Society glorifies independence, but author Alyssa Quart argues that being "gracefully needy" is a crucial skill. Recognizing our interdependence and asking for help with dignity is a form of strength and social engagement, not a weakness to be stigmatized.
Centrist policies don't have to be boring. By framing sensible, evidence-based ideas as "radical," moderates can capture public imagination and compete with the loud fringes of the political spectrum, making effective governance more appealing and electorally viable.
The concept of being "self-made" is a fallacy that promotes isolating individualism. According to author Alyssa Quart, it causes successful people to deny their support systems and leads those struggling to internalize self-blame, ignoring the systemic factors that shape their circumstances.
While seemingly positive, reliance on crowdfunding and volunteer efforts for basic needs like healthcare creates what author Alyssa Quart calls a "dystopian social safety net." These initiatives are a sign of societal and governmental failure, not a sustainable solution for systemic problems.
Using a shipbuilding analogy, Oliver Libby argues that a nation's stability—its ability to right itself after being pushed to extremes—is not guaranteed. This "righting moment" requires constant effort from its citizens, challenging the passive patriotism that assumes the country will always be okay.
To improve federal efficiency beyond partisan politics, Oliver Libby proposes creating a Chief Operating Officer for the U.S. government. Modeled after the long-term, cross-administration tenure of the Fed Chair, this role would focus on making government work better for citizens regardless of who is in power.
A centrist solution to high drug prices involves combining ideas from both political aisles. Oliver Libby suggests allowing Medicare to negotiate prices (a left-leaning idea) while also extending patent life for drug companies (a right-leaning idea), thus lowering costs without killing the incentive for innovation.