Social Insecurity: 401(k)s and the Retirement Crisis

James W. Russell (Get this book)
This is the story of how one individual fought bureaucracy and won. Along the way, Russell educates us about the fallacies inherent in our three-legged retirement system of Social Security, personal savings, and the employer pension 401(k) system. Although most of his battle is with the pension (defined benefit or DB) plan in the state of Connecticut, he manages to give readers an eyeful about Social Security and the issues with personal investing not only in the U.S. but also in Chile, the UK, and other countries. His homework is impressive. His campaign is truly a case history to be emulated, one that requires much patience and time.--Booklist

Six Amendments: How and Why We Should Change the Constitution

John Paul Stevens (Get this book)
The former Supreme Court justice proposes constitutional changes to restore the old republic. Provocative only begins to describe Stevens' program. Perhaps the most controversial is the constitutional amendment that, after surveying the history of amendments generally, he saves for last--namely, to rewrite the Second Amendment so that it indisputably speaks to the intention of the Founders. That plain talk extends to his arguments for limiting money given to those in power--overturning Citizens United in the bargain--and controlling states-rightist impulses to nullify federal authority and declare sovereign immunity. A refreshing set of opinions. One wishes that other retired justices would speak their minds so clearly, providing well-crafted arguments for others to take up.--Kirkus

The Road to Global Prosperity

Michael Mandelbaum (Get this book)
A distinguished analyst of international affairs looks at the future of the global economy and discovers mostly good news. Mandelbaum concedes the difficulty of accurate predictions, but he insists we know enough now about how the global economy works to identify the forces likely to shape it. He takes it as a given that, notwithstanding a backward step or two, the global economy will continue to grow if we can overcome political obstacles that stand in the way of prosperity. He begins by discussing global security, essential to the growth of free markets, and the continuing, if somewhat diminished, role of the United States as enforcer. All readers, though, will admire his firm grasp of economics and history, his startling analogies--for example, comparing the study of economics to the science of seismology--and his smooth, genial delivery of complex information. An incisive assessment of the political problems underlying our increasingly integrated world economy.--Kirkus