Mind-boggling, yet totally authentic revelations from an ex-lobbyist who decided to tell all. This is the book that the Establishment couldn't suppress. When you read it you will know why they tried and why the truth must be known.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Insite Into Washington Corruption,
By
This review is from: The Washington pay-off; an insider's view of corruption in government
I was looking for books that would give more insite into the murky world of Washington lobbyists. Even though this book is old, it covers much of the period following the assasination of JFK and prior to the assasination of Robert Kennedy from a first hand perspective. Although a one-sided account, I think it gives much more information and realistic account than any other book I have read.
It is far better than watching the "K Street" DVDs that are total hogwash. It provided more insite into the corrupt institution the government was and is now, how government actually operates, as well as, more about the time when our government could too easily cover-up multiple asassinations. It is eye-opening and depressing to see that a republic bears little relationship to a democracy once lobbyists take control. Without full disclosure of both lobbyist registration, and presidential and congressional campaign accounting, we will be a government only of the rich and for the rich which certainly applies in today's Bush administration with government stuffed to the gills with former lobbyists. I agree with the author that recycling former government officials, military officers, and lobbyists back and forth must end before the middle and lower class citizens will get a fair deal.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
What They Can't Teach You in School,
By Acute Observer (By the Shore NJ) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Washington pay-off; an insider's view of corruption in government
The purpose of democratic government is to provide the greatest good for the greatest number. You can't please all of the people all of the time. But this requires an egalitarian society, not one where 2% of the people own 80% of the wealth. Money represents the power of the super-rich, and trumps the votes of the ordinary people. This is why campaign contributions are in a bad odor; it represents the power of the few over the needs and wants of the many. This book from a Washington lobbyist tells about events that seldom make the newspapers. Editors and publishers have their agendas and priorities too. So be educated and entertained by Winter-Berger's stories.
You can ask if anything is different today, but you can guess what the answer is. Do you ever wonder if things were different in the days of Washington, Jefferson, and Monroe? When the big landowners and rich bankers directly ran the government there was no need for campaign contributions. The need for broadcast advertising means candidates MUST seek money from the rich. So abandon any fantasies of idealism when you read this book. Politicians need money and votes to get elected, and each of these can translate into the other. Money gets things done in Washington by overcoming obstacles (p.12). Lobbyists get things done and collect their share. Different classes and sections have their interests, and legislators try to resolve the differences (p.13). Ever wonder how newspaper and magazine articles are created? See page 18. The red tape and delays of government agencies seem created to require pay-offs (p.20). Why was Lyndon B. Johnson a powerful Senate Leader? He had files on the personal indiscretions of his Senate colleagues, and a close personal relationship with J. Edgar Hoover (p.55). This allowed LBJ to control a Senator's vote. Page 57 explains the statesmanlike public images of legislators! Another chapter explains how justice works in NY (pp.128-130). Can one crook save himself by discrediting another (p.167)? Would the Establishment save the Speaker of the House (p.172)? Legislators deal with laws that spend millions and can either hurt or help people and businesses (p.128). Lobbying and campaign contributions affect legislators: "nothing for nothing". Page 184 explains why Big Business gets the big contracts. Page 186 explains why Nixon picked Jerry Ford for Vice-President. Why did House Speaker John McCormack resign from Congress (p.199)? Page 200 shows how political genius finesses a horse breeding bill. Page 205 explains how to fix government decisions in secret. Ever wonder about the purpose of a Washington party? Read page 261 to learn the price tag in government contracts. One hostess worked for tobacco corporations and kept health warnings off cigarette packs (p.268). Wealthy people still want money. Pages 269-270 tell of the lifestyle of the rich and famous, and their women. Winter-Berger met many of the richest people in the country, and found them to be deadbeats, hypocrites, bigots, and snobs (p.280). Their money allowed them to influence and control politicians on all levels of government. Most politicians are from the middle-class, and are easily corrupted by exposure to the corrupt rich. The rich get the most out of the economy, but do the least for it (p.289). Page 292 tells how to buy a draft deferment. The last chapter summarizes this book. If you think the ruling class will ever change things, you have infantile fantasies (p.308). Why must a good lobbyist also be a lawyer? To claim client confidentiality and avoid answering questions.
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