William Easterly

This is one of the great benefits of a Democratic administration as opposed to a Republican one. You now have a party in control that believes in education, competence, thinking, and transparency, as opposed to a party that thinks advanced education, thinking, and competence is elitist and un-American, a party that believes in cronyism, and using government to reward personal and party loyalty, and therefore is against transparency so that can be hidden from the public.

You also have a party that believes government has important roles, and therefore tries to do government well, and has studied hard to gain expertise in it, as opposed to a party that disdains government and so makes little, or no, effort to learn how to manage it well.

You're going to see a huge difference with the Democrats in control, as you saw the last time the Democrats had (moderate) control in the 90s.

I love Mr. Serlin's comment (just above) because with just a word change or two, it could apply to a "Republican ... Democratic one." That is why I voted for Ron Paul and why I count myself a Libertarian. As for "huge difference[s]" made by administrations of either party, they have only been to bring us ever higher levels of federal government spending.

Regarding the matter of foreign aid (will that be to or from the USA?): typically foreign aid has meant the transfer of taxpayer money to the government of other another country, guaranteeing that the money will spent to protect and promote that government. Rarely if ever are business plans part of the terms or implementation.

Richard H. Serlin writes: "You also have a party that believes government has important roles, and therefore tries to do government well, and has studied hard to gain expertise in it, as opposed to a party that disdains government and so makes little, or no, effort to learn how to manage it well."

Mr. Serlin, what evidence do you have that suggests government even has the capability of doing things well. I cannot name a single successful government program whereas I am able to quickly name several that are egregious failures. (Social Security = failing, Medicare/Medicaid = unsustainable. Government's monopoly on public education = declining achievement...)

Richard H. Serlin writes:

"You also have a party that believes government has important roles, and therefore tries to do government well, and has studied hard to gain expertise in it"

Charlie Rangle, Chris Dodd, Barney Frank & William J. Jefferson.

Please do not generalize...