Do I Stand Alone? Going to the Mat Against Political Pawns and Media Jackals

Governor Ventura's new book ranks up there with the works of Mr. Larry Elder and O'Reilly as a wake up call to a new generation of voters. In "Do I Stand Alone ?" Jesse "the Mind" Ventura states his position on a number of issues. His positions are all well thought out and based on fact. He also lectures on voter responsibilities and flaws of of current bi-partisan system with the gridlock and extremist positions that it produces. Governor Ventura also discusses one of my favorite issues, campaign finance. Overall I found this book to be a well written entertaining read that informs on both the Governors stand on issues and areas that he feels should be reformed in the government (both from the inside and the outside ).

If you've read Tom Clancy's Executive Orders and the recent Bear and the Dragon, you know that Clancy's main protagonist, Jack Ryan, is the President of the United States. And because he is not a political operator, other politicians, the media and even other governments try to tear him down. Reading Jesse Ventura's book, I was struck by an eerie sense of déjà vu. The stories he tells of the political sniping he has had to endure from the established body politic and the media are remarkably similar to what Clancy described of Ryan's experiences.This book should be issued to all American civics classes in our schools. And the most important part, the part to be marked with the yellow highlighter, is the part that says that we, the voting public, must take back control of our government from the career politicians and spit-licking sycophants that surround them.What hurts the most for me is the (justified) media-bashing that Ventura does. As a member of the media, I have seen first hand the petty bias that my profession is capable of. That's why I won't run for office myself, because I know what my "colleagues" are capable of. I'd apologize for their behavior, but I'm not high enough on the totem pole to make it stick. Hopefully, I can reach that high someday, because I believe the power of the press can be used judiciously and properly.After reading this book, I remembered a line from the late Robert A. Heinlein's book, Time Enough For Love. To paraphrase; "If you are part of a society that votes, do so. If you don't know who or what to vote for, then at least know what you want to vote against."If there was a space on the ballot to do so, I would write Jesse's name in for President. There isn't one, mostly because the career politicians don't want it there. Keep talking like this, Jesse, and we might just draft you for the job.

Governor Jesse Ventura's first book "Ain't Got Time to Bleed" told of his adventurous past and the circumstances that led him into politics. His new book "Do I Stand Alone" takes a hard look at the connection between politics and media along with many other societal issues. In a sense it could be described as a road-map for continuing democracy in the 21st Century.Ventura's common sense style is well-suited to not only pinpoint the essential problems in our society, but also to offer manageable solutions. He provides an intricate appraisal of the Amendments to the US Constitution. It is a section that should be required reading for new age students who no longer study the roots of government in the United States.It is not without a few flashpoints, probably the only ones that will be quoted on TV news shows. The Governor of MN takes some jabs at the two party system and returns a few salvos to the media -especially the local flatfoots who have done their finest to search for some disparity in his message. But this book is mostly a comparison between today's perceptions and the original intents of our country's founders.All in all, it is less about individuals and more about the philosophy of governing. Combine that with Ventura's vision for a better America and this book should strike fear into the heart of the two party system, the corporate power-brokers, and the degenerative media. Jesse "The Mind" Ventura is here to stay.

This book was like a breath of fresh air to me. Mr. Ventura explains everything simply and what is amazing is that he helped me understand the political terms that I haven't been understanding for years. He is truly a man for the people and I really envy the people of Minnesota that they are presided over by a patriot in the truest sense of the word. I think our Founding Fathers would be proud of him. He is worthy of our respect and much more.

If only we could vote for a guy like this ... Never in my 35 years of living on this planet/country did I ever feel a person running for public office worthy of my vote. I am truly amazed. Jesse Ventura mirrors all of my own thoughts and feelings.