Don Brown’s New Book

I recently wrote a Foreword for Don Brown’s book; “The 9 Guideline Principles to Enact Change–A Legislators Memoir from Outhouse to Statehouse.” It’s a 576-page text I think every insurance person should buy and read, especially if you live in Florida. Rather than subject you to the standard sales pitch, I’ll just let you read the Foreword I wrote. The book is available on Amazon.

First a point of personal privilege. Don Brown has proven himself to be the consummate lawmaker.  Technically proficient, particularly with respect to Florida’s most pressing problems such as its petulant weather, and…strategically competent with the rules of parliament and politics.  The combination has proven devastating for a few detractors, and both serendipitous and immensely valuable for the 22.9 million residents of America’s third most populous state.  He is, most of all, to me, an independent insurance agent, a proven courageous defender of fairness and the truest of friends.

You’ll find this work by Don teeming with home spun philosophies applied to massive and complex social problems.  It is a world class lesson in decision making, for lawmakers and lobbyists, and for anyone pondering what is just and how to achieve justice against overwhelming odds.

Opening chapters spin tales of the simplest human endeavors juxtaposed against life in Don’s small town of DeFuniak Springs. These parables are the foundation for his public life and his guiding principles that road mapped reform for Florida’s “Hurricane Crisis.”  Simplicity, discipline, safety and security for Florida citizens and unrelenting devotion to truth–hallmarks of Don Browns’ amazing legislative career.

But…it’s more than that!

I garnered much from the style of his prose. I was moved to rethink Florida’s trek since Hurricane Andrew and the 04/05 storms and the legislative aftermath of both. I further believe that, in the future, we should contrast some contemporary approaches with his well-established “Guiding Principles” provided in the appendix– even the slightest erosion of which, in my opinion, could lead Florida further from the scientific and rational message and inexorably closer to short term solutions more likely to dissolve in the sand.

Far from hyperbole, Don’s message is testament to the value of history. Even if you were absent when we suffered eight landfalls in 16 months (04/05) you are now dealing with the misdirections spawned to reshape the future.  Don Brown was there though.  This book puts you there too.

I found these pages oozing with confidence and determination.  Like when this “Country Boy” from an obscure Panhandle District 5 was first elected during the Bush/Gore hanging chad fiasco. Or like grabbing the legislative sword against a cauldron of nay sayers (leaders), to oversee the repeal of Florida’s Joint and Several Liability doctrine.  In typical fashion he was warned it couldn’t be done. I was there when it was done…by Don Brown. And, like his public service generally, it was accomplished, despite the odds and without a thought of personal reward.

It’s so well written and crawling with life that I want to read Don’s book to you like a bedtime story.  But that wouldn’t be right, would it?  You’d lose impact and the motivation to delve.

You’ve got to read it yourself to know what’s here and how to apply Don Brown’s lessons to your own life and circumstance. 

I enthusiastically recommend “The 9 Guideline Principles to Enact Change: A Legislator’s Memoir from Outhouse to State House” confident you’ll find it to be more than just a good read… 

…You’ll find it to be an adventure well worth taking with lessons that extend beyond the mere act of making laws.

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