The Bill: How the Adventures of Clinton's National Service Bill Reveal what is Corrupt, Comic, Cynical, and Noble, about WashingtonNothing Bill Clinton talked about in the 1992 campaign so typified his vision as his wildly popular plan to let Americans wipe out college loans by serving their communities. The idea was quintessential Clinton, the New Democrat trying to reclaim the moral authority of government, marrying "rights" and "responsibilities". With the cooperation of more than fifty people intimately involved in the process - including the president himself - Waldman captures in vivid detail (and surprising humor) the struggle to revamp the college loan system and create the program now known as AmeriCorps. Because he was allowed to sit in on scores of private meetings, Waldman provides an unprecedented inside portrait of how Washington really works, one that is essential reading for even casual students of politics, economics, and history. For Americans who are interested in service or in an affordable college education, The Bill shows what happens when a policy designed to tap the best impulses of American citizens collides with a Washington culture that brings out their worst. |
Contents
Anatomy of a Campaign Promise | 1 |
The Swiss Army Knife | 19 |
The Puzzle Magnate | 33 |
Copyright | |
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administration American AmeriCorps asked Author's eyewitness account banks began benefit Bill Clinton Bill Ford billion Blakey budget called campaign Cheever class-mixing cloture commission Community Service Congress congressional Conservation Corps debate Democrats direct lending director Dole Durenberger Eli Segal federal filibuster financial aid funding Galston Gene Sperling GI Bill Goodling guaranty agencies idea income issue Jeffords Kennedy Kennedy's kids knew Kunin Labor Committee legislation Littlefield loan reform lobbying lobbyists low-income meeting Moskos National and Community national service national service plan pay-as-you-can loans Peace Corps Pell grants percent political president president's problems proposal reporters Republican Riley Sagawa Sallie Mae schools Senate Service Corps service program Shireman Simon Sofer staff staffers student loans student-aid reform Summer of Service talked tional service told veterans volunteers vote wanted Washington White House Wofford young Youth Corps Youth Service