Leave Us Alone: Getting the Government's Hands Off Our Money, Our Guns, Our Lives

by Grover G. Norquist

One of the nation's most influential political strategists provides a daring manifesto and vision for conservatives. The modern Republican party is a coalition of groups and tendencies created during the political life of Ronald Reagan, based on principle rather than region and history. The new political movement that now controls much of the Republican party is one of Americans who simply wish to be left alone by the government. They are not asking the government for others' money, time, or attention. Rather, they want to be free to own a gun, homeschool their children, pray, invest their money, and control their own destiny. They are the Leave Us Alone coalition, at the heart of the center-right, and Grover Norquist argues that it will grow in power and size during the next generation. Directly opposed to this coalition is the descriptively titled Takings Coalition, which is at the heart of the tax-and-spend left, and they will battle for control of America's future over the next fifty years. It is increasingly important to better understand these coalitions than it is the Republican or Democratic parties themselves. In a compelling and powerful narrative, Norquist describes the two competing coalitions in American politics, how they are organized, what makes them stronger or weaker. What each can achieve and what they cannot do. And how you may fit into the contest as well as gain a deeper understanding of American politics—where it's been, where it is and particularly where it will go—through a series of eye-opening economic, demographic, and political trends that will shape these coalitions in the years to come. Required reading for any conservative who wants a deeper understanding of politics in America today, Leave Us Alone shows the order of battle for the next generation.

Genres: Politics, Economics, Nonfiction

384 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2007

About the author

President of taxpayer advocacy group Americans for Tax Reform, which aims to lower federal taxes.

In the 1980s Norquist traveled to different warzones to support anti-Soviet forces.

Norquist is also on the advisory board of different advocacy groups and is the co-founder of the Islamic Free Market Institute.

Reviews

[Jesse Willardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

In terms with agreeing with the authors ideas, I give it 5 stars because I lean very libertarian. I have couple of problems with his style though:

It reads like he is making his appeal to an audience of sixth graders where lots of petty insults about democrats establish ones credibility.

I don't think he holds republicans accountable enough for growing government and creating govenment dependency. In my opinion, republicans are better than democrats but still have a lot of room for improvement. Where are the Reagan-esque republicans today? (Not getting the republican presidential nomination)

[The American Conservative]

'Norquist’s—which I’ve discussed previously in The American Spectator—is a new roadmap for Republicans in 2008 and beyond. Norquist argues that Republicans should represent the Leave Us Alone Coalition, a group of voters who want to keep the government from taking their guns, money, and freedom, leaving the Democrats to champion a Takings Coalition of voters on the dole. The battle between the two coalitions, he says, will determine whether the United States becomes a European-style welfare state or not.'

Read the full review, "Agenda for Anti-statists," on our website:
http://www.theamericanconservative.co...

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Follow the money is a good philosophy. Showing the path to an alternative is step one.

[Toe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Norquist shows the true battle in politics is between people who want to be left alone and the people who use the government to take from others. It's the Leave Us Alone Coalition vs. the Takings Coalition. He shows demographic trends that are effecting the two coalitions and what that means for the future of America.

Democrats are trying to get 51% of the voting public dependent upon government so that they continue to vote themselves goodies. It would be irreversible and a tyranny of the majority. This is exactly what the founders tried to prevent from happening. It would represent the end of American democracy.

Because government has a monopoly on the use of force, government should be limited as much as possible. Think about it. No matter how large a company is, it can't force you to buy its products. The government, however, can force you to pay taxes or comply with regulations.

Memorable quotes:

"There are two ways to get rich in America. One is to buy something from the government and the other is to sell something to the government."

"'For years I thought what was good for the country was good for General Motors and vice versa.'" -Charles Erwin Wilson. Norquist notes how this is commonly misquoted, perhaps to try to make "big business" look bad.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m supposed to dislike Grover Norquist because that’s what I’m supposed to do. Too bad, though: while I wish he didn’t dabble in partisan tropes so much (”Democrat Party” really gets my goat because it’s so unnecessary, for instance), the book is a wealth of information about just how ridiculous the government has become, and has given me a bit more appreciation for what Bush did with the tax code. I do think a lot of people would get some value from this if you can get past the author.

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book describing voters as being in two camps; those who want something from the government and those who want the government to leave them alone.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Norquist is the head of Americans for Tax Reform.
You can tell what part of the book most excites him.
When he hits the section on taxes, it acquires an energy the rest of the book lacks.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thinhk the tax takers read this book and designed the current disaster to combat it. Section on tax reform is the best part.

[Nedland P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book by a true conservative.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes a lot of great points.

[Dan Goodman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Useful guide to one flavor of Extruded Conservatism Product. Look elsewhere for intelligent conservative thought.