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A Simple Government: Twelve Things We Really Need from Washington (and a Trillion That We Don't) Hardcover – February 22, 2011

4.4 out of 5 stars 97

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"We need a simple government. Don't get me wrong; I know that many of the nation's problems are highly complex. But I also know that the governing principles that can solve them, if we work together, are simple."

Armed with little money but a lot of common sense, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee surprised the nation by coming in second during the 2008 Republican presidential primaries. He connected with millions of voters by calling for a smaller, simpler government that would get out of the way when appropriate. (Unfortunately, there weren't quite enough of those voters to prevent the election of Barack Obama.)

Since then, President Obama's message has morphed from "hope and change" to "tax and spend" and "borrow and spend" and "over-regulate and spend." The stimulus failed to stop the recession, the deficit exploded to unimaginable heights, and the Democrats jammed through Congress a financial "reform" bill that didn't really reform anything and a healthcare monstrosity that gave the government more power over our personal lives than ever.

Meanwhile, Huckabee has continued to be the voice of common sense conservatism, through his television talk show, his radio commentaries, and his lectures around the country. Now he's written a book that sums up the twelve things we
really need from Washington to get the country back on the right track.

These twelve essential truths will have you nodding in agreement, whether you're a Republican, an Independent, or even an open-minded Democrat. They can help us put aside our differences, tone down the partisan rancor, and return to the simple principles of the Founding Fathers: liberty, justice, personal freedom, and civic virtue. And they can help us tackle even the most seemingly complicated of today's problems. For instance:

* You can't spend what you don't have; you can't borrow what you can't pay back. Families, businesses, towns, cities, and states all have to balance their budgets or face dire consequences. Why shouldn't the federal government be held to the same standard? And if that means making some hard choices now, it's a far better alternative than saddling our kids and grandkids.
* The further you drift from shore, the more likely you are to be lost at sea. The Founders expected the federal government to be subordinate to state and local governments. How can politicians in DC know the best way to help farmers in Iowa, autoworkers in Michigan, or teachers in California? They can't. So every problem should be solved at the most local level capable of solving it.

* Bullies in the playground only understand one thing. There's a time and place for diplomacy, but we can't protect the country just by negotiating with our enemies. We need a strong national defense and a counterterrorism policy that focuses on effectiveness, not political correctness.

* The most important form of government is the family. In the long run, the only way to ensure prosperity, safety, and equal opportunity is to make sure we raise our children to be ethical and productive citizens. No bureaucracy can replace parents in that essential role, so we have to do everything possible to help parents do their job.

A Simple Government will inspire any American looking forward to a better future.

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In his ninth book, Huckabee, former Republican governor of Arkansas, declares that "the foundation of American power has always been and must continue to be...the American family," and proceeds in a style that oscillates between glib and pithy to make the challenges facing our nation both less complex and seemingly more difficult to address. Though the choir will be on board from page one, Huckabee offers black-and-white solutions for complicated, gray-hued problems. Family is the force that gives him meaning and it's the Band-aid with which he suggests we fix our social ills, from poverty to abortion: "It is clear to me that these two epidemics—out-of-wedlock births and on-demand abortions—are sapping America's moral strength," he says. When it comes to gay parenthood, Huckabee acknowledges that homosexuals "love their children as deeply as heterosexuals do," but posits that "love alone cannot...provide what children need" and leans on conventional gender constructs to teach children ("most of whom are heterosexual") how men and women relate. Nothing surprising from the conservative camp. (Feb.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Mike Huckabee won eight states and more than four million votes during the 2008 Republican presidential primaries. He served as the governor of Arkansas from 1996 to 2007 and as lieutenant governor from 1993 to 1996. Before politics, he worked in broadcasting and advertising and spent twelve years as a pastor and denominational leader. He lives with his wife, Janet, in North Little Rock, Arkansas. They have three grown children, three dogs, and at least that many friends!

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sentinel; First Edition (February 22, 2011)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1595230734
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1595230737
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1.25 x 9.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 97

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Mike Huckabee
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Mike Huckabee served as the governor of Arkansas from 1996-2007 and as lieutenant governor from 1993-96. Before entering politics, he was ordained as a Southern Baptist minister and worked for twelve years as a full time pastor. He recently started a political action committee, HuckPAC, to extend his grassroots movement. He lives with his wife, Janet, in North Little Rock, Arkansas; they have three grown children.

Photo by Gage Skidmore [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
97 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2011
A great book from Governor Huckabee. His conversational tone makes it an easy read and one you will breeze through. Whether or not you agree with his politics (I do), his books are always easy to read and follow. It almost seems as if he's sitting across from you speaking with you about the topics.

His solutions are simple, reasoned, and readily applicable to the problems facing the country. I hope he ends up running for president, because no matter how complex our problems may be, often we find that the solutions are much more simple. A Simple Government beautifully illustrates this dynamic and provides a roadmap to solving the problems we face.
5 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2011
It's a shame that we don't have people in goverment like this man. I don't care what political side you are on, if you are an American, period, this is a must read. I can only hope this man is given the chance to be this great nations next President. I beleave that we need to replace everyone in goverment on both sides and I hope we do just that in 2012. I hope we do so with people like Mr. Huckabee. If your looking for that perfect person with perfect ideas then your on the wrong planet.

This is one of those books that's meant for everyone to read if you can set country club politics aside.
8 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2012
Mike Huckabee should have been elected President in 2008. If he had been, the country would be prospering currently. I believe he is "Reagan-esc"

Just think about it, he must have been an awesome governor. A Republican elected multiple times in a state with a predominantly registered Democrat electorate! Bill Clinton was GOV. in Ark., remember?

This is an awesome person. He is honest, direct, compassionate,and concerned. Watch his show just to get an idea of how articulate and intelligent he is. Read this book to discover the truth, realities, and common sense solutions to such issues as illegal immigration, energy production, National Security,health care, national debt, etc..

Look on page 196,and see what makes me endeared to the man and his thought process. It states, " As a Christian believer, I have a deep-rooted optimism based on the fact that even if the country should fail, God's kingdom will not."

I recommend this book, as well as Mike's other books.

Dr. Stanley E. Toompas, Optometrist
and Author of "I'm the One the Other Isn't"
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2012
This book is filled with simple, straightforward wisdom on how to fix the issues that ails the US today. From the size of government, to the role of the federal government, to more specific issues like spending, the family, marriage, health care, foreign policy, immigration, etc., Mike Huckabee covers it all with facts to support his positions and a bit of humor thrown in.

For an individual who supports the positions of Mike Huckabee, i.e. a conservative, this book is very helpful because it is written in a straightforward manner and provides the facts and information nececessary to critique the opposing few. Obviously, for those who oppose Mike Huckabee's positions, this book is not something that will interest them other than to understand the opposition's positions on the issues (which they probably already do) although it can help them to understand the rationale.

I'm unabashedly a conservative, but not as conservative as Mike. I found myself disagreeing with him on a couple of issues. Some examples are: (1) immigration, where I think that a compromise position is necessary (and I like the current Marco Rubio legislation that gives illegal immigrants amnesty but not voting rights - this is a fair compromise). (2) Foreign policy - we have to figure out how to stop being the world's police force what with 30,000 soldiers in South Korea and 70,000 in Europe. We just can't afford to defend these people anymore and need to get out of the "boots on the ground" thinking and emphasize air power and naval power.

I was also taken back by Mike's comment in the spending section where he suggested that the elderly above 65 should be given incentives to go back to work in essentially meaningless jobs. Mike, it's comments like these that provides the other side with the ammunition to say that the conservatives want to throw the elderly under the bus (or off the cliff as the ad a year ago showed).

Overall, I liked the book and recommend it though for conservatives, because of its folksy and straightforward approach to the issues along with a high dosage of facts - this, in spite of the fact that Mike can get preachy at times.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2011
Mike Huckabee's newest book is a clear indication of how he would lead - he listens, he's humorous, he is articulate and mensa smart. His book leaves little doubt about what his ideals are and ideas to heal this nation. He has thought about and researched each area. The ideas are firmly his own - not given to him by someone else. He also weaves his experience, stories of real people, and program successes into his book. He shows you how he arrived at his conclusions. I like that a lot.

Here's the rub on this book - and Mike in general! He tells the truth, he's not ashamed or afraid of clearly presenting his ideas. And, he listens... even
encourages civil discourse.

Amazing how he can present his platform in a fraction of the pages that one congressional bill consists of.
6 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2011
This book was an interesting read. Though I am a Democrat I must say I agree with Mike on alot of his views of way things should be changed. I have always been one to vote for the best person for the job whether Democrat or Republican, and after reading this book if Mr. Huckabee runs for president and receives the Republican nomination I will give him my vote in the general election hoping he will get the opportunity to prove that he is the man and politician he claims to be.