It's Crazy Out There!

To whom it may concern,

Two quick questions:
Why drop something from the health care reform bills (i.e. end of life counseling) if the myths surrounding it have already be debunked? Bending to false claims will only bolster this obstructive politics and in the end, produce a lower quality health care reform bill.

Secondly, where did the finance overhaul go? I know we have to focus on health care, and your administration made that choice, but I believe that we have missed a huge opportunity to structurally change the way our economy works. Not just by investing in green technologies, or shifting markets, but how we invest, save, and spend our money. The growth model that this country has been booming on for the past 50 years is unsustainable and at the core of a lot of these environmental and financial problems. We should have ended the Federal Reserve System in the wake of this scandal, and instead you promoted the people who were behind the collapse. The question I want answered is who controls the Federal Reserve? I know that it was originally formed with private money, and the United States government is only partly in control. Why then can no one answer me this question and why would we continue to let private businesses control our monetary policy?

I voted and campaigned for this administration, and this is my biggest disappointment to date.
Thank you for your time,

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Health Car Reform

To whom it may concern,

I believe that the most pressing issue that needs to be addressed in this debate is the cost of inactivity. It is briefly mentioned, but I think that if people knew what it meant not to act, they would agree more with the reforms or at least seek to better understand and provide input rather than just yell and scream. I also think that more needs to be done and/or explained for those with existing health insurance. The only benefit that I seemed to hear is that by insuring all Americans, there would be a greater discount over time due to competition, and that the hidden cost of $1,000 to cover the uninsured would eventually be eliminated. Can we not guarantee that once this bill is passed that it will definitively be eliminated? Or can we require insurance companies to remove this hidden cost immediately? I have quality health care coverage, and I want to know more about what this bill means for me. Additionally, and I know the President does not like to look backwards, but can we at least talk a little about how everything that the detractors are saying now about federal healthcare reform, is what they were previously promoting and supporting under the Bush administration’s expansion of Medicare and Medicaid? This health care reform expanded costly federal subsidies, prevented access to cheaper drugs, and further bankrupted this country to the point where we are now. I would like a more historical perspective on the issue in general. One last thing: at these town hall meetings, I suggest that the Senators and Representatives first ask who among them uses or benefits from some sort of government health care program. When all the hecklers raise their hands, it should be very telling. Thank you for your time,

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Another Note from President Obama

To whom it may concern,

Here is the second response from the Obama Administration:

Dear Friend: Thank you for writing to me. I appreciate hearing from you and value your input. Each day, I am moved by the messages I have received from people across the country. Far too many Americans are struggling--falling behind on mortgage payments, coping with illness, or losing a job without warning. My Administration is working to address the serious challenges our Nation faces. I am committed to taking immediate steps that generate job creation and economic recovery, and I am determined to make investments that lay a new foundation for real and lasting progress.

To build this new foundation, we need health care reform--this year--that reduces costs, protects health care choices, and assures quality, affordable care for all Americans. I encourage you to visit www.HealthReform.gov to learn more about my commitment to enacting comprehensive health care reform in 2009.

I am also dedicated to building a clean energy economy that creates millions of jobs, helps us achieve energy independence, and reduces pollution as we tackle the effects of global warming. Please visit www.Recovery.gov to read about the more than $60 billion in clean energy investments my Administration has made to jump-start our economy and build the jobs of tomorrow.

To prepare our children to thrive in the global economy, we must guarantee every child a complete and competitive education. For information about my education reform agenda, please join me online at: www.whitehouse.gov/agenda/education.

At the same time, we have an obligation to rein in our budget deficit by cutting wasteful spending and ineffective programs. We can do all this, and change the way business is done in Washington, by building the most open, transparent, and accountable government in our history.

While we repair our communities, we must also recognize the important contributions of our service men and women in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other nations. Our military and their families have borne an enormous burden for their fellow citizens, serving with honor and succeeding beyond any expectation. For those who have been injured or lost their lives in pursuit of our freedom, we owe them our undying gratitude. I am committed to assisting our servicemembers, veterans, and their families and honoring our debts to them.

The only way to solve the problems of our time is to involve all Americans in shaping the policies that affect our lives. I hope you continue to explore www.WhiteHouse.gov, which is regularly updated and more interactive than ever before. Thank you again for writing. Sincerely, Barack Obama To be a part of our agenda for change, join us at www.WhiteHouse.gov

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

How Did This Environmental Disaster Happen?

To whom it may concern,

Can someone please explain to me how Coeur d'Alene Mines Corp appealed their plan to dump mine tailings into a lake on federal land in Alaska all the way to the Supreme Court and win? Seriously, how can this possibly comply with the Clean Water Act? Now that another inane and asinine policy of the Bush era has doomed a lake in Alaska, can we please overturn this policy that allows the US Army Corps of Engineers to make such rulings? With 1.5 million ounces of proven gold deposits, I think that the mining company can afford to dump the waste elsewhere.

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Where is the Federal Land Use Policy?

To whom it may concern,

Land use policy and control is an inherently localized manner. But the federal government has had an increasing impact on local decision through court cases, tax structures, and transportation projects. Land use and transportation are inextricable interconnected, and the Federal Highway Reauthorization Acts always impact the way cities across the country continue to develop. While local leadership in many parts of the country has successfully guided these funds into mass transportation and alternatives to the automobile, the vast majority of the funds go to the expansion of our highways. And it is these subsidized highways more than any other factors that induce sprawl in America. Sprawl that devastates our farmland, our environment, our social network, and out economic efficiency. We should shift subsidies from single family homes to transit oriented development. Or even reward those who live without a car. If this administration wants to seriously alter the economy and our carbon footprint, then they will have to change the way that this country develops. We must focus on mass transportation, infill development and the revitalization of our existing infrastructure. You see these connections being made in places like California where greenhouse gas emissions laws are starting to encourage more compact, walkable neighborhoods and open space preservation. How will the federal government support and influence the private sector to shift into this new focus on the city?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Israeli Settlements

To whom it may concern,

The Israeli-Palestinian Road Map to peace is a very complicated process that requires both peoples to embark on simultaneous courses of action. From the very beginning, this Road Map has been riddled by false starts, false promises, and political upheaval. The process is inherently flawed in that it requires a diplomatic quid pro quo between two groups that have never worked hand in hand. And diplomacy never works when forced. Unfortunately, this universally accepted approach is very susceptible to failure because it removes the opportunity for compromise by setting a rigid path to peace. Unless you lose a war, peace is very much an on-going process. In that sense, the Road Map only leads to frustration, resentment, and mistrust when neither side is willing to make the first step. Recently, the lynchpin of this process has been Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The Road Map calls for these settlements to be halted and removed in order for the peace process to move forward. But this is wholly unnecessary. If Jewish settlers choose to move into the West Bank, then they should be allowed that choice, within land use law and environmental constraints. When that land then becomes Palestine, they will have a new choice; to become exiles in their own “land” or to join the Palestinian government. These enclaves should be viewed as less of a roadblock to peace and more of an opportunity for social integration. Once incorporated, these Jewish settlers would be forced to work with and hopefully in their new government. In the end, both States must recognize that they will not and should not be all Jewish or all Muslim, but as the cradle of the three faiths of Abraham, they will be multi-cultural and multi-ethnic. Why are we now beholden to this Road Map, and will you forge a new peace process?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Constraining State Ballot Initiatives

To whom it may concern,

Across the nation the State Ballot Initiative has been a growing force in local, regional, and state politics. Traditionally, these ballot initiatives have been used to advance issues that are not always popular with politicians. Political “third rail” issues like medical marijuana or gay marriage end up on state ballot initiatives through a relatively easy process. Through a ballot initiative, minority voices with powerful allies and large purses can bring an issue before the public. In some instances, this is the most direct form of democracy where the populace is essentially self-legislating. However, as is the case in California, these ballot initiatives have become ubiquitous. Of particular concern are ballot initiatives that mandate certain spending levels or have a permanent effect on the tax structure, budget, and policy. A democracy is supposed to change with the times and with its people. It is meant to be flexible. To have a ballot initiative passed 30 years ago tie the hands of the legislature today is counterproductive. State Ballot Initiatives do have their place. They should be used locally and regionally to generate funds for specific projects like mass transportation or cultural institutions. For States, they should be used to direct the legislature to address an issue instead of usurping the legislature. How can the federal government work to limit ballot initiatives that have disastrous effects on the long-term solvency of States?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Why Defend Torture?

To whom it may concern,

Over the past few weeks, there have been an increasing amount of attacks on the Obama administration for its change in policy on interrogation techniques (i.e. water boarding and other internationally understood forms of torture). The chief supporter of the Bush administration's approach, Vice President Dick Cheney, is also probably the one who is chiefly responsible for the initial decision. While he claims he is defending the President, one has to wonder who in their right mind would defend the practice of torture. The results of these "enhanced interrogation techniques" are defended by the Republicans without evidence, and usurped by the Democrats through the testimony of former interrogators, lawyers, and other Justice Department officials from the previous administration. Regardless of their effectiveness, which is at best inconclusive, it is bizarre to see a former Vice President in the limelight to defend a decision and a strategy that he no longer has any control over or say in. Until the Bush administration, the United States and its military had been regarded as a beacon for human rights. The Germans marched West in order to be captured by Americans instead of the Russians. The Civil Rights Movement gave the world hope for equality. And virtually every international agreement or treaty for the last century is written with language to bolster human rights protections in foreign countries. With our reputation now tainted by unilateral military action, Abu Ghraib prison, and the torture of suspected terrorists, how will this administration restore our moral standing with the world?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

The First Response from President Obama!

To whom it may concern,

It was not much and it was automated, but at least I finally heard back from them:

Dear Gunnar Hand:

Thank you for contacting the White House to share your thoughts with President Obama. We are glad to have your comments and hear the thoughts of all Americans.

The President greatly appreciates the outpouring of messages expressing different views from across the country, and from Americans around the world. Some comments are supportive, some are critical, but all reflect the desire of Americans to participate in a dialogue about our common concerns and challenges.

Thank you again for contacting President Obama. We invite you to visit www.WhiteHouse.gov to learn more about the President's actions and views.

Sincerely,

F. Michael Kelleher
Special Assistant to the President and Director of Presidential Correspondence

To be a part of our agenda for change, join us at www.WhiteHouse.gov

Gas Tax

To whom it may concern,

As soon as demand dropped off with the recession, oil prices and profits plummeted from their record levels. At the height of our oil exploitation, the United Stated public began to radically shift their consumption and transportation behavior. More people took transit and in the process converted millions from the single occupancy vehicle. As the economy stabilizes, the federal government should increase gas taxes as a means to finally shift consumer patterns away from our dependence on foreign oil. This strategy would improve foreign relations, reduce the burden on the military, alleviate congestion, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and propel the green industry movement. The petroleum based economy must be replaced by an alternative, renewable energy economy. The profits from the tax measure would be used to bolster the ailing Highway Trust Fund. With this reauthorization would come an opportunity to reform the funding program to completely realign its priorities. Instead of building highways it would promote the creation of a multi-modal transportation network. These funds could transform our entire roadway network into both green streets (storm water management, permeable surfaces, urban forest, and expanded open space) and complete streets (two-way pedestrian, bike, bus, transit, and automobile streets). The monies used to create more capacity for highways should be used to build bike lanes on every street, expand sidewalks and street amenities, and provide efficient and accessible transit options. All of this would feed into a more livable, efficient, and productive built environment that would encourage social cohesion and economic competitiveness.

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

the 100th Day

To whom it may concern,

The 100th day of the age of Obama is now upon us, so I will keep this brief. Speaking directly to the President and his administration, will you maintain the pace of change that you have had in the first 100 days throughout the remainder of your term? Of all the programs that have been initiated, how will you follow through with their passage and implementation? Finally, with everyone else in the world scoring your performance, what is your honest assessment of how you have done thus far?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Politics as Usual

To whom it may concern,

Closing in on the coveted, yet arbitrary first 100 days of his administration, President Obama moved one vote closer to an opposition proof Congress. With Arlen Specter now a Democrat and Al Franken nearly confirmed, 60 Senate Democrats are primed to move forward with the full Obama agenda. While the opposition decries the lack of bi-partisanship promised during the candidacy, it is hard to empathize with the former majority who only played partisan politics during their stint as the majority. With the political pendulum now fully on the Democrats side, they must believe that they, along with Obama, have a mandate for change. While the Republicans have been doing some soul searching recently as the opposition, the Democrats, as a super majority, must do some soul searching of their own. A filibuster proof Congress must think long-term in order to maintain its balance of power. Otherwise, drastic passage of legislation or general poor performance could easily swing the majority the other way in the next election. While the Democrats feel like they need to make up for lost time, they should at least attempt to reach out across the aisle. And the Republicans must formulate some sort of alternative strategy other than just saying “no” in order to maintain their relevance. Will this administration continue to seek bipartisan support, or simply move on with politics as usual?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

A New Protest

To whom it may concern,

During the build-up to the Iraq War, the United States and the world saw some of the largest protests in history. While this huge show of force brought attention to public sentiment, it did nothing to change the government’s course of action. Subsequent protests have been ineffective or marred in violence, usually accredited to improperly termed "anarchists". These traditional forms of protest have done very little to effect real change as they did in their 1960s heyday. Since that time, protests have been incorporated into the government’s highly controlled permitting process. The effectiveness of the traditional protest has been squandered by this sponsorship of the State. What are missing from these acts of civil disobedience are the sit-ins and boycotts of the Civil Rights Movement. Instead of walking around and screaming for a day, the protests must begin to take action to produce the desired changes. Otherwise, we are simply venting our frustrations. Past protests fought injustices, racism and prejudice that were visible and painfully apparent. The fight today is much more clandestine, which makes it very difficult for a protest to truly connect to an issue and identify with the broader public. What is needed are new, imaginative and pro-active ways to express displeasure with the government. One such example is the nascent Flash mob movement. With so much at stake, how will the federal government respond to these burgeoning populist movements in the future?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Reinstating the Draft

To whom it may concern,

At the height of the Iraq War, there was a movement to reinstate the draft for the armed services. This measure was being discussed for several reasons. At the height of the Iraqi insurgency, recruitment was at an all time low. And as a means to deter current and future military action, a mandatory draft would directly link the public to such decisions. For many of those who initially protested the war, it was a very cerebral exercise in futility. For those who were in the armed services, it was their duty, responsibility, and job. For the families of the servicemen, it was a day they had been preparing for. The US high command had learned their lesson well from Vietnam. Now we are engaged in a prolonged war on terrorism with literally no end in sight. A mandatory draft would create an very tenuous balance between approval and protest. It would engage the public and promote good citizenship. It would actively promote participation in our democracy. Without it, the wars we fight would be solely determined by our leaders, our generals, and the military industrial complex. Without a volunteer military, a prolonged war would be virtually impossible. We would be forced to do what was never done prior to this war on terrorism; We would have to develop alternatives like economic sanctions, political and diplomatic pressure, multi-lateral engagement, and the strengthening our defenses at home. 9/11 did not happen because the terrorists are particularly smart, but because we were embarrassingly stupid and without foresight. Will the draft ever be reinstated in the United States?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Federal Reserve

To whom it may concern,

Nearly a century ago, after several failed starts, the United States created a Federal Reserve system. This is the same reserve system that is in place today. As the Federal Reserve takes an increasingly larger role in our economic recovery, several questions and concerns begin to arise. For instance, who actually owns the Federal Reserve? While the name would imply that it is a government entity, it is, in fact, a combination of a central bank, several regional banks, private banks, and other policy setting committees. The Federal Reserve is very much a quasi-public entity. A central component of its purpose is to maintain an elastic currency that both expands and contracts as is warranted by economic conditions. The Federal Reserve has not contracted the supply of money since the Great Depression. In this Great Recession, will the Federal Reserve implement this elastic currency to contract the supply of money? Since it can essentially issue debt without consequence in order to stimulate the economy by expanding the supply of money and credit, the Federal Reserve can print its way out of this recession. Yet the costs of these actions are unclear. If the Federal Reserve regulates monetary policy, then who regulates the Federal Reserve? There are no checks and balances for this quasi-public, independent institution. If the supply of money is virtually endless and not tied to any gold standard, what value does our currency really have (i.e. is it not just monopoly money then?)? And if it is just monopoly money, then why do we insist on perpetuating capitalism and not seek an alternative system?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Networking

To whom it may concern,

Over the past few years to a decade, there has been a growing field of science called Networking. Spawned from a rather interesting work entitled Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, Networking has begun to map out how people, places, things, and ideas are interconnected. Loosely the theory seeks to explain and illustrate how the world is completely interconnected. The revelation during some of the preliminary tests shows that there are hubs, like Kevin Bacon, that have a greater gravitational pull on people. As the science begins to develop and evolve, several implications in regards to the way we organize our built environment, regulate and expand economies, and even administer government are already beginning to emerge. For example, how can we use this information to more efficiently connect people to these hubs? The internet is a perfect example of this, but even within the World Wide Web there are hubs like Google of Facebook. Networking is a grand theory in an era where virtually no grand theories (such a relativity or objectivism) exist. These theories have historically changed the way in which we as humans comprehend our world. They are significant contributors to a global shift in consciousness. With a global cry for change, and a desperate need to augment the world’s behavior, this type of theory could elevate our understating of ourselves, this planet, and even our existence. With the recent shift in support for science in this administration, will there be room to help expand this new science of Networking?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

The Kissinger Connection

To whom it may concern,

As a relatively young politician on the national scene, President Obama has had to reach out to all sorts of political pundits in order to legitimize his experience and record. This was illustrated by his selection of Vice President Joe Biden. It is also seen in his Cabinet selections and various appointments. But one troubling confidante is former Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger. Now, I can understand how someone could not say "no" to such a political heavyweight. However, even after 30 years of direct involvement in US foreign policy, how can this administration listen to the advice of a man who escalated the Vietnam War, was involved in Operation Condor in South America, and as recently as the previous administration contributed to the buildup of the Iraq War? The policies of Kissinger are those of constant US intervention across the globe. We are spread thin as is, and the political clout of a new President ultimately fades with time. The United States must seek to solidify its independence from not increase its dependence on the rest of the world during these tumultuous economic and geo-political times. As a consultant, what type of advice does Henry Kissinger offer to this administration, and how does it influence policy?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Earth Day

To whom it may concern,

Earth Day is always a time to take a moment and think about your impact on the planet. Yet so much of this nation is cursed with an out of sight out of mind mentality. While die-hard environmentalists are stereotyped as radical, tree-hugging hippies, one's commitment to living in harmony with the earth's ecosystem seems more like a good idea than a derogatory label. On this Earth Day, everyone should take a practical step forward to reduce their ecological footprint. Instead of buying bottled water, buy a canteen and refill it. Instead of relying of plastic or even paper bags when you shop, bring your own reusable bags. If you have the space, start a bee hive, compost bin, or recycling program in your office or residential building. Or just simply start walking and biking more. While the government can do much to provide the services and facilities to promote good stewardship, it is up to the individual to participate. With these simple steps in mind, how will the federal government seek to alter this nation's individual and collective behavior in terms of the environment, natural resources, and sustainability?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Military Secrets

To whom it may concern,

Over the past few weeks, there has been a spat of accusations against the Obama administration regarding national security. The argument is that the actions of this administration have been breaking down the good work of the Bush administration. While the focus of the Bush administration's national security objectives involved stretching out military across the world to deter terrorism, the Obama administration has taken a more traditional stance on the issue. Nuclear non-proliferation is now an essential part of the debate, and a more holistic, multi-lateral approach to combating terrorism appears to be the current policy. Yet the foundation for all of these accusations is undone by recent reports that have uncovered several breeches to the nation's military and infrastructure networks. Over the past two years, hackers have broken into the Pentagon, Department of Defense, our national electric grid, and now the blueprints of our next generation fighter planes. This is clearly a more dangerous threat to national security than pulling back on American interrogation techniques. How will this administration protect the American public from both domestic and foreign cyber crime?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

New Orleans Rebirth

To whom it may concern,

It has been over three years since the federal government blundered both disaster response and recovery in the wake of hurricane Rita on the Gulf Coast. And now, with billions of dollars moving through one of this country's most graft ridden local governments, very minimal progress is being made in the City of New Orleans. While there are some high profile efforts to rebuild housing and upgrade the City's intricate levy system, many recovery efforts have unfortunately focused on the City's tourism industry. Yet the city is only at about half its former population, FEMA communities still house those effected, and no real coordinated, comprehensive recovery effort exists. What seems to be lacking now is what was lacking from the start; leadership. So much thought has gone into this issue that there are now hundreds of disparate plans all working simultaneously and in most cases against one another. New Orleans is a classical case of human encroachment on ecologically sensitive areas. The central city, built by the French atop a hill, was virtually undamaged by the Hurricane and subsequent levy breach. It is here where future development should be concentrated. Instead of rebuilding the areas that were protected only by expensive levees and outdated flood management ideas, it is in these prime development areas where the city can reconnect with its natural environs, effectively manage stormwater run-off, and reintroduce much needed natural wetlands. Instead of rebuilding these devastated neighborhoods, we should take this opportunity to develop a single masterplan for the City that focuses development away from these hazardous areas, reintroduces a natural water flow through the City and across the delta, and maximizes the natural landscape. With the assistance of the State and Federal governments, New Orleans should focus on reducing its ecological footprint as a means to revitalize the city. How will the federal government change or augment its role in disaster recovery for New Orleans?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Keynesian Economics

To whom it may concern,

Is it me, or did everyone forget Economics 101? In order to even out the cyclical nature of the market, it is the government's responsibility to spend during a recession and save during expansion. We all learned this quite basic and logical argument from John Maynard Keynes nearly a century ago. It is the tactic that brought this country out of the depression and past recessions. It is the kind of economic planning that we demand during good times, but seemingly deride during the bad. How and why is this poignant, albeit simplified concept ruined during an economic crisis? If the government does not spend during a recession, then who will?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Health Care Reform

To whom it may concern,

At this point we can all agree that we need health care reform, but there are a million different ways and reasons to do so. Under the guise of reform, health care can and probably will become something that nobody will be happy with. As is the case for all large policy decisions, when everyone is equally upset, you may have the right solution. It is clearly a balancing act, and the rhetoric leading up to this battle is more consistent and determined than ever before. For the first time in American history, universal health care is quickly becoming a reality. Should we augment existing programs such as lowering the age to enter Medicare? A recent study shows that this would significantly improve the disparities between ethnicities and health. Shall the government prepare a public health care system? Should we require all health insurers to incorporate the uninsured to their programs with the government's backing? There is a good chance that it will be a combination of all of these proposals. Regardless of what you want out of health care reform, we can all rely on the fact that it is as important to our economy as any other policy initiative. Whatever it may be, a universal health care program should be created so that the insurance follows the person until they so choose to change it. This would add a sense of security and stability for families, as well as create great flexibility for the employers and the economy. If someone is temporarily unemployed, the government should subsidize these payments up to a point, but the insurance must stay with the individual and their family. With Congress soon to return from recess, how will this administration approach health care reform, and how has your original plan evolved since the 2008 campaign?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

The Nuance of Apathy

To whom it may concern,

The Age of Obama is upon us, and the massive grassroots movement that brought it has yet to produce a sustained growth in local activism across the country. During this long and drawn-out presidential election, this country was witness to a new energy in the political process. And the significant victory of President Obama was a mandate for change in this country. For the first few months of his Presidency, Obama has quickly set in motion a reformation of this country. Certainly no one would have thought a discussion about health care reform or praise from Venezuela would ever have come for America just six short months ago. And now, with this administration moving full steam ahead on its agenda, it feels like the grassroots initiatives that brought this community organizer to the highest office of our nation has been dormant. With all of this action, it seems that locally generated change is either still celebrating or it has been trumped by top-down change. Has this new age of change brought apathy amongst its supporters and irrelevance to its detractors? The exact kind of change this country had demanded is systematically deteriorating the support base that brought it to power. Now that Obama is the head of the government, we should not be complacent with our local governments and local issues. Sustainability is thinking globally and acting locally. While this administration's message is clear, local governments are still trying to grapple with this change, its meaning, and most importantly, its implementation. How will the federal government connect to the State and Local governments in order to implement its message of change and transformation?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Finally, Malls are Dead

To whom it may concern,

The recent bankruptcy filing of General Growth Properties has begun to churn the rumor mill about the state of commercial real estate in America. There have been several large retail chains that have gone under during this recession. All of these casualties have been large, big-box retailers that support an old, out-dated, and over-consumptive form of retail. As the second largest property owner of malls in the US, this bankruptcy can be partially attributed to the recession, but also to the end of an era. The automobile-oriented commercial shopping centers and strip malls are and must end in this country. The convenience of driving our cars from door to door has had a detrimental effect on the environment, public health, and our energy independence. It is the market that has changed, and these large malls and huge big-box retailers are out of touch with what the consumer wants. In this instance, the government should be providing incentives for small businesses and the mom and pop stores that were previously put out of business by these now failing corporations to fill the gaps of these larger retailers. We should be promoting more organic commercial growth, and focus that growth and revitalization in existing urban areas, at in-fill sites, and designed in a manner that promotes local, neighborhood development and walkability. Will the government bailout these commercial failures, or will they let the market decide the winners and the losers?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Water Efficiency

To whom it may concern,

Water is the most vulnerable and essential natural resource on this planet. Of all the water on earth, fresh, potable water makes up on two percent of the total. In North America, most of the fresh water is located in the Great Lakes basin. But since the governments of the Great Lakes area recently adopted a plan to keep the Great Lakes clean and its water from being exported elsewhere, water availability in America is quickly becoming a environmental constraint to our growth and prosperity. In California, drought threatens new development and agricultural production. By far one of the most extensive man-made water distribution networks in the country, California aqueducts ferry around the State's fresh water without thought or consequence of the natural balance of its ecosystems. 60 percent of the water required for the Los Angeles basin is imported from outside the region. For the billions of dollars that are spent to deliver fresh drinking water, one would think that this heavily subsidized system would be attentively cared for. Instead, fresh water is so cheap that we wash our sidewalks and cars, water our unnatural laws during the day, and use it in excess. Even this massive distribution system itself is inefficient and wastes millions of gallons each day from leaky pipes or evaporation. While the cost of desalination remains inhibitive, it is the last remaining alternative source of water left in earth's closed system. In this most recent "green" movement, efficiency has been used synonymously with energy and the recycling of raw materials. What is most deficient in this nascent environmental movement is water efficiency. The government should be eliminating the unsustainable water practices of this country from residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial uses. We should no longer drawn down our aquifers below their natural recharge. We should be promoting drip irrigation, low flush toilets, faucet aerators, the recycling of industrial coolants, and the use of recycled water for non-potable uses like landscaping and restrooms. How will this administration maximize the country's water efficiency in order to secure and protect our most valuable resource?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

High Speed Rail is Coming

To whom it may concern,

The President is set to release his High Speed Rail plan for the country tomorrow. The implications of this to the revitalization of our inner cities, the preservation of farmland and open space, and the promotion of alternative modes of transportation to the automobile are outstanding. Not since the Eisenhower Administration has a President been so bold as to challenge this country to change its transportation habits so drastically. I cannot think of a better idea for this country. And while the President touts the 2,000th stimulus plan project on one hand, a road widening and overpass construction in Wisconsin, on the other hand he seeks to develop a totally new transportation sector. This is one of many areas that the United States has trailed the rest of the world. Where the road project will only further increase automobile dependence, congestion, and our oil consumption, the rail plan seeks to wean this country from our addiction to cars, oil, and suburban sprawl development. The High Speed Rail system will increase the mobility of the public and serve as an economic engine for our cities. Who will be in charge of this new rail system (Amtrak?), and will these regional systems be connected to one another to create a national high speed rail network?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Cutting Cost in the Federal Budget

To whom it may concern,

One of the many campaign promises from the Obama Administration was to eliminate ineffective government programs as a means to balance the federal budget. Over the course of American history new laws, procedures, agencies, and bureaucracies have been created and reformed at what seems like an exponential rate. These laws set mandates, cancel previous mandates, and in general result in more government, more complexity, and unfortunately, more waste. This tangled web of government implementation is so intricate at this point in time that some small yet effective programs are wrapped into ineffective agencies, others are consolidated in different Departments, and more still never fulfill their original intent and purpose. A comprehensive review of the entire system is needed to finally understand and then correct these structural failures of the whole. These reorganizations have historically been conducted with a sub context of ideological shifts in politics. If this federal review recommends a reorganization of Departments, programs, and staff, confusion and further redundancies are imminent. While it may be no different this time around, how will this administration determine what government programs are effective or not? Is the focus to reduce cost, to make government more effective, or to retool a bureaucracy to implement the political and ideological goals of this administration?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Somali Pirates

To whom it may concern,

On the very first day that Somali pirates took an American Capitan of a commercial freighter hostage, I knew that this would not end well for the Somalis. When it was reported that a Navy warship was then trailing the dinghy that the pirates had boarded after abandoning the freighter, I knew that it was only a matter of time. But when there was a three day delay for negotiations, I was wondering why the Navy seals had not already ended the standoff. And now Somali pirates know not to mess with any American vessels in the future. Hopefully, this strategy will discourage future piracy, but it might only make them more violent. This new policy will either serve as a diversion from other military objectives, or as a means to intervene in the establishment of an effective central government in Somalia. With the millions of square miles of ocean to patrol, how can the United States government ensure similar responses and a sustained security situation in the future?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Suisse Credit

To whom it may concern,

Credit Suisse Bank recently reported that it will either disclose or close nearly three billion francs in accounts from United States citizens. While some accounts will move ahead with full disclosure and some taxes will be collected, the remaining accounts will simply cash out. Continuing with this strategy would require that the US government force every nation in the world to have its private and public banks disclose the foreign accounts of all its citizens. This strategy seems faulty in that it will not maximize the collection of delinquent taxes, nor deter real tax evasion. It may even set off a round of financial protectionism that could devastate an already battered financial sector. If we close offshore accounts in Switzerland they will simply move to the next unregulated market. How much money does the federal government really believe that it can retrieve from these offshore accounts.

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Community Planning

To whom it may concern,

The federal government is currently implementing a massive restructuring plan for the United States' foreign policy, economy, financial sector, health care and education system, and infrastructure. This decisive and somewhat alarmingly bold reaction is a product of necessity and a change in leadership. To implement this shift in policy and to correct the existing system requires a comprehensive plan. And since all politics is local, this strategic initiative must include a community planning element. Sustainability is the act of thinking globally and acting locally. During a period of recovery, it is tantamount to take a step back and use this opportunity to study and reassess our strengths and weaknesses. In order to implement such sweeping changes, there must be a long-range planning process. The stimulus bill is structured to distribute funds quickly through existing government programs. Will the implementation of a new federal policy result in local planning initiatives? And will the federal government seek the input and needs of community groups and grassroots organizations?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

A New Isreal

To whom it may concern,

Most of the frustration that the Muslim world has with the West is its unyielding support of Israel. While most extremists look upon the West as vile, immoral infidels, the creation of Israel after World War II is the real flashpoint. The creation of Israel, for all intensive purposes, was a massive land grab. Both Israel and Palestine have clear historical rights to the area. While the two-state solution focuses on creating an independent Palestine in the West Bank and Gaza, this strategy has many flaws. The greatest of which is the creation of one country with two noncontiguous territories separated by Israel. What is lacking in Palestine is political clout in Israel to effect real change to make economic, political, and civil progress. Palestinians rely on the good will of Israeli politicians or pressure from other countries in order to advance its goals. It is not an official country, and it has no real autonomy. In order to both quell violence and create solidarity in the Palestinian community, a different approach should be considered. The West Bank should be annexed by Israel, and Gaza should become the new Palestinian state. By incorporating the West Bank into Israel, a huge Palestinian voting bloc would be created by making these ethnic Palestinians Israeli citizens. This new voting bloc would give the Palestinians a real voice in Israeli decision-making. This interaction on an equal setting would allow for an expansion of understanding and tolerance. It will also allow for the development of the West Bank, the preservation of antiquities, and the stabilization of the entire region. On the other hand, Gaza would become an important coastal community that would finally have the room to develop independent of Israeli interference. Palestinians would rejoice in their victory and independence, and focus on the creation of a stable, prosperous state. Is there anything like this being considered in the Middle East peace process?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

The Long American Nightmare Is Over

To whom it may concern,

Since World War II, major metropolitan areas across the country have been expanding outward, destroying precious farmland, sensitive natural environments, and the American dream. Instead of stable single family neighborhoods, these suburbs are characterized by long commutes, congestion, unhealthy lifestyles, depression, and now economic ruin. It appears that the recent real estate bubble was the culmination of fifty years of single suburban sprawl development. In essence, the average American has reached a breaking point. These suburbanites are detached from each other, attached to their automobiles, and struggling to find real, meaningful community interaction. In a recent survey, twice as many people believe that money should go to building more transit instead of roadways. And more than have of those surveyed said growth should be directed into existing urban areas. Virtually every government tax incentive, policy, and funding mechanism has been built on this old, outdated, and unhealthy mode of suburban and highway development. As a nation, our priorities have shifted, and our government is now behind the curve. With the tide turning on suburban America, how will this administration structurally rework the system to benefit infill development, mass transportation expansion, transit oriented development, and open space preservation?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Digital Television Converter Boxes

To whom it may concern,

The switch to digital television will create a dramatic improvement in the clarity and quality of service for the millions of Americans. As a means of entertainment, information, and learning, the television has proven to be the most powerful tool to unify the American psyche in the last half century. It has also consolidated a national market for popular culture and consumerism. However, this switch to digital will leave behind thousands of television watchers. While this is a small fraction of the overall viewership, these forgotten few are generally the elderly, poor and rural residents. Without access to the vouchers due to proximity, mobility, or a technicality, many of these disenfranchised people will suffer an undue economic burden. In particular, the bill that extended the deadline for the conversion neglected to include those citizens living in Single Room Occupancy (SRO) housing units. And what would have cost these people $20 will now cost them a prohibitive $60. When will the government close this loop-hole and ensure access for all after the switch to digital television?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Defense Spending

To whom it may concern,

Yes, the F-22 Raptor is the most awesome fighter jet ever. But not a single one of them has flown a mission in Iraq or Afghanistan. And the new MVRAPS are absolutely five years past due and increasingly irrelevant as the United States prepares to pull out of Iraq and leave its plethora of IEDs behind. Defense spending has certainly gone out of control since the War on Terror began. In fact, one could argue that it has been out of control since the end of World War II. On the final days of his administration, President Eisenhower infamously warned this nation about the military industrial complex. It is the influence and magnitude of this economic sector that requires a significant overhaul. And under the direction of President Obama, Secretary Robert Gates is conducting a comprehensive review of defense spending. While the cuts are minimal compared to the overall defense budget, the push back from Congress seems disproportional. If anything, the defense budget should be the place where meaningful cuts can occur in this current fiscal crisis. This review should focus on reigning in wasteful spending, eliminating unnecessary projects, and creating a military that maintains superiority across the world in terms of both conventional and unconventional warfare. So, why are these cuts not deeper and more comprehensive? And will this new defense budget represent the needs of the 21st Century American military?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Electronic Billboards

To whom it may concern,

The Federal Highway Administration is currently conducting a study on the impacts of electronic billboards. Cities across the nation are starting to place restrictions and even moratoriums on these conversions in order to keep their regulations current with the technology. The change to electronic billboards has clear effects on the visual, aesthetic, and environmental quality of our local communities. However, this change in technology creates an opportunity to update our codes to protect and enhance civic beauty. The market has triggered public outcry, and this engagement has brought an issue up for debate. A comprehensive review of city sign ordinances can create a win-win solution cities across the nation. Advertisers will be able to collect more money from these new billboards. And for this, they can work with local jurisdictions to mitigate their impacts and produce public benefits. A review of billboards in a community is a matter of enforcement. This process could eliminate illegal signs, and bring others in compliance. Local governments could trade traditional sign space for new electronic billboards. They could then direct these new billboards in commercial and/or industrial areas, and protect residential communities. Codes should be encouraged to eliminate flashing, reduce glare, and even prohibit the change in content every 24 hours. In exchange for added revenues, sign companies could be required to comply with stricter building and efficiency standards. But the primary focus should be a community-wide process that focuses on the placement, location, and size of these structures. When the federal government' study is complete, how will it plan, regulate, and incentivize electronic billboards?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Denmark and NATO

To whom it may concern,

Over its history, NATO has certainly outgrown its original intent and expanded its influence throughout the world. This is most apparent in Afghanistan, far from the borders of this alliance, and seemingly outside of its purview to protect member nations from more conventional warfare. In fact, while NATO is a symbol of cooperation in the Afghanistan conflict, its member nations are now potential targets for extremists. What was once a fight against the United States as the symbol of the West is now most of the western world fighting the Taliban, Al Qaeda, and other jihadists. And this tension between the West and the Islamic world can only swell with the nomination of the Danish Prime Minister as NATO's Secretary General. Unfortunately, Muslims still think about the cartoon of Mohammed when they hear Denmark. However, the NATO alliance has entered a new era with Danish Prime Minister Rasmussen at the helm. While Rasmussen is a uniquely conservative leader of an extremely liberal people, his nomination to the head of NATO will prove to be a period of extreme pragmatism. The Danes are an extremely thoughtful, prudent, and understanding people, and these sentiments will surely arise in future NATO missions. So, did the United States support this nomination because we wanted a change in overall NATO strategy or does Rasmussen reflect some alternative motive?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Subway to the Sea

To whom it may concern,

In Los Angeles County, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is currently conducting an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) on the extension of the Purple Line subway to the Pacific Ocean. This study is currently reviewing several route alternatives. What is woefully missing in this planning process is the leadership and evaluation of what should be. Wilshire Boulevard is the spine of the County, acting as a linear downtown with high density mixed-use development from downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica. Wilshire is clearly the route where density has organically developed, where the future capacity is, and where density should occur. However, the focus remains on what exists today, and not enough emphasis on should exist in the future. How can the federal government influence a planning process that directs growth, development, and government resources in those areas that are most suitable for growth? With the recent stimulus package focusing on mass transit, how can the federal government ensure that public transportation is being sustainably implemented?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Hemp Revolution

To whom it may concern,

As the world approaches peak oil, an inevitability, and as our country begins to promote a new green, sustainable future, it is absolutely necessary that we find a substitute to all petroleum based products. Fortunately, this product already exists and has been used by humans for centuries; hemp. Hemp can be used to make clothes, paper, building materials, food, ethanol, and medicine. In terms of tons per acre, it is one of the most productive crops in existence. It is hardy, resilient to insects, and most of the nutrients are in the roots, maximizing long-term soil fertility. When burned it produces nearly zero pollution. It is an incredibly strong fiber that could replace the wood industry completely, saving all of the nation's forests. It could replace the cotton industry and remove 50% of all pesticides used in the United States. The oil from hemp seeds is rich in amino acids. And enough hemp could be produced to provide all of America's ethanol needs. This extremely versatile plant, however, is illegal because of its connection to cannabis sativa. However, industrial quality hemp has virtually no THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. Thomas Jefferson touted hemp as a means to ensure America's independence and prosperity. George Washington had a massive hemp plantation. As late as World War II, hemp production was encouraged as a war effort. Kentucky was the world's leading hemp producer for nearly a century before it was made illegal, and petroleum based materials began their rapid and infectious ascent. While it may still be taboo to talk about marijuana, hemp has the potential to replace petroleum based products, fostering energy independence and the organic and sustainable production of virtually all things. It is a localized source of food, fiber, and fuel. When will hemp be recognized for its innumerable benefits and negligible side effects, and regain its position as a cash crop in America?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Foregoing Justice

To whom it may concern,

This administration has consistently stressed that it is more concerned with moving forward then it is with dwelling in the past. While this has translated into positive actions to undo poor policies of the previous administration, it also means that all the crimes perpetrated in this time will effectively be swept under the rug. When the Justice Department withdrew its indictment of Senator Stevens, it denied the public the ability to hold its leaders accountable. With this dangerous precedent set, those responsible for crimes and negligence in the recent past, from the infamous to the minutiae, can now breathe easier. What was the real motivation to drop all the charges for a former Senator who was found guilty for abusing his power and influence?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Dysfunctional Prisons

To whom it may concern,

The United States has the largest prison population and the highest rate of violent crime of any country in the world. While the causes of these alarming statistics are many and varied the real tragedy of this broken system are its high rates of recidivism. 68 percent of people released from prison are re-arrested within three years. This fact points to the ineffectiveness of our penitentiary system to rehabilitate criminals. Instead, prison is merely a punishment where we let criminals become more criminal, instead of pro-actively engaging, healing, and then preparing these people for their return to society. The most shocking aspect of this problem is the growing use of private prisons. If a private business owns a prison, then to maximize profit, it must retain and even grow their inmate population as they are paid per prisoner. There is no incentive in this equation to rehabilitate and reintegrate these prisoners. In fact, it profits from America’s high rates of recidivism. And a growing prison business equates to growing economic and political influence over criminal law, and more importantly punishment. With decreasing budgets and increasing prison populations, how will this administration handle crime and punishment, and the restructuring of our prison system to promote rehabilitation over incarceration?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

World Population Growth

To whom it may concern,

The primary driver of change in this country is population growth (natural and immigration). As the United States continues to grow demographically, every aspect of our lives will continue to evolve and change. These changes are both positive and negative. But like the world, the United States does have a specific carrying capacity, and in many areas, like Los Angeles and Phoenix, it has already exceeded that threshold. Importing over 60 percent of a region's water needs is not sustainable. A growing population requires more resources and space. It creates more waste and pollution. A growing population also diminishes the value of a single vote, diluting our democracy. However, a larger population also fosters greater diversity, specialization and interaction. This all expands tolerance, understanding and knowledge. A growing population also forces change through adaptation. As the population grows, so must the services, programs, and governance that serve that population. This begins to add layer upon layer of complexity and the expanding bureaucracy breeds mediocrity and inefficiencies. Population growth in the third world use to be foreign policy, but now it is rarely a topic of discussion. With clear connections to the economy, climate change and consumption, will population growth again become a major policy issue for the United States and the world?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Climate Change's Missed Opportunity

To whom it may concern,

With the change in policy over climate change, there has been little evidence toward its meaningful implementation from your administration. While the economic downturn is of critical importance, something as imminent as a shift in global weather patterns will certainly disrupt international commerce. In the same way that the singular source of all planning issues can be derived from population growth, the sustainable stewardship of the planet is critical to our established economic patterns. If productive farmland turns into deserts, cities run out of water, or areas with productive farmland shifts, there will be serious social and political ramifications. Living within our ecological constraints is an increasing concern for the America's sprawling metropolitan areas. Opportunities to improve air quality combat climate change are nearly endless. A whole new economy is waiting to be developed by maximizing efficiencies and conservation. Why is dealing with climate change not a pillar of your economic recovery plan?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

A New Governmnet

To whom it may concern,

This administration is reshaping the role of government, and hopefully this will result in a renewed focus on enabling and encouraging local engagement. By empowering individual citizens and grassroots community organizations to change their own neighborhoods, local, state, and federal governments can all begin to effectively work towards a single, common good. As the administration has said, every government program should be judged not by its intent, but by its results. Over time, the government programs have begun to overlap and create redundancies. One program after another has layered so much bureaucracy on every level of government that there needs to be a concerted effort to simplify virtually every aspect of the system. This requires broad consensus, leadership, and effective management. Progress and change should not have to result in an increasingly complex machine. As your administration begins to force a dialogue and rethink almost every aspect of life (economics, transportation, foreign policy, energy, financial structures, etc...), how will the government as an agent of this change be retooled in order to implement your message?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

A Second City Beautiful Movement

To whom it may concern,

As you look out across America's urban landscape, some of the most functional as well as beautiful areas are those designed and built during the City Beautiful Movement. Many of these projects were flood control and sewer upgrades and expansions through the Works Program Administration. In this previous government driven economic recovery, a focus on urban design and beautification are enjoyed to this day. The outline of infrastructure projects in your administration seems to concentrate primarily on upgrading the energy grid and rebuilding highways. Will urban infrastructure (sewers, under grounding utilities, streetscapes, parks, and stormwater management) be addressed in any of these new recovery projects? With an increasing urban population, these local initiatives become vital not just to economic development, but the quality of life for the majority of the population. The federal government must begin to shift its programs and funding to local grassroots city beautification projects that combine community service, beautification, and economic recovery. Will this administration ensure quality as well as efficiency and transparency in the implementation of the Reinvestment Act?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Save Not Spend

To whom it may concern,

The focus of the economic recovery efforts have been on restoring credit and spending levels. This strategy seeks to revive the same economic policies that just imploded. What I have failed to see from this administration is a real vision for our economic future, other than investing in energy, education, and health care. I think all of these things are certainly a part of a new economy, but they are about developing new economic sectors, not how we do business. The government needs to foster a new economic behavior. Government programs and policies should be encouraging individuals to do the same thing that the Treasury Secretary just proposed; A plan to increase capital requirements for large financial instructions. We should be focusing incentives on savings and checking accounts, while limiting lines of credit. Why not value consumer savings over consumer spending? It is this over-leveraging of credit and debt without capital requirements that will only lead to more trouble in the future. How will this administration encourage the economic responsibility of individuals?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Conservation Legislation

To whom it may concern,

Today the US Congress passed a sweeping bill that expanded conservation efforts across the nation. While it went relatively unnoticed, it is being heralded as one of the largest conservation efforts in recent history. Over 2 million acres of land has now been set aside as permanently protected open space, and an additional 26 million acres currently administered by the Bureau of Land Management would also be set aside. While some detractors warned that this move would deny future access to oil and gas deposits, proponents declare that it will protect the dwindling open space that provides connectivity between significant ecological zones. The often academic debate between conservation and preservation continues in America. While this is heralded as a conservation bill, leaving the land as nature intended is more accureatly referred to as preservation, whereas conservation seeks to find a balance between nature and human needs. What is most unfortunate about this bill is that it is a carry-over package of legislation from the Bush administration, and environmentalists feel compelled to act quickly before another Presidency puts industry above the environment. This fear has and will continue to lead to vast, unfocused preservation efforts without targeting the most critical and threatened areas first. How will this administration ensure that future preservation and conservation initiatives will focus on critically endangered habitat and restoration projects?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

America's Utopian City

To whom it may concern,

With each epoch comes a different vision of the city. Since the beginning of modern city planning in the United States, these concepts have all been imported from abroad. From early English settlements to the influences of England’s Garden City and Switzerland’s Radiant City. Even Frank Lloyd Wright’s Broad Acre City remained little more than an idea as the separation of land uses and transportation modes emerged as the Urban Renewal and Interstate Highway programs of the 1950s and 60s. While we begin to shape sustainable city practices, the origins of sustainability can be traced back to growth management in Scandinavia. America is unique enough to have formulated its own ideal city, and in many ways it has evolved as a vernacular hybrid of many different and often conflicting concepts. France’s President Sarkosy recently issued a call for ideas for city planning in Paris. While this signals a return to grandiose city planning, it once again comes from abroad. All the issues surrounding housing, environmental justice, sustainability, climate change, water quality and conservation, the loss of our manufacturing base, green color jobs, and even the overall economy occur locally in cities. Why has this nexus between the health of our cities and the nation been consistently neglected at the federal level? What is desperately needed in this country is an American borne utopian vision of the city. Will this administration put out a call for projects to discover and support new city planning models and practices for the ideal American metropolis?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Illicit Drug Legalization

To whom it may concern,

While the War on Drugs took center stage in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, it has since faded in the American psyche to a point where the once taboo subject of legalization is now on the table in the California legislature for marijuana. The logic behind the legalization of all drugs is virtually the same reasoning behind the end of prohibition. Banning any substance creates a black market. And it is this black market, not the substance necessarily, which breeds the levels of violence that we are now seeing in Mexico. Those who buy and sell drugs cannot bring their grievances to the government, so they settle their disputes with violence or intimidation. Since the illegal trade of narcotics is so lucrative, it breeds corruption and creates powerful drug cartels. So when police officers and judges become entangled in this black market, they become subject to the very system of bribes, intimidation, and violence that they are charged to eliminate. If legalized, all drugs would need to be controlled, regulated, and taxed. What currently costs nearly $50 billion to enforce would turn into a surplus of approximately $40 billion in revenue, not including the reduction in enforcement. And in these bleakest of times, this additional revenue is in dire need. But beyond the taxation of these narcotics, legalization would begin to decouple the United States from the international web of illegal drug trafficking. As the largest consumer of recreational drugs in the world, if legalized, the United States could set up a legal trade with countries like Colombia and Afghanistan, usurping not just violent drug cartels, but international terrorists. Legalization would also open up an entirely new market for private business to develop. This could translate into millions of American jobs in the farm, transportation, pharmaceutical, and retail sectors. And with a controlled supply of narcotics, we could focus funding on education, prevention and rehabilitation. Prohibition ended during the Great Depression. Will this administration take the bold stance to begin the decriminalization and even legalization of some if not all illegal drugs during this Great Recession?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Smart Infrastructure

To whom it may concern,

The most recent report by the American Society of Civil Engineers claims that the country is in need of nearly $2.2 trillion to modernize and repair our infrastructure. This estimate focuses primarily on the rehabilitation and/or replacement of existing infrastructure. And yet what we see in the stimulus package and the proposed federal budget are many new and expansion projects. While some of these expansions are to remedy existing deficiencies, many of these projects, especially roadway projects, are counter-productive. My fear is that under this watershed of infrastructure and transportation spending, too many special projects that will serve to undermine our national move towards energy efficiency and independence. All of this money should be allocated to the upgrading and refurbishment of existing infrastructure only. Special redevelopment zones across the country should be created, similar to Enterprise Zones, where additional infrastructure projects will be eligible. These special zones should be located in existing urban areas that are suitable for continued intensification and development. In this way, the stimulus bill can encourage infill development and urban revitalization. This would follow the trend toward urbanization and even a nascent movement away from suburban, green field development. How will this administration ensure that the money allocated to infrastructure projects will not exacerbate our dependence on non-renewable energy sources?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

The Invisible Recovery

To whom it may concern,

In order to relieve banks and other investment firms of the toxic assets on their balance sheets, the government plans to develop various means to buy them up. The federal government is effectively removing these failed investments from the private sector by adding it to the national debt. When the market stabilizes, it is assumed that these assets will once again become valuable, and the government can then dissolve its assets. But until then, the government will have to act as collector and creditor for these funds. And since these toxic assets can be traced back to individuals who are now walking away from their homes, the money will only continue to dry up. I do not understand how this strategy will benefit this country in that it risks the insolvency of the national treasury. While many other aspects of the administration's recovery plan will produce concrete public infrastructure and rehabilitation projects, these new financial programs appear to only add a new, sub-market that functions as a parallel to the private market. How will these billions be recouped, and how will it be repaid to the American taxpayer? It is not like capital injections where we receive shares that can then be resold. How can we resell an investment that created this crisis and that everyone is running away from?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Iranian Engangemnt

To whom it may concern,

The President recently released a tape to the Iranian nation. While this tape tried to essentially wipe the slate clean with Iran and jump-start a new round of diplomacy, it means little without any real follow through and implementation. On the same day of this video, the Israeli President released an audio tape to Iran with a more stern, but equally engaging message. While this side note from the Israelis acted as a counterpoint to the administration's message, it did serve to show the world that regarding Iran, we are not necessarily on the same page as the Israelis. The Israelis have not ruled out using force to shut down Iran's nuclear ambitions, and I fear that this may be an acceptable outcome to this potential stand-off. It appears right from the onset, any dialogue with Iran will be subject to distortions, counter-intelligence, and even subterfuge. Moving forward, how does this administration plan to negotiate with Iran? And what is the end-goal of this diplomacy? Are we trying to ensure that they do not have nuclear weapons, support their development as a constructive role in stabilizing the Middle East, or contain their rapidly growing influence as a home-grown counter to America?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Business Green

To whom it may concern,

One of this administration's pillars of the economic recovery is energy independence. The stimulus package and the proposed budget seek to develop a new green economy based on efficiency and renewable energy production. There is funding for research and development, tax incentives for private development, and significant public investment. While I praise the government for finally leading buy example on these issues, many private firms are only starting to think "green" in order to streamline profitability. In Japan, this long-term concept was adopted nearly a decade ago when the Toyota Corporation, now the number one automaker in the world, began eliminating every form of "muda" (waste) in their company from the top executives all the way down to the factory floors. While being an environmentally conscious corporation has customer appeal, how will the government ensure that this is a lasting trend in America? And how will this shift in federal policy incentivize the retooling of private industry in this new energy efficient future?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Stop Loss

To whom it may concern,

Ordering our soldiers to go to war is said to be one of the toughest decisions a President has to make. It must be even tougher to order them back against their will. The Stop-Loss policy is quite possibly one of the most deceptive conditions of the US Army contract. The Stop-Loss clause is exactly why parents tell their children to never sign anything until you read it first, and one’s peers urge them to read the fine print. The end of this most recent Stop-Loss is a clear indication of the change in policy brought to the armed forces by President Obama. Decelerating one of the longest wars in American history proves to have many benefits, including returning home those troops who fully and honorably served their country. In the future, the best defense against prolonged deployments is to avoid unnecessary deployments, such as the invasion of Iraq. We must remember that we went to war to find those who perpetrated 9-11, and those people were not in Iraq, but remain to this day in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Now we must return to Afghanistan in full force to finish what was and still is the primary front in the war against terrorism. How will this administration ensure that this will be the true end of Stop-Loss?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Brownfield Redevelopment

To whom it may concern,

In the last few years, the Environmental Protection Agency has moved away from its traditional stance of clean-up first and redevelop second when it comes to brownfield sites. A movement to remediate and develop in an environmentally sustainable way has slowly emerged. This strategy has been a boon for brownfield sites across the country. Many of these sites are located in prime retail, housing, commercial, and industrial development locations (i.e. former gas stations and old industrial waterfronts). While the Superfund program is a necessity considering America's industrial and extractive history, much more attention should be given to these smaller scale remediation projects. While remediation costs were once prohibitive, these smaller scale projects benefit from their proximity to urban redevelopment areas, existing infrastructure, and the relatively limited scale of clean-up necessary. The billions of dollars that go to a few SuperFund sites and take years, sometimes decades to remediate could instead be dispersed to thousands of smaller projects within existing cities and towns. This focus on revitalizing existing neighborhoods through brownfield redevelopment is a form of in-fill development that is mandatory in the development of dense, walkable, mixed-use and mixed-income neighborhoods. Additionally, many of these sites are underutilized or abandoned industrial sites that could be redeveloped into uses that support the new "green" economy. These redeveloped industrial sites have the potential to reclaim the nation's dwindling manufacturing base that has been consistently shedding jobs for decades. How will brownfield redevelopment play a role in the growth of the nation's "green" economic sector, affordable housing, and inner-city revitalization in your administration?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Low Income Housing Tax Credit Reform

To whom it may concern,

The dominant share of federal housing money currently goes into the Section 8 voucher program. While this assistance helps many families and individuals afford housing, it does little to eliminate the long-term issues surrounding the affordable housing crisis. It is a temporary measure that benefits the landowner over the overall health of the economy and the nation. Instead, the federal government should seek to transition out of this dependence on Section 8 vouchers to the creation of new, permanent affordable housing. This affordable housing should be concentrated in areas of need, particularly of those places with high levels of demand, such as Boston, New York City, Los Angeles and San Fransisco. The Low Income Housing Tax Credit should be expanded to assist in the development of affordable, mixed-income housing projects in cities across the country. The problem with the existing voucher program is that like the urban renewal program of the 1960s, it creates concentrated neighborhoods and/or buildings of the poor. Instead, the program should be rewritten with additional standards and conditions to promote the types of development that are necessary for our future prosperity. Again, this means the funding of mixed-use, mixed-income, dense, affordable, and environmentally sustainable infill development. While the Hope VI program seeks to reintegrate housing projects into the fabric of surrounding mixed-income neighborhoods, it usually has a net loss of housing units. The focus on constructing new affordable housing in mixed-income developments will assist developers by leveraging public funding, focus development into areas that will limit environmental impacts, reduce costs associated with the provision of services and infrastructure, and promote the social interaction that has been waning in this country sine the migration into the suburbs. In New York City, Shaun Donovan worked to preserve, rehabilitate, and build new affordable housing projects. Under your administration, how will the Department of Housing and Urban Development reform its affordable housing programs, in particular the Low Income Housing Tax Credit? Will there be new programs introduced to encourage public-private partnerships, mixed-income projects, and in-fill development?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Tamil Tigers

To whom it may concern,

The Tamil Tigers of Sri Lanka have been fighting a brutal civil war for their ethnic minority against the government of Sri Lanka for over 30 years. While marred in controversy, the Tamil Tigers created some of the more common terrorist tactics to date, including suicide belts and using women for suicide attacks, there end game of an independent Tamil state is relatively a valid one. And as the conventional war comes to a close, the threat of a guerilla war could engulf the entire island in violence. As in most conflicts, the nearly 150,000 ethnic Tamils remaining in Sri Lanka are caught in the middle of the fighting. While an autonomous Tamil region in Sir Lanka seems reasonable, both sides are well past this resolution or any peace agreements for that matter. The lack of any real international intervention on either side of the conflict seems eerily complacent. Why has neither America, the UN nor anyone else not taken action in what appears to be the final days of this insurgency?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Afghanistan's Opium

To whom it may concern,

It is widely known that the primary funding source for the Taliban and associated Al Qaeda networks is the opium trade. Afghanistan counts for nearly 90 percent of all poppy production on the planet, making it the cash crop for local farmers. The revenue of the opium extracted from these poppies and later processed into heroin far exceeds that of any other cash crop that is currently being offered as an alternative. Replacing the poppy fields of Afghanistan is unreasonable. Destroying these poppy fields decimates the livelihoods of the Afghan people. The best solution is for the international community to buy all of this poppy directly from these farmers. It has been estimated that this could be done for about $6 billion annually. That is a pittance compared to what the Afghanistan war currently costs Coalition forces. And it would eliminate the funding stream for the extremist rebels that we continue to fight 7 years after the initial invasion. Not to mention that it would effectively end heroin production across the globe. This opium could instead be processed into legal morphine and other pain killers for legitimate medicinal purposes. So, why do we insist on either destroying or converting these fields? Instead of having the Afghan people dependent on terrorists for their livelihoods, they could be dependent on the world market. This would elevate Afghanistan out of obscurity and begin a process of economic and social renewal. Is this being considered under the new Afghanistan strategy?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

The Madagascar Coup

To whom it may concern,

It still amazes me that coup d’états in Africa go by seemingly unnoticed in the Western media. And when we do, it is usually too late to intervene or reconcile. Sure we condemn the perpetrators, demand a democratic process, and sometimes resort to cutting off our aid to the new government, but when the dust settles, it is business as usual. Apparently the people of Madagascar have been protesting in the streets since January, but it requires military action, or a resolution, in order to hear about it. I can understand the distractions on the home front are tremendous, and now more than ever we need to focus on our own issues. However, is this the appropriate time to become an isolationist America? Surely our multi-national corporations see potential in mineral rich Madagascar. This latest development in Africa only reaffirms the view that America’s meddling in foreign countries is limited to our self-interests. Does America support a democracy that squashed its preceding democracy with force and then set up their terms?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Space Junk

To whom it may concern,

Since mankind has reached outer space, our stewardship of Earth’s orbit has closely resembled that of our stewardship of the Earth itself. Basically, we throw everything away with little understanding of the consequences, and now this practice is starting to come back at us, literally. Today, three astronauts in the International Space Station boarded a Russian space capsule as a precaution while a tiny piece of trash nearly collided with the station. There are thousands of pieces of trash floating in Earth’s orbit. While international space agencies try to bring as much of this refuse as they can back down to Earth, most of the garbage is simply jettisoned. The Space Station, space trash, and satellites all compete for orbit space. There is an entire division of NASA that tracks space debris. The worst case scenario is if one piece of trash collides with a satellite, or if one satellite collides with another, which happened earlier this year, and a chain reaction creates a cloud of debris around our planet. It is an unfortunate reminder of our wasteful society. How can your administration help clean up space before something catastrophic happens? Will it take the loss of a military satellite or a nearly $100 billion international project? I am imagining Superman netting together the world’s nuclear weapons and throwing them into the sun. Couldn’t we devise a plan to catch all this debris, tie it to all the dead satellites, and then throw them back into Earth’s orbit and watch it incinerate?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

Free Tibet

To whom it may concern,

It is a very precarious situation in Tibet. 50 years ago the People’s Liberation Army moved into Tibet, a strategic military position over Asia, and literally burned the culture to the ground. Thousands of years of written history were destroyed when they leveled every Buddhist monastery in their path. During subsequent uprisings, the sheer size and force of China overpowered the ill-equipped Tibetan resistance. Now, we see the economic force of China capitalizing on Tibetan culture, diluting it, and creating a minority of the Tibetan people. If this course continues, it is only a matter of time before Tibet is only a geographic name in China. Although it has been a long time since China invaded Tibet, the act was committed against international law, and it was unprovoked. Why this has not generated more international furor, attention, and action, I do not understand. Is there a non-violent means to liberating Tibet? I believe that the Tibetan people and their spiritual leaders should follow in the footsteps of Gandhi and Martin Luther King, and demand their rights, freedom, and independence through civil disobedience and non-violent action. Like both of these movements, the leader, the Dali Lama, must be out front and center. The Chinese have threatened to arrest him if he ever returns to China. I say let him return and have the Chinese arrest him, and then see what the world community does. If such a populist movement does arise, will the United States turn its back on China and support the Free Tibet movement? Will this administration assist in any way it can to politically and economically leverage China towards this end?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP

A New Economcy

To whom it may concern,

As the world braces itself for near zero growth in 2009, governments across the world are struggling to prevent people from falling into poverty, provide social services, and even prevent civil unrest. Zero growth equates to a halt in economic expansion. This continued expansion is what has been purported to provide prosperity for a growing number of people and families. Wealth, however, is a matter of distribution. As the world population continues to grow, the economy must grow with it to supply these new citizens with jobs, goods, and services. There is more than enough food produced each year to feed world’s population, but the poor cannot pay, and, therefore, it is not distributed to them. There is certainly more than enough capital to invest in basic human services, but there is no return on investment in upgrading a shanty town’s infrastructure. In essence, there is virtually no economic will for equality. And continued growth correlates to negative indicators as well, such as pollution, land consumption, resource depletion, and environmental degradation. The resolution of this crisis is beyond bringing it back to the former levels of production and the old ways of doing business. The public’s behavior has changed, and we need to adjust our systems accordingly. On a global level, we should redefine our economic policies and practices. We should focus now on sustainability instead of growth, and on equity instead of supply and demand. We do not need socialism, or capitalism or communism, or any other “ism” as we currently understand them. We need something new. While the principles of capitalism have gone unchanged for over 200 years, the market has dramatically changed even in the last decade. It seems that globalization and the clashing of many mixed-economies has created a new dynamic that requires a new global theory of economics. Where is our generation’s John Maynard Keynes? Why is a zero growth model not considered sustainable? At this point and time, will this administration work with the world to facilitate a change in global financial policy to the point where the goal of growth is replaced with the goal of sustainability?

GUNNAR HAND, AICP