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Real Change: From the World That Fails to the World That Works

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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.

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. Gingrich has proposed some of those and has shown a way that we can provide incentives to entrepreneurs for many more. We can either keep doing things the way we have been (like all of the presidential candidates would do with slight variations), or we can create a brighter future. Albert Einstein said, "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over but expecting different results." That is the way our system has been functioning. It is time to do something different.

I could go on and on about this book. It is so packed full of ideas and wisdom that it is hard not to do so. I will not do that though. I do recommend that you buy it, read it, and share it with others.

"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.

This book both inspires the reader to seek real change to move government to a model that works, and causes concern that the need is urgent, and the alternative, continuing down the path of the status quo, is foreboding.

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!

Finally, someone with the credentials to say it has said it! Newt is right on target with "Real Change" and we all need to read this and digest it. He's right, we need to demand results from those we send to Washington. The book takes on the tough issues facing us today, and looks at how and who put us in the tenuous position we find ourselves. Immigration reform is a must, or we're going to lose our country. We must not elect those who would cut and run from the most dangerous war we've been in since WWII. We cannot lose this war as many on the left would have us do. We need tough judges, tax reform and we need to bring religion out of the darkness 10% of those in this country have put it in. The leftists who support these kooks on the far left must be stopped before it's too late. Read every page in this book to understand why change is so very necessary.

Morgan Norval, terrorism expert, author of The Fifteen Century War: Islam's Violent Heritage

I'm a big fan of Newt Gingrich. I think he is doing a lot of good on the sidelines as a thinker. With this in mind I clamored for a copy of his new book "Real Change" hoping to find some new ideas on how to turn America around or at least reaffirm my ideas. I am disappointed. "Real Change" offers several ideas about change but no solutions or at least no details about the "solutions". To Newt's defense he does refer the reader to his American Solutions web sight regularly and this reader has yet to visit the site. Hopefully it is full of solutions (and details). The book is description of much of what ails America and several bland, generic ideas about change. I think this book may only provide additional fodder for the "change" group-think which is in vogue during this Presidential election. What's not said is most people fear change and will do most anything to cling to the status quo. Nor is there any mention of the saying "be careful what you wish for, you might just get it." What are we wishing for? Change for the sake of change is ill-advised. I have consistently respected Mr. Gingrich for his ideas. I've met him more than once. He signed my copy of "The Road to Serfdom" by Hayek (it was the only book I had with me at the time, but a book Newt recommended nonetheless) But I am disappointed with this book and must question some of his thoughts and statements. First Newt does mention the Fair Tax but all but dismisses it as untenable. He seems to prefer the flat tax proffered by Steve Forbes et. al. In my opinion there is no bigger (or better) source for "Real Change" than the Fair Tax. Second, he writes " FDR, the greatest Democratic president of the twentieth century...". What? FDR's alphabet soup, all-encompassing government is the largest contributor to the mess we are in. Newt repeatedly refers to less government and more personal responsibility as the answer to America's woes. FDR, are we talking about the same person? FDR was a socialist who we elected FOUR times! The damage he did to this country is unmeasurable and has set the course for both the mess we currently face and if left unchecked the ultimate demise of this once great country. On at least two occasions in his book Newt refers to the Federalist Papers as the savior of this country. Although these papers serve as important source documentation leading up to the Constitution they are not the Constitution nor are they the law of the land. Suggesting "[t]hose in doubt that the elected branches have the power to reform the judicial branch need merely to read the Federalist Papers for quite specific recommendations for how it can happen." What does the Constitution have to say about that? Finally Newt needs to review his Physics, Thermodynamics, and Chemistry. He has not only jumped onto the Ethanol bandwagon but also has apparently discovered new laws of physical science. "Some have estimated that composite materials combined with a hybrid E-85 engine could produce a vehicle that could run for 500 to 1,000 miles on a gallon of petroleum." First E-85 refers to a fuel mixture 85% gasoline (petroleum) and 15% ethanol. This mixture contains LESS energy than 100% gasoline. For a vehicle to achieve this type of mileage it would require a vehicle like the Honda Civic to achieve at least 10-20 times the fuel efficiency currently available. Some of this could be achieved through lighter weight but there are no miracle composites available that would enable this type of improvement. And even it this mileage was attainable I doubt the vehicle would be large enough for even one passenger. I will take a look at his Real Solutions web site in hope of finding some answers and better information but my great expectations for this book have been dashed. However I remain a fan of Newt and recognize the fact America needs thinkers like him

Real Change: From the World That Fails to the World That Works

This is a book that is a must-read for all Americans. Brilliantly capturing what real Americans think, Gingrich provides research-based policy recommendations that (if adopted)would put the United States on the right path to future success and renewed greatness.

This book is the appropriate antidote to the currently popular soundbites that supposedly capture the policy prescriptions of out current crop of presidential wannabees.

EVERYBODY should read this book and get copies for all family memebers and friends. Even better would be to get one for politicians you know and insist that they read it.

For some folks Newt Gingrich is radioactive. They hear his name and they switch to attack mode. However, this book deserves to be read and debated in its merits not on what his detractors say about his personal life, how the GOP took over Congress in 1994, or what they did with power while they held it. Well, actually, part of this book is Newt analyzing what the GOP did wrong while it held power. He says that when they became the majority many in the GOP had only been used to be being the minority and were not part of the Conservative movement. Hence, they ran Congress and spent your money like typical politicians.

Speaker Gingrich takes apart the myth of the Red versus Blue America and argues that there is a way to build a winning agenda based on issues that are supported by the majority of Americans. He has 21 chapters and a conclusion divided in to three parts. Part 1 is called "A Time For Change" and has five chapters laying out where we are and why the times cry out for change. He talks about why red versus blue is a myth, why the GOP failed to govern effectively, and why the Democrats can't deliver real change. Gingrich goes on to use the examples of the repairs after Katrina and the way the State of Michigan is failing to show the paralysis of the present way of governing, and also discusses the sad state of education in our country.

Part 2 says "Real Change Is Possible". Newt discusses how America has found ways to implement transformational change in the past and why we can do it now. He talks about the ways we can become Citizen Leaders, what we can learn from the changes in Britain and France, and contrasts Giuliani's Mayoralty of New York and the change in government when we deposed Saddam Hussein in Iraq.

Part 3 has 12 chapters discussing the issues a majority of Americans support, how they support it and why. The issues are a sensible immigration policy, prosperity for American Workers, transforming Social Security, reforming the Judiciary, balancing the Federal Budget, and reforming NASA through entrepreneurship. He goes on to talk about Green Conservatism and environmental challenges, energy strategies, improving air and rail transportation, how to transform health care, and national and home security.

There are eight appendices. They provide a political platform embodying these issues, introduces Gingrich's Solution Lab, why Welfare Reform is a great example of Real Change, and FDR's D-Day Prayer (that was delivered over national radio). They also discuss health values, the four key areas for reforming health care, an excerpt from an earlier Gingrich book on a blueprint for the future, and a talk he gave on 9/10/07 at AEI on "What If? An Alternative History of the War Since 9/11".

No, I don't agree with everything Gingrich says and I think his physics for energy independence is quite suspect. However, I could vote for this platform (within bounds) and think his attempt at breaking this gridlock we have on imprisoning the base while taking a hammer and a blowtorch to the other side is terrific. This book is very much worth reading and discussing. We are going to need something along these lines to re-energize our political environment with positive feeling and fresh thought.

Recommended.

Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Ann Arbor, MI

Two other Gingrich books:

Rediscovering God in America:
Rediscovering God in America: Reflections on the Role of Faith in Our Nation's History

Winning the Future
Winning the Future: A 21st Century Contract with America

This book clearly articulates in a non-partisan manner the flaws in the liberal minded approach to solving problems by creating inefficient government programs and unincentivized bureaucracy.

I bought the audio version because I drive a ton for my job. I cannot stop listening to this book. I learn something new every time. It is amazing how informative it is. Newt is smart. He knows his stuff. His theories on government are based on facts and they just make sense. Wow, why doesn't this guy run for President? Before buying this book I wasn't really into politics but now I can't help but get involved. More Americans need to be educated on what it means to live in a democracy and that government is not the answer to all our problems. We have been preconditioned to believe so. "We" are not government and government does not have the power and should not have the power to make decisions that are blatantly the opposite of what the majority of Americans want. We are the people!