Bob McMillan has given talks and presentations over over a wide variety of topics that include domestic and international issues which every American should be given access to. Bob McMillan's vast experience and leadership in these areas is a breath of fresh air in the polarized political landscape of America.
China: History, Culture, & Today’s Global Economy
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With a Power Point presentation, Robert McMillan, formerly the head of the Asia-Pacific profit center for Avon Products, Inc., takes a tour through China with startling photographs of the history and culture of China, much of which is very present today.
McMillan, at one point in his career at Avon, actually participated in the “opening” of China for the cosmetics business. From that vantage point, he proceeds to lay out the positives and challenges of doing business in China.
Next, Mr. McMillan covers the economic conditions inside China today and what the projections will be for the future. “Made in China” is a hot button political issue, and he explores world trade issues as they relate to the future of the Chinese economy. Mr. McMillan makes it clear that the United States economy is twice as large as that of China with only one fifth the population.
The presentation will also cover Richard Nixon’s opening of dialogues with China in 1972 and the significance of that international outreach.
Tibet, Myanmar (Burma), North Korea with nuclear weapons and Taiwan are transnational issues which provide world challenges for China and those challenges also relate to the United States. How should our nation deal with China in the future – both from a trade and political point of view? It is important to keep in mind that China is our largest partner in global trade.
Transformation of Panama & the Panama Canal
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Former Chairman of the Panama Canal Commission, Robert McMillan, offers a fascinating Power Point insider’s look at the history – and the future – of Panama and the Panama Canal. Starting with the continuing efforts of Christopher Columbus to find a shorter path to the Orient, adventures and explorers came to Panama’s shores as early as 1502. They were the gold seekers who developed Panama City so that by 1671 it had a population of 30,000 people! Next McMillan covers the efforts by France to construct a canal across the Isthmus and why it was doomed to failure. After the French effort, he goes on to cover the construction of the canal under Teddy Roosevelt.
Panama and the canal have been an important part of America’s heritage. The Panama Canal plays a vital role in U.S. naval and maritime assets, all of which are absolutely essential for free world security. Today, almost 70% of the traffic through the Canal is to or from the United States. But today, 15% of the world’s merchant ships cannot pass through the Canal locks, because the ships are simply too large. In order for Panama to still operate as a major global crossing, the canal needs to be enlarged – a project currently under way.
And what role does China play in Panama and at the Canal? This is a fascinating chronicle of the Canal’s history and of McMillan’s personal involvement in Panama and the Canal.
McMillan outlines the historical and strategic importance of the canal. He also supplies fascinating details about the role of dictator Manual Noriega and his forced removal in “Operation Just Cause.” And finally, McMillan covers the transformation of Panama through over eighteen years of democracy, while looking forward to the future of one of the most important global passages in the world’s economy.
History of Cuba's Guantanamo Bay (GITMO)
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With a Power Point presentation, Mr. McMillan examines the history of Guantanamo Bay from its discovery in 1494 by Christopher Columbus through its early use as a Naval Base by the United States to the current issues involving “GITMO” as a prison for terrorists bent on destroying the United States.
The presentation also covers other current issues involving “Water Boarding”, Miranda Rights for Muslim terrorists, and whether trials for the 9/11 attacks should be conducted in New York City. In addition, he outlines his visit to Guantanamo while Counsel to Senator Kenneth B. Keating and the resulting evolution of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
English is the Global Language
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With a Power Point presentation, Mr. McMillan examines the origins of today’s English language and how the language evolved from the invasion of Britain by Germanic Tribes in the 5th Century A.D. through the Norman invasion in 1066 A.D.
The presentation also covers the modernization of English through the period 1500 A.D. to 1800 A.D. In addition, he reviews English today and looks at the use of English throughout the world.
As with all of his presentations, Mr. McMillan details facts along with a measure of good humor. Finally, he explains that the presentation is not to put down the learning of another language. In today’s global economy, it is important that we do learn about other important world languages. But, he makes it clear that English is the dominant language in every part of the world today with computers clearly adding to the attraction to English.
Healthcare: Today and Tomorrow
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Robert McMillan, the first non-physician on the Board of Trustees of the American Medical Associates for six years and a Director of Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield for eleven years, has a unique perspective about our nation’s largest industry. With current expenditures at $2.5 trillion, healthcare spending is expected to double in the next ten years.
The presentation starts with the reality that there are 30 or more million Americans who do not have any healthcare coverage and millions more who have inadequate coverage. But, who are the uninsured? From there, Mr. McMillan goes through the history of healthcare coverage in the United States and what the world’s finest medicine has meant to the citizens of this country.
Next, he covers the origins of healthcare insurance, the growing shortage of nurses, doctors, and the challenges we face in trying to fix the system. Will we head to “single” payer like in England and Canada?
The presentation goes into detail about the interests involved in trying to develop “universal” healthcare coverage in the United States and why it has been such a difficult road. He also covers the recent law to cover the uninsured and explores what can be expected in the future.
Mr. McMillan also takes us beyond coverage for the uninsured and takes a look at other healthcare issues impacting the health of Americans.
Presidents, Foreign Policy and Fun Vignettes
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Mixed with a little of his own personal philosophy and humor, the presentation has enabled Robert McMillan to express himself in a Power Point presentation, on topics ranging from coming face-to-face with Marilyn Monroe in Korea to a portion of an interview, on his TV show, with Senator Hillary Clinton, and from a private meeting with President Dwight David Eisenhower to Vietnam and Iraq.
Mr. McMillan worked with three Presidents (Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush), and United States Senator Kenneth B. Keating, at the start of the Cuban Missile Crisis, an issue in which he was one of the direct participants. He covers significant current events issues, American history, international relations, and politics from an insider’s point of view.
The presentation also covers a private audience with Pope John Paul, II, and a video commercial of Ronald Reagan endorsing McMillan for the United States Senate in 1988. As an attorney, Mr. McMillan represented Bill Joel and the East End Bay Men after all were ticketed for haul seining striped bass. The story provides an interesting insight into the life of Billy Joel.
In addition, the presentation covers Mr. McMillan’s role as Chairman of the Panama Canal Commission and interesting foot notes about his work for former Presidents, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush.
The Past and Future of Immigration
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With a Power Point presentation, Mr. McMillan takes us on a journey about the history of people from around the world who chose to migrate to the United States. The presentation also covers the details of the controversial Immigration Law in Arizona and looks closely at what issues might be soon addressed in the Congress.
Should our borders be made secure? Should illegal aliens be given amnesty and permitted to remain in the United States? Mr. McMillan also covers the legal issues surrounding the employment of illegal immigrants, along with questions about the enforcement of such laws.
Who were the first legal immigrants to the United States? And how did our immigration laws evolve over the last two hundred years? There is probably no area in the public arena which will get more attention over the next few years, and his presentation objectively reviews the issues, along with some personal points of view.
