2023 PATIMES Columns by Benjamin Deitchman

Taylor Swift Should Not Date a Climate Scientist: The Perils of Fame in Policymaking

In fact, if the viral tweeter Katja Herbers were to look at the understated, already existing work of climate scientists she might just find, to quote Taylor Swift’s “Love Story”,…

November 13, 2023Read More

Nurturing Nature

We can assess responsibility for our past ecological challenges, but going forward leaders and citizens need to carefully manage our role in nurturing nature now and into the future.    …

August 13, 2023Read More

Stick to Politics

If politicians want to intervene in sports, it should be about expanding participation on the playing field while protecting sports from pecuniary problems. Otherwise, “stick to politics.”…

May 15, 2023Read More

The Road Safely Traveled

Although traditional policing of the street may require alterations, there is certainly a role for street-level bureaucrats to enforce norms that promote public safety. What is lacking at the moment is…

February 13, 2023Read More

2022 PATIMES Columns by Benjamin Deitchman

Shaming for Naming

Naming, renaming or recalibrating a name can serve to facilitate societal education and understanding in the public interest.…

November 18, 2022Read More

Public Policy Failing Children

Underinvestment and a lack of support for education professionals has left our children without the leaders and role models necessary, in and beyond the classroom, to achieve their goals. …

August 18, 2022Read More

World Cup 2022: Public Policy, Public Administration and Some Soccer Too

Hundreds of the best men’s soccer players will venture to Qatar this November and December aiming to achieve athletic glory for their national teams, but, along with the ball games,…

May 20, 2022Read More

Make Moving Fun: Reducing Nonfinancial Barriers to Homeownership

Purchasing a house, townhouse, condominium or an apartment is an economic transaction, but it is also more than that...desirability and enjoyment of homeownership are also worthwhile objectives.…

February 17, 2022Read More

2021 PATIMES Columns by Benjamin Deitchman

From Satanism to Spending: School Board Controversy in America

The education domain should not become an indirect proxy to inflame other disagreements in this country. Adults must avoid making children political and cultural pawns. …

October 30, 2021Read More

Welcome to Public Policy and Public Administration

As the halls of schools of public policy and public administration flood with students starting a new semester, and people find their way into this field, it is time to…

July 31, 2021Read More

The Case for Community Helpers

For the term “community helper” to enter the lexicon for advanced study and debate, it will require a stricter definition to help us categorize and engage with its meaning.…

May 2, 2021Read More

Paging the United States House Representatives: Bring Back the Pages

The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ASPA as an organization. By Benjamin DeitchmanJanuary 31, 2021 As our Capitol and our…

January 31, 2021Read More

2020 PATIMES Columns By Benjamin Deitchman

The Columbine Generation

Columbine was not a moment of policy intervention or activism. Although this tragedy in suburban Littleton, Colorado may recede in the collective memory of the nation, it remains in the…

October 25, 2020No CommentRead More

Public Policy in the Weeds (Literally)

Weeds are like death and taxes—they will surely outlive all of us. As policymakers, students and scholars, we can learn from simple weeds the challenges and opportunities to mitigate human…

April 25, 2020No CommentRead More

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and The Princely Practicalities of Public Service

Transitioning from the public sector into corporate, nonprofit or advocacy endeavors and finding a new opportunity to benefit from the connections, competencies and experiences of public service is a common…

January 26, 2020No CommentRead More

2019 PATIMES Columns By Benjamin Deitchman

Reflections On My Student Government Career Now That I Know More About Government

Now that Ben Deitchman has over a dozen years of work, research and teaching experience in public policy and public administration, he is well-qualified to reassess his first foray into…

October 28, 2019Read More

The Policy Implications of the Soccer World Champions

The 2019 United States Women’s National Team did not just win its country’s fourth World Cup, but also seized the cultural and political moment throughout its soccer triumph in France…

July 28, 2019Read More

The President of These United States: Television Presidents and 21st Century Government

There are multiple hit TV shows that create alternate realities for the presidency. For those of us who are students, scholars and practitioners of public administration, the scripted Administrations are…

April 26, 2019Read More

Simple Solutions for Polarizing Paralysis

It is an injustice that while the government continues to collect most revenues during a political shutdown, and essential employees continue to work, the money does not get to the…

January 28, 2019Read More

Paw Patrol 2020

Paw Patrol, ready for action, Ryder, sir:

• Vlad (Siberian Husky)- "Let's stop this hack attack!"
• Mike (Boxer)- "You won? Me too!" 
• Icy (Border Collie)- "Tear down these walls!"
• Fed (Golden retriever)- "Fiat currency for the win!" 
• Fyre (Poodle)- "Influencers: to the Instagram!"
• Chucky (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel)- "I just can't wait to be King!"
• Boris (English Bulldog)- "Don't Rex it with Brexit!"
• Bo (Portuguese Water Dog)- "I miss Barack!" 
• Mayor Pete (Grown up Ryder)- "Medicare for all, dogs, who want it!"
• Donald (Pet Duck)- "Quack!"

2020 2020

Roles for 2020 Democratic Presidential Candidates on Big Little Lies Season 3

• Michael Bennet: Anonymous Monterey father
• Joe Biden: Mary Louise's love interest
• Bill de Blasio: Anonymous Monterey father  
• Cory Booker: Ed's college friend and Madeline's rival
• Steve Bullock: Anonymous Monterey father  
• Pete Buttigieg: Ed's brother (or as Ed if Adam Scott leaves the show)
• Julián Castro: Anonymous Monterey father  
• John Delaney: Anonymous Monterey father  
• Tulsi Gabbard: Mysterious new mother who relocates family from Hawaii
• Kirsten Gillibrand: New friend of Celeste who makes Madeline jealous
• Mike Gravel: Random old man
• Kamala Harris: District Attorney
• John Hickenlooper: Anonymous Monterey father  
• Jay Inslee: Anonymous Monterey father  
• Amy Klobuchar:  Attorney for the Monterey 5  
• Wayne Messam: Anonymous Monterey father  
• Seth Moulton: Anonymous Monterey father  
• Beto O'Rourke: Jane's new love interest, which quickly fizzles
• Tim Ryan:  Anonymous Monterey father  
• Bernie Sanders: Angry new principal
• Joe Sestak: Anonymous Monterey father  
• Eric Swalwell: Anonymous Monterey father   
• Elizabeth Warren: Abigail's favorite college professor 
• Marianne Williamson: Therapist and spiritual advisor
• Andrew Yang: Renata's tech company rival