Upon leaving the Constitutional Convention, Benjamin Franklin was asked what sort of government the delegates had created. His reply to the crowd: "A republic, if you can keep it." Now American governor, Mitch Daniels, explains just how close we've come to losing the republic, and how we can restore it to greatness.
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Event Details
Publisher's Book Summary:
Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels has brought more change to his state in a few years than most see in decades. During his tenure, Daniels turned a $700 million deficit into a billion dollar surplus, balanced Indiana's budget even during the recession, and converted its once unattractive business climate into one of the strongest for private sector job growth.
The Hoosier state is one model of efficient governance. Its public sector payroll is now the smallest per capita in the nation. And yet services have improved across the board. Even its Bureau of Motor Vehicles -- the ultimate symbol of dysfunctional bureaucracy - has been rated the best in the country.
Daniels has done this by focusing on government's core responsibilities, cutting taxes, empowering citizens, and performing what he calls an "old tribal ritual" - spending less money than his state takes in, while distinguishing between skepticism towards big government and hostility towards all government.
Unfortunately few politicians have the discipline or courage to follow his lead. And worse, many assume that Americans are too intimidated, gullible or dim-witted to make wise decisions about their health care, mortgages, the education of their kids, and other important issues. The result has been a steady decline in freedom, as elite government experts -- "our benevolent betters", in Daniels' phrase -- try to regulate every aspect of our lives.
Daniels bluntly calls our exploding national debt "a survival-level threat to the America we have known." He shows how our underperforming public schools have produced a workforce unprepared to compete with those of other countries and ignorant of the requirements of citizenship in a free society. He lays out the risk of greatly diminished long term prosperity and the loss of our position of world leadership. He warns that we may lose the uniquely American promise of upward mobility for all.
But, the good news is that it's not too late to save America. However, real change can't be imposed from above. It has to be what he calls "change that believes in you" -- a belief that Americans, properly informed of the facts, will pull together to make the necessary changes and that they are best- equipped to make the decisions governing their own lives. As he puts it:
"I urge great care not to drift into a loss of faith in the American people. We must never yield to the self-fulfilling despair that these problems are immutable, or insurmountable. Americans are still a people born to liberty. Addressed as free-born, autonomous men and women of God-given dignity, they will rise yet again to drive back a mortal enemy."
Registration
Register Online
Advanced registration is required by Friday, September 30th. Book is not included but will be available for sale at the event.
Deadline: 9/30/2011
Program
11:30 AM-1:00 PM: Luncheon followed by author presentation and Q&A
Speaker Profiles
Mitchell E. Daniels Jr. (Speaker)
Governor, Indiana
Mitchell E. Daniels Jr. was elected as the 49th governor of the State of Indiana in 2004, in his first bid for any elected office. His new book, Keeping the Republic: Saving America by Trusting Americans, explains just how close we are to losing our republic, and how we can restore it to greatness. Governor Daniels came from a successful career in business and government, holding numerous top management positions in both the private and public sectors. His work as CEO of the Hudson Institute and president of Eli Lilly and Company's North American pharmaceutical operations taught him the business skills he brings to state government. He was also chief of staff to Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), senior adviser to President Ronald Reagan, and director of the Office of Management and Budget under President George W. Bush. During his first term in Indiana, Governor Daniels spearheaded a host of reforms aimed at improving the performance of state government. These changes and a strong emphasis on performance measurement have led many state agencies—including the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Child Services, and the Department of Correction—to win national awards. Governor Daniels was reelected in 2008 to a second and final term, receiving more votes than any candidate for any public office in the state's history.
Questions
Dana Damyen, '02
Principal, TwoRoads Solutions
312.912.5931
Other Information
Business or business casual attire required. The Union League Club does not allow jeans.