Senator Jim DeMint’s timely new book, “Now or Never: Saving America from Economic Collapse,” is a detailed game plan for regaining economic stability. The ‘now’ is imminent: the 2012 elections.
The introduction is a riveting call to action, with a sobering reminder of the lethargic state of American voters: “Even in the Tea Party-inspired midterm elections of 2010, only 29 percent of Americans of voting age actually voted. Compare this to Iraq’s first free election in 2005, when 75 percent of Iraqis voted, despite threats of violence.”
But DeMint’s purpose is not to berate Americans for their apathy -- it’s to inspire a shift; it’s a wake-up call. Those who did not vote last election are an opportunity for conversation, education and possibly even revivification.
While the book is geared towards this specific time in history, the relevance of the content does not have an expiration date. It has staying power. Chapters like “Remembering Why America Is Exceptional” and “The Philosophies and Policies That Changed America” are filled with valuable information and perspective from greats like Edmund Burke and Adam Smith. The content provided in these chapters is not only useful now, but will still be useful decades after 2012.
DeMint also includes writing from notable politicians like Senators Mike Lee and Marco Rubio; each chapter has an eloquent and candid introduction by a modern political figure or commentator. In Marco Rubio’s compelling introduction to the chapter on American exceptionalism he reminds readers: “Every single one of us is a descendant of a go-getter, of dreamers and believers, and of men and women who took risks and made sacrifices because they wanted their children to be better off than themselves.”
The political philosophy and commentary contained in the book is infused with specific historical references. DeMint discusses events like the beginning of the welfare state and pivotal Supreme Court decisions. This historical information, and accompanying statistics, arms readers with fact-saturated counterarguments to progressive policies.
Regarding policy, the book makes an important clarification: Progressive policies are not only championed by the Democrats. Republicans are also guilty. Jack Hunter writes in a chapter introduction: “I’ve been a conservative for my entire adult life and for all of that time government has gotten bigger. This has been especially true when Republicans have been in power. What went wrong?” He attributes it to Republicans who pursue a “Democrat-lite agenda” -- failing to curb the progression towards bigger government.
It is not a party that needs to be defeated -- it is policies.
Towards the end of the book, the principles established throughout come to a time-sensitive conclusion: This information should be used as a tool to take America back. DeMint sees 2012 as a turning point, arguing, “These problems will not be solved by the same people who created them.”
DeMint believes that Americans have a responsibility to elect the right leaders and infiltrate the political process -- and he tells them how. “Now or Never” isn’t just an impassioned discussion of ideology, it is also an instruction manual.
If you hate politics, you’re not alone. DeMint writes, “I have a confession: I hate politics.” But, in the end, he concludes: “Freedom is a messy business. Welcome to the fight!”