Gary Johnson is the former two-term governor of New Mexico. He made headlines during his tenure as governor for supporting school vouchers, a freeze on all taxes, real cuts in government agency funding and the decriminalization of marijuana. In 2012, he is running for President of the United States on the Libertarian Party ticket. He will be campaigning aggressively through the fall in all 50 states.
Seven Principles of Good Government
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About the Author
Gary Johnson is the former two-term governor of New Mexico. He is a champion marathon runner, who has climbed Mt. Everest. He's a father of two, who built a small handyman business into one of the largest construction companies in the Southwest. In 2012, he is the Libertarian Party candidate for President of the United States...and says he won't necessarily stop his campaign after the November elections.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 24 people found the following review helpful
By Jared Lord
Format:Paperback
As a longtime supporter of Governor Johnson, and a volunteer for the campaign for nearly a year now, I was waiting for this book to come out. I devoured the advance copy I purchased at the Libertarian National Convention in May over the course of two days. This is no-nonsense, common sense solutions to our national issues, by someone who has actually fixed many of these issues at the state level. This book doesn't have the air self-importance "I know better than you" that you tend to see from presidential candidates. Instead, it reads very conversationally. While I would consider it required reading for all supporters and volunteers, I would recommend it more to those who don't know who Gary is, or what his platform is about. You may agree with some or all of it, or you may disagree with some or all of it, but in order to do that you will have to think about the issues rather than simply choose a party line based on who you dislike the least. Excellent read.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By Paul Meehan
Format:Paperback
"The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community is to prevent harm to others. His own good, physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant."
The famous British philosopher and statesman John Stuart Mill may have said it (circa 1840s?), but I conclude from his book that former NM Governor Gary Johnson clearly believes it, and it's a principle by which he would govern us. As he explains early in this quick-punch summary of who and why he is, government should not be trying to save money doing things governments aren't supposed to be doing in the first place. This really hits home with the following bullets: The government spends $25 billion a year maintaining vacant federal property; sell it, tear it down, or give it away, but stop spending taxpayers' money on it. The government spends $10 billion a year on travel; the president should send a memo directing all federal employees to cut their trips in half; few taxpayers would notice any difference, and we've saved $5 billion right there. There are $10-20 billion sitting in government accounts appropriated from taxpayers years ago but never obligated for any purpose; with the stroke of a pen, that money is rescinded... Then there's the War on Drugs; Q. What have we got for all the billions spent? A. Overburdened courts, overcrowded prisons, and deteriorating violent crime deriving from the illicit drugs trade. It's time for a new approach. End the war on drugs, decriminalize marijuana, and find ways to deal with addiction as a health issue, not a crime (Gov Johnson briefly cites the success of such programs in Europe).
The whole book reads like that; short, sharp, 'here's the problem and here's the solution and why' - businesslike prose. No waffle, no nonsense. As a painfully slow reader, I liked that: I was done in a little over an hour. If Gov Johnson governs like he writes, we can expect some revolutionary honesty and efficiency in government. And some serious changes. Audit the Fed... abolish the IRS... Get government out of things it shouldn't be doing in the first place (why is government trying to define marriage? Surely that's for the two people who enter into its covenants?). Religion? "People sometimes ask me about my religious beliefs. My answer's simple: I was raised a Lutheran. I think I have Christian values. I don't go to church." End of religion.
Seriously; Gov Johnson is running for the presidency, and I'm leaning toward him already.
I also liked the insights from his professional and personal life that provided the rationale for what he believes. Truth has become ever more important for Gov Johnson because of the legacy of the 'white lies' (and he describes them frankly) he told his late wife, in the sincere belief that telling her the whole truth would cause her stress. It didn't work. Shortly after their reluctant divorce, his wife died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease. Tell the truth, even when it hurts. Anything that will be disclosed eventually should be disclosed immediately, before the lawyers and the spin-doctors get hold of it. Elsewhere, Gov Johnson tells us what he learned from his competitiveness at athletics, climbing Mt Everest, using marijuana as medicine, and of course, from starting, building, and running an increasingly successful construction business prior to going into public life.
My own time in both business and government service (Army) taught me that good leadership fundamentally comes down to two lowest common denominators: Communication and Accountability. If you communicate well (meaning listen as well as talk), and are willing to hold yourself and others accountable, then you will be a good leader. Gov Johnson clearly communicates well, and he appears to know all the things for which he as a leader is accountable. I don't agree with him on everything, but his positions are well-reasoned, and he has integrity. I already know I have much more in common with him as an individual than I do with either of the other candidates.
You're not likely to hear much about Gov Johnson in the mainstream media. So before you discount or dismiss him, at least give him the hearing that he deserves as a successful former governor (to the maximum two terms). Regardless of what happens to him in November or beyond, this is a good, worthwhile read that should not take any intelligent person more than one hour. At the very least, you will have some extra perspective with which to judge the other candidates for the presidency in 2012. But I suspect you will find much more in this short, sharp work.
Thank you, Governor Johnson.
The famous British philosopher and statesman John Stuart Mill may have said it (circa 1840s?), but I conclude from his book that former NM Governor Gary Johnson clearly believes it, and it's a principle by which he would govern us. As he explains early in this quick-punch summary of who and why he is, government should not be trying to save money doing things governments aren't supposed to be doing in the first place. This really hits home with the following bullets: The government spends $25 billion a year maintaining vacant federal property; sell it, tear it down, or give it away, but stop spending taxpayers' money on it. The government spends $10 billion a year on travel; the president should send a memo directing all federal employees to cut their trips in half; few taxpayers would notice any difference, and we've saved $5 billion right there. There are $10-20 billion sitting in government accounts appropriated from taxpayers years ago but never obligated for any purpose; with the stroke of a pen, that money is rescinded... Then there's the War on Drugs; Q. What have we got for all the billions spent? A. Overburdened courts, overcrowded prisons, and deteriorating violent crime deriving from the illicit drugs trade. It's time for a new approach. End the war on drugs, decriminalize marijuana, and find ways to deal with addiction as a health issue, not a crime (Gov Johnson briefly cites the success of such programs in Europe).
The whole book reads like that; short, sharp, 'here's the problem and here's the solution and why' - businesslike prose. No waffle, no nonsense. As a painfully slow reader, I liked that: I was done in a little over an hour. If Gov Johnson governs like he writes, we can expect some revolutionary honesty and efficiency in government. And some serious changes. Audit the Fed... abolish the IRS... Get government out of things it shouldn't be doing in the first place (why is government trying to define marriage? Surely that's for the two people who enter into its covenants?). Religion? "People sometimes ask me about my religious beliefs. My answer's simple: I was raised a Lutheran. I think I have Christian values. I don't go to church." End of religion.
Seriously; Gov Johnson is running for the presidency, and I'm leaning toward him already.
I also liked the insights from his professional and personal life that provided the rationale for what he believes. Truth has become ever more important for Gov Johnson because of the legacy of the 'white lies' (and he describes them frankly) he told his late wife, in the sincere belief that telling her the whole truth would cause her stress. It didn't work. Shortly after their reluctant divorce, his wife died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease. Tell the truth, even when it hurts. Anything that will be disclosed eventually should be disclosed immediately, before the lawyers and the spin-doctors get hold of it. Elsewhere, Gov Johnson tells us what he learned from his competitiveness at athletics, climbing Mt Everest, using marijuana as medicine, and of course, from starting, building, and running an increasingly successful construction business prior to going into public life.
My own time in both business and government service (Army) taught me that good leadership fundamentally comes down to two lowest common denominators: Communication and Accountability. If you communicate well (meaning listen as well as talk), and are willing to hold yourself and others accountable, then you will be a good leader. Gov Johnson clearly communicates well, and he appears to know all the things for which he as a leader is accountable. I don't agree with him on everything, but his positions are well-reasoned, and he has integrity. I already know I have much more in common with him as an individual than I do with either of the other candidates.
You're not likely to hear much about Gov Johnson in the mainstream media. So before you discount or dismiss him, at least give him the hearing that he deserves as a successful former governor (to the maximum two terms). Regardless of what happens to him in November or beyond, this is a good, worthwhile read that should not take any intelligent person more than one hour. At the very least, you will have some extra perspective with which to judge the other candidates for the presidency in 2012. But I suspect you will find much more in this short, sharp work.
Thank you, Governor Johnson.
12 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By Hedonist
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I had the opportunity to meet Governor Johnson earlier this year and talk with him about his ideas for the Libertarian party, libertarians (big "L" and small "l") and what he'll do if elected. This book is a great distillation of his ideas and - as the title says - principles of good government.
I hope that people who aren't familiar with either the Governor or the Libertarian party will approach this book with an open mind, and then vote their conscience this November if what he stands for makes sense to them.
Live Free.
I hope that people who aren't familiar with either the Governor or the Libertarian party will approach this book with an open mind, and then vote their conscience this November if what he stands for makes sense to them.
Live Free.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
A refreshing perspective
A refreshing perspective. Johnson's proclivity for straight-talking makes "Seven Principles of Good Government" a lively read. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Sagar Jethani
5.0 out of 5 stars
great read
great read! Not only is it a good read and outlines 7 principles of good govt but it also outlines how to be a good honest respectable person. Read more
Published 2 months ago by robert burgess
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good and Easy Read
Good book by a respectable politician, somewhat repetitive but a nice and easy read. Great way to introduce someone to Libertarian politics, and Gary Johnson.
Published 2 months ago by Kurt Archer
4.0 out of 5 stars
Short and to the point
This is an introspective look at Governor Johnson's libertarian views written for his campaign for president. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Gary Tompkins
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good read for Libertarians, Republicans, Democrats and Independents...
This book is a good quick read whether you are a supporter of Johnson or simply interested in his moderate brand of Libertarian policy. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Matthew Deller
4.0 out of 5 stars
Easy to read, Easy to digest.
This book can be read in one sitting. It's both easy enough to read, and captivating enough to make that possible. The book starts off with the 7 principles that Gov. Read more
Published 4 months ago by E. Diaz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Simplicity at it's finest
First off, this book is a very easy read. With really big font and only 154 pages, this can be read in 2 hours. This was a very smooth and refreshing read for me personally. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Realistik
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Nice Book
Arrived on time and in good, new, shape; as if I bought if off a shelf in a store. Loved it!
Published 4 months ago by Mary C. Russell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Book I have read.
From cover to cover, this book was awe-inspiring. I supported Gary Jonson last election but this book has led me to see him as one of the most intelligent elected-officials in... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Alec Meyerhoff
5.0 out of 5 stars
Quick Look at Gary Johnson's Views
This book is very short, but it provides a summary of Gary Johnson's stances on the issues that are important to him and provides his reasoning for those positions. Read more
Published 5 months ago by JackRyanAT9
