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38 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
In Praise of Public Life, February 28, 2000
In the context of the corrosive, angry political environment, with the "gotchya" media, which has bred disaffection in the body politic, Senator Joseph Lieberman's short volume is a refreshing antidote to the prevailing cynicism. "In Praise of Public Life" is an insightful, enjoyable, and at times inspiring book.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Author Brings Decency Back To The Democratic Party!, August 7, 2000
What a terrific book written by a terrific human being, public servant and man of honor by practicing deeds not just words of worship. The book is a reflection of this authors life and vision for all politicians. He simply writes about what he himself embodies within his simple humanity. Joe Lieberman is ethical, self-reliant, accomplished, decent, intellectual and well-spoken. In Praise of Public Life is a clamor for all people to undertake a good cause, an appeal to end the distrust of a perceptive fear of government, not just in America but in the world. This son of a liquor store owner embraces the belief that people who want to lead must do so by being a servant to the people, not being served by people. In the book, Lieberman asserts that government can equalize individual independence against the popular easy route of irresponsibility. As an example, although he did not abandon the Democratic Party, he was not afraid to publicly scold a president who had erred in moral turpitude by perverting justice under oath. He developed such moral principles as pointed out in the Orthodox Pentateuch under Exodus XX, 7 Commentaries Page 296, edited by Dr. J. H. Hertz, C.H., "Perjury Is An Unpardonable Offense, Which Unless Repressed By Severest Of Penalties, Would Destroy Human Society." This takes great fearlessness in any man to step up and tell his friend he was wrong. This is the gentle, compassionate and forgiving man Joseph Lieberman has matured into showing America and Judaism is a blessed combination of goodwill. This is the kind of book that will inspire everyone and anyone. I not only highly recommend this superb book, but I commend the man, author and senator who took the time, gallantry and public service to write it.
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A call to public service in the face of attackdog journalism, August 8, 2000
In 1996, only 49% of the eligible voters cast a vote in the Federal contests. Is it because of cynism and disinterest? In 1998, the Congressional elections garnered a 36.1% voter turnout. Lieberman would like to see that number increase, and supports election-day registrations at polling sites. Few desire to go into public service anymore when you can make gobs of dollars on the internet. Lieberman would like to see the best and brightest enter public service. He would also like to see a curb in violence and sexism in the products of the entertainment industry. This book is a quick read and the Senator's clarion call to public service. Lieberman is a man that the New Republic says has an independent mind and observes tradition. The Weekly Standard said he would be a good VP candidate. Senator Lieberman got the public service bug like many others, after hearing John F Kennedy's inaugural speech. (Of course, had the media been as intrusive in JFK's life as it has been in current office holders, JFK would be no hero to Lieberman). Lieberman wants cynicism banished from American politics. Lieberman begins by complaining that today's public servant "must face questions not only about how he is doing his job but how he is living his life--and how he has lived his life." "This poisonous atmosphere of attack-dog journalism has created an environment in which young people don't want to enter public life," writes Lieberman. He asks his Capitol Hill interns if they want to run for public office, and they respond that they do not want to live through the media's intrusive spotlight or raise the millions of dollars needed to mount a campaign. They don't want to give the time commitment to public office at the expense of having a family life. Lieberman offers his own career as a tonic, describing the challenges and joys of working his way through the party ranks and achieving his dream of becoming a U.S. Senator. Three years after graduating from Yale Law, he became a State Senator. Later he was an Attorney General; and then he defeated Senator Lowell Weicker by less than 1% of the Connecticut vote in 1988. In 1994, he received 67% of the vote. Lieberman became well known to the US on September 3, 1998, when he stood in the Senate chamber and described President Clinton's behavior in the Lewinsky scandal as immoral and disgraceful. Lieberman explains his actions in the book. (Friends for over 30 years, Clinton had worked on Lieberman's campaign for Connecticut state Senate back in 1970.) I recommend that the reader just skim the first six chapters (including a mention of his 1981 divorce), and delve into the meatier back chapters, in which Lieberman discusses what the life of a Senator entails - two residences, travel, the power of special interests and constituents, the legislative process (patience and persistence), and the power of personal connections (the political junket is a time to get to know your Congressional colleagues and transact the true business of committees).
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