Are you fed up with bickering politicians, self-satisfied bureaucrats, and a government that never seems to address the real problems facing our country? Can we create a government that is small, efficient, and responsive-from the state house to the White House? Is that kind of real change even possible? Newt Gingrich, architect of the Contract with America, says it is time for citizens to demand results from our elected officials. In this revealing and exciting new book, he shows how America can achieve transformational change-from a government of bureaucratic failure to a government that can meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. As a first step, Gingrich busts the pernicious myth that America is divided between conservative red states and liberal blue states. As Gingrich points out, the American people are united on almost every important issue facing our country-including immigration, taxes, defending America, and freedom of religion. The real division is between red-white-and-blue America and a fringe on the Left. Red-white-and-blue America believes overwhelmingly-by majorities of 70 percent or more-that we need a change in course. But our politicians aren't listening. Gingrich reveals why the Democratic Party can't deliver real change and why the Republican Party won't. He provides answers and a step-by-step, issue-by-issue toolkit for building a better America-the safe, innovative, and dynamic America we all want.
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Book Description
--This text refers to the
Audio CD
edition.
Editorial Reviews
From the Inside Flap
Are you fed up with bickering politicians, self-satisfied bureaucrats, and a government that never seems to address the real problems facing our country? Can we create a government that is small, efficient, and responsive--from the state house to the White House? Is that kind of real change even possible? Newt Gingrich, architect of the Contract with America, says it's time for citizens to demand results from our elected officials. In this revealing and exciting new book, he shows how America can achieve transformational change--from a government of bureaucratic failure to a government that can meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. As a first step, Gingrich busts the pernicious myth that America is divided between conservative red states and liberal blue states. As Gingrich points out, the American people are united on almost every important issue facing our country--including immigration, taxes, defending America, and freedom of religion. The real division is between red-white-and-blue America and a fringe on the left. Red-white-and-blue America believes overwhelmingly--by majorities of 70 percent or more--that we need a change in course. But our politicians aren't listening. Gingrich reveals why the Democratic Party can't deliver real change and why the Republican Party won't. He provides answers and a step-by-step, issue-by-issue toolkit for building a better America--the safe, innovative, and dynamic America we all want. What will take us from the world that fails to the world that works? Real change--the kind of change that happens when politicians drop their own agendas and respond to the will of the people. Newt Gingrich shows us how we can make real change a reality.
From the Back Cover
Real change requires REAL CHANGE
"We're standing on the edge of a potential golden age for America. Advances in technology, science, engineering, and medicine hold the promise of benefits our parents couldn't even dream of. If we make the right choices now, America will enjoy a level of prosperity, safety, and freedom unknown to previous generations. But if we make the wrong choices, we will suffer the very serious consequences of a set of challenges we choose to ignore. . . . We the people can force real change and can secure the kind of future America and our children and grandchildren deserve."
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
152 of 167 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
All I can say is its about time someone wrote a book that isn't a down in the mouth, whimpering review of how bad it is. Newt Gingrich shows us how we can grab a future we'll be proud to leave our children and grand-children in Real Change. Let me also say that Real Change doesn't attempt to only Republicans, but makes arguments that should appeal to all Americans regardless of your political leanings.
Why hasn't someone else shouted out these solutions? As another reviewer pointed out, most of us are not divided as a people. We all want the same things: affordable healthcare, education that educates, a healthy economy, and a national defense system that separates our friends from our foes. This is what Newt Gingrich says we can have.
To get the country we want we need to hold our elected officials feet to the fire and demand real change. Make them serve us, the citizen and not some special interest group, including the well organized and politically saavy illegal immigrants. Notice, I said "illegal." I have nothing against immigrants who come into the country the way my grandparents came in....legally. Politicians need to know we want progress and will not accept the status quo.
If you're tired of hearing the doom and gloomers, then Real Change is for you. Pick up a copy and you'll find yourself engrossed. This is a real page turner.....really.
I highly recommend Real Change by Newt Gingrich.
Peace to all.
Why hasn't someone else shouted out these solutions? As another reviewer pointed out, most of us are not divided as a people. We all want the same things: affordable healthcare, education that educates, a healthy economy, and a national defense system that separates our friends from our foes. This is what Newt Gingrich says we can have.
To get the country we want we need to hold our elected officials feet to the fire and demand real change. Make them serve us, the citizen and not some special interest group, including the well organized and politically saavy illegal immigrants. Notice, I said "illegal." I have nothing against immigrants who come into the country the way my grandparents came in....legally. Politicians need to know we want progress and will not accept the status quo.
If you're tired of hearing the doom and gloomers, then Real Change is for you. Pick up a copy and you'll find yourself engrossed. This is a real page turner.....really.
I highly recommend Real Change by Newt Gingrich.
Peace to all.
56 of 59 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Unlike the typical negative political rhetoric, Newt Gingrich has composed an amazing roadmap for positive change.
Virtually everyone is aware of the myriad of problems facing the United States today. There are problems with illegal immigration, high taxes, high energy prices, a failing Social Security system, spiraling health care costs, a divisive war, pathetic performance by government at all levels (e.g. Hurricane Katrina relief) and many others. Many are good at pointing out the challenges; few are good at providing answers. That is not the case here.
The former Speaker of the House stands alone at the top in terms of innovative ideas that could lead us to a very bright future. Everyone, regardless of political affiliation, should read the ideas in this book. Whereas almost all politicians focus on short term changes to gain political advantage, Gingrich concentrates on meaningful long term solutions.
One of his points is that America is not rigidly divided into red and blue states. He contends that there are core issues upon which the vast majority of Americans agree. He supports this with polling data. He has put together a platform featuring many of these consensus issues.
Not only would this approach help to unite Americans again, these ideas, if enacted, would make things immeasurably better for all. Some of these are as follows: Overhauling the Social Security system before it goes bankrupt, replacing the current air and railway transportation systems with much more effective ones, redesigning health care payment and delivery with 21st century technology to replace the 1950s model currently in place, reigning in an out-of-control judiciary, and many others.
Clearly, our big problems will require bold new solutions.... Read more ›
Virtually everyone is aware of the myriad of problems facing the United States today. There are problems with illegal immigration, high taxes, high energy prices, a failing Social Security system, spiraling health care costs, a divisive war, pathetic performance by government at all levels (e.g. Hurricane Katrina relief) and many others. Many are good at pointing out the challenges; few are good at providing answers. That is not the case here.
The former Speaker of the House stands alone at the top in terms of innovative ideas that could lead us to a very bright future. Everyone, regardless of political affiliation, should read the ideas in this book. Whereas almost all politicians focus on short term changes to gain political advantage, Gingrich concentrates on meaningful long term solutions.
One of his points is that America is not rigidly divided into red and blue states. He contends that there are core issues upon which the vast majority of Americans agree. He supports this with polling data. He has put together a platform featuring many of these consensus issues.
Not only would this approach help to unite Americans again, these ideas, if enacted, would make things immeasurably better for all. Some of these are as follows: Overhauling the Social Security system before it goes bankrupt, replacing the current air and railway transportation systems with much more effective ones, redesigning health care payment and delivery with 21st century technology to replace the 1950s model currently in place, reigning in an out-of-control judiciary, and many others.
Clearly, our big problems will require bold new solutions.... Read more ›
40 of 46 people found the following review helpful
By C. Paul
Format:Hardcover
"The American people are stunningly pragmatic." - from this book, and one of many observations that need to be communicated and understood.
The only disappointment is that the appendices might have been many more in number and more detailed.
This book may be the Common Sense (Thomas Paine) of our time. The government is broken, in fact corrupted, and the author provides the facts to back up his premise that the bureaucracies at all levels of government are neither of or for the people but rather are working to perpetuate their own existence, destroying America in the process. Then, instead of stopping with gripes about where we are, concepts to address the problems are identified and discussed.
The first chapter of this book alone is worth the money and time invested and should be required reading for every taxpayer who is tired of watching our greatness and goodness be put in decline by loud but small fringe groups with narcissism rather than safety, security and prosperity for the whole be the agenda.
Other discussions of note include our failed judiciary, the problems with our education system, real environmentalism, and a thoughtful discussion of immigration that finally addresses the desire of most Americans to welcome immigrants, asking only that they abide by our laws. Perhaps this will resonate with Washington which apparently believes that only citizens should be subject to the economic brutality of the IRS and that a blind eye can be turned to illegal status of many immigrants. The solution is in rigorous law enforcement and implementing a viable guest worker program to satisfy the majority of law-abiding citizens and help our economy and our immigrant brothers and sisters.... Read more ›
The only disappointment is that the appendices might have been many more in number and more detailed.
This book may be the Common Sense (Thomas Paine) of our time. The government is broken, in fact corrupted, and the author provides the facts to back up his premise that the bureaucracies at all levels of government are neither of or for the people but rather are working to perpetuate their own existence, destroying America in the process. Then, instead of stopping with gripes about where we are, concepts to address the problems are identified and discussed.
The first chapter of this book alone is worth the money and time invested and should be required reading for every taxpayer who is tired of watching our greatness and goodness be put in decline by loud but small fringe groups with narcissism rather than safety, security and prosperity for the whole be the agenda.
Other discussions of note include our failed judiciary, the problems with our education system, real environmentalism, and a thoughtful discussion of immigration that finally addresses the desire of most Americans to welcome immigrants, asking only that they abide by our laws. Perhaps this will resonate with Washington which apparently believes that only citizens should be subject to the economic brutality of the IRS and that a blind eye can be turned to illegal status of many immigrants. The solution is in rigorous law enforcement and implementing a viable guest worker program to satisfy the majority of law-abiding citizens and help our economy and our immigrant brothers and sisters.... Read more ›
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Gingrich of all that this reviewer hears opine on TV about the issues that trouble us, seems always to be the most composed and fresh thinker to have thought through and provide what sounds like a non-partisan what is good for America presentation.
Such is this book. He has criticism for both parties, showing that they are far more inclined to vote for their campaign treasuries than what the people need. Corporations and interest groups on the one side, and bureauocracy, unions and a liberal elite culture group on the other.
No wonder the majority of people feel disinfranchised from the whole 'we the people' government we hear idealized in speeches, but never seems to live in Congress and the White House.
Gingrich bases responses to major problems of healthcare, education, Social Security, etc. with a polling concept, which if true, shows that the vast majority of Americans support various goals and strategies which to date we don't hear from any one political candidate.
This truly is a book for all Americans to read and ponder. Very well done!
Such is this book. He has criticism for both parties, showing that they are far more inclined to vote for their campaign treasuries than what the people need. Corporations and interest groups on the one side, and bureauocracy, unions and a liberal elite culture group on the other.
No wonder the majority of people feel disinfranchised from the whole 'we the people' government we hear idealized in speeches, but never seems to live in Congress and the White House.
Gingrich bases responses to major problems of healthcare, education, Social Security, etc. with a polling concept, which if true, shows that the vast majority of Americans support various goals and strategies which to date we don't hear from any one political candidate.
This truly is a book for all Americans to read and ponder. Very well done!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
What we suspected, and now KNOW!
The background of the why's and wherefore's of political posturing are made clear for those of us who see what is happening, but don't completely understand WHY. Read more
Published on October 16, 2010 by Cricket7
5.0 out of 5 stars
novel
i bought this book for my husband it came in perfect condition he loved it
Published on July 14, 2010 by Sherry K. Miner
4.0 out of 5 stars
Plenty of Ideas - Few How-Tos
The former Speaker of the House despises bureaucracies. In his 2008 book, Real Change, Newt Gingrich explains why our federal government has failed us and how, if we follow his... Read more
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Measurable Goals Create Real Change
This is a well-written book on practical policies to solve problems. Although written from a decidedly conservative viewpoint, it presents a truth that would apply to any attempts... Read more
Published on December 5, 2009 by R. E. Marsh
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gingrich: post-partisan, optimistic, hard-headed realist
A very positive and "post-partisan" book in the sense that he shows how BOTH major parties are radically failing America. Read more
Published on August 14, 2009 by R. S. Corzine
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Conservative Call to Action
"Real Change" is Newt Gingrich's call for reforms which will enable America to live up to its potential. It compares the private world that works with the public world that fails. Read more
Published on August 6, 2009 by James Gallen
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great Conservative Action Plan
For those Conservatives who are fearful of the Country's current direction, Newt Gingrich has laid out rationale and principles that can be an action plan for political... Read more
Published on March 16, 2009 by Robert R. Kessler
3.0 out of 5 stars
good talking points, poor delivery
It's really a shame that a book on such an important subject should be so dry and boring. Lots and lots of statistics: 86% of people pooled agree with this, 92% disagree with... Read more
Published on March 5, 2009 by Laurie J. Neverman
5.0 out of 5 stars
The new leader of Republican thought
His understanding has a chance to be the new model for Republicans to make sense as a party, once more. He is very thoughtful and analytical, so he won't be taken as a bumpkin. Read more
Published on January 20, 2009 by L. Bailey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Newt does it again!
As a retired University Professor, I find a certain simpatico with Newt's approach. He may be all the things outlined on the back dust cover, but, in my opinion, he is first an... Read more
Published on December 23, 2008 by Douglas Matheson
