Synopsis
Discusses the lessons learned by local, state, and federal politicians over the last twenty years.
From the Publisher
It's not difficult to find Americans upset with our government. Seemingly everyday, opinion polls, news articles and broadcasts document how much citizens' distrust public officials. And the cynicism swells as politicians greet that distrust the only way they know how - making even more promises and pledging to "reinvent government." It's a political vicious circle.
Worse, as Americans are spun around every election cycle, one extraordinarily crucial fact gets ignored: Each November, Americans elect a government of novices. We put into office rookies - elected and appointed officials - who have never "done" government before.
In this thoughtful and entertaining book that promises to change how we view government, Taegan D. Goddard and Christopher Riback show that the solution to our stalled democracy lies not in reinventing the machinery but in reinventing public officials. Newcomers swept into office after elections frequently find themselves managing multimillion-dollar enterprises that touch the lives of countless citizens. Yet often these novices are untrained for their jobs, paralyzed in organizations unlike any they've ever run before.
The answer rests not in a permanent government, but in better preparing the government we elect. Goddard and Riback use insider anecdotes to analyze political failures, such as Ira Magaziner's ill-fated health care reform during the first Clinton administration, and successes, such as Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell's saving his city from financial ruin. With riveting and colorful stories, the authors tell us how public officials can finally get the job done and help improve the lives of the citizens who put them where they are.
Goddard and Riback return common sense to governing. They discredit the popular idea that government should be run like a business and identify the eight traits of effective public service. From motivating career bureaucrats (whom our top officials didn't hire and can't fire) to turning inevitable crises into political opportunity, the authors present specific tips that will help new public officials govern better and help citizens understand what to demand and expect from the politicians we choose each election day.
In You Won - Now What?, Goddard and Riback challenge public officials to do a better job. As the federal government hands over greater responsibility to state and local governments - and as term limits gain popularity - even more officials will enter their jobs unprepared for even bigger tasks. This book speaks to anyone who wants to make our democracy work the way it was designed.
TAEGAN D. GODDARD has served as a policy advisor to a United States Senator, Governor and State Treasurer. He holds degrees from Vassar College and Harvard University. CHRISTOPHER RIBACK has worked as a journalist for "60 Minutes," ABC News and the Associated Press. He holds degrees from the University of California at Berkeley, Columbia University and Harvard University.
END
With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is). 
Amazon Home
Make sure you always get what you want with an Amazon.co.uk 
