Cleaning House: America's Campaign for Term Limits - Hardcover

Coyne, James K.; Fund, John H.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0895265168 ISBN 13: 9780895265166

Publisher: Regnery Publishing, 1992

Synopsis

"Not only is Cleaning House very timely, but it is written by two experts. Nobody knows more about the issue of term limits. Read it now!"

—Rush Limbaugh, Radio Talk–Show Host

About this title

Reviews

Coyne, a former Pennsylvania Congressman who co-founded Americans to Limit Congressional Terms, and Fund, an editorial writer for the Wall Street Journal, feistily round up evidence against the excesses and irresponsibilities of the "Careerist Congress." In arguing the case for congressional term limits, they assemble myriad tales of ordinary congressional privilege abuse that may have fueled much of the force behind the Jerry Brown and Ross Perot movements. Although this assault on franked and targeted mail, nepotism loopholes, lobbying practices and House banking procedures skirts the question of why a constituency keeps its career Congresspersons in office, the authors give us a chilling view of the workings of "the only organized political party America has--the Incumbent party." First serial to Wall Street Journal.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Bad checks, the S&L scandals, Congressional perks, and salary raises on the Hill have fueled an anti-incumbency mood in the minds of voters that may have a real impact on Congressional elections in 1992. In examining congressional abuses of privileges, Kick the Bums Out! --a citizen's guide from Americans to Limit Congressional Terms, an organization headed by ex-Congressman James Coyne--explains why term limits are needed and defends their constitutionality. Criticizing foot-dragging by interest groups and House members, it also examines how the terms-limitation movement has been thwarted to date by media consultants and unfavorable press coverage by journalist friends of congressional members who would likely have to leave office. In addition, the book offers a point-by-point critique of the opposing view; an appendix lists state contact names and numbers for Americans to Limit Congressional Terms. Highly recommended for popular political collections. Cleaning House , which Coyne coauthored, tries to make clear why congressional term limits are in the best interest of the country. It covers many of the same issues as in Kick the Bums Out! but also provides a virtual primer on the inside realities--the egos, the perks, the election considerations and pressures for reelection that influence the decisions of our lawmakers. The book's descriptions of junketeering, the House Bank, and the growing influence of staff and lobbyists can be discomforting to the uninitiated. Chapters on Bill Clinton's careerism and Tom Foley's efforts to scuttle limits make this book essential for public and academic libraries. First serial to the Wall Street Journal ; see also the Center for Legislative Studies' Limiting Legislative Terms and George Will's Restoration , reviewed below.
-Frank Kessler, Missouri Western State Coll., St. Joseph
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Regnery Publishing
• Publication date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0895265168
• ISBN 13: 9780895265166
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 235