Unless we take action now, our nation may confront a

situation similar to the Great Depression--and maybe

even worse. Our economic growth has been sluggish

for nearly two decades. The unemployment numbers

remain depressing, while the Federal Reserve worries

about inflation.

The institutions we depend on to preserve our finan-

cial security are shaky. If they fail, millions of people

will be devastated. Banks are already weak. The Fed-

eral Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which we

as taxpayers guarantee, may incur liabilities greater

than those from the recent Savings & Loan crisis.

In other words, our economy is perched on the edge

of a cliff. Either we work together to climb back to

safety, or we must brace ourselves for potential disas-

ter. This book provides a plan to pull our nation back

from the brink. It is the legacy of a movement unparal-

leled in American history.

I look at this book as a dynamic plan that will stimu-

late discussion and debate. The only objective is to

create the plan that best serves the American people,

and then implement it! We want action, not words.