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.
Chapter 9 – Journalists as Advocates and Adversaries
Chapter Nine drops the curtain on the media’s historical transformation over the past 50 years. How has the essential resource in a democracy been reinvented by technology, competition, and a decline in straight, objective journalism? Are these changes hampering consumers’ (voters) ability to access reliable and balanced information about federal policy options?
Chapter 10 – Lobbying and Special Interests
Chapter Ten focuses on one of the other institutions afforded constitutional protections in the First Amendment–lobbying. The Constitution guarantees the right to “petition the government for redress of grievances.” The authors review the different effects of this influential sector, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Special interests are traced through the centuries, from the first petitioners of Congress to the billion-dollar advocacy industry today. The chapter has some fun with some of the scandals that created public disdain for those who lobbied the institution.
Chapter 11 – Misunderstanding Public Opinion
Chapter Eleven studies the persuasive punch of survey research and polling. The authors distinguish between research that enlightens the public and enhances the legislative and political processes and how it can mislead, confuse, and even be used to deceive voters. Public opinion research can be either a great asset or a hindrance to understanding or influencing congressional actions. Fundamental aspects of public opinion research are defined in easy-to-understand language.
Chapter 12 – Ethics – Playing by the Rules or Not
Chapter Twelve, as with the examples in the Introduction, explores public perception of Congress and people serving in Congress as being a long way from positive. Yet, the ethical standards on paper and as enforced are much more stringent than most voters or media understand and much more so than in most industries or professions. Numerous examples help readers see what is or is not permissible. One co-author organized and taught these programs on ethics for many years and has stories about what elected Members and spouses find challenging about living by the rules and under the spotlight.
Chapter 13 – Why Can’t We All Just Get Along?
Chapter Thirteen, quoting current and former Members, shows how even loose talk impacts the reputation of Congress, distorts reality, and damages the potential for meaningful legislation. By going beyond stories of personal insults to illustrate the lack of civility, the chapter delves into the complex structural dynamics that have made it harder for Members to be civil with one another. Some of those forces are external, but many are exacerbated by the lack of modern Members having the right to offer amendments, question actions, and even vote on parts of complex legislation.
Chapter 14 – Reforms to Make Congress Work for You
Chapter Fourteen builds on all that has been discussed to offer strategic and tactical reforms to improve the people’s branch of government–Congress. The strategic reforms would change the composition and character of both the Senate and House. Reforms would also transform campaign finance practices that inhibit representative government and distort political, social, and economic realities. Finally, the chapter offers tactical changes, including more opportunities for bipartisan voting and other measures intended to make members of Congress more accountable to the people they serve.
Chapter 15 – Final Thoughts
As one would expect, this chapter summarizes the preceding material.
Fixing Congress: Restoring Power to the People is available from Morgan James Publishing, Target, Amazon, Walmart, Books-a-Million, and most online bookstores, as well as through some local libraries.
“Both young people and working adults need a better understanding of an often-dysfunctional Congress that seems to have reached rock bottom in public esteem. Fixing Congress is a must-read for new voters and community leaders looking for solutions, not scapegoats.”
John Kornacki, PhD
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