Cory Booker

​Given the attention Cory Booker has ​received recently as ​​the bright, young, black mayor of Newark, NJ and now U.S. Senator, ​I expected his recent book "United" ​to be part biography,​ and​ part ​his explanation as to why he feels he's a good candidate for even higher office. While that may have ultimately been a goal of Booker and his advisers, those ambitions were suppressed to some extent, and instead the book ​omitted or ​deemphasized elements of his impressive story​,​ and focused more on how and why he's been striving to improve the prospects for the urban poor. ​He does describe his upbringing in upper middle-class suburban Harrington Park, NJ, his football scholarship to Stanford University, becoming an Oxford Scholar, and ​entering ​Yale Law School. And while that background seems to be the pathway to a high-paying career with a top law firm or as a business executive, Booker explains how he instead was drawn to helping ​others. He describes his work in Newark, NJ, moving into ​a high-crime ​area, and his work with non-profits. ​Within a short time, he was convinced that he could do more ​for the citizens of Newark by ​becoming a member of the Newark City Council, ​where he learned the hard lessons of the need to negotiate with other legislators ​and ​overcoming barriers. After several frustrating years​ on the City Council​, Booker challenged the longtime Mayor of Newark, Sharpe James, but lost a close ​and controversial ​election. Mayor James, known for shady campaign tactics​,​ and who eventually would be jailed on fraud charges, withdrew from the mayoral race in the next election, and Booker became mayor.

But almost nothing is mentioned of Booker's campaign for Mayor, ​his opponents dirty-tricks, and his ultimate victory. Similarly, little is discussed of his becoming the junior U.S. Senator from the State of New Jersey. And he doesn't make a big deal of his choice to live among the people, in the crime infested streets of Newark, rather than living a comfortable life in a comfortable house in a comfortable neighborhood. Instead, the focus of the book is more of ​his vision for ​hope and change​ for the underprivileged​. The book is not quite chronological, but more focused on topics and circumstances, so there was some mixing of his time as a Councilman, as Mayor, or as Senator. But what is not mixed is his consistent attempts to help those that needed his help the most.

If this book was meant to improve his chances for being elected for higher office, I suspect it would have included much more about ​state and national ​tax policies, health, budget deficits, growing jobs and businesses, education, etc. That's not part of this book. Booker talks a lot of policies which hurt minorities in the inner cities, and specifically addresses reforms of the judicial ​system ​and sentencing reforms. In keeping with the theme of the book title "United", he talks of how effective policy can be crafted by working with individuals from ​all Political parties, such as he has been doing with Republican Senator Rand Paul in these areas. Unlike many politicians, including several running for President in 2016 who are pure ideologues with a winner take all philosophy, to whom compromise is a flaw and a dirty work, Booker seems intent on finding the best ideas from all, working together to build, unite, and improve our Country.

​He talks about his upbringing, his roots, his family, his work, and what formed his vision of society and the future for our Country. ​He quotes on old African proverb... "If you want to get somewhere fast, go alone. But if you want to go FAR, go with others. That seems to reflect his philosophy, one of inclusiveness. Working with a small group of like-minded ​individuals ​may allow some movement or progress, but he and we can go much further by working together.

Booker ​also ​talks about the dead-end​ future​ of many in the inner city. Failing schools, high crime rates, widespread drug use, economically challenged famil​ies and communit​ies, ​etc., ​puts inner city youth on a slippery slope to failure. And should a ​stupid mistake ​by an inner-city youth ​lead to criminal charges, the spiral continues ​through the rest of the individual's life ​due to ​essentially all ​job forms asking about any previous arrests. Even if falsely accused and never convicted, that question on a job application essentially ends employment prospects. With no job, no money, almost ​75% end up ​becoming ​involved in some sort of petty crime / illegal activity, continuing the spiral. Booker's point is that many deserving individuals are denied a second chance, and it's costlier for society as a whole to simply lock a segment of society away, with ​high ​prison costs, police costs. court costs, etc., than it is to provide some sort of training and job opportunities, allowing all to be productive members of society.
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He's one of a number of politicians trying to address this issue, and the effort seems to be making headway. Booker points out that the impact of a criminal record, even if only for a petty, non-violent crime as a youth, can have lifelong implications, ​beyond preventing people from being able to get a job​. Also, being able to obtain housing, higher education, to obtain credit, to vote, etc., ​are additional effects, ​effectively preventing these people from finding a useful place within society. In many cases, released prisoners find their way back to some criminal activity as their only option for making money. ​The efforts of Booker and others seem to be having an impact, and even the Justice Department has ​recently ​been pushing to rethink harsh sentences for nonviolent defendants and being "smart on crime".​ ​ ​… (meer)

I thought this would be theoretical book on how we could come together instead I found it a fascinating book by a man who walks the walk he talks, stepping out of the box to do so when needed. He moves into the rough Brick Towers neighborhood where crime and unemployment are rampant due to the severe economic downturn. Before he could begin anything he had to meet with and be interviewed by Ms. Virginia Jones, community activist and organizer for the Brick Towers. She had him re-adjust his outlook so he could see the potential that she saw, only then could he be useful. He takes you through his run for city council and the harassment that came with being the new kid on the block, full of ideas, in an old establishment.
As mayor he had to bring the city into the 21st Century without spending money as Newark was well in the red. He's a politician for the people who will make the old boys in the D.C. cranky.… (meer)