Customer Reviews

In Search of Self-Governance

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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. America is past the point of just talking about the corruption infesting government, industry, professions, and the academy; now it is virtually screaming about it. This book should be in the hands of millions who are hoisting posters today, as much in defiance of corruption as in resignation to it.

Normally, one looks to Scott Rasmussen to take the political pulse of America, but with In Search of Self-Governance Scott exposes not just the pulse of our anxious republic, but her very heart.

David M. Zuniga, P.E.
Founder & CEO, AmericaAgain!
Author, This Bloodless Liberty

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 election time. THIS HAS CHANGED TODAY as everyone is following politics who can think for their own self and family. We never think about it but we DON'T want to be governed by the right OR the left as we are a free people. READ THIS BOOK, CURRENT POLICIES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ISLE HAVE FOR YEARS BEGAN TO THINK "They know what's good for the people better than the people know." This contempt comes mainly from the leftist statists currently in charge of shredding the US Constitution but the right side of the isle shares much of this contempt, at least some do. A MUST READ FOR ALL WHO WANT TO BE REMINDED. Thanks Scott!

This is a wonderful essay and a call to action for those who want to take back government and return to government "of the people, by the people, and for the people." I felt all of the author's points and concerns about our current system resonate through me, as if I could have written them myself.

Several reviews have been critical of the book as either (a) irrelevant because the battle is already lost, (b) lacking depth, numbers, and analysis, or (c) lacking detailed "workable" solutions. However, this book - which is more of an essay - is not supposed to be and was not passed off as a detailed step-by-step solution guide to our nations political ills. Instead, it was meant to be a rousing call to action, to take government back. And in that it succeeds immensely. It was listed as 88 pages, so I'm not sure why some were expecting something more than what the book was described to be - a call to action.

Some have said the broad (and admittedly not comprehensive) possible list of solutions are unworkable, or not enough, or that the fight is already lost. Some seeds always fall on infertile ground - that is inevitable. But for those of us for whom the book resonates, I am hoping those naysayers will someday benefit from the fruits of those of us who work hard to try and change the system. Will we succeed? Maybe not. But trying sure is a heck of a lot better than sitting back and being the cynic that allows the status quo to endure.

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.

Washington D.C. is broken and we must mend it, but to do so we first need to correct our decisions and choices. Scott doesn't focus blame on any one Party for most politicians are at fault having chipped away at the checks and balances established by our Founding Fsthers. Scott is convinced that most Americans recognize the problems besetting us but regrettable too many are turned off by politics thus allowing our obviously broken system to stagnate (aka rot).

Mr. Rasmussen concludes that the American people must be put back in charge. A-men!

One small point...the book claims a copyright in 2009, but was written in 2010.

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 done about it. He points out that pressures from the right and the left, big government and big business, and both political parties are factors.

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.

Information on big government, but more about big government and BIG business combining to remove our opportunities to make decisions about our own lives. "When regulators are in charge, those who can game the system win."

A book I liked better on the Mercantilism subject (much more information) is How Capitalism Saved America: The Untold History of Our Country, from the Pilgrims to the Present by DiLorenzo.

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?

Scott aims directly at the heart of the dissatisfaction that Americans have with their political system now. There were other issues in the past, but solutions were devised and executed, obviously since we have seen the changes. However, the political organism is like any other. It's basic motivation, above all else, is the urge to survive and grow. To survive, one must become smarter, stronger, more "acceptable", and Washington has done that. But so does the populace evolve, and they once again have caught up to the game. There is really only one way to improve the situation, and that is to understand and apply what Scott says. You are the government. You govern yourself. And any policy, law, regulation or politician that gets in the way of you governing yourself in a reasonable manner is the enemy. Only when we all really take responsibility for governing, will we be properly governed.