virtually no consideration of sudden change — continues among analysts of individual countries in other regions of the world.”
Between Salvation and Solvency
by TOM CORBETT
Tom Corbett describes Pennsylvania’s Medicaid reform efforts as, “A difficult and intricate program, assembled like a watch but set to a time zone we long ago departed.”
How to Fix our Entitlement Crisis: A Workable Four Step Plan
by TEVI TROY
“Each of the three main entitlement programs – Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid – are very different in both goal and design, and need to be examined and reformed individually, even if all of the reforms come as part of a larger deal or package. “
Reforming Social Security Disability Insurance
by RICHARD V. BURKHAUSER
Richard V. Burkhauser talks about reforming social security disability insurance.
Saving Social Security
by STEPHEN JACKSON
The Ripon Society hosted a Bully Pulpit Policy Conference on Social Security Reform in Washington, DC, on May 26, 2011, a conference that focused not only on the need to address the fiscal challenges facing the Social Security system, but a plan that has been introduced in Congress to do just that.
Sunshine is for Voting, not Bargaining
by BILL FRENZEL
Bill Frenzel makes the point, “If we are going to rely on commissions to help us meet our most pressing fiscal challenges, we need to make sure they have the space and breathing room that will help them get the job done.”
