Fixing Congress-Chapters Intro thru 8
Intro thru Chapter 8
The Introduction provides readers with the origins, theme, and mission of Fixing Congress, which is to empower citizens to get involved in self-rule. It provides them with tools essential to influencing Congress and shares ideas on ways to fix what is broken. The Introduction exposes some modern myths and offers an overview of what Congress is now, how it operates, how it fails to function, and why it is held in such low esteem.
Chapter 1 – Laying the Foundation of a Democratic Republic
Chapter One answers the question: What did the Founders have in mind when they created this unique Democratic Republic? It focuses on how the government’s structure was conceived and evolved as Congress met for the first time. It reminds readers of the changes over the past two centuries. With that contrast between then and now, it seeks to learn why Congress has lost so much of the faith and trust of the American people.
Chapter 2 – Organization and Decision-Making
Chapter Two centers on the dynamics of the current working Congress, the distinctions between a business and a lawmaking body, and the various pressures that come to bear on the institution as it creates public policy or fails to do so.
Chapter 3 – The Levers of Power – Who is Really in Charge?
Chapter Three examines Congress’s inner workings, its organization, and the constraints on power that inhibit congressional effectiveness. It provides insight into the power players and the places where power rests.
Chapter 4 – Congressional Staff: The Power of the Unelected
Chapter Four begins by defining a Member’s interaction with staff in their personal office and on committees. The chapter helps readers understand what a Member can or cannot accomplish within the system. Then it offers advice on how voters can communicate more effectively with their Member or Senator. Knowing how and why staff functions and understanding the circuitous routes through the politics and process will give citizens greater influence with their representatives. Staff are the gatekeepers, the palace guards, and the workhorses, if you will.
Chapter 5 – How A Policy Idea Becomes Law
Chapter Five notes that Representatives and Senators will introduce 10,000 or more pieces of legislation in each 2-year Congress. But Congress enacts only about 5 percent of that number in productive sessions. Thus, a bill or resolution’s path through the legislative labyrinth is daunting, but it can succeed. The chapter explains how knowing more about the procedures and politics of that process can help citizens be more effective in getting the government that serves them better.
Chapter 6 – Why A Policy Idea Doesn’t Become Law
Chapter Six, the corollary to Chapter Five, explains why most legislative proposals do NOT become law. Contrast is drawn between the early congresses and the challenges of legislating among 535 members serving 330,000,000 citizens. The scale of government, the complexity of the global community, ramifications of digitization, and outside influences are all explored along with the dynamics of change in population composition.
Chapter 7 – How Campaigns, Old Rules, and Outsiders Impede Governing
Chapter Seven explores the range of interests legitimately and not-so-legitimately engaged in congressional action. They range from partisan politics and campaigning to what is commonly referred to as special interests. This chapter provides readers with more knowledge and a better understanding of all the powerful influences that penetrate the legislative process and how to compete with them more effectively.
Chapter 8 – The Mighty Media: A Political Power Like None Other
Chapter Eight looks at the historic change in American communications media and how it has become the most powerful force in national politics. It explores the evolution of news—objective reporting, advocacy, and adversarial. It studies the confusion created between news and entertainment. The chapter looks at infotainment and entertainment media. It reflects on early colonial newspapers compared to modern media. How has public policy been affected by the emergence of broadcasting, publishing conglomerates, and the demise of local newspapers? Can Congress reach a consensus in light of social/digital media and the proliferation of numerous and inconsistent news sources? Chapter 8 slightly opens the door on AI –artificial intelligence — asking if it will encourage unity or disunity.