The Plan: Big Ideas for America

I like a lot of what the Reed/Emanuel book has to say...and I'm not necessarily referring to the details of The Plan itself or its relentless dissecting of the Bush (43) Administration. Rather, what I like most about it are two thoughts that ought to resonate across the spectrum: that "none of [these] ideas will turn the country around unless America decides to bring back an old idea: responsibility" (the authors call for a "new social contract" to foster that idea); and that it's not enough (as a political party) to simply be against a series of things - you have to be for something. Though the writers are ardently pro-Democrat (they refer with a holy trinity-like reverence to the accomplishments of FDR, JFK and Clinton), it's their party they take to task for falling into the trap of defining themselves as being against Republican ideas. The authors urge their party to be for something. They then go on to stake out their proposed 'somethings.' The other thing worth noting is the accessibility of the book. The text runs 185 pages well-organized, cleanly-spaced pages. That might sound trite. It's not. The authors' challenge and triumph was to present these ideas in an approachable, inviting fashion. Editor David Patterson and PublicAffairs books are to be commended for their roles in this success.

This may sound strange, but I think what I found so unique about Emanuel and Reed's "Plan" is that it contained a laundry list of concrete suggestions. The national political landscape has seemed especially reactionary for the past five or six years (understandably so) but the authors have set forth pragmatic initiatives that just may make America a better place. Like the other reviewers, I agree that Emanuel and Reed strike a decidedly NON-partisan tone. The "Plan" reminded me that, despite what the media and many elected officials want us to believe, Democrats and Republicans disagree on very little. Finally, a reason to be optimistic.

I was pleasantly surprised by "The Plan: Big Ideas for America." A friend of mine shared his copy with me and I expected that I'd be bored by wonkish policy treatments and annoyed by partisan spinning. Instead, I found it extremely readable (I finished it in less than 5 days - a feat for a father of twins in their "terrible twos") with scarcely a hint of partisan finger-pointing.

Wow....How refreshing to read a positive book like this one. Political discussions on cable TV have left me so frustrated. This "Plan" seems pretty straightforward to me -- pragmatic and patriotic too. Indeed, I found the book to be a breezy read without a lot of so-called "white noise" you often get from politicians. I think these guys are Democrats who are easy to listen to...I've often heard complaints that the Democrats need more ideas. Here's a book full of 'em -- good ones too. Tom O'Briant

Emanuel and Reed have articulated a distinct, coherent vision for what America can and should be. "The Plan: Big Ideas for America" transcends partisan rancor in favor of thoughtful, well-reasoned propositions that can restore America's global stature and rescue its fiscal future. The Democrats have too long been chastised by critics for lacking a distinct "plan;" such criticism may have been deserved. Reed and Emanuel have not only stifled such critics, but "The Plan" should be a challenge to Democrats and Republicans alike to put aside their differences and renew America's journey back to progress.