Book Review: Senator Jim DeMint’s ‘Saving Freedom’
by Bob Hamer
When I first met Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) in February of this year (full disclosure: we have the same publisher, Fidelis Books) I heard him say something that resonated…”We’ve been duped into believing government alone can solve our country’s problems. I believe often the government is the problem. America’s greatness is found in its people and its values not in its government…with every round of new regulation and increased spending our country slides further away from liberty and closer to socialism. ” He had my attention.
Apparently I wasn’t the only one recognizing his efforts to put his beliefs into action. The National Journal named him the Senate’s most conservative member and the National Taxpayer Union ranked him the number one senator for responsible tax and spending policies.
His book “Saving Freedom” was released July 4th. It is his account of the socialist shift Congress is taking to change the very nature of our country. “Saving Freedom” is a primer for understanding the history of our freedoms and could not be more timely. Obviously, the book wasn’t written overnight. He told me he watched this slide for years but knew the new administration would support an even greater incursion at an exaggerated pace. With the government now controlling parts of the auto industry, the financial industry, insurance, and health care it has been a steep slide in a few short months. He acknowledges socialism begins with good intentions but becomes a government by force taking from some to give to others with the unintended consequences of destroying individual responsibility and creating an even greater dependency on the government.
The book provides interesting insights into the world of politics and the pressures politicians face. One of several examples he provides is the uphill battle he has had with some veterans’ groups. Even though “serving veterans has been a top priority” he has been given an “F” by one national group because he voted against a veterans’ bill. The reasoning for his vote was sound but fodder for the special interests. (As a veteran, with a son in the Marines, I am quick to side with veterans’ groups but must now admit the Senator’s book opened my eyes. Maybe I need to dig deeper before I react.)
The Veterans Administration wanted to “downsize an under-utilized veterans’ hospital in Los Angeles.” By selling off several acres the VA estimated they could add $5 billion (with a “b”) to the veterans’ budget. “But Hollywood friends of the two California Senators wanted to keep the area as a park, so the bill included an ‘earmark’ to prohibit the VA from selling the property.” The money from the sale would have gone to veteran’s health-care. Senator DeMint tried to remove the “earmark” but his amendment failed so he voted against the bill. As a result he was targeted by certain veterans’ groups and now assumes he will spend money at his re-election combating ads attacking him for being against military veterans.
But the book doesn’t whine about our nation’s problems. He provides an action plan for the nation and the individual to reclaim our freedoms. As Fox News says, “We report, you decide.” I would encourage everyone to take a look. “Saving Freedom” provides knowledge and some practical ways of doing and serving. Become informed and get involved. It is our country but it may not be the country we think we know if we don’t act soon.
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27 Comments
Thanks for reviewing this book. It looks like a worthwhile read.
Thanks for reviewing this book. It looks like a worthwhile read. I like that he has an action plan.
Our family lived in S.C. for 8 years and I greatly admire Sen. DeMint. I admire him even more considering the other two sorry excuses for Conservatives from that state (i.e. Lindsay Graham & Mark Sanford). Looking forward to reading this book.
That five Billion might have made my wait of a year for an MRI and Orthopedic consult a little shorter at the V.A.
even his name is a breath of fresh air. demint? yes, please.
StlDan, if your statement above isn't a huge red flag that government run health care is a bad idea, I don't know what is. Thank you for your service.
Thanks Ally, that's why I used it as an example. You would not beleive the horror stories I could tell you about the V.A.
Thanks Ally, that's why I used it as an example. You would not believe the horror stories I could tell you about the V.A.
Oh, yes I would. I did almost all of my volunteer hours for my college degree and my full-sememster internship at the VA in Gainesville, FL. Also, I don't know how many hours we spent at the VA with my former grandfather-in-law waiting to be seen for everything from routine appointments to urgent care needs. One thing I will say about the VA in G'ville: they were compassionate even if they were understaffed and low on current technology. They allowed me to spend 1 hour each day with "Grandpa" while he was on life support for the few days before he died and allowed me to call it one-on-one patient time (during my internship). Also, they have a distinct advantage in that they have Shands Hospital at the University of Florida literally across the street. Still, with all that, wait times were horrendous.
Grrrr…comment being moderated. GRRRR!!!! No profanity. No slams on anyone. I don't get it.
I wasn't aware there were any conservatives left in the Republican party. I will definitely give the book a look.
I live right next door the the West LA VA campus. I believe Senator DeMint has it wrong. The land that the West LA VA sits on was put into a trust by a family who owned the land a very long time ago for the SOLE use of Veterans. It was not "given" to the federal government or the VA in particular.
[...] Book Review: Senator Jim DeMint’s ‘Saving Freedom’ by Bob Hamer [...]
I work for a smallish newspaper (avg. circulation just under 7,000 last I knew). About a month ago I ran a story about Sebelius touting health care reform. Directly below it, I ran a story about how government run health care on Indian reservations was virtually non-existent and routinely bankrupt by May. I remember one person quoted as basically saying 'don't get sick after May,' and that many tribes with casino profits have to make up the shortfall. I'm hoping people were able to put two and two together.
According to the article, the U.S. government is responsible for health care on Indian reservations. Just the reservations. If you go off reservation, you're on your own. I don't have any census material handy and it's too late to look up, but this can be two, maybe three percent of the population, max. If the government can't even provide for that small segment of the population, why do people think they will effectively run a program that will take care of 100 percent of the population?
My husband worked as a pharmacy technician at a military base hospital, and he also knows the horrors of the VA system. Nothing made him angrier than having to shell out tons of pills to the people who just wanted something to control their kids rather than responsible parenting (always a major uptick in ritalin scrips in the summer that fell off in the fall) or handing out bottles of hydrogen peroxide to those who simply felt entitled to have it for free (when it costs maybe $2 at Walmart) and then having to turn around and deny WWII vets, who had maybe driven for a few hours to get to the base hospital, important medications even though they had it sitting on the shelves a few feet behind hm due to rationing restrictions. He used to come home so upset over that – the myriad small abuses and the major shortfalls.
Apparently Sen. DeMint is trying to start a Senate Conservatives fund to elect conservatives to the senate. It is not supposed to be in any way affiliated with the Republican party except insofar that it is Republicans who are most likely to be conservative. Right now, it's backing Rubio, Toomey, and Coburne.
I was considering getting my hands on this book and now I will. Thanks.
I have been meaning to order this book, thanks for the review. Maybe the true Conservatives will rise up, come out of the closet and actually save this Country.
Even though “serving veterans has been a top priority” he has been given an “F” by one national group because he voted against a veterans’ bill. The reasoning for his vote was sound but fodder for the special interests.
That's why I never take a "grading system" at face value at first… NRSC listed a bunch of conservative senators/voters and they'd get killed because of one vote here or there… (Jeff Sessions went from 98% in one grading scale, to a 70% on another because there were pork projects for Alabama in the stimulus package, even though he voted against the stimulus and wasn't the senator who had put the project in the bill.)
DeMint sounds an awful lot like Ronald Reagan. It may be just me, but he even looks a little like him. I think it's time to have a closer look at this guy (because of his values, not his appearance).
Dan, I know what you mean. I just got a bill for physical therapy following a surgury (that I waited 4 years to get). The VA is now fighting me on the therapy that will get me on my feet. 5 Billion indeed.
[...] from Bob Hamer, Big Hollywood: Book Review: Senator Jim DeMint’s ‘Saving Freedom’ When I first met Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC) in February of this year (full disclosure: we have the [...]
My wife has been following his current actions against the Liberals and Rinos we now have i office. He is often the lone voice of conservative reason. She very much hopes he runs for President against everyone else currently in the top spots. The only caveat is she likes Palin as well. Yes, I do agree with her, although I have a cautious soft spot for Romney.
So my daughter ran out of Adderall when we couldn't get her into see a military doctor in time. Tricare requires we visit a military physician before seeking any other medical assistance, mind you. So because the doctors, bless them, were all deployed, my little girl wasn't able to receive the appropriate time with a doctor and she ran out of her medication. In the week that followed, her grades at school went from A to F. In one week! It wasn't a matter of control, she isn't a bad child, and she most certainly IS NOT stupid. She just can't focus long enough to complete her work, not without some sort of balancing agent, which is what Adderall provides. I only wish that people who snidely comment on all of us parents who "can't control our kids" had to parent those children once in a while. You try looking into your little girl's eyes when she struggles to explain her struggles. Then you can talk about medications of that sort.
I had the pleasure of meeting Senator DeMint at our TEA Party rally at the state capitol on July 4th. In person, he is just the same guy as what you see on television. I've met lots of politicians and most of them have a very slick, insincere, almost patronizing way of speaking to you – right or left, doesn't matter. Jim DeMint actually came across as a real person and not at all bothered or in a hurry just doing a meet & greet. Politically, he is Ronald Reagan incarnate. I moved to South Carolina from California three years ago and one of the best things about living here is knowing I've got someone like him representing me in DC.. And I am NOT generally a fan of politicians, regardless of party. By the way, if you're not a Mark Sanford fan keep your eye on Nikki Haley – an up and comer, true conservative running for Governor of our state.
My ex-husband the Libertarian likes Cantor & Pawlenty for a nat'l ticket, tho' I'm not sure in which order. I like Cantor but I fear he doesn't have the charisma needed to galvanize the sheeple…um…I mean, the masses.
Howdy neighbor, we SC Conservatives think Jim Demint is the best Representative we have…..I met Jim at the recent Charleston 4th of July Tea Party…..I also have found that if you call his DC office after hours you very well can have an informative conversation with one of his Reps about the pending a/c in the Swamp.
The recent radio hour long call-in program where callers could ask Sen. Demint direct questions was great!
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