Small Government Book Fan Club discussion
Welcome and Questions
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Welcome Garrett...but Masha's promise about no lawyer jokes???? He's speaking for himself.:)
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I sent for it through interlibrary loan...that fails I may be forced to buy it.
Thanks for the warm welcome everyone! Don't worry about lawyer jokes; I can admit that many of them are true. Law school was definitely interesting, as most professors and students were liberal, but I was a proud member of the Federalist Society, which celebrates limited government and states rights. It was in my Constitutional law class where I really cemented my feelings about limited government - in particular the Wickard v. Filburn case.As for my book, it was a lot of fun to write. I have a few liberal family members and friends, so I have been collecting material for years, though I still love them despite their views. I have a unique way of looking at things and I love to write, so this whole thing just evolved over time. I would be grateful if you would read it and let me know what you think, but no pressure. I'm happy to be part of the group and hope that I can contribute to your discussions.
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Haven't seen it yet. I look forward to it.I have a sister (by the way) who calls herself a socialist, yet admits she knows it doesn't work. It just seems so compassionate to her I suppose.
That's probably not that unusual.
Hey everybody.I was invited to join this group by one of the moderators and hope I'll be able to contribute.
BTW, I am Michael E. Newton, the author of The Path to Tyranny: A History of Free Society's Descent into Tyranny and Angry Mobs and Founding Fathers: The Fight for Control of the American Revolution. Thankfully, both have been getting great reviews. I'm currently writing a book about Alexander Hamilton.
As for me, I'm a classical "conservative liberal," i.e. small government conservative. (See http://goo.gl/0NHp3 for my full explanation.)
I look forward to making new friends in this group, learning something, and maybe selling a few books.
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Masha wrote: "Welcome Michael! I like your attitude towards re-defining the political labels. It gets people away from stereotypes and towards thinking what different political philosophies really mean. Dependin..."I like your attitude too. We have to keep both our friends and our enemies on their toes. By calling myself a "conservative liberal," I appeal to and confuse both sides of the political aisle.
Welcome, Michael. I'm new to the group as well. Your books look quite interesting; I will add them to my to-read list.
Garrett wrote: "Welcome, Michael. I'm new to the group as well. Your books look quite interesting; I will add them to my to-read list."Garrett: Your book also looks interesting, if somewhat quirky, if I may call it that.
No print edition? I have no Kindle or Kindle-ready device to read on (except my computer, but who wants to read on the computer?).
Michael, the print edition is here: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12....You can go to www.liberalinnature.com to purchase a copy.
Garrett wrote: "Michael, the print edition is here: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12....You can go to www.liberalinnature.com to purchase a copy."
Oh, there it is. Your Kindle and print books weren't linked. I found the Kindle but not the print when I looked. I'll have to add it to my Amazon wishlist and Goodreads to-read list.
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Michael-I'm wondering how much your book about Hamilton will deal with his economic ideas and their contribution to the early republic.
I think that's a really important subject. Unfortunately, the only biography of Hamilton I've ever read was a little over my head when it covered that topic.
Hi Danny, welcome. Glad to have all comers.
Willard wrote: "Michael-I'm wondering how much your book about Hamilton will deal with his economic ideas and their contribution to the early republic..."
I covered that in my last book, Angry Mobs and Founding Fathers: The Fight for Control of the American Revolution. Obviously, I'll cover this in more detail in my book specifically on Hamilton, but I haven't yet said what the book will be about. By that, I mean it will be about Hamilton but it won't be a bio. I'll probably announce the title and synopsis in the late winter of early spring and hope the book will be out this summer.
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Oh Dany you forgot Terry Goodkind! How could you??? Tsk, tsk.
Hi, I'm Zoe. I'm a libertarian and sophomore English Literature major from Western Pennsylvania, and a book addict. This group definitely caught my eye. I always like to meet up with others who share my views on small government, especially ones who also like to read, and especially those who enjoy reading Ayn Rand and other small-government-supportive authors. I read most everything under-the-sun, and definitely could not narrow it all down to one or two favorite authors. Anyhow, I'm definitely looking forward to jumping in on some conversations, and meeting you all. :)
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Hi, everyone, my name is Janet McNulty. I am 27 and live in West Virginia. I am conservative in my political opinions but try to be open-minded when it comes to new ideas. I believe strongly in the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. And I would love to knock heads together in Congress for their blatant disregard of the Constitution and their job.I am also a writer. I have published two books and one short story. The short story I published is called Desperation. It is a simple sci-fi story and is available in eBook only on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
The two book I published are Legends Lost Amborese (fantasy fiction for ages 13 and up) and Illogical Nonsense (which is my political commentary book).
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Hi, I just joined. Like you folks, I'm starving for good fiction that reflects my world view. My favorite books (lately) are suspense-romantic-gothic-thriller-type books. My personal favorites are Identity Man (and most other Klavan), Nemesis (and most other Rosamond Smith, and yes, I know she's really Joyce Carol Oates but I only like her when she writes as Smith), LOTR, and Hunger Games. I also enjoyed The Program by Gregg Hurwitz. Although I am an occasional fantasy-sci-fi-dystopia fan, I am arbitrarily selective; I am not going to all the trouble of learning about a new world unless the story is worth it. I'm joining this group hoping people can recommend good books for me. I wrote a novel to fill the void in the lit market for the kind of fiction I like. You can also see other books I've rated on my shelf. So now that I've introduced myself, I will probably just "listen" to you all for a while and see what other good books are out there. Thank you!
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Hi welcome. Why don't you try browsing the book shelves of the members. One thing most of us aren't shy about is recommending our favorite books and authors.Have you read anything by David Gemmell (for instance)? :)
Thank you, Masha and Mike. I do plan to peruse your shelves and see what you read. Good to know you guys are from a fantasy/sci-fi group originally. I do like an imaginative story. I also love Klavan for his ability to weave a romance into a crime thriller. Yes, I have read some Koontz and sometimes I really like him, sometimes I just think he's okay. This group will help me pick his better books for future reading. I apologize if this was the wrong place to mention my own work - I will try to familiarize myself better with your set up. (This is the first Goodreads group I've joined, please excuse any faux pas.) Looking forward to getting to know you all and your reading recommendations!
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Everything you need to know about FLASHBACK can be found here: http://www.dansimmons.com/news/messag...I've always felt that negative reviews by people who obviously hold a grudge (or who just plain don't get it) are useful for finding good books, simply by recognizing their hyperbolic reactions. This "Kemper" person is clearly one, who would not benefit from reading the above message by the author because his brain is already encased in cement.
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@Kia- you can discuss your work anywhere in this group, I just think it will get more attention if it has its own thread. I haven't seen what Koontz books you've read (they don't seem to be on your book list). I always recommend Lightning and The Face as the best intro to Koontz if you haven't read those yet. Klavan's Empire of Lies and YA Homelander series are also good choices for you if you are in the mood for realism instead.
Masha wrote: "@Dany- I haven't read Flashback because it sounds too depressing and not suitable for my current dark mood. It's on my TBR for sure.@Kia- you can discuss your work anywhere in this group, I just..."
Thank Dany! I will try those Koontz books out. I have read Empire of Lies (awesome), haven't read the Homelander Series yet. It's on my to-do list. I have a 12-year-old daughter who might like it, too?
Dany wrote: "I've always felt that negative reviews by people who obviously hold a grudge (or who just plain don't get it) are useful for finding good books, simply by recognizing their hyperbolic reactions. Th..."Never heard of Dan Simmons - will check him out too. Thanks! I really recommend The Hunger Games - powerful, compelling reading. Kind of heavy-duty, though (I was pretty choked up at the end of the series). I do not plan to see the movies, as I don't really want to see dead teenagers. It was hard enough to read about it. Has a Lord of the Flies vibe.
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I started The Hunger Games but didn't get through the first book. Then I read Mike (the Paladin)'s review and it turned me off. I don't agree with Mike on all the books, but his specific objections showed me this series is not for me. My son liked the series but said it was exceptionally dark.
BUT it is pretty intense so you'd know better if your daughter can handle it.I'm still trying to read questionable books before she does, but she reads more than I do so it's kind of a losing battle at this point. My son is 10 and almost as bad.
The Hunger Games probably isn't for everyone. It does get darker and darker as you go along. But I remember being thrilled by the portrayal of "The Capitol" and its clueless denizens - so rare these days to see the Elite portrayed as anything less than sophisticated, or to see a strong, centralized government shown as anything other than compassionate and righteous. The Hunger Games shows the Capitol to be corrupt, amoral and foolish, and has a powerful theme of rebellion that could be an unintended call to young voters as the film launches in an election year, with a Democrat incumbent. "Down with the Capitol!"
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Repairman Jack books by F. Paul Wilson also really hit the spot with its world view.
I'll check out those FLASHBACK reviews, though I generally stay away from reviews these days because they make me lose hope in humanity. I remember when the book first came out someone reviewed it with a string of adjectives of hate just because of the political views in it. Pretty hilarious. Her review was everything she said the book was.
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Actually Dany, pure Democracy doesn't protect minorities. That's why it has to be withing a lawful system. We don't really have a democracy here in America (the news media's assumptions and so on not withstanding). We have a Constitutional Democratic Republic. Pure democracy is rule by the majority and would be hard to make work on a large scale. (Remember Ross Perot's idea of an interactive TV screen where the entire population would vote on each question?) We have "rule of law" where the legislature or the people's representatives pass laws, but may not pass laws that violate the limits up set in the Constitution to protect the people. That's why the attempt to force slavery into the Constitution never worked. It tried to set the document at odds with itself. Once it began to be read as written (and the parts that tried to recognize slavery were repealed) minority persecution by the majority was seen to have been illegal.
Hi, I'm a Chinese student currently studying in the US. I usually refuse to endorse any ideology, because I think they all might help to reveal part of the truth but not all the truth, or place any labels on my belief, though I see the liberals as the lesser evil and the test on politicalcompass.org place me into left libertarianism (although I don't necessarily agree with ppl like Noam Chomsky or Ursula LeGuin, e.g. I don't agree with their assessment on capitalism), which according to that site is kind of far from most US politicians. On the other hand since I'm not a US citizen what I think wouldn't make any difference anyway. :) I like Heinlein but can not stand Rand's writing. Generally I read fiction for fun and don't quite care what the author believes, though I do usually avoid buying anything by Orson Scott Card. As to the so-called "arabic spring" I never expect it to have any good outcome. And I do think it likely that some countries like Egypt might descend straightly into theocracy like Iran in 1979.
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Hi Xdyj. While I'm sure we often disagree, I welcome civil discussion. I've read a lot of Heinlein. He had the unusual position of being held up for emulation by both the right and the left based on different works. I don't know from your comment if you've read much Card. I like some of his work and dislike others but that's mostly based on whether I like the book as fiction or not.I can see a lot of potential for discussion.
Again, welcome.
Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "Hi Xdyj. While I'm sure we often disagree, I welcome civil discussion. I've read a lot of Heinlein. He had the unusual position of being held up for emulation by both the right and the left based o..."Thanks! I actually like Ender's Game but less so with Speaker for the Dead. I have nothing against Card's fictions, and might probably read more of his stuff from library if I feel like it (although probably not in a while b/c I usually prefer reading new authors to following old ones these day), "not buying" is merely a statement against his opposition to legalizing same sex marriage. As to Rand I do think some of her messages are still relavant today, however, after conveying the message she tended to repeat it on and on and on and forever:)
Well, I actually agree with you on Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead. As I said I like a lot of Card, but not all. With Rand I like some of her ideas but can't agree with all her stands or conclusions.
Sometimes a person's ideas come through very clearly in a work and that will make it less palatable for some reasons. I've heard a lot about what is apparently a statement Card made in an interview or something about this view. I've never seen it myself.
At the risk of being stoned I believe that civil partnerships are inevitable but that doesn't require changing the definition of marriage. So while some will get very angry at me my stand is that homosexual couples should have the same legal rights as married couples but that marriage is by definition a male and female couple. The anger comes because many want the definition changed. I suppose in the end it will probably be legally changed. I just don't agree.
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I read Card's full statement on gays. He was speaking specifically in context of the Mormon religion. I don't see how a man's religious views can be held against him, esp. by the same people who talk of "freedom of religion" at the drop of a hat. With all due respect to gays, there's no law that they have to be Mormons. There are plenty of religions out there to practice if they so choose, or none at all. That said, Card writes a weekly opinion column and his views have ticked me off plenty of times, but I don't cross his books off my list just for that.
Actually I know a proposed response to this issue: just call all relationships civil partnership in government files because government should not involve in the definition of the word "marriage". :)
I could live with that I suppose...like what choice will I have :). Marriage is a long standing concept and among some has a religious connotation.
Welcome Xdyj! I look forward to hearing your perspective on many issues. At the risk of being stoned, I have the same view as Mike and Masha. I live in Connecticut where we had civil unions - same legal rights for gay couples as straight. That worked fine but the legislature felt the need to make gay marriage the law of the land. Out came the activists, suing florists and photographers who won't service their wedding ceremony, getting people fired from their jobs for merely saying they don't believe in gay marriage, etc. And just look at other states like MA, where Catholic Charities are driven out of business by activists. I believe the gay marriage issue is being pushed precisely because it can be used as a tool to marginalize and even criminalize conservative, traditionalist, and religious thought. So I support civil unions - same civil/legal protections for gay couples and if they want to have a wedding and call themselves "married," good on them. But they can't force other people to do so, which protects freedom of religion and thought. (Which was kind of the point when they started the USA.)
Small Government Book Fan Club
Books mentioned in this topic
How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World: A Handbook for Personal Liberty (other topics)Atlas Shrugged (other topics)
White Girl Bleed a Lot: The Return of Race Riots to America (other topics)
White Girl Bleed a Lot: The Return of Race Riots to America (other topics)
Delivered from Evil: The Saga of World War Two (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Colin Flaherty (other topics)Colin Flaherty (other topics)
Michael E. Newton (other topics)
I have carried those ideas into my writing, with my latest project being a political satire about the destructive consequences of liberalism. It explores the affects liberalism would have on the natural world, among other things. Check it out, if you're curious (www.liberalinnature.com). If you have any questions, let me know.