Scott Rasmussen, an independent pollster for over a decade, poses this thesis in his latest book, In Search of Self-Governance: Americans are united in the belief that our political system is broken, that politicians are corrupt, and that neither major political party has the answers. We don't want to be governed from the left, the right, or the center. We want to govern ourselves. The critical accolades quickly follow -- from both sides of the Beltway. Pat Caddell, Political Strategist and pollster for President Jimmy Carter calls it a "brilliant and thoughtful essay." "This book is dead-on in both its theory and timing," exclaims Joe Trippi, Political Strategist and former campaign manager for Howard Dean, adding, "It poses a worthy and moral challenge to politicians and practitioners of politics to stand up for the people and their right to self-govern." "...In Search of Self-Governance promises to be the type of provocative and compelling tome for the decade to come that The Third Wave and The Tipping Point were in decades past," according to Carter Clews of Liberty Features Syndicate. Dick Morris concurs: "Rasmussen's book is useful and important in that it casts a light on what is happening in the private side of the public sphere where, outside of politics, real and usually constructive change is taking place. He broadens our perspective and reminds us that most of the great good in this world was not achieved on the floor of Congress, but in the hearts, minds, and actions of the individuals who make up America."
Browse our Bookshelf Favorites store for big savings on popular fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and more. |
Book Description
Frequently Bought Together
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Scott W. Rasmussen is founder and President of Rasmussen Reports. He is a political analyst, New York Times bestselling author, public speaker and independent public opinion pollster. The Wall Street Journal describes him as "today's leading insurgent pollster" and "a key player in the contact sport of politics." The Washington Post says Rasmussen is a “driving force in American politics.” Rasmussen speaks regularly at events and with the media, translating poll numbers into meaningful analysis and commentary about current events, underlying trends, and the questions that Americans are curious about. Follow Rasmussen's work at twitter.com/RasmussenPoll or on the Rasmussen Reports Web site.
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
47 of 51 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
I don't know if Scott Rasmussen had the TeaParty movement in mind when he wrote this book but it is nothing less than a complete, articulate manifesto for the TeaParty Movement.
I quickly finished reading it after a short 90 min sitting (71 pages) and I can say, without reservation, it is the best expression of TeaParty principles and strategies I have read.
Give this book to your children, your friends and family. Give it to anyone who values a free America.
The most sacred obligation of elected officials and government is to preserve and protect the freedom of sovereign citizens to make decisions for ourselves, so we can lead our lives on our own terms. We have drifted away from this foundational principle but we can return to it if we all work together to hold government accountable.
I quickly finished reading it after a short 90 min sitting (71 pages) and I can say, without reservation, it is the best expression of TeaParty principles and strategies I have read.
Give this book to your children, your friends and family. Give it to anyone who values a free America.
The most sacred obligation of elected officials and government is to preserve and protect the freedom of sovereign citizens to make decisions for ourselves, so we can lead our lives on our own terms. We have drifted away from this foundational principle but we can return to it if we all work together to hold government accountable.
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By JM
Amazon Verified Purchase
The book is clear, concise and easy to read. It is essentially an extended essay on Mr. Rasmussen's personal political philosophy - which, it is worth noting, is neither Republican nor Democrat. His assertions are presented civilly and would resonate with most Americans. Because Mr. Rasmussen is well-known for his polling data, some readers might be surprised to discover the book contains none (at least, none specifically referenced). Rather, it is a summary of what he has learned about the American people over the course of his career - most notably, their desire for self-governance - and his personal recommendations for improvement. The book is a brief and welcome addition to the political discourse of our day. Given his extensive polling data, Mr. Rasmussen undoubtedly could publish multiple volumes of analysis of the American electorate. Hopefully such work is forthcoming.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
This book can be read in a day. I love how easy it is to read and digest. Short chapters and clear concise writing make it a dream book.
I very much agree with everything he said about current politicians forgetting that it is we who are in charge. They believe they are smarter than us and can therefore run our lives better than we can. But Americans have always believed we do better when we run our own lives. Afterall, I may not be as smart as Obama and others on the left, but I certainly qualify as a genius when it comes to how well I can make decisions that affect me! No one in Washington could ever run my life better than I can! I don't care how annointed they feel they are to guide the helpless masses. I'm a grown-up and America was founded as a nation of grown-ups. We need to show the politicians we hired to keep the country going that we are perfectly capable of governing ourselves.
I almost wish he would do an update to reflect the sentiments coming out of the Tea Parties and their supporters. He seems to believe a group like that has their finger on the pulse of this nation.
I would also love it if he would name names, but he is much too civil for that. I would at least love to know who the current leaders are that we can support. Who is standing up for us right now and ready to lead us back to the values of small, limited government we are looking for?
I very much agree with everything he said about current politicians forgetting that it is we who are in charge. They believe they are smarter than us and can therefore run our lives better than we can. But Americans have always believed we do better when we run our own lives. Afterall, I may not be as smart as Obama and others on the left, but I certainly qualify as a genius when it comes to how well I can make decisions that affect me! No one in Washington could ever run my life better than I can! I don't care how annointed they feel they are to guide the helpless masses. I'm a grown-up and America was founded as a nation of grown-ups. We need to show the politicians we hired to keep the country going that we are perfectly capable of governing ourselves.
I almost wish he would do an update to reflect the sentiments coming out of the Tea Parties and their supporters. He seems to believe a group like that has their finger on the pulse of this nation.
I would also love it if he would name names, but he is much too civil for that. I would at least love to know who the current leaders are that we can support. Who is standing up for us right now and ready to lead us back to the values of small, limited government we are looking for?
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Calls for an Electronic Democracy
Professional pollster, Scott Rasmussen, has written a patriotic (yes, 76 page) essay on what's wrong with America, and what can be done about it. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Bill Kelleher
5.0 out of 5 stars
In Search of Self-Governance
This book, the result of years of polls and analysis, gives hope that we can solve our problems stemming from too much government intervention in our lives and the unintended... Read more
Published on May 10, 2011 by CuriousOne
5.0 out of 5 stars
Mercantilism
Fast read. Good information explained briefly.
In some ways we can be pictured as a "Sports Bar" nation. Shouting at our friends without listening to them. Read more
In some ways we can be pictured as a "Sports Bar" nation. Shouting at our friends without listening to them. Read more
Published on August 14, 2010 by Dr. Don Malnati
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not what I expected
On TV, Scott Rasmussen is wise and insightful, and his polls are usually closer than anybody. However, this thin book which I breezed through in 10 minutes is a series of... Read more
Published on July 4, 2010 by Robert Fretz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Capturing the very heart of America
The angst and anger for which the Tea Party movement is only the tip of the iceberg is well reflected in Scott Rasmussen's analysis of what ails the American republic today. Read more
Published on June 19, 2010 by David M. Zuniga
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good, but kind of soft
I was kind of surprised that a book written by Scott Rasmussen was so light in backup material. Perhaps I wrongly suspected that the book would have used some statistics gathered... Read more
Published on April 19, 2010 by J. Grant Bristow
5.0 out of 5 stars
Insightful and balanced
Mr. Rasmussen created a concise explanation, based on his experience and his surveys, of the American experiment in self-governance, the threats to its continuance, and what can be... Read more
Published on March 29, 2010 by Earl P. Chantrill
5.0 out of 5 stars
What we must do
Scott Rasmussen's timely book is must reading. His short 76-page book misses nothing as he defines The Search, The Threat(s), and How we must save Self-Governance. Read more
Published on March 28, 2010 by Edwin S. Oxner
4.0 out of 5 stars
You Are Your Government
Scott aims directly at the heart of the dissatisfaction that Americans have with their political system now. Read more
Published on March 19, 2010 by Peter Parker
5.0 out of 5 stars
Short, to the point, must read.
Scott hits the nail right on the head with this one and his words could not be more true. Regular citizens don't have a history of following politics much, only right before... Read more
Published on March 18, 2010 by R. Thomas
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store
If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store.
Learn more
