What Comes Next: The End of Big Government--And the New Paradigm Ahead

A policy adviser in the Bush White House, syndicated Newsday columnist Pinkerton here presents a slashing primer on downsizing government in a cybernetic jargon that many readers may find annoying. He admonishes Democrats to rethink their faith in redistributive bureaucracy, while Republicans are urged to abandon ultranationalism and hostility to homosexuals and ethnic minorities. Pinkerton advocates contracting out government services to private firms, creation of a new Civilian Conservation Corps, cuts in Social Security and Medicare. As for tax reform, he suggests either a flat tax on income or a consumption-only tax, with no taxes on monies saved and invested. He also proposes a decentralized health-care system featuring tax-favored IRAs, which people would use to pay for insurance coverage, and a school-voucher system whereby parents get cash grants to spend as they choose on their children's public or private education. Many of his proposals seem palliative, expensive or unworkable. (Oct.)