“What does equal opportunity and a decent life in America
mean?” asks author and syndicated columnist Matthew
Miller.
Miller will speak at UCLA today to discuss how changing the U.S.
government could bring “a decent life” within the grasp
of all Americans.
In his first book, “The 2 Percent Solution: Fixing
America’s Problems in Ways Liberals and Conservatives Can
Love,” Miller writes that for 2 cents on the national dollar,
all people can have health care and earn a living wage, politicians
can work for real progress, and the poorest children can attend
good schools with dedicated teachers.
Miller believes poverty and inadequate medical coverage are
among the nation’s worst ailments.
He also advocates a shift in government spending that would
redirect $220 billion a year away from areas like corporate welfare
subsidies and bureaucratic programs to help the poor and instead
use the money for direct wage supplements and school
facilities.
This money represents 2 percent of our $11 trillion gross
domestic product, hence Miller’s “2 percent
solution.”
Miller contributed to The Atlantic Monthly, The New Republic and
The New York Times Magazine. He is also a co-host of the
“Left, Right and Center” radio program on KCRW-89.9 FM.
Of the show’s three hosts, KCRW promotes Miller as
politically moderate or central.
Before turning to journalism, he held senior posts in both
government and business. He served as senior adviser to the
director of the White House Office of Management and Budget from
1993-1995 and as a management consultant with McKinsey & Co.
from 1989-1991.
Miller was a senior fellow at the UCLA School of Public Policy
and Social Research during 2001-2002. Senior fellow
responsibilities include delivering policy briefings, serving as a
guest lecturer, and acting as a student mentor.
Miller will speak in room 2355 of the Public Policy Building
at 4 p.m. today.