Beyond Labels

A 360° Discussion of Foreign, National and Local Policy Issues

Scott Miller

For Monday, July 30: Healthcare

July 29, 2018
0 Comments

Tomorrow’s topic will be healthcare in America–again.

Many Beyond Labels attendees appear to support “Medicare for All” in Maine or across the U.S. Is this the answer to our healthcare issues? Does Medicare “work?” Is it financially sustainable as configured, or is it a transfer of wealth from future generations to current Medicare beneficiaries? We’ve discussed this topic many times in the past, bot as the formal topic and informally in conjunction with other topics.

REMINDER: We meet in the Bass Room tomorrow.

For Jul 23: The Proper Role of Government

July 23, 2018
1 Comment

We’ll explore what “services” should properly be provided by government and which should be provided elsewhere—by the private sector, by charitable organizations, by individual households.

Most important to the “what” will, of course, be the “why” (this and not that)and “how” (to deliver it—to whom, and to pay for it.

We should also consider, within “government” how it’s role should be divided between Federal, State, County and Town governments.

Here’s an op-ed from today’s Post that I think provides some relative context to the discussion—though it’s not strictly on-topic.

For Monday, July 16: Russia, Trump and Europe

July 12, 2018
1 Comment

President Trump’s travels to Europe to see our NATO allies and UK Prime Minister May before meeting Vladimir Putin, provide us with an opportunity to take a closer look at Russia:

US/Russia Relations

  • Friend, foe or something else (like Trump’s “competitor”) to the U.S.?
  • How much of a risk to the U.S. is Russia? Does Russia have the wherewithal to be more than an “irritant” to the U.S.?
  • Are there areas in which the two countries should continue (or expand) cooperation–e.g., sharing intelligence on terrorist activities–or should we become more adversarial?
  • What is the best strategy to get Russia “back in line” vis-a-vis issues such as Ukraine, Crimea, Georgia, Syria, election meddling, etc.?
  • If you were advising Trump (or, Hillary Clinton if you can’t imagine advising The Donald) prior to the Putin meeting, what would be your advice?

NATO-Europe/Russia Relations

  • To what degree are NATO’s actions provocative to Russia?
  • Do Putin’s policies reflect broad Russian themes or do Russian policies revolve around Putin (i.e., subject to change when he’s no longer in power)?
  • Given their proximity to Russia, how should the Europeans deal with Russia on a commercial basis? To what degree should politics (and defense interests) influence these commercial relationships (i.e., natural gas imports to Europe, export of “strategic” machinery or other goods to Russia)?

I’m sure we’ll find lots to talk about on Monday. If you’d like to get started “studying” early, here’s a NYT op-ed piece published today.

 

  • Subscribe via Email

    Receive email notification of new posts/announcements about our weekly meeting.

    Join 244 other subscribers

  • Recent Posts

  • Recent Comments

    • Copyright © 2013-2025 D. Scott Miller