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Looking at the American political system from its earliest conception to the elections of the twentieth century, author Gorski is convinced that only a third party's well-designed inception and serious incursion can change the current template. Our country was founded on innovative principles that gradually improved over time with the elimination of slavery and recognition of the rights of all who are born here. However, about 100 years ago, Gorski states, changes occurred that have had an increasingly damaging effect. Primary among these was the creation of the Federal Reserve Bank, which resulted in the gross devaluation of a currency that, prior to that time, had retained a steady value. Once in place, the Federal Reserve System allowed for the support of foreign wars, "exploding deficits," and rising inflation, with no direct benefits to citizens. And our system of laws, founded on a few strong principles, has become so complex that it is almost impossible for ordinary people to grasp.
To parse these complicated problems, Gorski focuses here on the campaigns and elections of 2008, 2010, and 2014 and makes predictions about a possible outcome in 2016 if a vigorous third party were to emerge. In 2008, Ron Paul was a potential third-party outrider who wanted to end wars and curtail or eliminate the Federal Reserve. But had he run for president, he would only have garnered about ten percent of the vote. By 2010, Gorski believes, such a candidate could have taken twenty percent. In 2014-15, financial crises and world turmoil were the norms, with no suggestion from the government as to how to ameliorate either situation. By 2016, independent voters would have represented a large segment of the population and had a realistic chance of national victory. A third-party candidate, running on the promise of "real conformity to our Constitution" and a significant change of the way that federal funds are allocated, could have provided the remedies many Americans had been desperately seeking.
Gorski, who has written several works dealing with this subject matter, has an intelligent vision of what he believes could happen to bring about the changes that may be necessary to execute and maintain real reform in our country. He makes many pragmatic suggestions such as tax reduction, perhaps to a single, simple sales tax, to put money back in the pockets of hard-working people and vital businesses that would no longer be burdened with payroll and corporate deficits. He has also diligently studied the Constitution and other documents in the course of developing his worthy thesis. He offers a rational view of what the United States could be like with proposed changes in place, including the refreshing notion of elections with less anger and bitterness, more hopefulness, participation, and commonality of purpose among its voters. He offers a final chapter—"Great American Quotes to Echo"—with relevant statements from George Washington, Mark Twain, Ronald Reagan, and others. Gorski's book presents an excellent study for any politically involved reader who is speculating about innovative, positive change.
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