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Title: In Praise of Public Life: The Honor And Purpose Of Political Science by Joeseph Lieberman, Michael D'Orso, Joseph I. Lieberman ISBN: 0684867753 Publisher: Touchstone Books Pub. Date: 15 January, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $12.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.38
Rating: 5
Summary: Bringing positive Jewish values to politics
Comment: This book was written before Senator Lieberman's nomination for Vice President, and it remains a valuable read now that Election 2000 is over. Whether you're a Democrat, Republican, third party member, independent or undecided, this book has a great deal to recommend it. It should be required reading for anyone considering a career in politics, and for citizens who want an accessible account of what the life of a modern politican is like.
Senator Lieberman begins by explaining that "career politician" -- a term so often seen as negative -- does not have to mean someone who is entrenched in graft and dishonesty. Just as professionals in other fields have a responsibility to uphold the very best standards of their professions, so do politicians. Lieberman considers politics to be his chosen career, the same as a doctor, lawyer, teacher, or other professional. He strives to do his job with a strong sense of moral responsibility, fully aware that public life is, well, public. He writes: "I assume that everything I do in my life -- EVERYTHING -- could possibly become public and therefore I should not do anything privately that I could not justify publicly." (p. 51)
The Senator's arguments in favor of politics as a bona fide career also changed my own stance on term limits. Before reading this book, I thought term limits were a good idea, as a way to prevent bad politicians from becoming entrenched. But, as Senator Lieberman eloquently points out, running a country is a big responsibility that takes years of experience. Having a large portion of the Senate turn over every few years would be inefficent, because everybody would be relatively new to the job. Besides, Lieberman points out, we already have ways to remove bad politicians. They're called elections.
As a religious Jew, I also appreciated the Senator's openness about the role that religion plays in his life. There have been other Jewish politicians in high offices, but none, so far as I know, have been as open as Lieberman about their beliefs. All too often, American Jews are reluctant to discuss religion in public, giving the false impression that we don't believe in anything. Senator Lieberman brings some balance to this issue, while educating the public about Judaism in the process. When, for example, he was asked by the press, "How do you relax?" his answer was, "The Sabbath." This book he gives a good picture of how he balances Sabbath observance with carrying out his public duties. During national emergencies such as the Persian Gulf War, he votes on the Sabbath, under the principle of temporarily setting aside the Sabbath prohibitions in order to save lives. (For the benefit of Lieberman critics who ask "How can he be revere life and support abortion rights," let me point out that Jewish law permits and even requires abortion under certain circumstances, and these differ from the Roman Catholic stance. Those who are interested in further details should read David M. Feldman's book, "Marital Relations, Birth Control, and Abortion in Jewish Law," which I have reviewed here on Amazon.)
In conclusion: I heard Senator Lieberman speak at a rally in Duluth during the Presidential campaign, and was very impressed with him, both as an eloquent speaker and a mentsch -- that wonderful Yiddish word that his campaign added to our national vocabulary, meaning "a fine human being". Our government could use a lot more politicians like him -- whatever their party affiliations. This book really deserves ten stars!
Rating: 3
Summary: A Different Spin on Politics
Comment: In the opening prologue of Senator Lieberman and co-author Michael D'Orso's book "In Praise of Public Life," Lieberman tells about a lunch that he had with his interns and how his interns described how disenchanted many of their classmates and cohorts are with public officials and public life. Lieberman further describes how this conversation motivated him to write this book, in defense of politics and public life. From this opening prologue I expected to read about the "success" stories of Lieberman and others in passing legislation, helping a constituent, or making sweeping changes that would motivate people into running for office.
Yet, this book is much more realistic, it provides the 'real' spin on public life. Lieberman's style of writing draws upon many of his own experiences to aid in the understanding of what it takes to be a public official. From these examples Lieberman hopes that the reader will understand the sacrifices, long hours, partisanship, sacrifices of family and personal freedom required to live a life in public office. Lieberman further hopes that this book will motivate people to take a part in public life in varying degrees- from voting, contacting elected officers, or perhaps running for office. In all, this slim book is a decent read and very interesting in understanding a different side of politics.
Rating: 4
Summary: An intricate portrait of a complex man
Comment: Joseph Liberman isn't like other politicans, but it many ways he personifies exactly what we desire to elect into office: personality, honesty, and integrity. In his most recent novel, Senator Liberman opens with a preface and first couple of chapters that are second to none in showing how a powerful university education and lofty aspirations has helped him in his accention to the top of the political hierarchy. Through his grass-roots foundlings as the first individual to attend college in his family, I've gathered an aura of self-determinism that's seemingly very important in the world of politics. No one was driving him to seek the offices he did more than himself; he was his own political machine. His experiences in attending to the necessary evils of campain raising and meeting with disenchanted voters, the Senator delineates how an ordionary individual may look upon the life of a politican's day-to-day hussle and bustle. The constant struggle to gain leverage in a power-hungry Congress while not compromising morals is notably difficult.
"In Praise" has given me a taste of politics in a witty, succint view, and I would reccommend to anyone who has two hours to be enlightened.
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Title: An Amazing Adventure: Joe and Hadassah's Personal Notes on the 2000 Campaign by Joseph I. Lieberman, Hadassah Lieberman ISBN: 074322938X Publisher: Simon & Schuster Pub. Date: 07 January, 2003 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
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Title: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley ISBN: 0060929871 Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: September, 1998 List Price(USD): $11.95 |
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Title: Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton ISBN: 0743222245 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Pub. Date: 09 June, 2003 List Price(USD): $28.00 |
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Title: Joe Lieberman: The Historic Choice by Stephen Singular, Cherry Mosgrave, Paula Klaris, Paul Dinas ISBN: 0786014121 Publisher: Kensington Pub Corp Pub. Date: 21 August, 2000 List Price(USD): $6.50 |
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