Stand For Something: The Battle For America's Soul (2007) - Plot & Excerpts
I finished reading this book the day after the Stickland/Kasich debate for Governor of Ohio--- Sept 14, 2010. As one of the few politicians in recent history that not only talks fiscal conservatism, but walks it, Kasich presents a decided political advantage over Mr. Strickland, and has the potential turn Ohio around in the right direction. His direction of the house budget committee, creating our last balanced Federal budget in 1998 gives him excellent credentials. But the book, is not really about his political stances. It's about a moral stance.... about taking responsibility and standing for something on topics such as education, sports, business, politics, & religion. In this respect, it is something of a "safe" book, because one could hardly imagine many people, conservative or liberal taking a stand against his generally mainstream views. He even says/implies that its not the stand you take, but taking a stand that is important. I couldn't disagree more. Sure, if you've done your homework, run through the logic, looked at the evidence and have a vision and strategy, by all means take a stand. But if you work on impulse, intuition, and feelings, please stand down. We need much less of that. WHAT you stand for is as important, or even more important than taking a stand. I was also disturbed by Kasich's repeated admiration of FDR and his actions during the Great Depression.... actions which are now echoed in Bush's TARP and Obama's several Stimulus' and Health Care legislation which have only cemented our poor economic status to the ground floor. I would have thought, given his budget-cutting reputation, that he'd have a sounder grasp of basic economics. Still, even though the book broke no real new ground, it presented common-sense attitudes that have long represented American mainstream views, and rightly sounds the alarm regarding our people's straying from them.
Living in an area that is a democratic strong-hold here in Ohio, it's not the most popular thing to do by voting republican, but I did so twice. Use to watch his Fox News show 'Heartland' and discovered I pretty much agreed with his ideology and his conservatism. I would listen to Bono from U2 speak about Kasich, getting his help with convincing congress to drop the debt for African countries, cause it was the right thing to do. Bought into the whole; 'Do something for your country," rah rah crap. Right up until his latest budget proposal for 2016/2017 when he decided to throw individuals out of their homes in modern developmental centers. These are folks who are diagnosed with severe and profound intellectual disabilities, IQ's of 30 and below and are not going to hold jobs in the community or are going to be healthier living in community housing. Many of these individuals are medically fragile or have violent behavioral patterns. By placing Medicaid waivers over their heads, Ohio is selling humans to make budget cuts. It makes me wonder if everything Kasich wrote in this books was a bunch of bunk, in order to get more money out of our pockets. Stand For Something John, where is your soul?
What do You think about Stand For Something: The Battle For America's Soul (2007)?
Kasich reviews how all the insanity in this world comes back to everybody's actions or lack thereof. Crooks and no-talent, no-integrity hacks gaining all kinds of success comes back to our very acceptance and attentiveness to their so called 15 minutes of fame. It comes down to just a few characteristics which Kasich suggests we spend some more time on: Honesty, Integrity, Accountability, Faith, & Responsibility. Take a stand for what is right, no matter how unpopular it may become. Live these values daily as if that camera is on. While we're in the presence of impressionable youngsters... that is indeed a camera watching. What some people won't like is a few name dropping pages, or maybe Kasich's consistent example of himself living all these important values. Still for me this was a good message worth the while.
—Adam
