Change for America: A Progressive Blueprint for the 44th President [Paperback]

Mark Green (Editor), Michele Jolin (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 6, 2009

“Mark Green and Michele Jolin look to 2009 as the beginning of an era of renewal and progressive governance in America. Change for America presciently and insightfully offers specific ideas for what our next President can do to revitalize our nation and restore our standing abroad."—President Bill Clinton

It was an election about change, but how will that change actually happen?

The result of a collaboration between the Center for American Progress Action Fund (the advocacy arm of Washington’s leading-edge progressive think-tank led) and the New Democracy Project's Mark Green, this comprehensive volume is written by over sixty leading policymakers, scholars and advocates.

Based on four core values—of democracy, security through diplomacy, opportunity and a greener world—Change for America offers scores of solutions how to repair our broken government and create an enduring progressive era.

“The Center for American Progress Action Fund and Mark Green have assembled some of our nation's best minds, and their best ideas, into a book is packed with innovative, practical, and progressive solutions that will help take America in a New Direction."—Speaker Nancy Pelosi

“These thoughtful essays offer a progressive way forward for the vast majority of Americans who hope their government works for the many, not just the few.”—Senator Ted Kennedy

“We don't just need a transition -- we need a transformation. Mark Green and Michele Jolin's encyclopedia of change offers a brilliant roadmap for the 44th President.”—Senator John Kerry

“This is one of the most important books to be published this year. It's a handbook for restoring the New Deal's social compact with our citizens over the first '100 Days' and the next 1360.”—James Roosevelt, Jr.

“Change for America is brilliant, timely and practical and teems with hard earned wisdom and common sense.”—Michael Eric Dyson

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this lengthy collaboration Jolin, of the Center for American Progress, and Gren, president of the New Democracy Project, gather a comprehensive series of essays for the new president's consideration, arranged into four broad categories: the White House, domestic policy, economic policy and national security policy. Along with suggestions and goals for the first 100 days, contributors like Tom Freedman, Karen Davenport, Jessica Stern and Lames Lee Witt paint sobering portraits of areas in need of overhaul. Criticism is frequently lobbed at the outgoing administration for, among other grievances, the termination of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership and Advanced Technology Program, the Labor Department's 34 percent loss of staff, the Department of Justice indictment, the Federal Trade Commission's incompetence, and "the poster child for government dysfunction," the Department of Homeland Security. The editors' and contributors' agenda is obviously enormous, requiring the solid support of some 5,000 White House employees and cabinet officers implementing a huge range of ideas, including better education for at-risk and disconnected youth, establishing Internet accountability and creating a political culture that responds to reality as it is, rather than as a function of partisan ideology. At the very beginning of what could be a new political era, this book makes a thorough (if overwhelming) guide.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Mark Green is president of the New Democracy Project and also president of Air America Media. The author of numerous books—including the best-sellers Who Runs Congress? and The Book on Bush—he was the elected Public Advocate (1994-2001) for New York City.

Michele Jolin is a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, and previously served for four years at the White House as Chief of Staff for President Clinton's Council of Economic Advisers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 704 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books; First Edition edition (January 6, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0465013872
• ISBN-13: 978-0465013876
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.9 x 9.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,352,123 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 13 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Not bad if you like crap June 8, 2010

By C. Taylor

Format:Paperback

This book is all about how the progressives want to control America and it's people. However they don't necessarily come right out and say it in so many words. What they do say is how the president should do this and the president should do that and what the government should do for the people, what the government should give the people etc. They basically want a cradle to grave government and from the way that obama is doing things I'd say he's taking all of their suggestions into consideration. Buy it if you want to waste your 16.00 or wait for it to be on the bargain bin next month.

7 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great roadmap for our new president January 5, 2009

By Lani Green

Format:Paperback

What i loved the most about this book is that it is so easy to understand. That being said, it is also thoughtful, well written, and insightful. A must read for anyone who wants to understand the tools needed to turn around our great nation.

5 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Bravo! January 9, 2009

By E. Rubin

Format:Paperback

This book is required reading for anyone interested in understanding the enormous challenges facing the new administration. The essays are thoughtful, clear, and offer real paths to change, instead of just abstract rhetoric. There are creative, innovative solutions here, put forward by people who are thinking deeply about problems that affect us all.