America : our next chapter : tough questions, straight answers

Senator Chuck Hagel has long been admired by his colleagues on both sides of the Senate floor for his honesty, integrity, and common-sense approach to the challenges of our times. The Los Angeles Times has praised his ''bold positions on foreign policy and national security'' and wondered, ''What's not to like?'' In America: Our Next Chapter , Nebraska-born Hagel offers a hard-hitting examination of the current state of our nation and provides substantial, meaningful proposals that can guide America back onto the right path. In America: Our Next Chapter , Hagel speaks the truth as he sees it—in a direct and refreshingly unvarnished manner. Basing his suggestions on thorough research and careful thought, as well as on personal insight from his years as a political insider, successful businessman, and decorated war hero, he discusses domestic issues—including the health care crisis, immigration, and Social Security and Medicare reform—and global climate change. He confronts foreign policy problems that the current administration has bungled or ignored, including China's growing economy; control of U.S. debt; India's and Pakistan's nuclear capabilities; and Iran's aggressive political, ideological, and nuclear stances. He decries the pervasive disease of third world poverty, arguing convincingly that this is where the real fight against terrorism must begin. Always true to the beliefs instilled in his childhood on the prairie, he speaks passionately about service—to one's country and to one's fellow citizens—as the path toward a renewed America. And, of course, he gives a candid examination of the debacle that is the Iraq War. A staunch Republican yet a ''hero to liberals'' ( Time ), Hagel asks the tough questions and delivers straight answers to America's most pressing problems. America: Our Next Chapter is a serious, honest, and, ultimately, optimistic look at our nation's future, from an American original. Senator Chuck Hagel has long been admired by his colleagues on both sides of the Senate floor for his honesty, integrity, and common-sense approach to the challenges of our times. The "Los Angeles Times" has praised his "bold positions on foreign policy and national security" and wondered, "What's not to like?" In "America: Our Next Chapter," Nebraska-born Hagel offers a hard-hitting examination of the current state of our nation and provides substantial, meaningful proposals that can guide America back onto the right path. [p] In "America: Our Next Chapter," Hagel speaks the truth as he sees it--in a direct and refreshingly unvarnished manner. Basing his suggestions on thorough research and careful thought, as well as on personal insight from his years as a political insider, successful businessman, and decorated war hero, he discusses domestic issues--including the health care crisis, immigration, and Social Security and Medicare reform--and global climate change. He confronts foreign policy problems that the current administration has bungled or ignored, including China's growing economy; control of U.S. debt; India's and Pakistan's nuclear capabilities; and Iran's aggressive political, ideological, and nuclear stances. He decries the pervasive disease of third world poverty, arguing convincingly that this is where the real fight against terrorism must begin. Always true to the beliefs instilled in his childhood on the prairie, he speaks passionately about service--to one's country and to one's fellow citizens--as the path toward a renewed America. And, of course, he gives a candid examination of the debacle that is the Iraq War. [p] A staunch Republican yet a "hero to liberals"("Time"), Hagel asks the tough questions and delivers straight answers to America's most pressing problems. "America: Our Next Chapter" is a serious, honest, and, ultimately, optimistic look at our nation's future, from an American original Title Page 3 Dedication Page 4 Epigraph Page 5 Contents 7 Prologue: Where I Come From 11 Part One: Reintroducing America to the World 27 Chapter One: Lit by Lightning 29 Chapter Two: Iraq I: Reality, Illusion, and Politics 47 Chapter Three: Iraq II: Where was Congress? 63 Chapter Four: Fire in the Holy Land: Israel and the Arabs 77 Chapter Five: Ayatollahs, Blue Jeans, and Nukes: The Question of Iran 93 Chapter Six: China: A Seat at the Table 111 Chapter Seven: Optics: Seeing the World Through a Wider Lens 127 Chapter Eight: Terrorism Versus Tolerance 147 Chapter Nine: Who Speaks up for the Rifleman? 159 Chapter Ten: Our Sword and Shield 169 Part Two: Citizenship, Service, Democracy 183 Chapter Eleven: “Always Shoulder the Wheel” 185 Chapter Twelve: Crabs Or Prairie Dogs: Politics and Paralysis 201 Chapter Thirteen: Beyond Gridlock: A New Electoral Scenario? 215 Part Three: Sense and Dollars 223 Chapter Fourteen: Competitiveness: Staying in the Game 225 Chapter Fifteen: Entitled? 251 Part Four: Leadership 269 Chapter Sixteen: My Mount Rushmore 271 Acknowledgments 293 Index 297 About the Author 317 Credits 318 Copyright Notice 319 About the Publisher 320 Lit by lightening Iraq I : reality, illusion, and politics Iraq II : where was Congress? Fire in the Holy Land : Israel and the Arabs Ayatollahs, blue jeans, and nukes : the question of Iran China : the once and future superpower Optics : seeing the world through a wider lens Terrorism vs. tolerance Who speaks up for the rifleman? Our sword and shield "Always shoulder the wheel" Crabs or prairie dogs : politics and paralysis Beyond gridlock : a new electoral scenario? Competitiveness : staying in the game Entitled? Conclusion: Leadership My Mount Rushmore. This book comments on serious social, economic, political, historical, environmental and other issues which have tested our elected governments from both parties. It points out areas of Constitutional conflict, political inertia, selective law enforcement and others that pose a real peril to our republic.--publisher Shares plain-spoken opinions about the current state of American politics, discussing how the nation reached its present circumstances and what the author believes can be done to correct specific moral and economic problems Title from PDF title page (viewed on Mar. 29, 2008).