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horizon_brave 's review for:
On the House: A Washington Memoir
by John Boehner
This is going to be interesting. I never thought I'd be revealing my political leanings here, but it may help in coloring my perception of this book. So to draw back the curtain I consider myself fairly independent. If fence sitter is the first thing that comes to your mind, then I'll shoot back 'indoctrinated' right back at ya. I never understood the fear or animosity towards taking your time and chewing over both sides of an argument. Apart from some very hard line in the sand arguments that I draw such as free of speech, LGBTQ+ rights, and equality for all and freedom from discrimination and subjegation... I feel like any topic is rightly so debated. I don't think we would want to live in a mono-culture. Despite how much we want to surround ourselves only with like minded thoughts, I can not fathom how a culture functions when you can only think one way. Now I'd love to utter the phrase, "I would rather live in a country of divided thought than one of single thought." But...I'm not quite certain even I can agree with that. If I could wipe away the party system that grips the United States political stage, and morph it into a single party that was in line with my way of thinking, we'd get a hell of a lot more done...the news cycle would be filled with policies that slide through into law like butter, and elections would be based on who had the best hair. I...guess that's a good thing? Something about it just feels wrong. I don't know if I'd be comfortable living in a country where there was only one way to go. Even if it is my way. Maybe that's hogwash and I'd drink the kool aid if I did indeed live my life under such a mono-poli state. All I know is that I have mixed feelings on issues that are brought up and apparently that's not supposed to happen. What's supposed to happen is that I need to plant my flag in one of two artificial political parties, and completely shutout the other.
I enjoyed the book, I love the metaphors and stories Mr. Boehner provides and the colorful analogies that he provides. His wit is dry, like his wine, but brings that gentlemanly honor and able to dig into his convictions. In short I really wish I had his ability to speak, his tone and mannerisms. While I don't agree or would want to match him in his idea's, I'd love to be able to match him on his ability to share his conviction on sharing his idea. The book in entertaining, charming and filled with a lot of surprising opinions. Boehner makes it clear he was not exactly a fan of Trump's bravado, obnoxious behavior and Twitter obsession. Boehner lays it out that Trump's firing up his base to call to action, condone rioters and other very recent events was unacceptable to him.. and unfit for a US President. That being said, Boehner is still a Republican at heart and voices his displeasure with Obama and Pelosi, but it always comes off as gentlemen having a civil disagreement. He calls out Trump for being such a child and not engaging with any decorum. Anyway I call all of this out because it's quite becoming of Boehner. It takes a lot of strength to praise and side with your opposing side when you see something wrong on your own team. Boehner to me represents a politician in which I'd want to listen to, take advice from and disagree with but respect immensely.
So in summary, a good book, if you like Boehner you'll enjoy his insight into his views over the years, his stories, how he handles some awkward and funny situations and how he stuck to his values. If you don't like Boehner, hopefully this will provide some separation of the political party from the man. It's possible to like and respect someone and not be a member of their same artificial, label that they choose.
I enjoyed the book, I love the metaphors and stories Mr. Boehner provides and the colorful analogies that he provides. His wit is dry, like his wine, but brings that gentlemanly honor and able to dig into his convictions. In short I really wish I had his ability to speak, his tone and mannerisms. While I don't agree or would want to match him in his idea's, I'd love to be able to match him on his ability to share his conviction on sharing his idea. The book in entertaining, charming and filled with a lot of surprising opinions. Boehner makes it clear he was not exactly a fan of Trump's bravado, obnoxious behavior and Twitter obsession. Boehner lays it out that Trump's firing up his base to call to action, condone rioters and other very recent events was unacceptable to him.. and unfit for a US President. That being said, Boehner is still a Republican at heart and voices his displeasure with Obama and Pelosi, but it always comes off as gentlemen having a civil disagreement. He calls out Trump for being such a child and not engaging with any decorum. Anyway I call all of this out because it's quite becoming of Boehner. It takes a lot of strength to praise and side with your opposing side when you see something wrong on your own team. Boehner to me represents a politician in which I'd want to listen to, take advice from and disagree with but respect immensely.
So in summary, a good book, if you like Boehner you'll enjoy his insight into his views over the years, his stories, how he handles some awkward and funny situations and how he stuck to his values. If you don't like Boehner, hopefully this will provide some separation of the political party from the man. It's possible to like and respect someone and not be a member of their same artificial, label that they choose.