Getting Things Done in Washington: Lessons for Progressives from Landmark Legislation - Softcover

Boyett, Joseph H.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1450294723 ISBN 13: 9781450294720

Publisher: Iuniverse, 2011

Synopsis

Getting Things Done in Washington  consists of an Introduction and seven chapters.  Each of the first six chapters deals with the story of a great legislative accomplishment-why the struggle was important to the country, who were the major players (the heros and villains), and the rush of events that ultimately led to the passage and signing of legislation. The six stories are:

• The story of the founding fathers' fight to expand the power of the federal government and write a new Constitution,
• The story of the struggle to regulate the pure food and drug industries,
• The struggle for universal health insurance,
• The struggle for the right of labor to organize,
• The struggle to rein in and regulate big business, and
• The struggle for civil rights legislation.

As the story of each great struggle unfolds, the author pauses at critical moments to reflect on the lessons we can learn about how to make Washington work for all of us.  In the final chapter, he brings together the lessons from all of the previous chapters to provide the reader with five key tactics/strategies for getting things done in Washington. 

About this title

About the Author

JOSEPH H. BOYETT, Ph.D. writes The Attack Democrat blog featuring commentary on recent political developments from a liberal/progressive point of view.  He brings a unique perspective on political and governmental issues based on his academic training, experience working in Washington with governmental agencies charged with implementing public policy, and experience for more than a decade in the private sector helping major companies meet the challenges of operating profitable under difficult economic conditions with strong international competition.  He is the author of sixteen other books on politics, leadership and business management including Won't Get Fooled Again: A Voter's Guide to Seeing Through the Lies, Getting Past the Propaganda, and Choosing the Best Leaders (AMACOM),  Workplace 2000 (Penguin Group/Dutton), Beyond Workplace 2000 (Penguin Group/Dutton), and the five volume Guru Guide series (John Wiley & Sons).  His books have been translated into more than a dozen languages.

   

He holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and is a member of the American Political Science Association, Author's Guild and the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA).

From the Back Cover

Boyett has written a book that will inspire you, lift your spirits, renew your faith in what concerned Americans can accomplish, and show you a way forward. Getting Things Done in Washington tells the exciting stories of six great moments of legislative history and the people who made them happen:

• James Madison and the founding fathers' struggle to expand the power of the federal government,
• The Ladies of Beekman Hill, George Wiley and the struggle for pure food and drugs,
• Wilbur Mills and the struggle for universal health insurance,
• Robert Wagner and the struggle for the right of labor to organize,
• John Sherman and the struggle to rein in and regulate big business, and
• Lyndon Johnson and the struggle for civil rights legislation.

Boyett describes what it was like to live in America before these historic pieces of legislation were passed and how these legislative achievements changed the lives of every American. He introduces you to the fascinating men and women who led the efforts to pass this legislation and shows us how to defeat conservatives and once again get progressive things done in Washington. Getting Things Done in Washington is vivid and exciting history. It will inspire you to work even harder for to make our government work again. Most importantly, it will give you the tools to begin getting things done in Washington.

Edition details

• Publisher: Iuniverse
• Publication date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1450294723
• ISBN 13: 9781450294720
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 408