The America We Deserve, by Donald Trump


(Click for Amazon book review)

BOOK REVIEW by OnTheIssues.org:

Donald Trump once ran for President. People forget that in 1999-2000, Trump was actively running for the presidency via the Reform Party nomination (he lost the nomination to Pat Buchanan, who then lost in the general election to George W. Bush). In 2012, when the pundits speculate about whether Trump will enter or re-enter the presidential fray (this time as a Republican), THEY remember that he ran seriously once before, even if the public has forgotten.

This book was Trump's answer to his critics in 1999-2000 that he was not a serious candidate -- that he was just running as a "publicity hound" for self-promotion. It was released in hardcover in January 2000, early in the presidential race. It's a serious policy book; the sort of book we wish every candidate had to write. He lays out his issue stances on every important issue, and establishes himself as a moderate populist. (In the context of the Reform Party nomination, Pat Buchanan was an immoderate populist).

Trump has changed his views somewhat since 2000. And accordingly, he has a new book out for the 2012 race, Time to Get Tough. In 2012, he has become more conservative (for example, changing his tax views from "tax the wealthy" in this book, to "reduce taxes" in his 2011 book). We re-reviewed his 2000 book in preparation for the 2012 race -- indeed, Trump has become more conservative on several issues, which is consistent with his planning to run as a Republican in 2012.

Is Trump running in 2012? People forget too that Trump WAS running already, in 2011, as a Republican. He focused his unofficial candidacy on Barack Obama's birth certificate, and exited the race when Obama produced it. Trump's GOP candidacy lasted from April 2011 until May 2011.

Now it's 2012, and Trump once again rattles his saber of a candidacy. It's too late to run as a Republican, so Trump may run as an Independent. If he runs, this older book -- as well as his newer book -- would immediately become a must-read for all political aficionados. Until then, this older book serves as a means to compare Trump's older stances with his current ones.

-- Jesse Gordon, editor-in-chief, OnTheIssues.org, Jan. 2012

OnTheIssues.org excerpts:  (click on issues for details)

Abortion     Pro-choice, but ban partial birth abortion.

Budget & Economy     Prepare for upcoming crash, bigger than 1929.

Civil Rights     Tolerate diversity; prosecute hate crimes against gays.

Crime     Capital punishment isn’t uncivilized; murderers living is.     Death penalty deters like violent TV leads kids astray.     Hold judges accountable; don’t reduce sentences.     For tough anti-crime policies; not criminals’ rights.

Drugs     Never touched drugs, nor alcohol, tobacco, or coffee.

Education     Teach citizenship; stop “dumbing down”.     End “creative spelling,” “estimating,” & “empowerment”.     Bring on the competition; tear down the union walls.     School choice will improve public schools.

Foreign Policy     Post-Cold War: switch from chess player to dealmaker.     China: lack of human rights prevents consumer development.     Be tougher on China-we’re too eager to please.     Support Russia, but with strings attached.     Criticized Buchanan’s view on Hitler as appeasement.

Free Trade     Renegotiate tougher & fairer trade agreements.

Government Reform     Government scrutiny is greatest threat to American Dream.     Government should do public works & safety & little else.     Ban soft money; but allow unlimited personal contributions.

Gun Control     Dems and Reps are both wrong on guns.     For assault weapon ban, waiting period, & background check.

Health Care     We must have universal health care.

Homeland Security     3% of GNP for military is too low.     Prepare for bio-terrorism attack.     Missile defense is inappropriate; focus on terrorism.

Immigration     Control borders; even legal immigration should be difficult.

Jobs     Unions fight for pay; managers fight for less; consumers win.

Principles & Values     3 principles: One term, two-fisted policies, zero excuses.     Non-politicians are the wave of the future.     In business & politics, stands for getting things done.

Social Security     Pay off debt; put $3T interest savings into Trust Fund.     Let people invest their own retirement funds.     No government investment of retirement funds.

Tax Reform     Simplify tax code; end marriage penalty & other hidden taxes.     Repeal the inheritance tax to offset one-time wealth tax.     Opposes flat tax; benefits wealthy too much.

War & Peace     Use force to stop North Korean nuke development.     No humanitarian intervention; only to direct threats.     Support Israel, our unsinkable Mideast aircraft carrier.

Welfare & Poverty     Let "saints" help teen moms; restrict public assistance.

Click for quotations from other sources by: Donald Trump