2017: Let's Pretend You've Never Been

Hello and Happy Christmas

Writing to you this year from Cheltenham via Avebury were in addition to the largest megalithic stone circle in the world the pagans were out in force playing drums and praying to stones it was in the local parlance(probably not)-massive! Topping off the trip, nearby Silbury Hill stands as the largest man-made mound in Europe comparative in height and volume to the roughly contemporary Egyptian pyramids-in England!

Speaking of piles of ummm dirt, 2017 was once again full of them in the news. Still despite the many backward, ill informed, neonationalist, greedy, intolerant, misogynist types in the world, plenty of progress was apparent. Even in Saudi Arabia, were in addition to other reforms, women can now drive cars by themselves-how 21st century! While the public policy response to the real eminent threats from climate related disasters like hurricanes, forest fires and drought serve as reminder that we are all sharing the same planet and need to do better to make it safer for ourselves and future generations.

The year in a few words:
A freshly minted teenager, Will is practically counting the days until he can drive. He’s a seriously extreme motoring enthusiast intent on plotting his education and career path toward a yet to be determined German manufacturer. If you have an interest, or can feign an interest, his parents would be much obliged to receive a holiday from the topic. Speaking of holidays he’s had quite a nice run with trips to Paris, Italy and an excellent visit to Chicago. Also, being able to spend an extended period of time with grandparents this year was pretty great too. Otherwise, a Grade 5 Cello Merit, progressing golf swing, basketball and rugby club playing, size 10 shoe wearing, giant hug giving, sometimes infuriating little man is happening! Bring on the pimples and braces! Hahahaha

Marian would like you all to know she turned 40! Seeing it in with characteristic style(now blonde in an improved effort to hide the grey), grace(yeah right) and homemade curry feast with friends. Otherwise she is our rock and very much appreciated at #52 Malling street.

Not to be outdone by Marian, I too turned 40 which considering I spent most of my youth uncertain I would ever make it this far feels pretty great! To top it off, I've finally won my fantasy football league and even get to play basketball twice a week if I like so happy days. It was great to go home and commune after an extended time with so many people I really miss and love to be with. A  few new paintings mostly variations on a theme due to my limited skill level. FunctionalFinance.org stands as a clarifying beacon of understanding in a sea of false economic narratives and encourage you to like it on your favourite social media outlet. I was keen to find a single destination to access my favourite economists blogs so developed Ur-Text-a destination for other postgraduate enthusiasts or hobbyists to access their academic topic of interest by consolidating feeds from a host of popular sites and blogs. Very much a work in progress at the moment, building websites is new to me, but check it out for anything possibly of interest.

Music
At Marian’s most recent choir concert with the London Philharmonic, following some spectacular trumpeting, a long time love affair with the trumpet was finally realised. If you have any recommendations for trumpet based bands do let me know. Otherwise, Tube + Berger particularly Introluction is highly recommended. More Perfect, Sam Harris, Hidden Brain and many more make up a stellar roster of quality podcasts. But yes Tube + Berger will make reading this all worth it...

Person of the Year

No doubt buoyed by my ringing endorsement as people of the year last year, in 2017 women well and truly announced the end of the status quo. Whether the global Women's March on January 22 or the #metoo movement take a moment to acknowledge the long, painful, uncomfortable march to extinguish misogyny in our culture and applaud these efforts.

Since this section has developed into more of a forecast, I am hopeful the rumbling
Youthquake, Oxford dictionaries word of the year, awakens more of those voices(+ votes) necessary to push our politics away from desperately divisive, exclusionary and short sighted policies manifested in 2017 dead enders- I mean headliners. If we're to avoid war or improved representation  in places like the US and Russia in 2018 they may be decisive.

Well, the good news is we've made it through 2017 and hope you're enjoying a much deserved break in anticipation of a positive, healthy and productive 2018.

Big Love,

Bryan, Marian and Will

2016: Pushing the Boat Out?

Ho Ho Hello,

Wishing you and yours a Happy Christmas and healthy new year. We’re spending the day at home in Lewes with our most splendid tree, carefully prepared menu of culinary delights, and special guests.

As the calendar comes to the end of a year marked by important national races with uncertain, destabilising outcomes here’s a roundup to bend your ear and provide some cheer. While prospects for 2017 aren’t exactly an empty canvas we can still paint what we like to make it beautiful so let’s do it.

The year in a few words:

Will, now 12, is back on the bottom of the pile in his first year of jacket, tie and carefully manicured hair secondary school. Highlights include a Distinction on his Grade 4 Cello exam, day out at Goodwood Festival of Speed and Mercedes driving experience for his birthday reaching a top speed of 35 mph and third gear. A Segway entered his life this summer and forever changed how he interacts with the outdoors. These days he prefers communicating in German, wears hilariously big shoes and has settled on studying engineering as an outlet for his automotive enthusiasm.

Marian was selected to join the Brighton Festival Chorus performing alongside the Brighton Symphony and London Philharmonic this autumn. Attending concerts have made for some memorable days out for everybody and a wonderful outlet for her musical affections. She continues to do incredibly well in her work managing a  flight of stairs commute or campervan mobile office(he says jealously).

I’ve not much to say for myself really. Despite the reactionary movements apparent in Brexit and Trumpworld, the practical limitations and hypocrisy of the ideologies they represent will no doubt prove disqualifying in practice. While we’re still pushing the functional finance framework and progress is slow, the limitations of orthodox policy continue to manifest with solutions in our direction. Otherwise, managed two paintings this year for a change of visual stimulation around the house.

Music

Now I know what you're thinking. How can a year full of fantastic new albums from Andrew Bird, Radiohead, Wilco, et al be all bad? And you are right music continues to be a beautifully redeeming reason not to give up on society and culture even in a largely Radio 1,X Factor-televised talentless autotuned world.

Person of the Year

That “surreal” topped the Merriam-Webster word of the year list pretty much says it all about 2016.

For me, in part due to the nomination of the first female Presidential candidate from a major party in the US, I was constantly reminded of the increasing leadership positions held by women around the world. There are now 26 female heads of state, not including the queen, with many other policy makers such as Janet Yellen, Christine Lagarde and Elisabeth Warren and many others prominent in their fields as well. A positive, perhaps timely, development that is worthy of note and praise. Even though the most privileged group in the history of the world, the white American male, had a hissy fit and gave us Trumpism  the continued march of equality and civil rights will persevere. If you’re not convinced here are 99 reasons 2016 was pretty good and to be optimistic.

Well, all that's left to say now is Peace and Love to you all the best from us,

Bryan, Marian and Will

2015: On To Some Good Things

Hello and Happy Christmas,

Writing to indulge you in our yearly happenings and sending our love to you and yours at this most celebratory time of year.  We're in Perth, Western Australia where the cloudless skies and cool refreshing water provide a welcome reprieve and beautifully relaxing end to a pretty good year.  

On to the year in a few words:

William, now 11, is in his last year of primary school! As such he wears many hats: car aficionado, conscientious school council member, music, table tennis and drama club participant and still reigning chief of the contagious laugh. He and Marian continue to make beautiful music with their cello’s passing grade 2 after just one year. We had a proud parental moment when he finished first in a solo competition and is now on to prep for grade 4 exam. Apparently my parental input consists of reminding him of Ned Flanders-an opening I have willingly exploited for maximum embarrassment with great pleasure. hahaha!

This letter marks the only time all year I get to speak for Marian so let me take full advantage to say it continues to bring me great pleasure to see her enjoy and succeed in her work. When she isn’t culinarily scheming or making the finest cup of coffee based deliciousness you’ve ever had….she’s pretty great and especially pleased to see her family and close friend here.

As for me, I’m especially pleased to get off the British Isles for the first time in almost 5 years and basking in the break from the norm. Also, after years of trying to work out how the financial crisis of 2008 happened, mostly profligate banks creating too much money, I’ve set up a campaign FunctionalFinance.Org to raise awareness and promote a more balanced approach to managing money and the economy. A few things in the works for the new year otherwise early days but nicely occupying. Otherwise, apart from some sunburn on my feet at the moment no major injuries from athletic pursuits so that’s a bonus.

Finally, Gandalf the Gray cat arrived thru the cat flap some time this year and has managed to stay and eat while avoiding contact with us as much as possible.

Music

The beautiful music and violin of Andrew Bird has been a wonderful close companion this year. Especially in those moments when I pine for that place I used to call home his Pulaski at Night fills my cup of nostalgia. Many good albums another song taster is Danse Caribe. Otherwise,

my close musical proximity to brass instruments from an early age provides easy affinity for bands like Beirut...more trumpet!

Person of the Year

With all the monsters and mayhem about it's notable that the leadership of Germany and Chancellor Angela Merkel stand out. While the rest of the western world grapples terribly with the mess we made in the middle east, her country's mercy and compassion to those in need is a reminder that we can and should do better.

Well, that's all from us except to say big love and a cheeky back to the pool. All the best for a healthy and happy 2016!

Peace and Love

Bryan, Marian and Will

2014: We Hardly Knew You

Ho HO Hello

It’s that time of year again wishing you and your people a merry Christmas and all the best for a happy and healthy new year.  Here with some of our whereabouts and what not for the year.  Writing to you from Shipston on Stour, deep in the horsey heart of the Cotswolds, where the yellow Jurassic Limestone houses and classic country living make for a nice change from our busy Lewes lives. We’ve already taken in our pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, at the Oxford Playhouse, and Christmas Eve movie, The Hobbit, with the pleasure of being with some good people(+food) we're feeling pretty blessed.

The Year in as few words as possible:

Following on Marian and Rosie’s inspiration William, now 10, has picked up the cello.  With a great deal of support from his mom is now making some beautiful music that we’re always glad to hear. He’s pretty good and this activity looks to be sticking so we’re pleased for that and with group session, lessons and pending Grade 2 examination all keeping him keen we’re hopeful he’ll move on to orchestra in the next couple of years. Otherwise, he’s preoccupied with cars, chocolate, joking around, stealing time to play whatever game he can get his hands on and loving his parents;).  

Marian is doing it “proper like” in the VO booth and continues to progress in her craft all while taking good care of us and anyone else who walks in the door.  

After just one go, I’ve suffered a career ending foot golf injury, which was probably for the best but has been a major downer and kept me on the sidelines of my usual physical activities for a while. Otherwise, we’ve had a good year at Light Foot LED and pleased that our now 4 yr old business is continuing to progress nicely with the technology.  

We've 2 new additions to the family this year:

Precious, the VW T25 autosleeper campervan, Marian's long sought after weekender, holiday maker and mobile editing office.  She's been good to us so far on a couple of trips to the west country, as Sunday walk drinks support vehicle and mobile beach hut.  A vision of serenity with us packed in, usually Marian deftly manages the oversized steering wheel while looking a picture of happiness.  William, following their summers trip to Dorset, has developed into a keen navigator/ blind spot checker, and sits shotgun.  Leaving me to enjoy the leg room and brilliantly contented view as we roll on down the road at whatever max speed momentum allows.  An absolute laugh!

Our second new addition Juno, the cat. Minus her aversion to interaction with people and Will's previously unknown allergy to her has been.....better than our last cat who we took in pregnant and gave birth to 8 babies the next day so that's been positive...

Other indulgences

Music?

For years I've neglected music for the quality podcast content supplied by NPR stations around the country so it has been a result and brilliant office distraction to find something new to listen to besides, Marian would say, economists on YouTube.

Still not claiming to be a connoisseur of fresh beats, none of these are even new albums, but still people I’ve been keen on:

Toro Y Moi is a great talent and especially like Rose Quartz.  

Caribou so many great tracks to recommend mostly the whole Swim album but tasters Can’t do without you,  Odessa , Our Love, Sun….if I could this would be the music I would love to make.

Sebastien Tellier - La Ritounelle extended version really nice.  Boy Genius Flume, Flume again and Tycho Tycho again for running the streets  

Finally, this little beauty from Neutral Milk Hotel for when you need it.  It feels inappropriate for a music list to occur without note of my favourite track, of late, from the people doing it best.  So Staircase and this.

Only one painting this year :{, kind of got stuck after the Venus' and working on some other stuff but resolving to at least double my output!

The Plight of Man (Prisoners Dilemma)

2014 Person of the Year: Elon Musk

Ebola is a big deal and those at the forefront of stemming the spread are worthy of note. However, here we like to look forward, acknowledge those who are upsetting the apple cart and providing for positive change.  Elon Musk tops the list revolutionising 3 important sectors of the economy with battery storage next up a pretty awesome effort.

Well, that’s all for us. As always thanks for taking the time to drop in to our lives with a few words of encouragement to have a go as well, I would love to read it. So Merry Christmas! Turn up the christmas tunes and enjoy Arthur Christmas if you’re looking for a classic holiday tale.

Peace and Love,

Bryan, Marian & William

Feel the Christmas Love 2013!

Ho Ho Ho,

Happy Christmas and so long 2013! Well, its that time of year again when its cold, days are short, the year is coming to a close and we seek the shelter, warmth and love of family and friends.  If you’re reading this we send big love, hugs, kisses and wishes that you find loads of Lindt balls in your stockings.  Writing this year from Lewes, for the first time, where we are spending our first Christmas at home with special guest, Oma, visiting enroute to Paris to celebrate a special birthday with Tante Willy and seeking respite from the deep midwestern chill-for 6 weeks anyway.  

Before we start on the updates and other nonsense know this, apparently if you’re reading this before dinner on Christmas Day you’ve already eaten your daily calorie intake and will start the New Year some 6 lbs heavier, you pig!   Who cares? Not me, feast and watch football all day anyway but maybe take a walk as well, a nap if you can manage and your favourite Christmas movie.  As always we recommend Elf.

Cutting to the chase:

William, now 9 as of December 4, celebrated a meticulously planned and hugely anticipated sleepover/birthday party with 7 friends, an indoor tent/fort and the mother of all birthday cakes.   At school he’s in Year 4, a Lemon Lobster, meaning more homework and additional after school clubs including outdoor, table tennis and gardening.  These in addition to choir, drama, swimming and field hockey(ish) keep him out of trouble.  But still unwilling to go to sleep when we tell him.  Otherwise, parents and child are both awkwardly, fumbling with our little guy getting older.  While he’s still a Santa believer, shortly after his birthday he told me that he doesn’t want putting to bed anymore because”You know if you’re still doing it when I’m like 20....”  Couldn’t refuse that logic so I offered to go but “Maybe we’ll start tomorrow” has turned into weeks.  Though now we just read quietly to ourselves.  I fear with time inevitably flying by we’re going to start to lose our little man but until he stops grabbing my hand when we walk down the street, I’m not going to stop taking it.    

Marian continues to stimulate ear drums in the audiobook world and will soon be an Audible Approved Producer hopefully opening the door to more lucrative and she would eagerly add higher quality material to choose from for your listening pleasure.  We’ve upgraded her equipment this year and have a giant steel box, professional VO booth, in the house so that’s been really fun.  Otherwise, dreams of a doggy companion for walks on the downs and a campervan occupy the rest of her time.    

    

I have spent the last 9 months in UK immigration bureaucratic limbo but expect 2014 will provide for a result and the ability to leave the island.  Managed to randomly join a basketball league playing for the Lewes Wanderers. Attempting to show the 20 somethings how its done led to a sprained MCL just in time for “league” commitment to start so that was fortunate.  Anyway, this year I’ve resolved to raise my game in the kitchen and  cook more or at least cut my vegetables correctly to complement my already legendary eating and cleaning up skills and learning html.

This year marked the passing of two giant patriarchs; my grandfather, Jacob Van Namen, who was truly one of a kind and impacted my life, and many others, profoundly-an incredible, legendary man.   The other and more recent freedom fighter, Nelson Mandela, whose story is remarkably redemptive in its place and time but fear will never be repeated, regrettably.

Its also been almost a year since we lost Julia, Marian’s brother’s partner and William’s much loved Auntie, who we continue to miss for her brilliant sense of humor, contagious laugh, unforgettable smile and special way with Will.

Finally, for our annual Person of the Year, Time Magazine was not far off the mark in selecting rebel  humanist Pope Francis.  However, its first in the shortlist, Edward Snowden, is my pick for  lifting the lid on the reality of the modern security state in the aftermath of the war on terror.  His actions took conviction and ethical clarity that highlights the cowardice of those public servants who knew and failed to correctly maintain the rights of citizens. Both represent a rebalancing, blowback from previous choices, shaking up consensus to raise questions about the direction of society.  Which has inspired this years theme of rebalancing that has filled my thoughts and inspires hope against the struggle with powerful, institutional authority common throughout modernity.  Hope that in the face of seemingly overwhelming obstacles or lethargy people can make a difference.  I’m all in for that and expect more to come in 2014!  Which is why while exempting all Chicago sports teams, I’m deeming 2014: This Is The Year! What that means is up to you.

Now that I’ve properly made a mess of this letter and strayed far enough from its purpose without hope that you’ll ever read an entry again all that is left to say is goodbye.  As always, if you’re ever in this part of the world do come knock on our door, we’ll probably let you in.  All the best for a happy and healthy 2014.

Big Love & all the best,

Bryan, Marian and William

Err Christmas Letter 2012

Greetings,

Well, it’s that time of year again to travel near and far, give and receive thoughtfully planned & anticipated gifts, eat too much, watch Elf, take pause on what the year has wrought, possibly write it down and bother everyone you know with having to read it.

This year we’ve traveled from Lewes to Mutley Farm outside Bridgnorth, Shropshire where the ground is saturated, the roads flooded, the smell of cows and their activities as close as they've ever been outdoors, the wifi nonexistent, 3G only available close to my corner of the bed(relief), the board games in ready supply and the isolation, beauty of the barren oak trees and rolling countryside terrific.  Our thoughts as always, go out to everyone we love but could not be near and hope that you ate half as good as I’ve done in the last week-in which case you’ve made out alright.

I’m feeling marginally less like a stranger in a strange land these days, as much as that is possible for me, but still manage to marvel at every picturesque small town, stately home, barn conversion and Marian would add solar panel installation we pass along the endlessly winding, incredibly narrow hedged roads ripe for exploration.  All serving as daily reminder of how far from home I am.   In the workplace, I’ve managed a promotion now with a fancy title and continue to enjoy the work, people and places along the way.  Otherwise, following the fascinating, to me, conversation regarding the nature of money and the political, economic system.  Apparently, we're called monetary policy obsessives, which is accurate, except unlike the ends which supplied the crash of 2008 we're conscious of the need for public goods and sustainable growth.   Finally, when the spirit or sanity moves me writing and wondering over paintings to hang in the study or around the house when clearance is provided.

Marian has had a great run now working on her fourth audiobook and is hot on the trail of a campervan for weekend excursions to some fossil hunting site or day trips to a beautiful spot to do some editing.  And a food processor for all the resulting wonderful food and perfection.

William, now 8, is progressing well in his studies and acting as every 8 year old is expected with hilarity and increasing independence.  He was fortunate to spend his birthday at one of his favorite places, the British Museum, escorting around and communicating his knowledge to some of his favorite people, his grandparents, all in attendance for the big day.  Otherwise, he spends his time developing plans for his club, no name that I can think of, tediously drawing up their road trips around the world, modes of transportation and places to see.  Christmas came early this year when Marian’s Uncle, Brian, left us with his metal detector, previously top of the list from Santa, so watch ought lost Lewes horde we’re coming for you. 

In addition to this letter I've also taken to end of the year to formulating some conclusive end of year thoughts-what the year has brought us: themes and people.  No surprise money and debt continue to enter into the lexicon in new linguistic forms with catchy phrases like "Fiscal Cliff" and "Euro Crisis".  From my glimpses around the world to destinations I know well another tie that binds is "Whether Weather" with increasing drought conditions(Australia and Chicago) and severe flooding(North & Western England) weather will no doubt continue to reshape how we live and hopefully adjust our behaviour.  Finally, failing Time Magazine & Nobel committees failure to affectively highlight people for the year I'm nominating Bill & Melinda Gates and their foundation work-Nobel Peace Prizes will come soon to these NGO's who do what governments cannot.  As for Time,  when you juxtapose a decade of boots on the ground occupation style, quagmire warfare with the obviously debatable but still effective activity of drone planes.  This was no doubt the year of the drone.  The real debate hasn't come and who knows when it will but drones are here and proving to be an incredibly transformative technology.

Alright enough of that.  All that is left is for us is to send our love and best wishes for a healthy and enjoyable 2013 and a blanket this will definitely not be the year for any Chicago sports teams. 

Nostalgia Politics Redux

Exiting the party conventions, the theme guiding both Republican and Democratic strategies aims to highlight past electoral glory.  Not surprisingly, how far back each party would have you selectively remember is variable requiring additional research for many of today’s young voters.   Still viewing the 2012 narratives through the nostalgia filter-reminding the public when they were strong and the people concurred with their leadership is the horse race, marketing campaign we’re watching through November.  

So it’s fair to say that the GOP, in an effort to garner credibility for its current flock of candidates and policy proposals, have attempted an 80’s nostalgia tour doubling as party platform.  Unwilling to rehash the achievements and legacies of the two most recent Republican Presidents for different reasons, we’re back congressing with the Republican party of the early 80’s in the hopes they might forget the space in between. 

Why so far back to find a narrative tune the American people could sing along with?
What about the Bush’s?  

Well, not surprisingly George W is easy, though not most importantly, because of the horrid mess he left behind and the hang over type symptoms he conjures up for the American people.  More importantly because the GW era operated with all the current major figures in the party, outside of Mr Romney himself, as footman. Add to that the clearly failed policies and ineffective management of the public purpose and deficit busting cronyism and you have the modern Republican party.  Four years ago it might have been said that’s not the lipstick they’ve decided to put on the pig.  Sorry George don’t wait for an invite to the big party in Florida.

Similarly, George HW’s whose policies were too reasonable and his time in office not filled with the winner take all, no compromises tinder that the base needs to get fired up.  Besides we didn't like what his lips ended up saying so rewind some more.

So when fear of national security threats will not do, we're left with rehashing Reagan’s iconic question to focus the mind.  So they declared: Are you better off than you were 4 years ago?  And with policies that similarly line up with Cold War priorities including tax cuts for high income earners and high levels of budget busting, inefficient military spending to boost the economy without it actually being defined as “stimulus”.  No doubt cover for the corporate socialism James K Galbraith has been highlighting for years.  Sprinkle in some social conservatism to keep the party together and most definitely continued profiteering from the mechanism established by the social safety net for the libertarians and you’ve got a party platform.

But of course this effort at nostalgia politics is not limited just to the Republicans.  Democrats too are keen to conjure up the past as cover to minimize the damage caused by a lack of progress on the still outstanding first term issues.  So looking back, not quite as far, to another set of policies that they claim as high water for budget surplus, job creating and balanced leadership.  Never mind the recession that ended it or the rising inequality and the financialisation of society that marked the dawn of the 2000's.  Instead evidence here the impassioned, hour long speech by democratic icon Bill Clinton whose legacy has proven considerably more useful to his party than the others.  Similarly, evidence the 2012 Democratic Party platform that while containing new elements of social progressivism not thought possible even in the heady 90’s are similarly balanced in the way the Clinton Administration managed the country. 

So for all the hype surrounding financial re-regulation the Obama Administration acts in much the same manner as that of Clinton’s, indeed utilizing many of the individuals that managed the deregulation and budgetary policies of his era.    Unfortunately, without the "New Economy" cheer leading Bubba & Co were so good at in whipping up fervour for the next big economic engine for the markets to become irrationally exuberant over.  Of course, we could have used that tact to provide the engine for investment to solve actual public policy concerns and to develop technologies while supporting an alternative recovery to strict monetary policy inducements we're currently stuck with.  Direct loan guarantees and the "picking winners" narrative substituted for high powered(and advertised) financial incentive to generate energy and aid in efforts toward energy independence.  This effort toward energy security has a secondary benefit in buffering against what is usually the likely precursor to the next dip, energy cost shocks.

Still the structural nature of this nostalgia tour effort for both parties is reasonable.  People are conservative by nature especially in times of crisis which we surely still suffer.   However, that doesn’t mean real leadership requiring sometimes comparative perspective and solutions on the crisis aren’t warranted or demanded by the public regardless of where they originate.  They might also serve to bulster the argument for your policy decisions in the face of domestic objections, fyi to anyone in the Obama administration because you've failed in this effort. 

But where should the two major political parties in the self-proclaimed greatest nation on earth look to for comparative solutions?  What do we mean by solutions?

The fact that governments pursue different paths or adjust at different times to the range of policy questions is the first stopping point.  In the same way that national priorities and historical social norms differ, so policy is addressed at different times and ways.  The opportunities surrounding all matters of public discourse, what works, what doesn't and crucially the best practices of public policy and purpose need to be properly understood by policy makers as a history of global development.  What's the most efficient and cost effective way of providing for steady long term stablility?

Fortunately, the financial crisis despite efforts to get everyone to walk in lock step with the banks provides some important comparative findings to prove historically significant.  For example, Icelands response to debt relative to Irelands.  Or the US vs European Union relative austerity vs stimulus in the midst of a depressed economy supporting member states.  German Labor Policy, South Korean & Chinese state support for infant industries and Scandinavian nations management of natural resources.
The opportunities surrounding all matters of public policy from equipping a work force for a globalized world to healthcare, energy independence and every space in between.  Our accumulated knowledge are the building blocks of humanity and continuing to harness that in the face of nostalgia politics will provide the real solutions that citizens require.