Unintimidated: A Governor's Story and a Nation's Challenge Paperback – August 26, 2014

First of all... yes, I actually read this book. This is my real name and I bought the book from Amazon.To Governor Walker's detractors: this review probably isn't for you. I know I'm not going to change your mind- nor do I seek to. You are free to leave your comments at the end, if you like.This review is for the open minded among us... those who may feel that this country may have "lost its way" in recent years. Those who may be curious, like me, about the events covered in the book. Like many people, I have my own memories about it, so I welcomed this effort by Gov Walker to tell his side of the story. If someone can point me to any books representing the "other" side of this story, I'd be happy to read them too.When I read books, it often takes me a little longer, as I tend to get slowed down by going off on a tangent to verify things that come up in the book. I don't like to necessarily rely on footnotes or the honesty of any particular author. I can say with complete confidence that this is a well written book; accurate and very easy to read. The author speaks in concise, plain language. I lived in the midwest for a few years, many years ago, and I truly miss their straightforward manner of communicating.This book is a very good, detailed account of what transpired in order to get Act 10 passed. And the saga that continued after the law was passed. The race in the Wisconsin Supreme Court... The lawsuits... The senate recalls... Then Governor Walker's historic recall. A high point in the book, was when the Democratic state senator Russ Decker (the majority leader, no less) broke ranks from his party to vote his conscience and with Walker.I was shocked to read how many times an angry mob threatened the safety of the Governor; his family and others, who often were not directly involved. How the mobs became more aggressive. How sadly, they were spat on like our Viet Nam Veterans once were. How people "tracked" the Governor's wife and children. How opponents threatened to kill the Governor, his wife, his kids, even her parents and Republican state senators! How people would go on lawmakers private property and pound on their doors and windows. And then... How these thugs would have the audacity to say "this is what Democracy looks like"! I know Democracy can be messy, but these people were ridiculous! They said they wanted to "gut his wife like a deer"! Really? Even the mafia, purportedly considers the "families" off limits.I'm glad that Governor Walker got the chance to tell his side of things. In that regard, this is a very good book, worthy of at least 4 stars. I will give it 5 though, in a vain effort to drown out the shameless amongst us, who apparently will stoop to any low to try and silence this man.The fact is, Lincoln was pilloried mercilessly by Democrats in his day too, as they were mostly for retaining the status quo (slavery) of that time. But thankfully, President Lincoln persevered, as did Governor Walker. It takes a genuine leader to boldly take on such large issues and withstand the level of abuse that both of these men did, while remaining honorable and true to their goals, which they knew in their hearts were morally correct. This nation owes a huge debt of gratitude to both men.If anyone is going to save this country from itself, as in the past... they're probably going to come from our common sense heartland.

The book does a nice job of laying out Governor Walker's experiences as a local official, his motivations and thought process about curtailing excessive collective bargaining privileges for public sector workers. It also makes a compelling argument for instituting similar policies elsewhere.Some reviews by others inaccurately state that the book is not properly referenced. This is nonsense. The book is fully footnoted with references.Others say the book is "full of lies". Those reviewers have an interesting definition of the word "lie". I believe that definition would read: 1. A truth that I don't like; 2. A truth that points out that my position is selfish, untenable, bigoted and unfair.I live in Wisconsin. Born and raised here. I was here during the nightmarish, years-long temper tantrum thrown by the union thugs. I was at the Capitol to witness some of the thuggery firsthand.I walked right past the teachers who skipped out on their jobs to go shout vile names at taxpayers.I walked past the doctors who were offering fake sick notes to those teachers, so they could get paid for NOT doing their job.I was mere feet from the leftist saboteur who tried to kill the sound system at the Tea Party rally on February 19, 2011, as speakers like Andrew Breitbart and Herman Cain spoke.I walked past the tables full of communist books. Yes, really. Tables with book racks, set up on the Capitol square, displaying (for sale, one imagines ironically) "The Communist Manifesto", "Cuba and the Coming American Revolution", "Socialism and Man in Cuba", as well as lighter fare like "Cosmetics, Fashions, and the Exploitation of Women" (available in both English and Farsi, right here on Amazon!)"Unintimidated" doesn't get into the minutia (like the sound system attack, nor the communist recruitment) but does cover the reprehensible behavior of the doctors and the teachers, as well as detailing some of the other well-documented thuggery.I present a challenge for the union scumbags who are lying about this book:Point out one lie contained in the book. Dare ya. I know, one of you would actually have to READ the book to respond to the challenge, but it's not THAT difficult (actually, it's a fairly quick read, even for a union English teacher.)I would recommend this book to any thinking person who would like the facts about Scott Walker's efforts to finally remove the leeches from Wisconsin's collective backside, so the state could live up to its motto, and move forward.

A good book telling an interesting story - but I fear that Governor Walker does tend to think that making government more efficient (by getting rid union power) can avoid the necessity of actually reducing public services and benefits. Perhaps one an square the circle (balance the budget without really reducing the size and scope of government) in Wisconsin - but one cannot do this at the Federal level.Ending collective bargaining and getting government workers to pay a bit more for pensions and health care, is not going to do the job at the Federal level. There needs to be a real reduction in the size and scope of the Federal government. The growth of the entitlement programs is out of control - and ending collective bargaining for government workers is not going to deal with that.

This is what is coming at Democrats in 2016. Someone who understands how to get the economy moving (like Romney), but also understands how to present himself to the public.Of course, the downside is you get Republican social policy along with good economic policy. It's sad that Americans have to choose between good economic policy and good social policy, but, as that is currently the only option they have, they will choose good economic policy, and accept the bad social policy that goes along with it.

L'American Dream spiegato da un politico repubblicano. Mercato, liberismo, no al big government e agli interessi corporativi dei sindacati: il rispetto per le persone passa da qui.