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Our Broken America: Why Both Sides Need to Stop Ranting and Start Listening
Discover what is needed to save America from the looming menace of fake news and political polarization.
We are a country in crisis. America is extremely politically polarized. It's almost impossible to have a civil discussion about politics and political issues without emotions overflowing and people erupting, whether within your circle of friends, family, or just watching it happen on the news. Gone are the days of real, unbiased, fact-based news -- now our airwaves and device screens are dominated by opinion labelled as news.
The idea of our nation marching toward civil war is very real. You can watch CNN or FOX News and think you are on two different planets. And the sheer vitriol you watch is reflective of the same feeling Democrats and Republicans -- and everyone in between -- are feeling throughout this country.
It's more important than ever to find common ground. Throughout our history, our most inspirational leaders have believed that our future was bright, that our foundation was different, and that the American people would rise to the challenge. Together we can stop ranting and raving and save our country from the dangers of political polarization.
Ranting and Raving is a wake-up call for our nation. Together, we can change politics and save our nation.
We are a country in crisis. America is extremely politically polarized. It's almost impossible to have a civil discussion about politics and political issues without emotions overflowing and people erupting, whether within your circle of friends, family, or just watching it happen on the news. Gone are the days of real, unbiased, fact-based news -- now our airwaves and device screens are dominated by opinion labelled as news.
The idea of our nation marching toward civil war is very real. You can watch CNN or FOX News and think you are on two different planets. And the sheer vitriol you watch is reflective of the same feeling Democrats and Republicans -- and everyone in between -- are feeling throughout this country.
It's more important than ever to find common ground. Throughout our history, our most inspirational leaders have believed that our future was bright, that our foundation was different, and that the American people would rise to the challenge. Together we can stop ranting and raving and save our country from the dangers of political polarization.
Ranting and Raving is a wake-up call for our nation. Together, we can change politics and save our nation.
- GenresNonfiction
288 pages, Hardcover
Published September 17, 2019
14 people are currently reading
776 people want to read
About the author
Jackie Cushman
4 books12 followersJackie Gingrich Cushman is a syndicated columnist for Creators Syndicate. She is the author of two books, 5 Principles for a Successful Life: From Our Family to Yours, and The Essential American: 25 Documents and Speeches Every American Should Own. For over 16 years, she has served on the board of directors, volunteered and assisted Our House, a homeless shelter for newborns and their families. She also serves on the board of the Trust for Public Land and GEEARS (Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students).
Jackie served as a senior advisor and national media surrogate for Newt Gingrich in the Republican Presidential primary for the 2012 election. She holds the CFA designation and the National Association of Corporate Directors Board Leadership Fellow designation. She lives in Georgia.
Jackie served as a senior advisor and national media surrogate for Newt Gingrich in the Republican Presidential primary for the 2012 election. She holds the CFA designation and the National Association of Corporate Directors Board Leadership Fellow designation. She lives in Georgia.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 5, 2019
Jackie Cushman uses research, current events and her own experience as a parent, businesswoman and community volunteer to try to make sense of the divide that’s torn our country apart these past few years.
No matter which “side” you may happen to take her book is intended to be a wake-up call. She uses examples of ways we’ve become increasingly isolated from what used to be normal interaction: as more places of worship close more Starbucks open. But a Starbucks is “not conducive to building a sense of community,” she notes.
A look back at a time when we all listened to the same radio program or watched the same few network channels isn’t included for nostalgia: Cushman makes the point that we’re losing these common ways of connecting due to increasingly divided media/entertainment options.
She offers some proactive ways to bridge political divides in a chapter called “What We Can Do,” and “choosing gratitude over grievance” could go a long way before our next election cycle. Perhaps her hopeful and positive outlook will be contagious.
No matter which “side” you may happen to take her book is intended to be a wake-up call. She uses examples of ways we’ve become increasingly isolated from what used to be normal interaction: as more places of worship close more Starbucks open. But a Starbucks is “not conducive to building a sense of community,” she notes.
A look back at a time when we all listened to the same radio program or watched the same few network channels isn’t included for nostalgia: Cushman makes the point that we’re losing these common ways of connecting due to increasingly divided media/entertainment options.
She offers some proactive ways to bridge political divides in a chapter called “What We Can Do,” and “choosing gratitude over grievance” could go a long way before our next election cycle. Perhaps her hopeful and positive outlook will be contagious.
August 7, 2019
I just finished--For the second time--Our Broken America by Jackie Gingrich Cushman! As I read through this amazing book, I got frustrated, encouraged and, honestly was convicted a bit as well. I pride myself in being very open to listening to all sides and making the best decision I believe is possible. I have found myself, lately, becoming very quiet when it comes to speaking my thoughts about the sorrows happening in this world. I know this is wrong because my calling is to bring people together. However, the extreme hate that happens when one voices their views is appalling. Honestly, I thought this book was going to be a call out or a chastising of both sides. But, instead, it was a book that lead me to understand each of us has a higher calling to speak our heart and to connect and develop relationships with each other. As I put the book down for the second time, I feel a sense of pride for our founding fathers, for the greatness that this country was created for each of us and for the diversity of people who God has placed in my life! I believe if we each read this book, we will find a restoration of our own calling to make the world a better place by using our gifts, our talents, our voices and our ears and hopefully, this will be a rally cry to all Americans to create a safer country where we all live side by side, leading our nation's children to an understanding of the greatness of American diversity and heart! Hopefully, this book becomes a rally cry that teaches people to care about each other again so we stop the needless bloodshed that is happening on both sides--because, afterall, we are not one side or the other, we are THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! BUY THIS BOOK TODAY IT IS WORTH EVERY PENNY!
September 23, 2019
Book boldly claims to view both sides equally (in the title) but does not in fact do so. This is made clear in the foreword, even before the author herself has begun writing, which is just unfortunate. I was really hoping to read a book that actually considered both sides with at least a semblance of clear logic instead of just claiming to do so. I was sorely disappointed, unfortunately.
Finally the biggest deal breaker of all for me is that the author states that we must rely on helping each other instead of laws instituted by the government. If we are supposed to rely on each other, then why do some people have literally billions of dollars and yet others die because of inadequate access to basic resources like food or clean water through no fault of their own? Why do some people have to literally beg others online for money to afford the insulin that they need to live while there are others making so much money that picking up a $100 bill they dropped would be a waste of their time? There is no end to the amount of questions like this that I can ask, such as those, for example, about for-profit prisons.
In any case, if you are looking for a book that can only see the facts that support its own side and does not depend on actual reason for most, if any, of its arguments, then this is the book for you. Will not re-read.
bonus: how many times did i say the world literally in this review
Finally the biggest deal breaker of all for me is that the author states that we must rely on helping each other instead of laws instituted by the government. If we are supposed to rely on each other, then why do some people have literally billions of dollars and yet others die because of inadequate access to basic resources like food or clean water through no fault of their own? Why do some people have to literally beg others online for money to afford the insulin that they need to live while there are others making so much money that picking up a $100 bill they dropped would be a waste of their time? There is no end to the amount of questions like this that I can ask, such as those, for example, about for-profit prisons.
In any case, if you are looking for a book that can only see the facts that support its own side and does not depend on actual reason for most, if any, of its arguments, then this is the book for you. Will not re-read.
bonus: how many times did i say the world literally in this review
January 25, 2020
Written like an expanded high school term paper. Part history lesson and part autobiography. Page after page of grievances by the "left-wing media" with little or no information about right-wing faslehoods. Apparently the side that needs to be listening are the Democrats who should listen to Republicans. Her solution was in the last chapter about 12 pages that says we should actually talk with people at churches, bike rides and at the gym and talk to them with civility. This book is a considerable waste of time but luckily it's a very very easy read.
May 31, 2025
If you're looking for an unbiased political book then don't waste your time here. The entire book can be summed up into this: speak with and volunteer more in your community, talk with neighbors and friends (especially those with differing ideologies). Do your own research when looking at news channels/sites and be mindful of predetermined biases.
September 23, 2019
Drivel. Too bad she has to use her father's name to get books sold.
December 18, 2019
Short version: shut up and love your leaders or you be in big trouble. And Cushman is right, these are the guys who own the army and the hundreds of police agencies.
March 30, 2020
Great read and very insightful if you are interested in political civility.
August 7, 2019
I just finished--For the second time--Our Broken America by Jackie Gingrich Cushman! As I read through this amazing book, I got frustrated, encouraged and, honestly was convicted a bit as well. I pride myself in being very open to listening to all sides and making the best decision I believe is possible. I have found myself, lately, becoming very quiet when it comes to speaking my thoughts about the sorrows happening in this world. I know this is wrong because my calling is to bring people together. However, the extreme hate that happens when one voices their views is appalling. Honestly, I thought this book was going to be a call out or a chastising of both sides. But, instead, it was a book that lead me to understand each of us has a higher calling to speak our heart and to connect and develop relationships with each other. As I put the book down for the second time, I feel a sense of pride for our founding fathers, for the greatness that this country was created for each of us and for the diversity of people who God has placed in my life! I believe if we each read this book, we will find a restoration of our own calling to make the world a better place by using our gifts, our talents, our voices and our ears and hopefully, this will be a rally cry to all Americans to create a safer country where we all live side by side, leading our nation's children to an understanding of the greatness of American diversity and heart! Hopefully, this book becomes a rally cry that teaches people to care about each other again so we stop the needless bloodshed that is happening on both sides--because, afterall, we are not one side or the other, we are THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! BUY THIS BOOK TODAY IT IS WORTH EVERY PENNY!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews