Social Infrastructure: Can We Measure Change?

As fiscal constraints force the federal government to make difficult choices about which programs to fund, a new MacArthur initiative is using research and benefit-cost analysis to strengthen the case for more evidence-based policy making.

The Power of Measuring Social Benefits is a $35 million policy research initiative that seeks to challenge the view that social spending is too often wasteful and ineffective. Its intention is to strengthen the case for social policy making that is more firmly grounded in evidence-of-effectiveness and complementary benefits to recipients and society.

"U.S. leadership is essential to building a better, safer world,”
said MacArthur President Jonathan Fanton in a recent address May 22
to the City Club of Chicago.
“The MacArthur Foundation is hoping for a new day in America’s relations with the world: a spirit of partnership, a willingness to engage, an openness to dialogue, a determination to regain its leadership in setting norms that call forth humankind’s best values,” he said.

However, measuring social mobility was only one of the issues
discussed Thursday at the Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at an Economic Competitiveness Summit.
Presumptive Presidential Candidate (D) Sen. Barack Obama (IL), after addressing the crowd, led a lively and informative panel discussion in how to keep America competitive.
The panel touched on a five-point 21st Century plan developed by Obama that focuses on energy, education, healthcare, infrastructure and innovation.

"These challenges are real. How we deal with them will shape the prosperity of every single American and the future of America's leadership," Obama said.

Members of the panel agreed with the plan in whole, adding that investing in early education to correct the parent knowledge deficit that is often blamed for a child's slow start in kindergarten.
Life decisions made by parents negatively affect children. An education system comparable to private, upper class education is needed.

A panel member observed that intellectualizing the country could help to change the way Americans think about improving social infrastructure. Minds and behaviors have to change about education and teaching in order for the country to move forward.

However, with that, a workforce changing from a service based economy to knowledge based, needs thought and a plan. A panel member said only 8 of the country's 30 fastest growing industries require an education. The panel member did not clarify whether or not those industries are service based or knowledge based.
Obama said school curriculum should match industry needs.

Decisions in healthcare include how to insure the steel industry's workforce and keep its promises to retirees. A U.S. Steel executive said retiree healthcare costs tops $500 million and climbs higher each year, by 10 to 15 percent.

Barack Obama on Supreme Court decision to strike D.C. handgun ban

I have always believed that the Second Amendment protects the right of individuals to bear arms, but I also identify with the need for crime-ravaged communities to save their children from the violence that plagues our streets through common-sense, effective safety measures. The Supreme Court has now endorsed that view, and while it ruled that the D.C. gun ban went too far, Justice Scalia himself acknowledged that this right is not absolute and subject to reasonable regulations enacted by local communities to keep their streets safe. Today’s ruling, the first clear statement on this issue in 127 years, will provide much-needed guidance to local jurisdictions across the country.

As President, I will uphold the constitutional rights of law-abiding gun-owners, hunters, and sportsmen. I know that what works in Chicago may not work in Cheyenne.

We can work together to enact common-sense laws, like closing the gun show loophole and improving our background check system, so that guns do not fall into the hands of terrorists or criminals. Today's decision reinforces that if we act responsibly, we can both protect the constitutional right to bear arms and keep our communities and our children safe.

Still leading in the polls Obama, dems looking to win 2004 battleground states

(CNN) — A set of polls released Thursday shows Barack Obama leading John McCain in four critical battleground states — Michigan, Wisconsin, Colorado and Minnesota.
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Big endorsement, campaign unity on Democratic agenda

(CNN)—The AFL-CIO endorsed Sen. Barack Obama Thursday, kicking one of the broadest grassroots mobilizations in recent history into “high gear.”
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(CNN) — After 17 months of vigorously promoting her own candidacy, Hillary Clinton made her debut on Thursday as an official backer of Barack Obama.
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MANCHESTER, N.H. (AP) – Michelle Obama says the country is closer than it's ever been to truly supporting working families, in large part because of her husband's former rival, Hillary Rodham Clinton.
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Listen to Barack's I Pod--Sort of

In a refreshing sign that math and hope can just get along, Barack Obama predictably sewed up the delegate count on Tuesday night and defeated Hillary Clinton in what turned out to be a long, contested Democratic primary. And now, for the first time ever, a black man is on track to inhabit the White House, fulfilling Parliament-Funkadelic's dream of turning Washington, D.C., into Chocolate City.
(Say What?!)
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On Stands Now...

Shortly after Barack Obama claimed victory in the fight for the Democratic nomination, I joined him aboard his chartered 757 campaign plane as a member of the press corps. He was flying from Chicago to Appleton, Wisconsin, for a town-hall meeting, one of a series he was doing in Midwestern and swing states to address constituencies he might have missed during the primaries — and, of course, to get some warm-up practice for any town-hall debates he has with John McCain.
Barack Obama is on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine, on stands now. Listen to him, browse his photos and enjoy.

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After the Rain...

Obama leads McCain by 15 points as voters reject Republicans

Presidential Candidate (D)., presumptive, Barack Obama (IL) has opened a 15-point lead in the presidential race, and most of the political trends -- voter enthusiasm, views of President George W. Bush, the Republicans, the economy and the direction of the country -- point to even greater trouble for rival John McCain. No one in this country can afford to vote GOP.

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Most Memorable Vacation

I remember when I embarked on a road trip to Florida one year. I stopped for a while in Atlanta, Georgia to experience the state known for it's peaches, pines and boiled peanuts.

Although I didn't use online travel guides during my vacation, I found lots of things to do in Atlanta.
Trusted Tours and Attractions offers discounted tickets to the best sightseeing tours in 23 cities across America.
The city has tons of restaurants abuzz with live band music, colorful people and delicious food. Oh, and don't forget the gorgeous weather!
I could have taken a City Segway Tour of Atlanta, with Trusted Tours and Attractions. It seems the perfect tour for both those new to the city and Atlanta veterans. For the beginners, this tour could offer a fantastic orientation and give an opportunity to see virtually all of the sites you've read about. For the veterans, you'll learn new facts and stories about Atlanta that you've never heard. You'll agree that riding a Segway is the best way to see the 'Capitol of the South'.
Atlanta is the capitol of Georgia. The capitol sits prominently in downtown Atlanta and has one of the most recognized landmarks in the city, the 23 karat gold dome.
Also found in the ATL is the headquarters of Cable News Network or CNN--my favorite news source.

The Bay Area alone is worth a visit to the West Coast to find things to do in San Francisco.
I have always wanted to go there to experience the weather and the people. Lots of the 1960s history occurred there and I would like to visit where the original Hippies were so named.
However, one of my next vacations will be to find things to do in New York!
Madame Tussauds is a dynamic, ever-changing and evolving attraction. New experiences are added regularly and changes are made to existing experiences. Remember their motto: All Celebrities Appear in Wax!

Mix and mingle with A-list and life like celebrities like Nicolas Cage, Brad Pitt, Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, and Oprah, in Opening Night Party.
Also seen is Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean and Brandon Routh as Superman from Superman Returns!
And, to make you vacation just that more sweet, Trusted Tours & Attractions is also holding a special promotion where a person can win a handheld GPS by signing up for their newsletter. Offer ends June 30th, 2008.