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A Time for Truth Lib/E: Reigniting the Promise of America
Since his election in 2012, Ted Cruz has refused to go along with the established way of doing business in Washington, becoming a voice for millions of Americans frustrated with governmental corruption and gridlock. In this, his first book, Cruz reveals how Americans can take back their country, and start moving forward.
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First published July 30, 2015
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About the author
Ted Cruz
14 books126 followersThroughout his life, Ted Cruz has proven to be a passionate and effective fighter for limited government, economic growth, and the Constitution.
Ted’s calling to public service has been inspired by his firsthand observation of the pursuit of freedom and opportunity in America. Ted’s mother, Eleanor, was born in Delaware to an Irish and Italian working-class family. She became the first in her family to go to college, graduated from Rice University with a degree in mathematics, and became a pioneering computer programmer in the 1950s.
After being tortured and imprisoned in Cuba, Ted’s father, Rafael, fled to the United States to attend the University of Texas at Austin in 1957. He then started a small business in the oil and gas industry. Today, Ted’s father is a pastor in Dallas.
Growing up, his father would often say to him:
“When we faced oppression in Cuba, I had a place to flee to. If we lose our freedom here, where do we go?”
Ted has been a tireless fighter for liberty because his family knows what it is like to lose it.
As Solicitor General for the State of Texas and in private practice, Ted authored more than 80 U.S. Supreme Court briefs and argued 43 oral arguments, including nine before the U.S. Supreme Court. He also won an unprecedented series of landmark national victories that include his defense of U.S. sovereignty against the UN and the World Court in Medellin v. Texas, our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms, the constitutionality of the Ten Commandments monument at the Texas State Capitol, and the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance.
In the U.S. Senate, Ted has led the fight to repeal Obamacare, to secure the border, and to confirm Justice Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. He has also led the fight to defend life, marriage, the First Amendment, the Second Amendment, and our entire Bill of Rights. And most importantly, he’s kept his promise to speak the truth and do what he said he’d do.
Ted has proven to be the exact type of courageous conservative we need in the U.S. Senate to restore economic growth, defend our Constitution, and protect the values we all hold dear.
Ted, his wife Heidi, their two daughters Caroline and Catherine, and his entire family have been blessed to live the American Dream — the idea that anyone, through hard work and determination, can achieve anything. And he is committed to ensuring every family has that same opportunity.
Ted’s calling to public service has been inspired by his firsthand observation of the pursuit of freedom and opportunity in America. Ted’s mother, Eleanor, was born in Delaware to an Irish and Italian working-class family. She became the first in her family to go to college, graduated from Rice University with a degree in mathematics, and became a pioneering computer programmer in the 1950s.
After being tortured and imprisoned in Cuba, Ted’s father, Rafael, fled to the United States to attend the University of Texas at Austin in 1957. He then started a small business in the oil and gas industry. Today, Ted’s father is a pastor in Dallas.
Growing up, his father would often say to him:
“When we faced oppression in Cuba, I had a place to flee to. If we lose our freedom here, where do we go?”
Ted has been a tireless fighter for liberty because his family knows what it is like to lose it.
As Solicitor General for the State of Texas and in private practice, Ted authored more than 80 U.S. Supreme Court briefs and argued 43 oral arguments, including nine before the U.S. Supreme Court. He also won an unprecedented series of landmark national victories that include his defense of U.S. sovereignty against the UN and the World Court in Medellin v. Texas, our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms, the constitutionality of the Ten Commandments monument at the Texas State Capitol, and the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance.
In the U.S. Senate, Ted has led the fight to repeal Obamacare, to secure the border, and to confirm Justice Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. He has also led the fight to defend life, marriage, the First Amendment, the Second Amendment, and our entire Bill of Rights. And most importantly, he’s kept his promise to speak the truth and do what he said he’d do.
Ted has proven to be the exact type of courageous conservative we need in the U.S. Senate to restore economic growth, defend our Constitution, and protect the values we all hold dear.
Ted, his wife Heidi, their two daughters Caroline and Catherine, and his entire family have been blessed to live the American Dream — the idea that anyone, through hard work and determination, can achieve anything. And he is committed to ensuring every family has that same opportunity.
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never
August 6, 2015YEEHAW!! Ted Cruz finally done wroted hisself a book! An’ it’s about my favorite subject in the world “THE TRUTH”
Why just the other day I saw ol’ TEDDY on the TV, he was shootin’ him an ASSAULTY RIFLE wrapped up in bacon! And you know what?? That bacon done got cooked right there on them’s barrell of that ASSAULTY RIFLE from all the hot hot BULL’S EYE shootin’ and good ol’ TEDDY CRUZ he just took that little piece of bacon and he just ate it all up like a real manly American man would out on the gol’ durn PRAIRIES during COWBOY DAYS
(when mens were mens and womens were womens and there weren’t no protestin’ over things suchlike fags lynchin’ and rapin’, it was all AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL)
.
.
.
.
(I just put on my spurs and my ten-gallon hat and just whooped and holler’d round the neighborhood for a bit just now, if you was wonderin’ bout my absence)
BUT I DIGRESS
here’s some TRUTH for you cowboys and injuns out there in the VOTIN’ POPULACE
-TED CRUZ shut down the gubment couple years back, cuz we all know the gubment can’t create jobs, that’s for corporations to do (in Asia and South America where THERE AIN’T NO LABOR LAWS heehaw!) gubment only good at shuttin’ down! cuz ALL THEM PEOPLE he put out of work when TED CRUZ shut down the gubment, they weren’t people, they were LEECHES ON US TAXPAYIN’ AMERICANS!
-that gubment shutdown was to protest HEALTH CARE which WHAT THE FUCK who needs better health care ‘n what we had back in the glory days of W & Cheney, we was at least in the top 30th in the world in HEALTH CARE QUALITY while payin’ more per person than any other nation - that’s called CAPITALISM and if yer sick I guess that means yer lazy! Because if GOD WILLED YOU SICK YOU’RE PROBABLY SINNIN’! And if you weren’t sinnin’ you’da had you a job that gave you health insurance, because both HEALTH and DEBT are character judgements
-WAL MART sells great BANANAS screw the farmers in my county see them grow BANANAS good as WAL MART
-GLOBAL WARMIN’s a hoax by Berkeley professors and California environmental billionaires (who ain’t real billionaires like COAL and OIL billionaires who is REAL PATRIOTS cuz real men drive cars powered by dinosaur meltin’s!) just to give more CONTROL to the greedy gubment FASCISTS who just wanna put their hand all in my pocket and take all my monies YOU KNOW WHAT last winter I saw it snowed in any great number of our BLESSED SACRED STATES and GOD BLESS IT there was even a HURRYCANE in the middle of winter up in New York City where all them Jews live -so you can take your multi-decade observation of polar ice and sea levels and satellite carbon data and global temperature evaluation and shove it! Don’t trust no gubment scientist, they’s all got an agenda, CAN’T TRUST SCIENCE AT ALL I TRUST MY GUT INSTINCTS (okay gimmee a minute gotta go use my cell phone to set up my jet flight to Texas to go to my Ted Cruz fundraiser I learned about on the INTERNET while I was usin’ medical advances to recover from a STROKE I had coupla months ago from eatin’ too much ASSAULTY RIFLE BACON) what was I sayin’ oh yeah FUCK SCIENCE
-If anyone even whispers GUN CONTROL within earshot of ol’ TEDDY “RIGHT AS RAIN” CRUZ his head just starts a-spinnin’ and a-spewin’ green goo just like that geedurn EXORCIST movie (ain’t no coincidence that took place in WASHINGTON DC where the GREAT SATAN resides is it?) Do you know the solution to mass shootings and spree killings? I got a solution for you… ARM CHILDREN and MAN UP and BUY GUNS that don’t take no thinkin’ to implement and all the better for it (GEE I wonder why the heads of gun corporations is always sayin’ BUY MORE GUNS is the solution to extreme societal violence… couldn’t be that CAPITALIST SPIRIT again could it?.. aw stop that COMMIE FAG THINKIN’ now why don’t I!!)
-(feminized culture makin’ me wanna wear panties and it’s all I think about is pretty little panties)
-FOR SOME REASON even though TED CRUZ was born in CANADA and Barack Hussein Osama was born in HAWAII TED CRUZ is not only MORE AMERICAN than our current FRAUD IN CHIEF he’s also somehow MORE LEGITIMATE TO BE PRESIDENT (I can’t imagine it has anything to do with any exterior facts about SKIN COLOR or INHERENT CULTURAL RACISM or anything because we all know ever since that geelpdurn CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS passed back in the 60’s or somethin’ THERE AIN’T BEEN RACISM ONE in any of our glorious 50 HOLY STATES cept maybe AFFIRMATIVE ACTION which we know is the true racism amen)
-now I ain’t never read the CONSTITUTION but it is every third word I say and if I know one thing’s for certain it’s that the CONSTITUTION don’t say nothin’ about HEALTH CARE or ABORTIONS it only says GUNS FOR ALL and STATES RIGHTS and NO INCOME OR CORPORATE TAX and PRIVACY FROM THE GOVERNMENT BIG BROTHER unless you a Muslim or a fag or poor then we’re all up in your business. Right to Assemble? Is that even English?
-THE ECONOMY! TED “STARS ‘N STRIPES ‘N BBQ FOREVER” CRUZ has a multi-faceted, nuanced approach to repairing our broken economy, one that meets the demands of this complex globalized world market. FIRST, abolish the IRS and eliminate all corporate and private taxation SECOND
-MULTICULTURALISM huh? Is that a BEYONCE song? I only listen to COUNTRY MUSIC ever since 9/11
-CIVIL LIBERTIES - Ol’ TEDDY CRUZ has some STRONG TRUTH to tell about CIVIL LIBERTIES - - first “DON’T TREAD ON ME” - second “ NO MINIMUM WAGE” - third “GUNS IN KINDERGARTEN” fourth “ASSAULTY RIFLE BACON” and also GET OFF MY LAND MEXICANS and SUPPORT DARREN WILSON via KICKSTARTER
-IMMIGRATION - here’s the TRUTH - Teddy’s father was a Cuban immigrant who came to this country and made good. So, naturally, TED CRUZ would build a ARMED BORDER WALL and have all them dirty immigrants self-deport THAT’S JUST NATURAL
-EQUAL PAY FOR WOMEN- yeah but what about all the time they MENSTRUATIN’ - can’t be paid for that can they? Then that would be UNEQUAL PAY for MEN!
-COMING RESOURCE SHORTAGES DUE TO OVERPOPULATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRISES - TEDDY’S TRUTH - like you do for the gay, PRAY IT AWAY!
Lookie, I can’t write this damn review thing here forever, I gotta go fly my drone over my neighbor’s house to see if he’s in any way Muslim or Gay, I mean, I have this app that flies my drone for me on my iPhone, all I do is guide it with my pinky finger and it shows me an HD view of my neighbors’ lawns and I can hover over there and look for any kinda ANTI-AMERICAN activity and transmit it to my underground network of PATRIOTS via ENCRYPTED MESSAGE on the broadband WIFI (by the way, FUCK SCIENCE & DON'T TREAD on my privacy rights) so I gotta go right now but look, there’s plenty of dulgeepdurngoobs TRUTH in this here TEDDY “CHURCH CHOIR ‘n NO VACCINES” CRUZ biography and he is going to make just a PERFECT president who’s gonna REIGNITE the AMERICAN DREAM just like a 4th o’ July BBQ because it’s NOT WEIRD AT ALL that someone who claims to LOATHE GOVERNMENT IN ALL FORMS for some reason is seeking THE MOST POWERFUL POSITION IN GOVERNMENT
ain’t no contradiction there at all no sir byebye
Why just the other day I saw ol’ TEDDY on the TV, he was shootin’ him an ASSAULTY RIFLE wrapped up in bacon! And you know what?? That bacon done got cooked right there on them’s barrell of that ASSAULTY RIFLE from all the hot hot BULL’S EYE shootin’ and good ol’ TEDDY CRUZ he just took that little piece of bacon and he just ate it all up like a real manly American man would out on the gol’ durn PRAIRIES during COWBOY DAYS
(when mens were mens and womens were womens and there weren’t no protestin’ over things suchlike fags lynchin’ and rapin’, it was all AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL)
.
.
.
.
(I just put on my spurs and my ten-gallon hat and just whooped and holler’d round the neighborhood for a bit just now, if you was wonderin’ bout my absence)
BUT I DIGRESS
here’s some TRUTH for you cowboys and injuns out there in the VOTIN’ POPULACE
-TED CRUZ shut down the gubment couple years back, cuz we all know the gubment can’t create jobs, that’s for corporations to do (in Asia and South America where THERE AIN’T NO LABOR LAWS heehaw!) gubment only good at shuttin’ down! cuz ALL THEM PEOPLE he put out of work when TED CRUZ shut down the gubment, they weren’t people, they were LEECHES ON US TAXPAYIN’ AMERICANS!
-that gubment shutdown was to protest HEALTH CARE which WHAT THE FUCK who needs better health care ‘n what we had back in the glory days of W & Cheney, we was at least in the top 30th in the world in HEALTH CARE QUALITY while payin’ more per person than any other nation - that’s called CAPITALISM and if yer sick I guess that means yer lazy! Because if GOD WILLED YOU SICK YOU’RE PROBABLY SINNIN’! And if you weren’t sinnin’ you’da had you a job that gave you health insurance, because both HEALTH and DEBT are character judgements
-WAL MART sells great BANANAS screw the farmers in my county see them grow BANANAS good as WAL MART
-GLOBAL WARMIN’s a hoax by Berkeley professors and California environmental billionaires (who ain’t real billionaires like COAL and OIL billionaires who is REAL PATRIOTS cuz real men drive cars powered by dinosaur meltin’s!) just to give more CONTROL to the greedy gubment FASCISTS who just wanna put their hand all in my pocket and take all my monies YOU KNOW WHAT last winter I saw it snowed in any great number of our BLESSED SACRED STATES and GOD BLESS IT there was even a HURRYCANE in the middle of winter up in New York City where all them Jews live -so you can take your multi-decade observation of polar ice and sea levels and satellite carbon data and global temperature evaluation and shove it! Don’t trust no gubment scientist, they’s all got an agenda, CAN’T TRUST SCIENCE AT ALL I TRUST MY GUT INSTINCTS (okay gimmee a minute gotta go use my cell phone to set up my jet flight to Texas to go to my Ted Cruz fundraiser I learned about on the INTERNET while I was usin’ medical advances to recover from a STROKE I had coupla months ago from eatin’ too much ASSAULTY RIFLE BACON) what was I sayin’ oh yeah FUCK SCIENCE
-If anyone even whispers GUN CONTROL within earshot of ol’ TEDDY “RIGHT AS RAIN” CRUZ his head just starts a-spinnin’ and a-spewin’ green goo just like that geedurn EXORCIST movie (ain’t no coincidence that took place in WASHINGTON DC where the GREAT SATAN resides is it?) Do you know the solution to mass shootings and spree killings? I got a solution for you… ARM CHILDREN and MAN UP and BUY GUNS that don’t take no thinkin’ to implement and all the better for it (GEE I wonder why the heads of gun corporations is always sayin’ BUY MORE GUNS is the solution to extreme societal violence… couldn’t be that CAPITALIST SPIRIT again could it?.. aw stop that COMMIE FAG THINKIN’ now why don’t I!!)
-(feminized culture makin’ me wanna wear panties and it’s all I think about is pretty little panties)
-FOR SOME REASON even though TED CRUZ was born in CANADA and Barack Hussein Osama was born in HAWAII TED CRUZ is not only MORE AMERICAN than our current FRAUD IN CHIEF he’s also somehow MORE LEGITIMATE TO BE PRESIDENT (I can’t imagine it has anything to do with any exterior facts about SKIN COLOR or INHERENT CULTURAL RACISM or anything because we all know ever since that geelpdurn CIVIL RIGHTS LAWS passed back in the 60’s or somethin’ THERE AIN’T BEEN RACISM ONE in any of our glorious 50 HOLY STATES cept maybe AFFIRMATIVE ACTION which we know is the true racism amen)
-now I ain’t never read the CONSTITUTION but it is every third word I say and if I know one thing’s for certain it’s that the CONSTITUTION don’t say nothin’ about HEALTH CARE or ABORTIONS it only says GUNS FOR ALL and STATES RIGHTS and NO INCOME OR CORPORATE TAX and PRIVACY FROM THE GOVERNMENT BIG BROTHER unless you a Muslim or a fag or poor then we’re all up in your business. Right to Assemble? Is that even English?
-THE ECONOMY! TED “STARS ‘N STRIPES ‘N BBQ FOREVER” CRUZ has a multi-faceted, nuanced approach to repairing our broken economy, one that meets the demands of this complex globalized world market. FIRST, abolish the IRS and eliminate all corporate and private taxation SECOND
-MULTICULTURALISM huh? Is that a BEYONCE song? I only listen to COUNTRY MUSIC ever since 9/11
-CIVIL LIBERTIES - Ol’ TEDDY CRUZ has some STRONG TRUTH to tell about CIVIL LIBERTIES - - first “DON’T TREAD ON ME” - second “ NO MINIMUM WAGE” - third “GUNS IN KINDERGARTEN” fourth “ASSAULTY RIFLE BACON” and also GET OFF MY LAND MEXICANS and SUPPORT DARREN WILSON via KICKSTARTER
-IMMIGRATION - here’s the TRUTH - Teddy’s father was a Cuban immigrant who came to this country and made good. So, naturally, TED CRUZ would build a ARMED BORDER WALL and have all them dirty immigrants self-deport THAT’S JUST NATURAL
-EQUAL PAY FOR WOMEN- yeah but what about all the time they MENSTRUATIN’ - can’t be paid for that can they? Then that would be UNEQUAL PAY for MEN!
-COMING RESOURCE SHORTAGES DUE TO OVERPOPULATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRISES - TEDDY’S TRUTH - like you do for the gay, PRAY IT AWAY!
Lookie, I can’t write this damn review thing here forever, I gotta go fly my drone over my neighbor’s house to see if he’s in any way Muslim or Gay, I mean, I have this app that flies my drone for me on my iPhone, all I do is guide it with my pinky finger and it shows me an HD view of my neighbors’ lawns and I can hover over there and look for any kinda ANTI-AMERICAN activity and transmit it to my underground network of PATRIOTS via ENCRYPTED MESSAGE on the broadband WIFI (by the way, FUCK SCIENCE & DON'T TREAD on my privacy rights) so I gotta go right now but look, there’s plenty of dulgeepdurngoobs TRUTH in this here TEDDY “CHURCH CHOIR ‘n NO VACCINES” CRUZ biography and he is going to make just a PERFECT president who’s gonna REIGNITE the AMERICAN DREAM just like a 4th o’ July BBQ because it’s NOT WEIRD AT ALL that someone who claims to LOATHE GOVERNMENT IN ALL FORMS for some reason is seeking THE MOST POWERFUL POSITION IN GOVERNMENT
ain’t no contradiction there at all no sir byebye
July 7, 2015
Excellent autobiography of US Senator and 2016 presidential candidate Ted Cruz. Great personal story of a brilliant man. He is off the charts smart and has a great story to tell.
October 13, 2017
They call him the "Wacko Bird." Other words are often used to describe the Senator from Texas: He's accused of being "extreme," "out of touch," "crazy," and "arrogant." The media has caricatured him as a right-wing lunatic. The liberals in Congress have tried to discount him and marginalize him.
After reading, A Time For Truth by Ted Cruz, I can say with confidence that the Senator is a man who means what he says and says what he means. He is committed to conservative values and is willing to pay a personal price for standing up for those values.
A Time For Truth is the story of an immigrant's son - a man who learned the value of hard work, honesty, and integrity at a young age. It is the story of a Princeton graduate (cum laude) who walked away with an undergraduate degree in Public Policy. Cruz went on to graduate magna cum laude from Harvard Law School. The liberal law professor, Alan Dershowitz calls Cruz, "Off-the-charts brilliant." Yet the Senator from Texas is portrayed as a "dummy" and an "extremist."
A Time For Truth sets the record straight. I have a sneaking suspicion that Senator Cruz will get the last laugh. Time will tell if he has the right stuff to secure the Republican nomination for President of the United States. But one thing is for certain: The Senator from Texas is unwilling to waver. He is unwilling to back down. He is unwilling to compromise his conservative principles. The "wacko bird" is just getting started!
After reading, A Time For Truth by Ted Cruz, I can say with confidence that the Senator is a man who means what he says and says what he means. He is committed to conservative values and is willing to pay a personal price for standing up for those values.
A Time For Truth is the story of an immigrant's son - a man who learned the value of hard work, honesty, and integrity at a young age. It is the story of a Princeton graduate (cum laude) who walked away with an undergraduate degree in Public Policy. Cruz went on to graduate magna cum laude from Harvard Law School. The liberal law professor, Alan Dershowitz calls Cruz, "Off-the-charts brilliant." Yet the Senator from Texas is portrayed as a "dummy" and an "extremist."
A Time For Truth sets the record straight. I have a sneaking suspicion that Senator Cruz will get the last laugh. Time will tell if he has the right stuff to secure the Republican nomination for President of the United States. But one thing is for certain: The Senator from Texas is unwilling to waver. He is unwilling to back down. He is unwilling to compromise his conservative principles. The "wacko bird" is just getting started!
August 3, 2015
I've been a fan of Ted Cruz for a long time. He's my senator, and I pay attention to what he does. However, after reading this book, I'm an even bigger fan. He gives his background, sharing his successes but also acknowledging his mistakes, and lays out his philosophy and tells how he would govern. In addition to being extremely intelligent and articulate, he is principled and does what he says he will do. Yet he is willing to engage in honest debate with anyone who has different ideas.
August 24, 2015
Sadly, I bought the left's lies as they always have and continue to paint Ted as some crazy idiot. However, as I dug into this book, I found that none of them (as well as anyone reading this, sorry, friends) can touch Ted's intellect or character and it shows in this book. While you and I thought we were working hard in school, this guy actually was. The stories of his upbringing and his speeches on The Constitution at an early age are inspiring. I didn't expect to enjoy the book as much as I did but I read it in 2 days, couldn't put it down. I'm switching my presidential frontrunner to Cruz.
July 29, 2015
Ted Cruz is a "what you see is what you get" politician...agree with him or not, he does not misrepresent himself to his constituents or to the rest of the American people. He is the son of a Cuban emigrant and of an Irish American. He is a Princeton and Harvard Law School graduate. Cruz has both clerked for the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, as well as presented cases to the Supreme Court. Before being elected Senator, he has held positions at the federal level..(Justice Dept and FTC)...at the state level (Texas Solicitor General), as well as positions in the private sector. He knows what it is like to be a public servant and he knows what it is like to be a private citizen. Reading any book concerning politics is always eye opening...I have a newfound respect for Kirsten Gillibrand and Greg Abbott and heightened distrust for Karl Rove, John Kerry, Mitch McConnell and Harry Reid.
December 19, 2015
An Excellent Candidate's Book
I don't usually bother with Presidential candidate's books because, for the most part, they're ghost-written garbage designed primarily for ornamental purposes. That isn't the case here.
I won't go so far as to claim that Senator Cruz has written a biography that will still be read a century from now, but I will say that this book gave me much greater insight into what he is like as a man and what kind of President he would be. I found this book to be truthful, intelligently-composed, and a pleasure to read. I'd encourage anyone with an interest in the present campaign to read it to get a better idea of who the Senator actually is and what he stands for than you will ever be able to get by consuming the products of a partisan media.
I don't usually bother with Presidential candidate's books because, for the most part, they're ghost-written garbage designed primarily for ornamental purposes. That isn't the case here.
I won't go so far as to claim that Senator Cruz has written a biography that will still be read a century from now, but I will say that this book gave me much greater insight into what he is like as a man and what kind of President he would be. I found this book to be truthful, intelligently-composed, and a pleasure to read. I'd encourage anyone with an interest in the present campaign to read it to get a better idea of who the Senator actually is and what he stands for than you will ever be able to get by consuming the products of a partisan media.
August 21, 2015
Ted Cruz is one of only two Senators I actually trust in Washington. A fantastic autobiography explaining the corruption in BOTH parties. Cruz offers sound ideas and solutions to today's problems. He also shows what those with power to do those who tell the truth. Well worth the read from someone who stands up for the constitution and what is right.
July 27, 2015
A must read for every American. This man understands what it takes and has the balls to call them to task.
August 3, 2015
A compelling autobiography from Texas' junior Senator and conservative champion Ted Cruz. Only in America could the son of a Cuban refugee who started out as a dishwasher unable to speak English become a Supreme Court clerk & US Senator. The stories that Cruz peppers readers with give us a window into how his upbringing, family, and friends influenced him to be the man he is today. He also shows real life situations where small government policies helped real people and where over-regulation ruined lives. A must-read for those interested in politics though there little new policy-wise for those who have followed Cruz closely.
November 23, 2015
Awesome book! I enjoyed it immensely. Added to my already great respect for this man. A must read for anyone concerned about our Country!
August 31, 2015
A Time for Truth: Reigniting the Promise of America by Ted Cruz
“A Time for Truth" is an insightful look at Ted Cruz’s brief albeit eventful career as a junior Senator from Texas. Cruz provides a candid account of his life and rise into American politics. Find out why this secular-progressive reviewer though disagreeing with the politics of Mr. Cruz found this book to be one of the best books of this ilk. This interesting 400-page book includes the following eleven chapters: 1. The Beacon, 2. To the Lone Star State, 3. Enter the Ivies, 4. May It Please the Court, 5. The Bush Administration, 6. Upholding the Law, 7. Question #10: A Grassroots Campaign for the U.S. Senate, 8. Into the Beast, 9. The Obamacare Battle, 10. Obama’s Vacuum of Leadership, and 11. Reigniting the Promise of America.
Positives:
1. A well-written, well-paced book.
2. This is one of the more interesting political books I’ve read. Cruz’s outspoken and controversial takes actually comes across much better in print than in person. Fascinating behind-the-scenes access and the evolution of a driven candidate.
3. This is a much more substantive than your run-of-the-mill conservative book. “That is why I am writing this book. Because public officials need to start acting with the best interests of their constituents, not just the next election, in mind. Because we need to hold them accountable and force them to be honest with the American people.”
4. Cruz’s philosophy of politics clearly illustrated. “Sitting through the harangues wasn’t terribly difficult, as long as I remembered that I didn’t work for the Senate leadership but for 26 million Texans.”
5. The main premise of the book is about telling the truth in Washington and its implications. “Telling the truth in Washington, D.C., is a radical act. And it earns you the enmity of career politicians in both parties. When you tell the truth about Washington—when you expose the fact that elected officials are misleading the voters who elected them—you pay a price. It’s one thing to criticize the other party. But when you admit publicly that many of those in your own party are complicit in the problem, well, that’s when the long knives come out.”
6. A fascinating look at the methods of punishment in Washington. “Once I demonstrated that I would stand up to party leadership, that stopped—cold. Members of the GOP leadership made it clear to K Street lobbyists and political action committees that if they continued to support me, then they would be frozen out. Our PAC fund-raiser quit, under pressure from folks connected to the GOP leadership.”
7. Interesting history that illustrates Cruz’s background in great detail. Expertly mixes fascinating history with his own personal experiences. “America, quite simply, saved my father. America gave him a chance.”
8. The foundation for his love of free-market tenets. “This was my first systematic exposure to free-market tenets, and it became the intellectual foundation for many of the ideas I instinctively believed: first and foremost that the greatest engine of prosperity and opportunity the world has ever seen has been the American free enterprise system. Such a system allowed someone like my father, who had nothing but a hundred dollars sewn into his underwear, to build a small business and achieve the American dream.”
9. Find out what democrats have Cruz’s respect. Interesting.
10. The development and evolution of Cruz as a person/student/candidate. “Debate was the most rewarding experience of college. It was great fun, and it taught me a great deal.” His encounters with Dershowitz are worth the price of admission.
11. A fascinating look at his clerkship with Chief Justice Rehnquist. “To this day I am convinced that the reason I got the clerkship I’d coveted for years was that on the spur of the moment I made the Chief Justice laugh.”
12. Supreme Court junkies will find much to like in this book. Many interesting tidbits on the judges. “Like his polar opposite Dershowitz, Scalia enjoyed having analytical arguments with the other side, as it tended to sharpen his own view. For his clerks, Scalia usually hired three conservatives and one liberal. But this practice sometimes had an unfortunate side effect. A number of Scalia’s liberal clerks would go on to become law school professors and would publicly criticize the conservatives on the Court.”
13. Insights into the G. W. Bush campaign and what that taught him. “Governor Bush intended from the outset to run a campaign that was policy-driven and substantive. There was a lot of pressure on those of us on the policy team to help develop meaningful policy proposals that would underpin the political messaging.”
14. A look at his biggest case as solicitor general of Texas, Medellín v. Texas. “The president’s executive order—written as a memorandum to his attorney general—left the state of Texas with a difficult choice. George W. Bush was the former governor of Texas. He was a Republican. He was a friend of Greg Abbott’s and mine, not to mention my former boss. Would we really argue in court that his executive order was the abuse of power we believed it to be?”
15. Insights into his senatorial campaign. Many interesting details provided.
16. His roles as a senator. “McConnell gave me all the committee assignments I wanted—Judiciary, Commerce, Armed Services—and a committee assignment I hadn’t even asked for—a spot on the Senate Rules Committee, which predominantly consists of more senior senators. He reasoned, correctly, that I would be an ally on the committee against unconstitutional campaign finance reform.”
17. Rules of litigating. “The rules for a litigator are reasonably simple: You come to the inquiry prepared. You ask questions that require precise answers. And you follow up with questions based on the witness’s answers—or evasions. Pointed interrogations are de rigueur in the legal profession, and they usually aren’t taken personally.”
18. His views on issues. Interesting look at the second amendment for instance and how they defeated the president’s gun agenda. “An integral part of defeating the president’s antigun agenda was developing a strong, viable alternative. I sat down with my friend Senator Chuck Grassley, then the ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Together we crafted a bill that became known as the Law Enforcement Alternative. With provisions to increase funding for school safety, reporting requirements for mental illnesses, and prosecution of felons who try to illegally buy guns, the Grassley-Cruz legislation became the key alternative to the president’s antigun proposals.”
19. Obamacare from the right’s point of view. “But in 2010, despite overwhelming opposition from the American people, President Barack Obama found just barely enough support in Congress, both houses of which were controlled by Democrats, to pass Obamacare.” There are some good points here but…
20. His views on many other issues: immigration, international laws, etc...
21. His views on the future.
Negatives:
1. I dislike many of Cruz’s politics, particularly those that threaten the separation of church and state.
2. Cherry picks what has turned out to be the effective handgun ban of Australia.
3. The obsession of the right to defund Obamacare without proposing a viable alternative troubles me. “The most significant check that Congress possesses is the power of the purse, and so we urged that Congress should continue to fund everything in the government—except Obamacare.”
4. A flat tax won’t work.
5. A formal bibliography would have added value.
6. Lack of visual supplements to complement narrative.
In summary, as right-wing books go this is one of the best books I’ve read. I couldn’t disagree more with Cruz’s politics but setting aside my political differences with him I can acknowledge a well-written and provocative book when I see one. This book is interesting because it’s candid and substantive. Would I ever vote for a candidate like Cruz, absolutely not but I do have a better understanding of the roots of his politics. One of the better right-wing books read it.
Further right-wing suggestions that will help you get acquainted with their views: “Unintimidated” by Scott Walker, “American Dreams” by Marco Rubio, “Time to get Tough” by Donald J. Trump, “Rising to the Challenge” by Carly Fiorina, “Taking a Stand” by Rand Paul, “What I Believe” and “One Nation” by Ben Carson, “Immigration Wars” by Jeb Bush, “God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy” by Mike Huckabee, “Fed Up!” by Rick Perry, “Blue Collar Conservatives” by Rick Santorum, and “Our Lost Constitution” by Mike Lee.
“A Time for Truth" is an insightful look at Ted Cruz’s brief albeit eventful career as a junior Senator from Texas. Cruz provides a candid account of his life and rise into American politics. Find out why this secular-progressive reviewer though disagreeing with the politics of Mr. Cruz found this book to be one of the best books of this ilk. This interesting 400-page book includes the following eleven chapters: 1. The Beacon, 2. To the Lone Star State, 3. Enter the Ivies, 4. May It Please the Court, 5. The Bush Administration, 6. Upholding the Law, 7. Question #10: A Grassroots Campaign for the U.S. Senate, 8. Into the Beast, 9. The Obamacare Battle, 10. Obama’s Vacuum of Leadership, and 11. Reigniting the Promise of America.
Positives:
1. A well-written, well-paced book.
2. This is one of the more interesting political books I’ve read. Cruz’s outspoken and controversial takes actually comes across much better in print than in person. Fascinating behind-the-scenes access and the evolution of a driven candidate.
3. This is a much more substantive than your run-of-the-mill conservative book. “That is why I am writing this book. Because public officials need to start acting with the best interests of their constituents, not just the next election, in mind. Because we need to hold them accountable and force them to be honest with the American people.”
4. Cruz’s philosophy of politics clearly illustrated. “Sitting through the harangues wasn’t terribly difficult, as long as I remembered that I didn’t work for the Senate leadership but for 26 million Texans.”
5. The main premise of the book is about telling the truth in Washington and its implications. “Telling the truth in Washington, D.C., is a radical act. And it earns you the enmity of career politicians in both parties. When you tell the truth about Washington—when you expose the fact that elected officials are misleading the voters who elected them—you pay a price. It’s one thing to criticize the other party. But when you admit publicly that many of those in your own party are complicit in the problem, well, that’s when the long knives come out.”
6. A fascinating look at the methods of punishment in Washington. “Once I demonstrated that I would stand up to party leadership, that stopped—cold. Members of the GOP leadership made it clear to K Street lobbyists and political action committees that if they continued to support me, then they would be frozen out. Our PAC fund-raiser quit, under pressure from folks connected to the GOP leadership.”
7. Interesting history that illustrates Cruz’s background in great detail. Expertly mixes fascinating history with his own personal experiences. “America, quite simply, saved my father. America gave him a chance.”
8. The foundation for his love of free-market tenets. “This was my first systematic exposure to free-market tenets, and it became the intellectual foundation for many of the ideas I instinctively believed: first and foremost that the greatest engine of prosperity and opportunity the world has ever seen has been the American free enterprise system. Such a system allowed someone like my father, who had nothing but a hundred dollars sewn into his underwear, to build a small business and achieve the American dream.”
9. Find out what democrats have Cruz’s respect. Interesting.
10. The development and evolution of Cruz as a person/student/candidate. “Debate was the most rewarding experience of college. It was great fun, and it taught me a great deal.” His encounters with Dershowitz are worth the price of admission.
11. A fascinating look at his clerkship with Chief Justice Rehnquist. “To this day I am convinced that the reason I got the clerkship I’d coveted for years was that on the spur of the moment I made the Chief Justice laugh.”
12. Supreme Court junkies will find much to like in this book. Many interesting tidbits on the judges. “Like his polar opposite Dershowitz, Scalia enjoyed having analytical arguments with the other side, as it tended to sharpen his own view. For his clerks, Scalia usually hired three conservatives and one liberal. But this practice sometimes had an unfortunate side effect. A number of Scalia’s liberal clerks would go on to become law school professors and would publicly criticize the conservatives on the Court.”
13. Insights into the G. W. Bush campaign and what that taught him. “Governor Bush intended from the outset to run a campaign that was policy-driven and substantive. There was a lot of pressure on those of us on the policy team to help develop meaningful policy proposals that would underpin the political messaging.”
14. A look at his biggest case as solicitor general of Texas, Medellín v. Texas. “The president’s executive order—written as a memorandum to his attorney general—left the state of Texas with a difficult choice. George W. Bush was the former governor of Texas. He was a Republican. He was a friend of Greg Abbott’s and mine, not to mention my former boss. Would we really argue in court that his executive order was the abuse of power we believed it to be?”
15. Insights into his senatorial campaign. Many interesting details provided.
16. His roles as a senator. “McConnell gave me all the committee assignments I wanted—Judiciary, Commerce, Armed Services—and a committee assignment I hadn’t even asked for—a spot on the Senate Rules Committee, which predominantly consists of more senior senators. He reasoned, correctly, that I would be an ally on the committee against unconstitutional campaign finance reform.”
17. Rules of litigating. “The rules for a litigator are reasonably simple: You come to the inquiry prepared. You ask questions that require precise answers. And you follow up with questions based on the witness’s answers—or evasions. Pointed interrogations are de rigueur in the legal profession, and they usually aren’t taken personally.”
18. His views on issues. Interesting look at the second amendment for instance and how they defeated the president’s gun agenda. “An integral part of defeating the president’s antigun agenda was developing a strong, viable alternative. I sat down with my friend Senator Chuck Grassley, then the ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Together we crafted a bill that became known as the Law Enforcement Alternative. With provisions to increase funding for school safety, reporting requirements for mental illnesses, and prosecution of felons who try to illegally buy guns, the Grassley-Cruz legislation became the key alternative to the president’s antigun proposals.”
19. Obamacare from the right’s point of view. “But in 2010, despite overwhelming opposition from the American people, President Barack Obama found just barely enough support in Congress, both houses of which were controlled by Democrats, to pass Obamacare.” There are some good points here but…
20. His views on many other issues: immigration, international laws, etc...
21. His views on the future.
Negatives:
1. I dislike many of Cruz’s politics, particularly those that threaten the separation of church and state.
2. Cherry picks what has turned out to be the effective handgun ban of Australia.
3. The obsession of the right to defund Obamacare without proposing a viable alternative troubles me. “The most significant check that Congress possesses is the power of the purse, and so we urged that Congress should continue to fund everything in the government—except Obamacare.”
4. A flat tax won’t work.
5. A formal bibliography would have added value.
6. Lack of visual supplements to complement narrative.
In summary, as right-wing books go this is one of the best books I’ve read. I couldn’t disagree more with Cruz’s politics but setting aside my political differences with him I can acknowledge a well-written and provocative book when I see one. This book is interesting because it’s candid and substantive. Would I ever vote for a candidate like Cruz, absolutely not but I do have a better understanding of the roots of his politics. One of the better right-wing books read it.
Further right-wing suggestions that will help you get acquainted with their views: “Unintimidated” by Scott Walker, “American Dreams” by Marco Rubio, “Time to get Tough” by Donald J. Trump, “Rising to the Challenge” by Carly Fiorina, “Taking a Stand” by Rand Paul, “What I Believe” and “One Nation” by Ben Carson, “Immigration Wars” by Jeb Bush, “God, Guns, Grits, and Gravy” by Mike Huckabee, “Fed Up!” by Rick Perry, “Blue Collar Conservatives” by Rick Santorum, and “Our Lost Constitution” by Mike Lee.
August 5, 2015
Well written autobiographical piece. Whether or not you agree with this man's political or religious beliefs, he has a firm grasp on constitutional issues due to his experience in both the Judicial and Legislative branches.
March 6, 2016
This is a very interesting look into Cruz's career and beliefs, especially arguing cases before the Supreme Court as Texas' solicitor general, and then his efforts in the Senate to get other Republicans to stand up for what is right for their constituents instead of just going along with the Senate Democrats and not rock the boat. These efforts in the Senate earned Cruz the rep that "no one likes him" and I now understand why that is (more elected officials should be disliked!) and why the US is in the state it is now. Cruz has been able to accomplish some forward progress in the Senate through professionalism and persistence and with the help of a few other Senators like himself. Cruz also does a good job in this book to explain how and why conservative policies lift more people to better lives. I think if more people would take time to read what conservatives write, they would recognize a lot of the media's misrepresentations and outright lies as just that.
I am convinced that Ted Cruz is of great moral character would make an outstanding president.
I am convinced that Ted Cruz is of great moral character would make an outstanding president.
September 28, 2015
Coming from Texas and not having any knowledge about Ted Cruz, I learned a lot about how his family, education and career. Some say that Ted Cruz is not the best as he is running for president, but if you read 'A Time for Truth', you find out so much more than his display in the media. As a Reagan conservative, his ways of bringing America back to its feet are amazing and there is a much more better way of seeing Ted Cruz once you read this book. It is 342 pages long and very detailed so it is time consuming but worth the read.
February 5, 2016
Fantastic! Extremely interesting read/listen. I found it a pleasure to listen to on Audible.
Information throughout the book can be a little heavy, but if you enjoy informative reading, this would suit you.
The narration was pleasant and not distracting. Detailed and thorough. Also I found it to be far from what I would have assumed. He doesn't throw everyone in the Democratic party under the bus. Yes, he does point out where he believes some are wrong but it's not hateful. And if anything at all, he is tougher on those from his own party throughout this book.
I'd recommend this book.
Information throughout the book can be a little heavy, but if you enjoy informative reading, this would suit you.
The narration was pleasant and not distracting. Detailed and thorough. Also I found it to be far from what I would have assumed. He doesn't throw everyone in the Democratic party under the bus. Yes, he does point out where he believes some are wrong but it's not hateful. And if anything at all, he is tougher on those from his own party throughout this book.
I'd recommend this book.
December 10, 2015
Red Ted Cruz' book
Truly an insight to Mr. Cruz' background, strong legal career, insightful into his beliefs, principles and aspirations. I learned more through reading this book than I have learned in watching his many interviews and speeches; however, he is one of the best orators we have had in a long, long time. Well done Senator!
Truly an insight to Mr. Cruz' background, strong legal career, insightful into his beliefs, principles and aspirations. I learned more through reading this book than I have learned in watching his many interviews and speeches; however, he is one of the best orators we have had in a long, long time. Well done Senator!
September 16, 2015
I really enjoyed Senator Ted Cruz’s bio. The introduction begins with a fairly recent event, a bill fight that shows how the Congress, particularly the Senate, works. Republicans, or more accurately Republicans in Name Only (RINOs) work. Basically the RINOs wanted the junior Republican senators to vote to cut off debate (60 votes needed to stop debate), then go forward to the up or down vote for the bill. And that’s when the RINOs would scream murder about how bad this bill was, knowing they had already lost any power they had to stop it. If this sounds familiar, Senator Corker, of the Corker bill granting retroactive “fast track” authority to the Iranian nuke treaty, is very opposed to the treaty. Yo Bob, you ended any chance of stopping it, so shut up.
The bio reviews Cruz’s family history, how his family escaped from Cuba and his father’s turn to the Baptist Church which arguable saved his family. Cruz’s education in very liberal university and some great insight of major legal figures, such as liberal Professor Alan Dershowitz and former Chief Justice William Rehnquist.
If you enjoy biography, this is a good overall review of a current major political figure. Self centered, yes, but this is an auto biography. And this is not as in depth as say the Manchester three volume bio of Churchill. Full disclosure, I supported and voted for Cruz in the last senate race, gave him a donation and in one of the greatest pleasures of my professional career, gave a speeding ticket to the wife of his senate race opponent. :<)
Good read you can do in a weekend. Enjoy.
The bio reviews Cruz’s family history, how his family escaped from Cuba and his father’s turn to the Baptist Church which arguable saved his family. Cruz’s education in very liberal university and some great insight of major legal figures, such as liberal Professor Alan Dershowitz and former Chief Justice William Rehnquist.
If you enjoy biography, this is a good overall review of a current major political figure. Self centered, yes, but this is an auto biography. And this is not as in depth as say the Manchester three volume bio of Churchill. Full disclosure, I supported and voted for Cruz in the last senate race, gave him a donation and in one of the greatest pleasures of my professional career, gave a speeding ticket to the wife of his senate race opponent. :<)
Good read you can do in a weekend. Enjoy.
February 24, 2016
Ted Cruz got one thing right in his autobiography- liberals love to hate. And i'm one heck of a hater.
When I first came across this book I thought, "Wow, I really dislike this man. But I can't properly throw shade without getting to know him first."
So I read it from cover-to-back.
My biggest complaint that isn't related to his ideology, it's the language. Cruz does an amazing job of mixing pseudo-intellectual vocabulary with one-dimensional concepts that defends his infamously conservative beliefs.
I felt like I was reading an overly-simplified history book, like the one they give to elementary school kids to teach about slavery:
"Slavery is bad but it's even worse when it lays on the conscience of white guilt," my imaginary book would read. That is what Cruz manages to preciously hit.
With his education, he could have a written cringe-worthy book from just his personal beliefs, rather than the poor writing. Next time, I recommend a ghost writer.
When I first came across this book I thought, "Wow, I really dislike this man. But I can't properly throw shade without getting to know him first."
So I read it from cover-to-back.
My biggest complaint that isn't related to his ideology, it's the language. Cruz does an amazing job of mixing pseudo-intellectual vocabulary with one-dimensional concepts that defends his infamously conservative beliefs.
I felt like I was reading an overly-simplified history book, like the one they give to elementary school kids to teach about slavery:
"Slavery is bad but it's even worse when it lays on the conscience of white guilt," my imaginary book would read. That is what Cruz manages to preciously hit.
With his education, he could have a written cringe-worthy book from just his personal beliefs, rather than the poor writing. Next time, I recommend a ghost writer.
December 18, 2015
Ted is a good writer and it was interesting to gain some understanding of his psyche & the basis for his beliefs & activism. He describes how he became a great debater and a first-rate lawyer, and how his deep dislike of Democrats was formed by the father he still idolizes — a father who refused for two years to call his son by the Americanized nickname he adopted (he was born Rafael Edward) because he shared it with a certain famous Democratic senator from Massachusetts (Ted Kennedy). Overall I enjoyed the book and consider it must-reading for all registered voters.
August 7, 2015
If you wish to learn more about Ted Cruz, this is a must-read. I learned a lot of details about Mr. Cruz including his family background, his educational path, and legal and political career. There's much more to Mr. Cruz that you see in the media. He is a strong Reagan conservative and has a plan to turn America around and bring it back to one of opportunity for all. He calls this "opportunity conservatism" which is apt. The book is 342 pages and detailed, so it will take some time getting through it, but plug along if you are seriously considering Mr. Cruz as your guy for president.
September 8, 2015
Even for those who are not fans of Cruz, this book is a fascinating inside look at the early career of one of the more controversial figures in American politics. The view of Cruz's philosophy it provides would be reason enough to read it, but it is, perhaps, even more interesting to hear Cruz's account of the events of the various fights he's had with the establishments of both parties.
The writing is clear, the topic is interesting, and the book is nothing less than superb.
The writing is clear, the topic is interesting, and the book is nothing less than superb.
November 25, 2015
Whether you like the man or his politics or not, this is a read to understand Washington politics. Cruz explains the problems in DC as well as how he became a conservative. He also explains the problems with the left and right and how he is anti-establishment and pro-Constitution.
Anyone planning on voting over the next year, this is a must read.
Definitely not propaganda.
Anyone planning on voting over the next year, this is a must read.
Definitely not propaganda.
July 8, 2015
What you need to know before 2016 vote.nj
I enjoyed this book. I now know what is at stake next year. I only hope the rest of America reads this book. Highly recommend reading this book for all Americans.
I enjoyed this book. I now know what is at stake next year. I only hope the rest of America reads this book. Highly recommend reading this book for all Americans.
September 23, 2015
Wow!! Most Excellent!! Highly recommend this book!! If you want to understand what Senator Ted Cruz has accomplished, what he wants to accomplish, and why he does all the good that he does, you need to read this book. I loved it!!
January 13, 2016
I really enjoyed this great 'American' story! This humble and extremely intelligent man is living the American Dream. I could hardly put the book down, and I highly recommend it to any of my friends.
August 20, 2015
I read this with the intent of understanding his philosophy. He is a man to be respected. Not many know his background. Great information.
April 22, 2016
As one always interested in politics, both contemporary and historical, I decided to pick up “A Time For Truth” to get Ted Cruz’ version of his personal story. I found it to be very interesting. Cruz talks of his family background, starting with his father, a former Cuban freedom fighter in the movement led by Fidel Castro, who got a scholarship to study in Texas, spoke in support of Castro and, after Castro showed his true colors, went back to the same groups to apologize for misleading them. From a 50 cent/hour food service job, he and Cruz’ mother married, twice, built a business in the oil industry, went broke, struggled with drink and domestic problems but, through it all, provided an example for their son to admire. Ted had to understand his parents, try to help his drug dependent relatives, listen the stories of life in Cuban prisons and make his own way through college, law school and into life. Upon graduation from law school, Cruz took a series of jobs in both the public and private sector. A clerkship to Chief Justice Rehnquist, Solicitor General of Texas and private practice prepared him for an entry into politics when he challenged an overwhelming favorite to win election to the U. S. Senate.
Naturally Cruz emphasizes his accomplishments in ways to show him as a fighter for limited government, economic growth and the Constitution and as a strong proponent of truth, not a political “go along, get along” strategy that serves the politicians but not the people. Much of the work is devoted to his memories of cases he handled that advanced conservative principles, many of which were selected to promote the agenda he espoused.
As I read this book I understood why Cruz is not among the most popular senators. He tells how he stood up to leadership who just wanted him to be quiet so they could construct their political cover. He relates in detail a debt increase bill for which leadership wanted to give unanimous consent to the bill being passed by 51 votes, which the Democrats had, rather than 60 that would require Republican support, so they could enable the bill to pass yet give them the cover that, in the end, they voted against it. Cruz refused consent unless concessions were obtained from the Democrats, which the leaders were unwilling to do. Their ire was raised when he forced several GOP senators to vote for the bill that they preferred to let pass without their public support.
Toward the end this tome evolves into platitudes and policy proposals that give us a sample of his campaign speeches without having to watch C-Span. I am glad that I read this book. I finished with a much better understanding of where Cruz came from, the values he holds and his hopes for the future. There is much about this that Cruz’ detractors can sluff off as just more political rhetoric, and that is fine. For those who want to encounter this man in the arena in his own words, pick up “A Time For Truth”.
Naturally Cruz emphasizes his accomplishments in ways to show him as a fighter for limited government, economic growth and the Constitution and as a strong proponent of truth, not a political “go along, get along” strategy that serves the politicians but not the people. Much of the work is devoted to his memories of cases he handled that advanced conservative principles, many of which were selected to promote the agenda he espoused.
As I read this book I understood why Cruz is not among the most popular senators. He tells how he stood up to leadership who just wanted him to be quiet so they could construct their political cover. He relates in detail a debt increase bill for which leadership wanted to give unanimous consent to the bill being passed by 51 votes, which the Democrats had, rather than 60 that would require Republican support, so they could enable the bill to pass yet give them the cover that, in the end, they voted against it. Cruz refused consent unless concessions were obtained from the Democrats, which the leaders were unwilling to do. Their ire was raised when he forced several GOP senators to vote for the bill that they preferred to let pass without their public support.
Toward the end this tome evolves into platitudes and policy proposals that give us a sample of his campaign speeches without having to watch C-Span. I am glad that I read this book. I finished with a much better understanding of where Cruz came from, the values he holds and his hopes for the future. There is much about this that Cruz’ detractors can sluff off as just more political rhetoric, and that is fine. For those who want to encounter this man in the arena in his own words, pick up “A Time For Truth”.
July 17, 2015
surrender as starting position, $200b monthly revenue and $30b debt payment, risk aversion and status quo, career politicians vs people, ban Animal Farm, concessions to Putin and Cuba with no reforms, Castro worse than Batista, useful American idiots fooled by Castro, enterprise vs state, Gore lost 4 counts, increase competition not limit via legal barriers, no one above law, 50 states agreed with Under God, 90% of Nevada land, audacity to win playbook, what is proven record not position, know them by fruits, humorous negative ads, political consultants bleed candidates, default prevention act not debt cap antics, pound law facts or table, machine guns banned in 34, bill of rights language on arms assembly search/seizure, obscenity outside bounds of free speech protection, monarchs rule over unarmed people, equalizer for poor and weak is guns, 44 prosecuted vs 48k felons caught, $300m dropped from school security funding, Samuel Boothe and fugitive slave act of 1854, wage price controls fail, Obamacare lies 28 times over, 2/3 all new jobs via small business, 2m petition for no Obamacare, personal portable affordable, world leadership vacuum, death to America day in Iran, 76 acts of lawlessness, British example Thatcher one vote margin Tory erosion as Republicans, irs epa corruption will spur change, no lobby by past politicians, stay-home conservatives, reignite promise of America.
January 25, 2016
This is a great read if you want to know more about who Ted Cruz is. But I didn't enjoy the first half. Although it is a well-written, detailed biography of his heritage and upbringing, I just didn't need to know his minor childhood transgressions. I wanted to know where he stands on the issues of the day and what he plans to do if elected. Cruz is a Reagan conservative, a "passionate fighter for limited government, economic growth, and the Constitution" and has the track record to prove it. I believe Cruz is a statesman that stands up for what he believes in and will always uphold the constitution. He will continue to search for and tell the truth and will do what he says he'll do, thus honoring his commitments to his constituents. From his experiences at a Supreme Court litigator and his Senate record, I can probably guess his path and probably can trust he will made solid conservative decisions as POTUS, but I wish this book had laid out his plans for the future to help me better decide if he'll have my vote. I admire that he sticks to his principles as long as it doesn't cause rigid inflexibility in his policies. He does have to work with a government that is very bipartisan.
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