Description
Mayer, president and CEO of a security company, provides general readers with a federalist strategy for dealing with homeland security that involves the transfer of power from Washington to local and state governments. The author examines federalism from a historical perspective and reveals how the strategies employed immediately after 9/11 were less than effective because they contradicted the intents of the Founding Fathers. Case studies are presented that illustrate how local and state governments in Ohio, Seattle and Los Angeles have effectively dealt with such issues as SARS, illegal immigration and disaster management. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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An insider's account presents a prescient look at what's wrong with America's homeland security effort—and how to fix it.In this most timely and important book, Matt A. Mayer uses the principle of federalism to present a compelling case that the best way to protect America from terrorists is to get the power out of Washington and into the hands of governors, mayors, and the men and women on the front lines in our communities. Homeland Security and Federalism: Protecting America from Outside the Beltway takes the reader from America's Colonial period to the inner workings of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It shows what worked historically—and why the approach taken after September 11 failed to heed the lessons of history.Mayer develops a rational risk model to guide where limited resources should be allocated so they will lead to less pork and more protection. He then systematically builds the case that states and localities are uniquely suited to lead efforts on terrorism preparedness, disaster management, illegal immigration, counterterrorism, and community resiliency.
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