Seven Principles of Good Government: Gary Johnson on Politics, People and Freedom: Insights from the 2012 Libertarian Party Nominee for P Paperback – August 1, 2012

I know I will be unable to add any new insight into the book, as it has already been extensively reviewed, but I can't help but throw in my two cents.As has been mentioned already, this book is short, well written, very much to the point, and very easily read/understood. I found this to be a great strength of the book, as Gary Johnson does not allow the book to degrade into a dramatic retelling of his political ideologies to the point of boredom, something I find endemic of books written by politicians. Another aspect, skillfully avoided by Mr. Johnson, that I feel many politician's books suffer from, is the "holier then thou" approach when spelling out his beliefs. Indeed one gets the sense that he a far cry from the megalomaniacs who dominate the political arena.Due to its easy to read format and friendly approach to discussing topics, I don't feel I'm wrong to say this book should be read by all who are interested in politics, regardless of party affiliation. If you are a Libertarian, the book will reaffirm your political views. If you are a Republican, you will gain valuable insight into a man, and political ideology, that might 'steal' your votes, and as such build an understanding of how one might recapture these votes. If you are Green Party, Democrat, Socialist, or whatever, you will gain knowledge (although perhaps brief) about what Libertarianism is about and learn about one of the key players currently within its ranks. If for no other reason, this book might satisfy the "know thy enemy" mantra, allowing one to more ably form counter-arguments.I can't say enough good things about this book, and I have already ordered other copies to gift to friends and family for the upcoming holiday season.

It began in a parking lot last night and ended about 10:15 this morning. Never have I so eagerly read a book in such short time and gained as much knowledge. At least one reviewer already said that the book is one part manifesto, one part autobiography. I would add that it's another part feel good and stand up for your civil liberties. There is no good excuse for not voting third-party on Tues. November 6th this year. Gary Johnson/Jim Gray is on the ballot in all 50 states.Among many refrains in here are phrases like "marijuana legalization", "cost-benefit analysis", "failed war on drugs" as a health issue rather than exclusively criminal matter. Gov. Johnson is right to harp on this. American drug policy is in many ways tied in with other perpetual issues. We make criminals out of persons abusing (or medicating) their own individual selves. We spend money, time, and resources trying and locking away petty drug criminals. Meanwhile, the real criminals are steady harming innocent children, women, the elderly and America's ill-mentioned ethnic group: the impoverished. Imagine how much manpower we would have as a nation, state, or town if law enforcement spent less time fighting the prohibitive so-called "war on drugs". Even if police forces were reduced there would be gains in locating missing persons or natural disaster recovery. Human beings are gonna get "high" because that's what we do. I lost a cousin around '89 who dosed/overdosed using household paint. There are no benefits to tobacco usage and medicine has said for a half century that kills and kills. They say a cigarette has some four-thousand chemicals before it's even lit. I lost two uncles to throat cancer. What about those of us abusing prescription or o.t.c. drugs? The key to our nation's drug problem is decriminalization, regulation, health education, private-sector treatment. This will bring users out of the shadows and off the streets. Petty drug offenders withhold information on real criminal associates for fear of their own legal safety or illegal supply. Let us prosecute individuals for real criminal activity--take the illicit profit out of narcotics.We like to believe that America is a free country because of our Constitution, diversities, "justice" system, and increasing tolerances. America isn't as free as she should be. Gary Johnson contrasts our drug-crime stats with the Netherlands, e.g., and found us less than the ideal free society. The fringes upon our civil liberties began before the Patriot Act or gay marriage debate. Johnson's policy is to limit government involvement of these personal or religious liberties. He made at least one mention of the 2nd Amendment, but little detail. So no mention of assault weapons, gun control, or countries like Britain where reduction of firearms increased other weapon violence. Regarding abortion, I cheered when he offered no federal funding for abortion. However, unborn infant rights are not discussed. He is slightly more detailed on his website... just click on "Issues" and a list drops down along with links to some videos.Other issues that got little mention in the book are U.N.; partnering with native countries of undocumented immigrants (to understand and disincentivize border jumping); food safety; and environmental policy. On his website, go to Issues>Foreign Policy to learn a bit more about his policy on our role internationally. Energy and the Environment are discussed in better detail on the website... on there you may also donate to the Libertarian Presidential campaign and purchase merchandise like bumper stickers and Johnson/Gray 2012 yard signs.I'm voting early this year and my mind is made up. Gary Johnson is that dude. This is who the Tea Party should be supporting in the race if they want to limit government's role in our personal lives. There are two other third-party candidates in the race. You can learn about the candidates by searching Wikipedia for 2012 U.S. Presidential candidates. All of the candidates' web pages are linked from there. There is no better year than now to vote for and support a non-traditional party ticket. The two-party duopoly is a failure to the American people. Independents need to stand united. Pres. Obama cannot even say the word "independent" after reaching the highest office. He only talks to independents when their vote is sought. The moderate Gov. Romney said he was severely conservative. The current Massachussetts governor, an Obama Democrat, described Romney as a "recreational governor" regarding his stint there in office. Gary Johnson has twice the gubernatorial experience that Romney has, and unlike Obama he has run a successful private business and would leave the same-sex marriage issue to the private, religious sector. Unicorns are real. But there's no such thing as a wasted vote unless it isn't cast. Even a percentage as small as 3% sends a message to both parties that there is better competition who may replace you, as in capital. Ron Paul supports but has NOT YET endorsed Gary Johnson 2012, by the way.Gary Johnson promises honest, pragmatic governance. Read this book no matter what your political views are. He describes complex issues in terse, simplistic language. I don't believe I used the dictionary or Wiki once as I read this. One of my favorite lyricists once said that an [album] doesn't have to be long if it's understood and the story is strong. One small caveat is that the chapter isn't notated at the top of its pages--only the beginning. The publisher uses the subtitle "Gary Johnson on Liberty, People, and Politics" instead. Well, anyway, no more two-party koolaid for me. Johnson/Gray 2012 appear on a ballot near you.

Nothing super revealing here if you already know the candidate, and note that this was written before the 2012 campaign, four years ago, but still an enjoyable overview of how Gov Johnson got where he is today. And a self-evident case for why he would be exactly what the country needs right now in the White House. Honesty, integrity, common sense, and character.

In 2012 and 2016, Gary Johnson ran for the President of the United States. His book, Seven Principles of Good Government, explains his form of Libertarianism. His seven principles are (6-7):1. Become reality-driven.2. Tell the truth.3. Do what is right and fair.4. Develop a plan to reach that goal, and then act.5. Make sure that everyone who ought to know knows what you’re doing.6. Acknowledge mistakes immediately.7. Find a job you love enough to do what it takes.In the chapters that follow, Johnson explains how these principles have guided him as aTwo-term governor of New Mexico and how they would lead him as President of the United States. The book is optimistic with regards to a smaller government that abides by these principles. Johnson gives an overview of his life and how he has learned and led by them. Pictures appear amidst the chapters. Johnson makes his case for a Libertarian government, and I have come to believe it is a good way to govern. However, there is a great deal of repetition from chapter to chapter – as if these were talks that he bound in book form. It is a useful primer and introduces the reader to Johnson in particular, but to learn more of what Libertarianism entails, one needs to pick up addition material. [This review appears on my blog, Amazon.com, and Goodreads.com.]

great read! Not only is it a good read and outlines 7 principles of good govt but it also outlines how to be a good honest respectable person. This is a must read and is also what we should expect out of our government

This is a simple and short book to get to know Gary Johnson. It's a few years old but still an easy quick read to introduce you to him and the simple ideas of libertarianism.