I noticed the similarity in the titles of Reagan's autobiography and Sarah Palin's recent best-selling book - Going Rogue - An American Life. They both deeply value their upbringing and the life they enjoy[ed] here in America. They both regard[ed] the United States of America as the greatest nation on the planet! They are proud of our heritage, our nation, our military strength, the hard working and dedicated people of this country; and they both express genuine Christian faith and a gratefulness to God for all that we enjoy here in America.
Despite the fact that I have only read the first 28 pages so far, I find myself longing for another great American - a Reagan Conservative who believes the same things about our country and people as Reagan did - to get voted into the presidency in 2012. Could Sarah Palin be the one to follow in Reagan's footsteps of greatness? I hope so! I find her background, policies, Conservative political positions, support for small business job creation, low taxes, ideas for fixing what's broken in our nation, demonstrated fiscal restraint while Governor of Alaska, support for our brave military, determination on the War on Terror, and her love for America and family to be quite refreshing from what we are now enduring from this current terrible administration.
Two reviews at the Reagan book link above say it well:
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Ronaldus Magnus in his own words., February 16, 2007
By Rocco B. Rubino "Rocco R." (Ohio) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)
This review is from: An American Life: The Autobiography (Hardcover)
My first vote in a presidential election was for Ronald Wilson Reagan. I was a freshman in college and quickly coming to grips with my political philosophy and world view, when this idealistic, bright ray of sunshine declared it was "morning in America." Having remembered all to well the horrors of Watergate, the tepid Ford presidency, and the...well...you fill in your own pejorative for Jimmy Carter's presidency, Mr. Reagan, for me at least, was a breath of fresh air.
If you are looking for pure history of the Reagan years, the works of Lou Cannon and Richard Reeves will provide more objective views; i.e. the type of stuff political junkies like myself love to chew on. However, if you are looking for a first person account of a uniquely American story, this memoir will both uplift and inspire.
This book is quintessential Reagan. Missing is the self-adulatory, self-promoting tripe you read in autobiographies. Also, although he was bitterly opposed by "The Establishment," the literati, Hollywood, socialists, communists and the like, there is not an ounce of rancor to be found.
An American Life, despite the fact that it is 700+ pages, is a quick and fairly easy read. In order to obtain a full view of his presidency, I not only recommend this work, and the aforementioned volumes, but also the book that is the compilation of his letters. Far from being the "amiable dunce," you'll discover that "Dutch" was a unique and complex man and we are a better country for having him a part of the body politic for as long as we did.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars The Greatest President of the 20th Century, June 11, 2004
By Brad C Haines (Rensselaer, NY United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: An American Life (Paperback)
This is the definitive book by and about a truly great leader, and a great man. Ronald Reagan came to office at a time when America desperately need a man of his strength and character. After a decade of downturn - particularly the Carter malaise years, Reagan renewed our faith in ourselves and our nation. Today's conservatives - especially our so-called "leaders" - need to read this book.
Ronald Wilson Reagan - Ronaldus Magnus - will be missed, and we may never see his like again.
I sincerely hope that the last part of the last sentence of the second reviewer is not true! Reagan is missed by a majority of Americans (except those in the first reviewer categories of ""The Establishment," the literati, Hollywood, socialists, communists and the like,") but I do see evidence of "his likes again" in Sarah Palin. Heck! We already know that they both share extreme and rabid hatred being hurled at them from the same enemies list above [just add ObamaBorg Bots to the list against Palin]!
It was interesting to find out that Reagan learned to read at the young age of 5. His mother would read story books to him each night and run her finger under the words of the story as she spoke them. Reagan surmises that he just picked up reading very earlyin his life because of that. He also became adept at memorizing what he had read quite quickly and easily. I think that such an ability, plus his perpetual optimism about America's heritage and greatness helped make him the encouraging type of orator that he was during all 8 years as president and beyond.
In the beginning of Chapter 2, Reagan writes:
I grew up observing how the love and common sense of purpose that unites families is one of the most powerful glues on earth and that it can help them overcome the greatest of adversities. I learned that hard work is an essential part of life--that by and large, you don't get something for nothing--and that America was a place that offered unlimited opportunity to those who did work hard. I learned to admire risk takers and entrepreneurs, be they farmers, or small merchants, who went to work and took risks to build something for themselves and their children, pushing at the boundaries of their lives to make them better.
I have always wondered at this American marvel, the great energy of the human soul that drives people to better themselves and improve the fortunes of their families and communities. Indeed, I know of no greater force on earth.
I think growing up in a small town is a good foundation for anyone who decides to enter politics. You get to know people as individuals, not as blocs or members of special interest groups. You discover that, despite their differences, most people have a lot in common: Every individual is unique, but we all want freedom and liberty, peace, love and security, a good home, and a chance to worship God in our own way; we all want the chance to get ahead and make our children's lives better than our own. We all want the chance to work at a job of our own choosing and to be fairly rewarded for it and the opportunity to control our own destiny.
The dreams of people may differ, but everyone wants their dreams to come true. Not everybody aspires to be a bank president or a nuclear scientist, but everybody wants to do something with one's life that will give him or her pride and a sense of accomplishment. And America, above all places, gives us the freedom to do that, the freedom to reach out and make our dreams come true.
There are a lot of similarities between the beliefs that Ronald Reagan had, and the beliefs that Sarah Palin currently shares with the American people. This brief blog post is by no means an exhaustive account of them all. However, what I think has propelled Sarah Palin into the hearts and minds of the majority of Americans is that similar vision that Reagan had as to what direction is right for our country. I'm certainly not alone in comparing the two. Take a look at this "A Toast to Sarah Palin" magnet that has the images of Palin and Reagan on it!
I was glad to hear on Fox News Sunday that Ms. Palin has not ruled out a run for the White House in 2012. She hasn't committed to a decision yet (which I think is wise), and her reasons for deciding to run 9if she does) are very admirable. She has stated that if the country and her family wants her to run, thn that would be a huge part of the criteria that she would use to weigh her decision.
She would be a leader who wants to serve this nation...not to be served. She has already demonstrated this through what she did while governor of Alaska. And she has iron-clad grit! She didn't earn the nick-name "Sarahcuda" for nothing you know!
Despite the Media of Mass Deception's attempt to destroy her - she grows stronger and more loved by the normal, America-loving patriots of the TEA Party movement which is growing every single day. No matter what the haters throw at her, she will not be moved away from her goals to be outspoken about changing the direction of the current Marxist/tyrannical form of government that Obama & cohorts & clueless Congress have conspired and planned to inflict upon our beloved nation!
Thank you Sarah! No matter what you decide to do about the 2012 presidential race, we have confidence in you and know that you only want what is best for America! We support you all the way - in whatever direction God leads you to pursue now and in the future!