Think2040 Curriculum Final
- 1. America today, how we got here, and where we can go next.
- 2. America today: the status quoSnapshot: 2010“Only a foolish optimist……can deny the stark realities …of the moment.” –FDR
- 3. Snapshot: Wage Stagnation Workers were left behind. Since the 1970’s and 1980’s, wagesstagnated.Which used to closely track productivitySource: Economic Policy Institute
- 4. Snapshot: Union DemographicsYounger workers are unionizedat much lower rates than past generations. Younger workers are unionized at much lower rates than past generations. It looks like sooner than later, unions will be phased out. ^ Bureau of Labor Statistics (January 28, 2009).
- 5. Snapshot: Housing BubbleThe Housing Bubble amounted to a wealth bubbleMillions of Americans made financial choices based on assets that later evaporated.
- 6. Increasing education access has been one of the great progressive achievements of the 20th Century in America.Snapshot: Mass Education in AmericaAmerica.20th Century achievements of progressivehas been one of the great Increasing education access
- 7. Snapshot: Student AidSince 1980Loan aid has replaced grant aid as the dominant form of financial aid
- 8. By 2050, Health Care Programs Will Dominate Federal Spending+ 192.7% + 0.6%
- 9. Quality of Care Lags While Costs Rise.The US spends 16% of GDP on Health Care. Yet the WHO ranks the US 37th worldwide in health care quality.That's 60% more than Canada and 100% more than Japan. United StatesUnited StatesJapanCanada Canada Japan10%16%37308%1016%
- 10. Our Place in the World: Foreign Aid41%of Americans believe that Foreign Aid is one of the government’s top two expenditures. In fact, the US government spends less than 1% of its budget on Foreign Aid.
- 11. DiversitySnapshot: Ethnic DemographicsU.S. is on track to become majority non-White
- 12. America’s WealthThe richest 1/5 of the populationowns more than 80% of America’s wealth.
- 13. Social Security is a big part of even the wealthiest American’s retirement. everythingSnapshot: How Americans RetireBut for lower income Americans, it’s almost…Lower-income Americans depend on social security for their retirement
- 14. Snapshot: Social Security AssetsWithout reforms to the current system’s finances or rules, Social Security will begin to run a deficit in 2038.Under current rules, Social Security is funded through 2038, but runs a deficit thereafter200820232038205320682083
- 15. People in the 80’s had values and outcomes in mind too—and they acted on them. How did we get here? “Our true destiny is not to be ministered unto…but to minister to ourselves…to our fellow men.”
- 16. Union Membership in the US12%23%1980 2010
- 17. America Powers Itself on Fossils1980 2010Fossil FuelsRenewable EnergyNuclear Energy89%7%4%84%7%9%
- 18. Renewables Stagnate, Nuclear Grows
- 19. Dramatic Growth in Public Debt1980 201061%of GDP28%of GDP
- 20. The Growing Wage GapWage Inequality Percentage Increase in Income between 1979 and 2006
- 21. Social Security: Who Benefits?12%Survivors17% Disabled69% Retirees
- 22. How do we protect American workers, while preserving our tradition of openness?What are the challenges ahead?How do we rein in the exploding cost of health care?How do we create sustainable, thriving urban centers?How do we rebuild our tradition of stable homeownership?How do we ensure regular people have a powerful voice?How can we tackle global warming, on a global scale?What kind of safety net do we want?Will we restore America’s social mobility?Can we reverse decades of urban and rural poverty?It’s your choice. Decide.What is the future of energy in America?What is the role of the US in a changing world?
- 23. How do you inherit the 2040 you envisioned from where we are now? Where do you want to go? “They only know the rules of a generation of self-seekers. They have no vision, and when there is no vision the people perish
Editor's Notes
- #5: ▪ Age 16 - 24 - 5.0% ▪ 25 - 34 - 10.7% ▪ 35 - 44 - 13.4% ▪ 45 - 54 - 16.0% ▪ 55 - 64 - 16.6% ▪ 65 and over - 9.0%