Customer Reviews

Reason to Believe

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Already known in Progressive circles as among the best political thinkers and speakers of the last 20 years, Governor Cuomo paints a clear and gripping picture of modern American politics.

From the decline of the middle class and the demonizing of education and government to a new political climate he calls the New Harshness, Cuomo is on target. As usual his rhetoric is uplifting and his points are concise. Economics, Labor Unions and Republican linguistic warfare all get their due as Cuomo takes apart modern conservative thought and puts together a new progressive doctrine for America's future.

Like the title, the content is what it claims to be. Cuomo's thoughts and observations are A Reason to Believe that we cannot cast aside the liberal ideas that made America great. He makes a strong case that these values -- and not divisive rhetoric -- will save our nation.

It's a must read for Progressives who want to do better and for Conservatives who want to know what the enemy is thinking.

I really enjoyed this book. Mario Cuomo really has a strong grasp on the most important issues of today. His views should be those shared by moral americans. As he says we are not all just 250 million lone horsemen riding off into the sunset, we're all in it together. It is our unity that keeps us strong. I agree with Cuomo that the Republicans are all just a bunch of babbling bafoons filled with greed. They are always pandering to the basest fears of people. Man's basest nature is greed and desire for control over other humans....... The Republicans embody all of that. Greed and Control.

This book influenced me greatly. I remember I first read this book when I was in the 12th grade in high school. At the time, I was terribly confused over the labels "Republican" and "Democrat." Yet, this book helped me pick the way to go. In a time when many were turning to Republicans and their agenda of harshness, I, with the help of the great Mario Cuomo's "Reason to Believe," began to turn to the traditional Democratic politics of compassion, inclusion and progress for all.

I highly recommend this one to anybody wanting to get a pick me up in the age of Newt Gingrich and Monica Lewinsky or anybody wanting to know what the Democratic party really stands for.

Even though Cuomo may make some observations which divide "new" and "old" Democrats, the fact is that the basic feeling and message of the book, that we need an empowerment-based and compassionate activist government and not a harsh, do-nothing government, is one which still defines what it means to be a Democrat.

I highly recommend this one.

While the book is old, Cuomo's vision of America is timeless. This is an excellent promulgation of a progressive policy agenda and rebuttal of fundamental conservative arguments. It is truly a shame that Governor Cuomo was never able to implement his vision as president.

If you want to be witness to a very active and functional liberal mind, it's Cuomo's writings you should explore.
Cuomo lays out several well thought-out arguments against the 1990's republicans, and successfully argues, I think, for the need to strengthen the democratic party, in order to get back to the democratic principles that made this country great!

Cuomo has excellent speaking skills and this is reflected in his marvelous writing.

Jeffrey McAndrew
author of "Our Brown-Eyed Boy"

In an age of cynical self-interest, Cuomo's book is water to a thirsty liberal soul. Informative, but neither academic nor inaccessible, Reason to Believe is a sermon and apology for compassionate liberal values as an antidote to the Contract with America's economic social Darwinism.

Conservatives will probably dislike it. Liberals will find it a good, fresh rally 'round the liberal flagpole. I'm a liberal, so it was fun for me. But have you noticed how the word "community" is becoming the new flashword among liberals? "We are all in this together," says Mario, so we had better take care of ourselves. Like Hillary Clinton's "It Takes a Village." The use of "community" is like the use of "opportunity" by the conservatives. Both are code words for points of view that, taken to their extremes, can be far more detrimental than helpful. Americans ultimately prefer the middle. Just remember that, folks, and no one will get hurt.