Lessons Learned the Hard Way

Though Newt Gingrich is no longer an elected political official, he remains active as both a political analyst and consultant, and he continues to write books on many topics--including historical fiction. Yet it was his past experience as Speaker of the House of Representatives that most interested me . . . so when I recently had the opportunity to get hold of LESSONS LEARNED THE HARD WAY--written and read by the author back in 1998 when he was Speaker of the House of Representatives--I jumped at the chance to hear what he had to say about a variety of topics. These were just some of the highlights: * In the short run, the public can perhaps makes things difficult for you. But in the long run, they are the best and most reliable judges for what they really need. * The earned income credit program has a 21% rate of error. There are two problems with this. If teaches people to commit fraud. And it points out the double standard of the IRS; i.e., you need to be 100% accurate, but they only need to be 80%. * We should have one focused border agency. * Any foreign government willing to take on the drug dealers should get all our support. * We should adopt a national goal that everybody should be able to read and right by the end of Grade 1. And there was this one recommendation that I wholeheartedly support: * I believe we should set the peace-time level for taxes at all levels of government at 25%. What I particularly liked about LESSONS LEARNED was how Gingrich took on both Republicans and Democrats in his criticism of the workings of government . . . in addition, he just didn't criticize what's wrong; he made suggestions for improving the system.

The talking heads from the networks and elsewhere always theorize what they think may of happened. Mostly according to what they heard from others who heard from others. This book is a piece of history, written by the man who was there in the room negotiating. The former Speaker is very honest and candid in his synapsis of what really happened. He tells where he went wrong and what he learned. Even though he is not the Speaker anymore, after reading this book you just know we haven't heard the last of Newt yet.

I read this book thinking that Gingrich would toot his own horn, and praise fellow Republicans. The more I read, the more I was impressed with his humility and candor regarding fellow Republican colleagues. It is great to see a leader apologize for a wrongdoing, or even a misunderstanding (without even being prompted to do so!) The last chapter was excellent as well. Gingrich lists almost undeniable goals for the next generation. Although he could not have expected his departure from the Speakership, he writes it almost as a farewell address, in the sense that he knows that it may not be accomplished during his tenure. However, it is still essential that these goals be realized. All in all, an enjoyable easy read.

Great to hear from Gingrich himself -- rather than hearingabout him through the biased media filter.Our life and times from a history professor in Washington DC is a refreshing and interesting read.

What stands out here is that Newt has learned "spin" from President Clinton. He knows that the American public loves a public apology. This is a fascinating makeover exercise. Like Linda Tripp's hairstyle. So the man who got fined $300,000 for taking our tax payer's money gets to dump on the man who cheats on a wife that doesn't mind at all. We guess from the book that this is Newt's business, not Hillary's? We also learn that Newt thinks that he can improve the economy. Mr Reagan had unemployment and inflation and a deficit. Mr Clinton has full employment, and no deficit. This book is a masterful exercise in spin. A must read for anyone wanting to understand how a profesional politician needs a soapbox and is made to look good by his handlers and ghostwriters. Clinton's rise in the polls just comes to show that the American public has figured it out. We don't elect a Pope, we elect a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who can get the work done. Results speak for themselves. Newt is a terrific pot. I inhaled. For a while.