Out of all the things that I've learned from the past 3+ years in the spycraft, such as a rudimentary understanding of macroeconomics (namely how to fix our economy and create jobs), how to play political "inside baseball" (the horse trading and negotiating that goes on behind the scenes), the ability to build a broad consensus, and how to analyze information and think critically on my feet, one skill has proven most valuable: the ability to reason with, advise, and influence some of our nations most powerful politicians.
Comprehensive tax reform, once thrown on the back burner after the Simpson-Bowles Commission, magically made its way back to the forefront of the discussion on how to get our economy back on track.
Once considered a fringe idea, the idea of eliminating the private, run-for-profit Federal Reserve and fractional reserve banking became a tangible reality.
The idea of cheap mortgages as a stimulus and as a way to rescue the housing market was thought to have come from Mars.
You would figure that the last two common-sense reforms I found during my research would have found some resonance within the halls of Congress and the White House much sooner. They didn't, so it took some elbow grease to get them there.
The return of Glass-Steagall and the breaking up of the big banks?
Formerly a dream.
An infrastructure bank?
It formerly held no traction on the right.
Now it does.
These are all foregone conclusions now.
All it will take is an ounce of popular sentiment to push things over the edge and get them done.
By any measure, a revolution is on its way.
These are the pillars upon which the revolution will stand:
1) Solvency: In our national pocketbook. We will have balanced budgets soon.
2) Honesty: About our past. The 9/11 Commission Report will go right in the trash where it belongs.
3) Opportunity: There will be jobs to go around. There will be more affordable housing.
4) Transparency: As far as technological innovations go. Be it cybernetics or be it H.A.A.R.P.
I believe that the American people deserve a fair shot.
