Planning & Budgeting – Reimagine America

Born After 1950? Counting on Social Security OR IRA Retirement Savings? Think Again!

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects National Debt will rise to at least 110 percent of GDP by 2036. Before the United States reaches the 100 percent Debt to GDP threshold, no investor, foreign or domestic, will be willing or able to purchase our debt at any interest rate. The combination of political and social instability will swallow everything – including your savings. And yet, unlike Barack Obama, neither Hillary Clinton nor Donald Trump have focused on the rising ratio of Debt to GDP or the risk it presents. No more credit card shopping for Congress and the American people. We can't pay the bill!

Reimagineamerica2021-02-01T12:22:00+00:00September 7th, 2016|Comments Off

Increasing Minimum Wage Won’t Fix USA Economy

The American middle class is shrinking faster than the polar ice caps. The question is are we going to concede defeat or are we going to ignite a 21st century American economy that provides stability and prosperity for everyone willing to work for it.

Reimagineamerica2021-02-01T16:24:53+00:00May 8th, 2014|Comments Off

California Urban Areas Must Link Land Use & Water Supply

Water conservation is everyone's responsibility and it's everyone's opportunity. Each of us can make it a habit to use water more thoughtfully but – as importantly – we must challenge our elected leaders to work across the silos of 20th century government to address our 21st century water challenges holistically – the greater good of the greater many.

Reimagineamerica2021-03-12T17:29:13+00:00April 3rd, 2014|Comments Off

Drought Plus Flooding — USA Can Mitigate Consequences

Climatologists are predicting major flooding in the central and eastern United States. Continued drought in California will result in as many as 500,000 acres of farmland lying fallow this summer. What if government tried an “ounce of prevention” instead of just waiting to declare the inevitable state-of-emergency?

Reimagineamerica2021-02-01T13:34:39+00:00March 4th, 2014|Comments Off

More People, Same Water Does Not Add Up In California

some climate scientists have predicted that warmer temperatures caused by atmospheric pollution (climate change) may result in a decrease of as much as 40 percent in the annual snow pack over the next 40 years. If these scientists are correct, the gap between California’s fresh water supply and water demand could be more than 50 percent by mid-century.

Reimagineamerica2021-02-01T16:28:09+00:00February 19th, 2014|Comments Off

California Water Crisis Is Man-Made

Drought is a cyclical natural event. Despite our best efforts, mankind has not been able to master “mother-nature”. The adverse effects of rain and snow, wind, earthquakes are not preventable – all we can do is try to mitigate the impacts. The statewide water crisis is man-made and it has many owners

Reimagineamerica2021-02-01T12:28:51+00:00February 12th, 2014|Comments Off

No 21st Century American Vision – No Goals, No Plan = No Budget

As a result - no vision, no goals, no plan = no budget. That is why we have seen Continuing Resolution after Continuing Resolution to “fund the government” without asking the question are we funding the right priorities, at the right level with the right resources? Unless we arrive at an adequate answer to that question, it is a sure prescription for national bankruptcy!

Reimagineamerica2021-02-01T16:30:37+00:00October 15th, 2013|Comments Off

Realistic 21st Century Transit Plan Must Include Urban Monorail

One hour to travel 5 miles? Yes, that’s what it takes during the typical rush hour gridlock on the surface streets or the freeways of Silicon Valley. That forecast is dead wrong. If urban planners cannot overcome the gridlock on our streets and highways, the Innovation Economy will relocate rather than accommodate.

Reimagineamerica2021-02-01T16:31:58+00:00September 30th, 2013|Comments Off

Publicly Accessible Transit Anchors Any Climate Control Strategy

most of us hate the gridlocked traffic that defines our daily lives. More people would happily park their cars if public transit were more accessible. Access means easy to use – close to home and destination, affordable, and on a continuous loop rather than on a time-consuming schedule.

Reimagineamerica2021-02-01T16:32:54+00:00September 15th, 2013|Comments Off

Urban Planning Can Clean Soot Out of Environment

“rush hour” extend right into the “lunch rush”? Just the other day as idled through several lights before being able to turn from one gridlocked street onto another, I had a vision of a different kind of American city - a city a little more like Down Town Disney than Los Angeles. A walkable city is not just the product of my imagination. It is the latest fashion in urban planning – the urban village.

Reimagineamerica2021-02-01T16:34:00+00:00September 13th, 2013|Comments Off