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Rescuing America's Democracy From Its Collapsing Morality
At the time of the founding of America, many people, even several of the Founding Fathers, were very doubtful that a democratic form of government could survive. Such a form had rarely existed and in the few instances where it had, with the exception of a very limited number of extremely small countries, it had collapsed into anarchy. The ordinary people of those democracies lost the ability to control themselves, to see where their rights ended and their neighbors’ rights began. They succumbed to the more powerful, more basic passions of wanting things their way with callous disregard for the rights of others. Invariably this necessitated the emergence of a dictator to restore order. The more chaotic the society, the more brutal the means employed by the dictator to suppress the anarchy.
But there was something extraordinary about America. It was a harsh, untamed frontier that required of its inhabitants cooperation and hard work for survival, but more importantly the early settlers brought with them a radical new view of human nature. Like so many of that era they were driven by the belief that humanity had a destiny to lead a moral life, but unlike most, they proclaimed that the ordinary people, without the aid of ritual or relics or a prince or a priesthood class, could ascertain for themselves the path to a moral life. They asserted that this could be achieved, not only by their own reading and interpreting of the bible, but also by leading a life in which they fully developed their abilities and used those abilities to improve both the spiritual and material welfare of society. This required individuals to work hard, control their passions, and allocate time to helping others. They were an educated, literate, ethical people in a state of personal self-governance and they translated this personal attribute into a society of self-governance, thus making democratic America, against all odds, a resounding success.
But it is this very success and the world’s emulation of it that has caused many, particularly the intellectuals, in modern secular America to view democracy as the natural state of our species, a state to which all societies will eventually, spontaneously progress. Hence, these people disparage America as being nothing extraordinary in human history, just an accident in time that any country given the right physical environment could have accomplished. They spout the belief that the desire to be free to control one’s destiny, that enlightened self-interest, is sufficient to provoke people to make the sacrifices necessary to maintain a democracy. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is pursuit of freedom and self-interest that motivates the tyrant to exterminate all those who oppose him. It is pursuit of freedom and self-interest that motivates the criminal to kill and steal.
For our democracy to survive, a majority of the ordinary people must feel and act upon the belief that was held by the early settlers of America that is that humanity has a more noble purpose than mere self-gratification. They must believe that humankind has a moral destiny to develop their abilities not only for the betterment of the individual, but also, for the alleviation of human misery throughout society. They must accept that this requires not only compassion, but hard work and self-discipline. Although we should recognize that religion has been important in promoting these desirable qualities, America is a secular, pluralistic society that cannot, and should not, return to being principally dependent upon religion to achieve these ends. It needs to buttress the promotion of these qualities through government programs that, not only help the needy, but hold people more accountable to one another and through civic organizations that encourage people to work together for the common good. Lastly, for America’s democracy to survive, we must appreciate how antithetical hard work, self-discipline, and compassion are to the much stronger instincts of pursuit of power and pleasure and because of this how extraordinary and tenuous America’s existence is. In this book, practical policies promoting these objectives in seventeen areas of American life are presented.
But there was something extraordinary about America. It was a harsh, untamed frontier that required of its inhabitants cooperation and hard work for survival, but more importantly the early settlers brought with them a radical new view of human nature. Like so many of that era they were driven by the belief that humanity had a destiny to lead a moral life, but unlike most, they proclaimed that the ordinary people, without the aid of ritual or relics or a prince or a priesthood class, could ascertain for themselves the path to a moral life. They asserted that this could be achieved, not only by their own reading and interpreting of the bible, but also by leading a life in which they fully developed their abilities and used those abilities to improve both the spiritual and material welfare of society. This required individuals to work hard, control their passions, and allocate time to helping others. They were an educated, literate, ethical people in a state of personal self-governance and they translated this personal attribute into a society of self-governance, thus making democratic America, against all odds, a resounding success.
But it is this very success and the world’s emulation of it that has caused many, particularly the intellectuals, in modern secular America to view democracy as the natural state of our species, a state to which all societies will eventually, spontaneously progress. Hence, these people disparage America as being nothing extraordinary in human history, just an accident in time that any country given the right physical environment could have accomplished. They spout the belief that the desire to be free to control one’s destiny, that enlightened self-interest, is sufficient to provoke people to make the sacrifices necessary to maintain a democracy. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is pursuit of freedom and self-interest that motivates the tyrant to exterminate all those who oppose him. It is pursuit of freedom and self-interest that motivates the criminal to kill and steal.
For our democracy to survive, a majority of the ordinary people must feel and act upon the belief that was held by the early settlers of America that is that humanity has a more noble purpose than mere self-gratification. They must believe that humankind has a moral destiny to develop their abilities not only for the betterment of the individual, but also, for the alleviation of human misery throughout society. They must accept that this requires not only compassion, but hard work and self-discipline. Although we should recognize that religion has been important in promoting these desirable qualities, America is a secular, pluralistic society that cannot, and should not, return to being principally dependent upon religion to achieve these ends. It needs to buttress the promotion of these qualities through government programs that, not only help the needy, but hold people more accountable to one another and through civic organizations that encourage people to work together for the common good. Lastly, for America’s democracy to survive, we must appreciate how antithetical hard work, self-discipline, and compassion are to the much stronger instincts of pursuit of power and pleasure and because of this how extraordinary and tenuous America’s existence is. In this book, practical policies promoting these objectives in seventeen areas of American life are presented.
134 pages, Paperback
Published December 23, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
April 9, 2016
Pure trash. Would have thought this was written by Donald Trump.
December 4, 2016
This is a book full of opinions. Well, you know what they say about opinions.
The author should have first established herself as someone qualified to hold a respected opinion on the dozen-odd topics covered. She didn't, and I suspect she couldn't. She doesn't redeem it with outstanding research. And ultimately her arguments were mostly ill-informed and ill-argued. So, embarrassingly, even if her opinions were spot-on, this book won't convince anyone of it.
A word to those wanting to be wise: America ISN'T a democracy; it's a constitutional republic. If you don't understand the difference, then step away from the politics.
To the couple of other reviewers who claimed that this book is the work of Republicans or Donald Trump: no. At almost every problem raised in this book, the author points a big-government, authoritarian/totalitarian state solution. And if you'd actually read the book, you'd have noticed that the author specifically states she voted for Obama both times. So this is no piece of work by a GOP thinker.
As to myself, I normally vote Republican and consider myself a "small-L libertarian" -- and I would never want to live in a country run according to the mandates, requirements, by-laws, penalties and other "nanny knows best" strictures espoused in this book.
Two stars only because I finished it without flinging it out the window, and there are a few correct needles in the haystack but not enough to be worth spending the time to find.
PS: For the first 30 or so pages I was noting down every substantial point I disagreed with and rebutting it, but I gave up; I never would have finished the book.
The author should have first established herself as someone qualified to hold a respected opinion on the dozen-odd topics covered. She didn't, and I suspect she couldn't. She doesn't redeem it with outstanding research. And ultimately her arguments were mostly ill-informed and ill-argued. So, embarrassingly, even if her opinions were spot-on, this book won't convince anyone of it.
A word to those wanting to be wise: America ISN'T a democracy; it's a constitutional republic. If you don't understand the difference, then step away from the politics.
To the couple of other reviewers who claimed that this book is the work of Republicans or Donald Trump: no. At almost every problem raised in this book, the author points a big-government, authoritarian/totalitarian state solution. And if you'd actually read the book, you'd have noticed that the author specifically states she voted for Obama both times. So this is no piece of work by a GOP thinker.
As to myself, I normally vote Republican and consider myself a "small-L libertarian" -- and I would never want to live in a country run according to the mandates, requirements, by-laws, penalties and other "nanny knows best" strictures espoused in this book.
Two stars only because I finished it without flinging it out the window, and there are a few correct needles in the haystack but not enough to be worth spending the time to find.
PS: For the first 30 or so pages I was noting down every substantial point I disagreed with and rebutting it, but I gave up; I never would have finished the book.
October 22, 2016
So sorry...I was desperately looking forward to reading this but then was sorry that I won it from Goodreads. It's so dogmatic, rigid, and makes invalid assumptions and generalizations for the statements that she makes. For example she speaks of evolution, species survival, intense pleasure of the vitor, sexually dominant males, DNA, animal practices, superior males, the practices essential for democracy, etc. etc. etc. in just the introduction. Her only references, no scientific basis for her words, are De Tocqueville and Kant. The words MUST and Should recur and reoccur. Using a reference which referred to a quotation from another source was disturbing .(one example is on p. 16) Ms. Jordan according to the book has an M.S. in Organic Chemistry ..but there seems to be a real lack of scientific validation/justification of "solutions" presented in this book.
December 30, 2016
This book is right on so many levels. This county is and has lost its morality and it does need rescuing. More Americans should care about what is happening to this country's morals and try to fix it for our children's and grandchildren's future and this book highlights that. May God forgive the USA. Many should read this book and wake up before it is to late. Very informative and good read.
June 23, 2020
Thank you for this Goodreads Giveaway win. Many of the points the author makes are extremely valid. The author was very candid and acknowledged the pros and cons of each issue. I admire her honesty about revealing what she disagreed with Obama about, even as his supporter. Most people only talk about his "strengths", and no president is perfect. America's morality is collapsing and things are getting worse. The root of all these problems stems from the lack of family unit, and we have a long way to go until things get better.
July 19, 2020
This book is filled with a lot of opinions and a few facts. You can't legislate morality. Who gets to decide what is moral? Some of her ideas for fixing America's collapsing morality are immoral.
August 26, 2016
This book contains some good ideas (suggestions), some not so good and some downright outrageous. The sad thing, however, isn't the book, but the idea that any of these suggestions will ever (or in some cases never) be implemented.
I received this book free from Goodreads First Reads.
I received this book free from Goodreads First Reads.
November 18, 2022
Not very good history, nor are the arguments critically thought out. The author took a position and sought out how to defend it. It leans toward endorsing a Christian Nationalist theocracy, rather than a societal nation that champions various religious and non-religious backgrounds.
February 26, 2019
The chapters are essentially a series of short essays on social topics that for the most part endorse the beliefs of the left [ gun control, higher tax rates for those who earn more, and no term limits for Congress] although the author does weakly support a couple of conservative stances [ such as a border barrier and universal military service]. The writings are articulate and easy to read. This was a free review copy obtained through Goodreads.com.
September 20, 2022
Thank you Goodreads and Savannah Jordan for my winning of this book..... I agree that the morality in the US has gone downhill and it does need rescuing, and that more should care about what is happening to our country for the future - I don't agree with all that was written as how it could be done - many opinions were written but not real solutions.....
October 8, 2025
Savannah Jordan’s Rescuing America’s Democracy from Its Collapsing Morality is a timely and thought-provoking reflection on the ethical foundations of American democracy and the urgent need to restore civic virtue in a polarized age. Blending historical insight with contemporary critique, Jordan examines not only how democracy was born from moral conviction, but also how its survival depends upon the rekindling of that same inner discipline and collective conscience.
What makes this work compelling is its historical sweep and philosophical clarity. Jordan reminds readers that America’s success was never inevitable it was the product of individuals who believed that freedom demanded responsibility, that moral restraint was the companion of self governance. The book revisits the early settlers’ ethos of work, education, and compassion, then contrasts it with modern society’s fixation on self interest and comfort. The result is both a diagnosis and a call to action.
Jordan’s argument is not partisan it’s moral. She asserts that democracy is not merely a political system, but a spiritual discipline, sustained by citizens who are willing to put the common good above personal gratification. Her proposed reforms across seventeen sectors of American life offer pragmatic ways to translate moral ideals into policy and community practice.
Rescuing America’s Democracy stands as both warning and guide a reminder that the survival of liberty depends as much on the cultivation of virtue as on the machinery of government. It challenges readers to see democracy not as a right inherited, but as a moral responsibility renewed each generation.
What makes this work compelling is its historical sweep and philosophical clarity. Jordan reminds readers that America’s success was never inevitable it was the product of individuals who believed that freedom demanded responsibility, that moral restraint was the companion of self governance. The book revisits the early settlers’ ethos of work, education, and compassion, then contrasts it with modern society’s fixation on self interest and comfort. The result is both a diagnosis and a call to action.
Jordan’s argument is not partisan it’s moral. She asserts that democracy is not merely a political system, but a spiritual discipline, sustained by citizens who are willing to put the common good above personal gratification. Her proposed reforms across seventeen sectors of American life offer pragmatic ways to translate moral ideals into policy and community practice.
Rescuing America’s Democracy stands as both warning and guide a reminder that the survival of liberty depends as much on the cultivation of virtue as on the machinery of government. It challenges readers to see democracy not as a right inherited, but as a moral responsibility renewed each generation.
April 7, 2016
I received this as a free book through the Goodreads review program.
I had a hard time deciding on 1-star or 2-stars, and ultimately ended on 2-stars, because its not _all_ bad. I definitely think its a "preaching to the choir" style piece of work, where those who believe in these policies will praise it, whilst those who don't - won't. Its akin to reading Glenn Beck, Michael Moore, Bill Maher, or even Ron Paul works; where if you agree with their political ideologies and stances you'll trumpet it; but if you don't believe in them, you will likely lamblast it.
I won't say they are all bad ideas, but I definitely think there's a lot wrong with her ideas. And as she tries to say near the end that we could be moving closer towards a 1984 (Orwellian) future.... her book if followed to the letter would lead us there even quicker.
Firstly, I think her views on evolution and males and females is horribly misleading and incorrect. She also uses cherry-picked citations that overlook things and points to some flaws. For instance she talks at length about the differences in structure of male and female brains; despite in just this past November-December (could be January, I'd have to look up the sources) numerous neurological, scientific, and regular AP news outlets (CNN, WP, USAT), have posted several studies with in-depth results showing how there is no differences structurally between male/female brains (and thus going a long way towards showing how there is transgenderism, homosexuality, etc.). Her psychology of how males evolve and how we still operates paints us in the prototypical feministic 'man=ape creature' stereotype. (All with her giving a chapter to feminisim and how we need to remove stereotypes from women).
She goes into discussions on sterilization, mandatory birth control, mandatory meetings/programs/tests to _allow_ people to have children. She describes how we should create mandatory community service post-high school (during college/or just for two years after High school). Programs enabling the elderly should be bumped to 75 and people should be working to 70_minimum.
Like I said; there is plenty wrong with her ideas and policies. The book itself is; given its publisher/style rather unflattering in the sense that it reads like an internet messageboard. (Paragraph _ two returns space _ paragraph _ two returns space _ paragraph).
All in all, if you follow her ideas and policies, you will tout this book and love it, if you don't -- you won't. I wouldn't say its a great 'think-piece' because most of these ideas (congressional term limits, sterilization for unfit mothers/fathers, racial relations and how blacks need to be better parents, etc.) can all be found on most online forums/pages etc (especially on most Republican sites). There is a Christian backing to her work, but she does outright say that basically the Bible is wrong on numerous accounts, and therefore, reads like a modern Christian 'the Bible is a metaphor' style accounting of Christian backing. A post-modernism Republican take on how to 'fix America' -- if you're into that, you'll probably love this.
I had a hard time deciding on 1-star or 2-stars, and ultimately ended on 2-stars, because its not _all_ bad. I definitely think its a "preaching to the choir" style piece of work, where those who believe in these policies will praise it, whilst those who don't - won't. Its akin to reading Glenn Beck, Michael Moore, Bill Maher, or even Ron Paul works; where if you agree with their political ideologies and stances you'll trumpet it; but if you don't believe in them, you will likely lamblast it.
I won't say they are all bad ideas, but I definitely think there's a lot wrong with her ideas. And as she tries to say near the end that we could be moving closer towards a 1984 (Orwellian) future.... her book if followed to the letter would lead us there even quicker.
Firstly, I think her views on evolution and males and females is horribly misleading and incorrect. She also uses cherry-picked citations that overlook things and points to some flaws. For instance she talks at length about the differences in structure of male and female brains; despite in just this past November-December (could be January, I'd have to look up the sources) numerous neurological, scientific, and regular AP news outlets (CNN, WP, USAT), have posted several studies with in-depth results showing how there is no differences structurally between male/female brains (and thus going a long way towards showing how there is transgenderism, homosexuality, etc.). Her psychology of how males evolve and how we still operates paints us in the prototypical feministic 'man=ape creature' stereotype. (All with her giving a chapter to feminisim and how we need to remove stereotypes from women).
She goes into discussions on sterilization, mandatory birth control, mandatory meetings/programs/tests to _allow_ people to have children. She describes how we should create mandatory community service post-high school (during college/or just for two years after High school). Programs enabling the elderly should be bumped to 75 and people should be working to 70_minimum.
Like I said; there is plenty wrong with her ideas and policies. The book itself is; given its publisher/style rather unflattering in the sense that it reads like an internet messageboard. (Paragraph _ two returns space _ paragraph _ two returns space _ paragraph).
All in all, if you follow her ideas and policies, you will tout this book and love it, if you don't -- you won't. I wouldn't say its a great 'think-piece' because most of these ideas (congressional term limits, sterilization for unfit mothers/fathers, racial relations and how blacks need to be better parents, etc.) can all be found on most online forums/pages etc (especially on most Republican sites). There is a Christian backing to her work, but she does outright say that basically the Bible is wrong on numerous accounts, and therefore, reads like a modern Christian 'the Bible is a metaphor' style accounting of Christian backing. A post-modernism Republican take on how to 'fix America' -- if you're into that, you'll probably love this.
Want to Read
February 12, 2019Having only read the preview, I'm going ahead and entering the Goodreads Giveaway for this book, despite the fact that I strongly suspect that my ideas about morality and its manifestation (and, by extension, it's collapse) will largely be out of sync with author Savannah Jordan's. On top of that, although she writes quite well, she's not an academic, a journalist, or cites any qualifications at all for writing this book, usually a personal prerequisite for me to read a non-fiction book. However, I'm willing to read this one anyway (should it come to me free, and especially considering that it's only 134 pages), because frankly, I need an existential palette cleanser to aerate the relentless onslaught of grossness and horror coming out of the Republicans in power today. (This book was written before Trump was elected, so we had absolutely no idea the utter hell that was about to be unleashed.) The basic beliefs of Ms. Jordan discussed in the preview come off as downright radical for a conservative in this extremist age: she believes in both evolution and global warming, thinks it's appropriate and even awesome that women have careers, doesn't believe that blacks were better off as slaves or that the Iraq War was either justified or a good idea, seems to support the separation of church and state, and didn't once insult Muslims.
However, she's still appears to be a conservative at her core, has a overly simplistic approach to solving complicated problems, and therefore most of the practical ideas I read were pretty terrible; I get the impression from others' reviews that all of them are. She occasionally falls into a ludicrous trope now and again (such as, "Intellectuals want wide-open borders with unrestricted immigration! They must really hate America!" and "People who aren't religious have no ethics whatsoever!") and she has utterly Byzantine, scientifically incorrect, and harmful beliefs about men, women, and their relationship to each other. But overall, by today's standards, she seems almost quaintly polite and reasonable.
Oh to relive those halcyon days of yore.
However, she's still appears to be a conservative at her core, has a overly simplistic approach to solving complicated problems, and therefore most of the practical ideas I read were pretty terrible; I get the impression from others' reviews that all of them are. She occasionally falls into a ludicrous trope now and again (such as, "Intellectuals want wide-open borders with unrestricted immigration! They must really hate America!" and "People who aren't religious have no ethics whatsoever!") and she has utterly Byzantine, scientifically incorrect, and harmful beliefs about men, women, and their relationship to each other. But overall, by today's standards, she seems almost quaintly polite and reasonable.
Oh to relive those halcyon days of yore.
February 10, 2021
I felt like this book was difficult to read. The writing included many long-winded, run-on sentences and several typos (mostly missing punctuation and misspelled/omitted words).
This is a modge-podge of the author's personal suggestions on how to improve America. In almost every chapter, I find at least one point I can agree with the author about, but then she brings up an idea where I just want to facepalm so bad. A great example of this is forced IUDs/sterilization for drug-addicted mothers, some welfare mothers, and adults who abuse children...while I can kind of understand what would prompt her to recommend such a hard-line approach, if that policy was adopted within our country, there is no telling how it could later affect other groups of people (people with disabilities, for example, or whether it would inevitably affect one race disproportionately). Another example would be her chapter on Race Relations, which comes across as a little tone deaf, especially given the perspective of 2020.
Finally, while Jordan covers a variety of topics, she seems to have completely ignored addressing homelessness, which is a major issue across the United States.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for my honest review.
This is a modge-podge of the author's personal suggestions on how to improve America. In almost every chapter, I find at least one point I can agree with the author about, but then she brings up an idea where I just want to facepalm so bad. A great example of this is forced IUDs/sterilization for drug-addicted mothers, some welfare mothers, and adults who abuse children...while I can kind of understand what would prompt her to recommend such a hard-line approach, if that policy was adopted within our country, there is no telling how it could later affect other groups of people (people with disabilities, for example, or whether it would inevitably affect one race disproportionately). Another example would be her chapter on Race Relations, which comes across as a little tone deaf, especially given the perspective of 2020.
Finally, while Jordan covers a variety of topics, she seems to have completely ignored addressing homelessness, which is a major issue across the United States.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for my honest review.
July 6, 2020
"No society can survive if its leaders feel that it is not worth keeping."
Amen, sister!
Author Savannah Jordan's 'Rescuing America's Democracy From Its Collapsing Morality' tackles the "disturbing developments within American society"
But she not only addresses these problems, she also offers reasonable solutions for each one!
Very direct and simple to understand, the timing for this book is perfect. A Seriously Smart Lady.
"I realize that it is fashionable nowadays to assert that the culture of the United States is no better than any other culture and that it makes no difference if its culture is destroyed and replaced by another"
I don't usually read non-fiction, but I really enjoyed this book. I'm giving this book 5 stars, 4 + an extra star for having the cojones to step out onto an increasingly unpopular limb with these controversial issues .
"Remember, democracy never lasts long. it's soon wastes, exhausts and murders itself. There was never a democracy that did not commit suicide" SJ/JA
I received a signed copy of the book from a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank You!
Amen, sister!
Author Savannah Jordan's 'Rescuing America's Democracy From Its Collapsing Morality' tackles the "disturbing developments within American society"
But she not only addresses these problems, she also offers reasonable solutions for each one!
Very direct and simple to understand, the timing for this book is perfect. A Seriously Smart Lady.
"I realize that it is fashionable nowadays to assert that the culture of the United States is no better than any other culture and that it makes no difference if its culture is destroyed and replaced by another"
I don't usually read non-fiction, but I really enjoyed this book. I'm giving this book 5 stars, 4 + an extra star for having the cojones to step out onto an increasingly unpopular limb with these controversial issues .
"Remember, democracy never lasts long. it's soon wastes, exhausts and murders itself. There was never a democracy that did not commit suicide" SJ/JA
I received a signed copy of the book from a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank You!
July 18, 2020
I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads giveaway.
First I'd like to list what this book DOES and DOES NOT explain.
What this book DOES NOT explain:
1. Who is Savannah Jordan and why should we care at all about her opinions?
What this book DOES explain:
1. Savannah Jordan's opinions.
That being said, once I got past the third chapter I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed reading this book, but not necessarily because I agree with all of the author's opinions. In fact, I partially enjoyed reading her book because some of her positions are so ridiculous that they are laughable. However, I can also respect some of her positions and I enjoyed hearing things from her perspective She never provides a clear plan of action for accomplishing these changes, but I don't think that was the intention for her book anyway. MOST of her opinions are well-articulated and well-rounded, and I appreciate that she has some opinions that are conservative and some that are liberal.
First I'd like to list what this book DOES and DOES NOT explain.
What this book DOES NOT explain:
1. Who is Savannah Jordan and why should we care at all about her opinions?
What this book DOES explain:
1. Savannah Jordan's opinions.
That being said, once I got past the third chapter I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed reading this book, but not necessarily because I agree with all of the author's opinions. In fact, I partially enjoyed reading her book because some of her positions are so ridiculous that they are laughable. However, I can also respect some of her positions and I enjoyed hearing things from her perspective She never provides a clear plan of action for accomplishing these changes, but I don't think that was the intention for her book anyway. MOST of her opinions are well-articulated and well-rounded, and I appreciate that she has some opinions that are conservative and some that are liberal.
May 27, 2016
Great book
January 23, 2017
Meh. Sounds like everything I've heard, or read, over the past year and then some of the presidential campaign.
August 13, 2020
Intricate and absorbing .
Thank you for My free Goodreads copy
God Bless and be safe.
Thank you for My free Goodreads copy
God Bless and be safe.
August 31, 2020
Few facts, lots of opinions. Not backed by a ton research.
September 8, 2020
I wasn't a huge fan of this book
September 19, 2024
I thought it was a well written book and the author went into great detail with her opinions and reasons. I do agree America is in decline. And has been for some time. And the author does touch on religion and how America is more secular, which I agree is a huge factor in what we see today.
This book is a bit old - with copyright 2015. Each chapter reads like an essay on the various topics. Some of the chapters are long winded and could stand to be broken up into smaller paragraphs so as not to overload the reader.
But the topics are still current. So the problems are still there. Which is actually discouraging.
It made me think a lot about what is wrong and reminded me to be more open minded and see other points of view. Especially since I don't agree with everything written or suggested in the book. And our country is so divided as this point.
I can appreciate and learn something from some of the suggestions though.
But we have seen just over the last 4 years, how much worse our country has gotten And how inflation is ruining the average American's life - they cannot even afford to go to the grocery store. So there is an underlying anger. The pandemic made the decline even worse and heaped on even more concerns. And we have seen a selfishness throughout our population, which is yet another moral problem.
I have seen a big gap between the have and the have nots and I don't think government can fix the mess, which is where private citizens and charities end up stepping in and often accomplish more, much quicker. I do think the family unit has been torn apart over the years and much of what we see now is a result of same.
I have friends who say they hope their grandchildren do not have children some day. How they feel sorry for the next generation and are glad they themselves will not be around to deal with the mess. It is sad to hear. I think our country is still worth saving and I have hope for our future.
The media was not really discussed much in this book, nor was the internet or social media, and all of those have contributed to the polarization of our country in recent years.
I think a lot of the suggestions are valid in the book. But I feel a lot of the problems are too big to fix and we can't focus on everything all at once because it's overwhelming. I think too much control inside the government is not the answer either.
One of the final chapters does focus on term limits in congress which I feel would make a difference. We need to have people who care and who want to actually save our country and not look out for special interests.
I received this book free from Goodreads, and I appreciated the chance to give my honest opinion. Thank you!
This book is a bit old - with copyright 2015. Each chapter reads like an essay on the various topics. Some of the chapters are long winded and could stand to be broken up into smaller paragraphs so as not to overload the reader.
But the topics are still current. So the problems are still there. Which is actually discouraging.
It made me think a lot about what is wrong and reminded me to be more open minded and see other points of view. Especially since I don't agree with everything written or suggested in the book. And our country is so divided as this point.
I can appreciate and learn something from some of the suggestions though.
But we have seen just over the last 4 years, how much worse our country has gotten And how inflation is ruining the average American's life - they cannot even afford to go to the grocery store. So there is an underlying anger. The pandemic made the decline even worse and heaped on even more concerns. And we have seen a selfishness throughout our population, which is yet another moral problem.
I have seen a big gap between the have and the have nots and I don't think government can fix the mess, which is where private citizens and charities end up stepping in and often accomplish more, much quicker. I do think the family unit has been torn apart over the years and much of what we see now is a result of same.
I have friends who say they hope their grandchildren do not have children some day. How they feel sorry for the next generation and are glad they themselves will not be around to deal with the mess. It is sad to hear. I think our country is still worth saving and I have hope for our future.
The media was not really discussed much in this book, nor was the internet or social media, and all of those have contributed to the polarization of our country in recent years.
I think a lot of the suggestions are valid in the book. But I feel a lot of the problems are too big to fix and we can't focus on everything all at once because it's overwhelming. I think too much control inside the government is not the answer either.
One of the final chapters does focus on term limits in congress which I feel would make a difference. We need to have people who care and who want to actually save our country and not look out for special interests.
I received this book free from Goodreads, and I appreciated the chance to give my honest opinion. Thank you!
September 30, 2022
Thank you Goodreads Giveaways! I enjoyed this book, and read other reviews of it and appreciate it as being controversial. If anything, it puts a little knowledge in one’s head about some of the topics, and perhaps gain a different perspective.
I love reading books about subjects I do not necessarily agree with to gain a better understanding of all perspectives. I feel to often, we get so caught up in our beliefs, that we fall into that downward spiral of becoming so touchy about another’s opposing opinions that we don’t actually give consideration to some, not ALL, insight to another side.
We have beliefs, but we are NOT our beliefs.
That being said, I enjoyed this book. The way this author would change the ways situations were done was a very creative way to get her point across. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on the Elderly because of debates I’ve had with others in the past. This chapter concerns a subject that I am particularly interested in, and her views gave me a lot to think about, as I have aging parents and need to plan out our situations better.
Thanks so much for this giveaway. It wasn’t too long and repetitive as sometimes these types of books can be. I loved it and would recommend it to anyone who might have similar or different views altogether!
I love reading books about subjects I do not necessarily agree with to gain a better understanding of all perspectives. I feel to often, we get so caught up in our beliefs, that we fall into that downward spiral of becoming so touchy about another’s opposing opinions that we don’t actually give consideration to some, not ALL, insight to another side.
We have beliefs, but we are NOT our beliefs.
That being said, I enjoyed this book. The way this author would change the ways situations were done was a very creative way to get her point across. I particularly enjoyed the chapter on the Elderly because of debates I’ve had with others in the past. This chapter concerns a subject that I am particularly interested in, and her views gave me a lot to think about, as I have aging parents and need to plan out our situations better.
Thanks so much for this giveaway. It wasn’t too long and repetitive as sometimes these types of books can be. I loved it and would recommend it to anyone who might have similar or different views altogether!
February 2, 2026
I won this book from a Goodread’s Giveaway.
This book is proof that just because anyone can write a book, doesn’t mean they should. At the most, if this author really believed their thoughts needed to reach a bigger audience, then it should have been a blog.
The conclusions drawn and opinions presented were, many times, based on a faulty foundation. This would be a good book to give students as an exercise in identifying various logical fallacies.
I read this book only because I won it and as an exercise in trying to learn about beliefs different than mine and the reasoning behind them.
This book is proof that just because anyone can write a book, doesn’t mean they should. At the most, if this author really believed their thoughts needed to reach a bigger audience, then it should have been a blog.
The conclusions drawn and opinions presented were, many times, based on a faulty foundation. This would be a good book to give students as an exercise in identifying various logical fallacies.
I read this book only because I won it and as an exercise in trying to learn about beliefs different than mine and the reasoning behind them.
October 30, 2022
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and while I didn't agree with everything the author wrote it was an interesting book about a relevant topic. I appreciated the fact that the author laid out what she thought the problem was and possible solutions in each chapter on a variety of issues. So many people today just tell you what they are against instead of contributing ideas that could help solve the problem. This was an interesting. easy to read book that will make you think about many of the divisive issues in America today.
July 13, 2020
I have mixed reviews on the authors writings. She has a lot of good ideas that seem to be exactly what is needed to correct our immoral culture and then throws in her liberal ideas like parents giving their kids birth control. This is condoning sexual activity instead of teaching kids prevention and responsibility. There were also some more liberal opinions when I assumed this book would be more conservative.
September 10, 2024
This book was utter nonsense. It reads as a less harsh but not nearly as less dangerous project 2025. Savannah Jordon has some deep seated issues in which her parroted talking points are coming from. Much of this read as conflicting and deeply troubling political fodder. I eventually stopped reading it when I had gotten about 3/4 of the way through and realized I’d not be reading any real plans or original ideas. Deeply disappointing
October 27, 2024
The author discusses topics that are of interest to all of us these days. These include immigration reform, education, care of the elderly, abortion, medical care, gun control, and others. We all have opinions--many of which match what the author puts forward. However, even those many of these things need to be done, it will never happen because of politics in our country. Lots of food for thought is you didn't already have an opinion.
Want to Read
August 17, 2020Some interesting ideas that I too wish the government would bring to reality.
Backing up and rethinking a lot of the things happening right now would be a good idea.
If they would correct a few minor things a lot of major things would shrink and go away.
And our country would definitely be a better and safer place in which to call home.
Backing up and rethinking a lot of the things happening right now would be a good idea.
If they would correct a few minor things a lot of major things would shrink and go away.
And our country would definitely be a better and safer place in which to call home.
March 10, 2019
Thank you, Ms. Jordan, for your compact book referencing many of society's ills. With a number of them I agreed with you, some I wondered about. It was helpful that you cited references so that I can do follow up research on various ideas.
I received this book through a goodreads giveaway
I received this book through a goodreads giveaway
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