Fixing America by William M. Taggart IV
It does not take a rocket scientist to see the current slow-motion breakdown in American politics, economics and society. But it just might take an engineer to assess the damage and data, propose solutions and show why open debate and dialogue are the real keys to making America great (again, or otherwise). And that is exactly what William M. Taggart IV, one of America’s top engineers, does in his provocative study Fixing America: An Engineer’s Solution to our Social, Cultural, and Political Problems (Emerald Books).
With more than thirty years’ experience analyzing and solving problems for America’s industries, Taggart offers sharp insights into the country’s hot button cultural and policy issues using a lens “based on facts, science and logic.” [2] From the outset, the reader understands that neither the political left or right is safe from his cutting analysis, as he dismisses policies based on ideology, emotion or belief. Indeed, it is this same emotional attachment to beliefs uncoupled from data and logic that preclude Americans from finding “a middle ground,” [xi] and instead closes off conversation and leads to the “demonization of those who don’t agree.” [3]
Razor-Sharp Analysis
It is this paralyzing stasis of discord and division that Taggart targets — sometimes ruthlessly — with an engineer’s scientific and data-driven eye. Bucketed into what he calls the “three fundamental aspects” [5] of the country — the government, the economy and society — Taggart outlines in sequential sections the policies that divide Americans most and pose the biggest dangers to America’s economic and political stability. Undergirding all of this is Taggart’s foundational principle of personal responsibility that pops up repeatedly in his policy prescriptions to cure what ails America.
Not surprisingly, the Culture War Issues section will surely touch nerves on both sides of the political spectrum; Taggart views these five (abortion, racism, immigration, guns and LGBTQ+) as “the emotional hot buttons” [46] in American society. His clinical approach to data and statistics around these topics can sometimes read a bit coldly, especially in the case of abortion, but the intent is not to upset people. It is to analyze all the data and project logical conclusions and solutions that invite dialogue between people on opposite sides of the issue.
“All Governments Have Failed at Micromanaging”
The rest of this dense, yet accessible treatise revolves around the many policy areas that need fixing: social, energy, welfare, economic and political. Each contains a subset of relevant topics such as education, healthcare, tort reform, oil, social security, voting laws, plus a bevvy more, replete with one-line takes that stick with the reader.
For example, in his analysis of the energy sector and whether the government should be involved in changing the basic economics of any industry, he argues “the government has done a horrible job in the past of trying to pick winners and losers,” [150] and indeed “all governments have failed at micromanaging.” [168] While he champions the market (“Capitalism tends to make the right choices” [168]), Taggart does not let the wealthy off the hook, either. He argues against the greed for money and power that corrupts politicians and social leaders:
“The wealthy can fret over ‘redistribution of wealth,’ but a little redistribution tends to preclude the revolution of wealth that has happened so many times. And America may be due for some redistribution.” [351]
What Feeds Into Society’s Dilemmas
Taggart’s acuity and breadth of vision is also impressive. He deftly traces interconnected elements that all feed into the larger dilemmas of society, such as affordable healthcare. In this case, he “reverse engineers” (pun intended) the problem all the way back to American monoculture farming [239] and its two areas of major impact, cheap beef and junk food:
“When corn-fed beef is combined with processed food there is plenty of data to show that these two factors, cheap corn-fed meat and ultra-processed foods, have contributed to America’s health problems.” [244]
He then traces how ultra-processed foods dominant in grocery stores, but especially those in “poor and low-income areas.” [245] Taggart discusses the complexities of federal farm subsidies that produce cheap corn and ties it to its result: cheap, but unhealthy food “that makes up too much of the American diet” [247] and increases the costs of healthcare for both the government and the people.
“Facts, Logic and an Understanding of the Consequences”
Taggart writes compellingly and most of his solutions ring true, although not every issue should throw out its “morality arguments” [42] in favor of “facts, logic and an understanding of the consequences,” [40] in this reader’s opinion. The reader might struggle with issues that illustrate Taggart’s crucial point throughout (that “two things can be opposite and true at the same time,”) [318] but he argues we must be open to compromise for solutions to succeed.
“Our path out of this crisis does not exist in hate or anger, or in one side winning. It exists in having discussion between all Americans and finding solutions … and it is that discussion that we are lacking, a discussion tempered with kindness and regard for the opposite side.” [360]Fixing America is a tonic of fresh insights, keen observations, and scintillating research for the millions of Americans desperate for that vanishing space called “the middle” … and a clarion call for its return to the body politic. Highly recommended.
William Taggart has over thirty years as a professional engineer in industry. He has travelled the world, building some of industry’s biggest projects and solving some of their thorniest problems. Now, he has applied analytical skills developed in industry, coupled with his natural inquisitiveness and thirst for creative solutions, to the problems of modern-day American politics. Seeking answers to questions many of us have been asking, he has focused his keen mind on researching these, and other big issues. He invites everyone to think about what America really needs.
