Name: How Congress Works and Why You Should Care von Lee H. Hamilton
SKU: 9780253216953
Price: 20.00 CHF
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How Congress Works and Why You Should Care Zusammenfassung

How Congress Works and Why You Should Care Lee H. Hamilton

How Congress Works and Why You Should Care is a concise introduction to the functions and vital role of the U.S. Congress by eminent former Congressman Lee H. Hamilton. Drawing on 34 years as a U.S. Representative, Hamilton explains how Congress reflects the diversity of the American people, serves as a forum for finding consensus, and provides balance within the federal government. Addressing widespread public misperceptions, he outlines areas where Congress can work better and ways for citizens to become more engaged in public affairs through their representatives in Washington. How Congress Works and Why You Should Care is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the inner workings of Congress, and how all citizens can participate in its unique mission.

How Congress Works and Why You Should Care Bewertungen

Americans cannot be faulted for having a deeply jaundiced view of their Congress, says Hamilton (Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars); he ought to know, because he served as a Representative for Indiana from 1965 to 1999. But he argues that people can and should fix it rather than give up on it completely.February 2010

* SciTech Book News *

Lee Hamilton's new book . . . should be required reading for any American contemplating writing a 'Letter to the Editor' or calling into (or hosting) a radio talk show, or for that matter, stepping into a voting booth. It is an owner's manual for citizens interested in their Congress.

-- Charlie Cook * Editor and Publisher *

Über Lee H. Hamilton

Lee H. Hamilton was U.S. Representative from Indiana's Ninth District from 1965 to 1999. He served as Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the Joint Economic Committee, and the Joint Committee on the Organization of Congress. He is now director of the Center on Congress at Indiana University. He lives in Bloomington, Indiana.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Chapter One: The Role of Congress
Why Congress exists
Core principle: Sovereignty of the People
Core principle: Balancing powers in government
Congress and the President
Why federalism works
Key power: Passing the basic laws of the land
Key power: The power of the purse
Key power: Congress and foreign policy
Congress and individual liberties
The roots of our success

Chapter Two: The Impact of Congress
Congress and the fabric of our lives
Government's greatest endeavors
An ordinary day
Congress does more work than meets the eye
A balanced view of Congress
Members of Congress who had an impact

Chapter Three: How Congress Works
A complex institution
An evolving institution
The many roles of a member of Congress
Representing constituents
How a bill really becomes law
Why we need more politicians
Power in Congress
The House and the Senate
The awesome responsibility of voting
The frustrations and rewards of Congress

Chapter Four: Public Criticisms of Congress
"Members are a bunch of crooks."
"There's too much wasteful, pork-barrel spending by Congress."
"Legislators just bicker and never get anything done."
"You can't trust what members of Congress say."
"Congress almost seems designed to promote total gridlock."
"Members of Congress compromise too much."
"There's too much money in politics today."
"Members are out of touch with their constituents."
"Congress is run by lobbyists and special interests"
Conclusion

Chapter Five: Key Ways Congress Could Work Better
Declining civility
The importance of good process
Better White House/Congress consultation
True congressional oversight
Improving ethics enforcement
Thinking about the future
The money chase
Improving public understanding of Congress
Tackling the tough issues
Congress and the common good
Conclusion

Chapter Six: Civic Participation
A failure to communicate
Being more involved in the work of Congress
The cornerstones of active citizenship
Making your views known to Congress
Individuals who have made a difference
Can the people govern?
Strengthening representative democracy

Appendix: Communicating with Congress
Notes
Index

Zusätzliche Informationen

Sku

GOR006274317

ISBN 13

9780253216953

ISBN 10

0253216958

Titel

How Congress Works and Why You Should Care Lee H. Hamilton

Autor

Lee H. Hamilton

Zustand

Gebraucht - Sehr Gut

Bindung

Broschiert

Verlag

Indiana University Press

Datum

2004-02-26

Anzahl der Seiten

168

Preise

N/A

Begleitschreiben

Die Abbildung des Buches dient nur Illustrationszwecken, die tatsächliche Bindung, das Cover und die Auflage können sich davon unterscheiden.

Hinweis

Dies ist ein gebrauchtes Buch. Es wurde schon einmal gelesen und weist von der früheren Nutzung Gebrauchsspuren auf. Wir gehen davon aus, dass es im Großen und Ganzen in einem sehr guten Zustand ist. Sollten Sie jedoch nicht vollständig zufrieden sein, setzen Sie sich bitte mit uns in Verbindung.