Is America pissed off? Why I wrote the third edition...

I have been asked on occasion why I put this book together, and whether or not it is serious. After all, a book with 100 blank pages is usually a diary or notebook, right? It is not a book about what politicians know. Or is it?

So here is my answer: My distaste for politicians in general is real. I have known many but only like a few. Perhaps it is my proximity to Washington DC. I live halfway between Baltimore and Washington and grew up with DC television, which invariably included regular doses of politicians seeking air time. 

The things you could count on with these politicians was not speaking until the polls were properly understood, then outrage or total support (depending on the poll results), and very little substance.

What we could count on from the media was giving these people air time. Thanks ever so much...

The first edition of The 2010 Unofficial Voter's Guide came out when the political and economic climate was boiling. The Wall Street bailout was well under way, although started by the previous president; there was a backlash to the national health reform program: the Tea Party was exerting enormous influence; and more.

When I originally decided to write the first version, there were several reasons. 

First, it was funny- a well-deserved poke at professional politicians.

Second, the horrific political and economic conditions mentioned above.

Third, the "silent majority" first cited by President Nixon in November 1969, when he asked for the support of the "silent majority of Americans" - well the silent majority was getting riled up and they were not so silent.

This "silent majority" in a way is very real- people who don't vote who make up 50% of the eligible voting public.

That now not so silent majority has risen up against the "establishment" in both parties, choosing to support candidates well outside of the mainstream, which threatens the current power structure like nothing else in recent memory.

Six months anyone saying Donald Trump or Bernie Sanders would be leading contenders for party nominations would have been institutionalized. Bernie and Donald have tapped into the silent majority.

The 2016 Unofficial Voter's Guide: Everything Politicians Know About What You Want in a roundabout way predicted this scenario. By tapping into the alienation of many Americans, the feeling that they have been totally left out of the decision making process, Sanders, Trump and Cruz have struck a real nerve that is terrifying for those who really run both parties because it is a big unknown, an unknown that they cannot control.

When you piss enough people off by your arrogance, they will turn on you.

Iowa and New Hampshire are gong to be very interesting...




***

The 2016 Unofficial Voter's Guide is available at


http://www.amazon.com/The-2016-Unofficial-Voters-Guide/dp/1600052649

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-2016-unofficial-voters-guide-mark-amtower/1123011839?ean=9781600052651 

http://www.happyabout.com/unofficial-voters-guide.php

Simon and Garfunkel and Sanders??

Bernie's new video is an endorsement from the 60s folk rock stars- and it is a GREAT political commericial.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/22/us/politics/bernie-sanders-and-simon-and-garfunkel-put-focus-on-voters.html?_r=0




***

The 2016 Unofficial Voter's Guide is available at


http://www.amazon.com/The-2016-Unofficial-Voters-Guide/dp/1600052649

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-2016-unofficial-voters-guide-mark-amtower/1123011839?ean=9781600052651 

http://www.happyabout.com/unofficial-voters-guide.php

Public sector corruption does not go unnoticed...

I have been involved in government contracting for 31 years and this is not uncommon. From the Orlando Sentinel-

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/opinion/os-ed-anti-corruption-bill-20160121-story.html



***

The 2016 Unofficial Voter's Guide is available at


http://www.amazon.com/The-2016-Unofficial-Voters-Guide/dp/1600052649

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-2016-unofficial-voters-guide-mark-amtower/1123011839?ean=9781600052651 

http://www.happyabout.com/unofficial-voters-guide.php

A whole new level of dis-satisfaction

This is a very interesting take on what is happening at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon.

https://ipolitics.ca/2016/01/17/guns-hellboy-and-what-happens-when-white-guys-go-rogue/

And if you haven't seen the Time magazine piece, "How Trump Won", pick it up and read the article. Another interesting piece.




***

The 2016 Unofficial Voter's Guide is available at


http://www.amazon.com/The-2016-Unofficial-Voters-Guide/dp/1600052649

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-2016-unofficial-voters-guide-mark-amtower/1123011839?ean=9781600052651 

http://www.happyabout.com/unofficial-voters-guide.php

Kathie Obradovich ( @kobradovich ) of the #DesMoinesRegister ( @DMRegister )- a conversation with John Kasich on civility in the current political climate.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/columnists/kathie-obradovich/caucus/2016/01/04/can-civility-survive-purge-political-correctness-iowa-caucus-kasich-trump-carson/78274808/

I saw her on CNN with Chris Cuomo and really enjoyed her comments, so I decided to follow her on Twitter and read some of her columns at DMR- good stuff.

While perusing the DMR web site, I also saw an article by Jennifer Jacobs highlighting 8 points she sees emrging - another really good DMR article. She really reads the Iowa tea leaves well.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2016/01/13/8-talking-points-new-iowa-poll-gop-caucus-race/78695088/

Apparently great reporters don't have to reside in Washington, NY, LA or Chicago.




***

The 2016 Unofficial Voter's Guide is available at


http://www.amazon.com/The-2016-Unofficial-Voters-Guide/dp/1600052649

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-2016-unofficial-voters-guide-mark-amtower/1123011839?ean=9781600052651 


http://www.happyabout.com/unofficial-voters-guide.php

Election news- week of Jan 11

@RealDonaldTrump 's economic plan trashed by economists- http://www.politico.com/story/2016/01/trump-economy-217496#.hllcdti:UhEI


SC Governor Nikki Haley being positioned as Veep candidate??? If the RNC can't control the presidential candidates, how will it force feed a Veep suggestion?  http://www.politico.com/story/2016/01/nikki-haley-vice-president-possible-pick-217508 


32nd Brown and Black Forum in Iowa draws Clinton, Sanders and O'Malley for some tough questions: - http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2016/01/12/brown-and-black-forum-mixes-blunt-questions-lighter-fare/78646748/ 


More news from around the country soon!

***

The 2016 Unofficial Voter's Guide is available at


http://www.amazon.com/The-2016-Unofficial-Voters-Guide/dp/1600052649

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-2016-unofficial-voters-guide-mark-amtower/1123011839?ean=9781600052651 

http://www.happyabout.com/unofficial-voters-guide.php

An endorsement from the Trump camp?

***

The 2016 Unofficial Voter's Guide is available at


http://www.amazon.com/The-2016-Unofficial-Voters-Guide/dp/1600052649

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-2016-unofficial-voters-guide-mark-amtower/1123011839?ean=9781600052651 


http://www.happyabout.com/unofficial-voters-guide.php

Why this book?

Why this book?

For those who know me, both in business and personally, it is understood that I am neither subtle nor tactful. Indeed, my business reputation has been built upon my ability to speak my mind regardless of venue, often voicing out loud what many might be thinking, but who don't have the venue to share.

I am not rude, simply blunt.

As a rule I don't discuss politics or religion outside of my family. These are personal to me and I prefer not to discuss. If I talk to you about this book, you will still not be able to determine if I am red or blue.

That being said, I have lived in the Washington DC suburbs for my entire life, and I have watched with varying degrees of amusement, sadness, anger, frustration and helplessness and the political "dialogue" seeks lower ground on an hourly basis.

Volume is high, substance is low.

Integrity has been replaced by the ability to create methane in sound-bites.

The political "debates" are a sham. Rather than discussing real issues, politicians spew what they know to be inaccurate in order to smear someone else on the podium.

My home state of Maryland has a gerrymandered district that would make the original Elbridge Gerry turn over in his grave. 

When will we say collectively "Enough!"

This book is my attempt to say enough is enough. Let's get back to doing some real work.


***

The 2016 Unofficial Voter's Guide is available at


http://www.amazon.com/The-2016-Unofficial-Voters-Guide/dp/1600052649

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-2016-unofficial-voters-guide-mark-amtower/1123011839?ean=9781600052651 


http://www.happyabout.com/unofficial-voters-guide.php

The 2016 Unofficial Voter's Guide now available

The most comprehensive study on what politicians know about what you want is here! After years of study, I have concluded that politicians from both sides are disconnected from the known universe and live in a media-driven vacuum.

What do they know about what Americans want?

Not a darn thing! Hence, after the forward, this book is 100 blank pages....
And yes- it is a real book, available at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or from my publisher, HappyAbout.


http://www.amazon.com/The-2016-Unofficial-Voters-Guide/dp/1600052649

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-2016-unofficial-voters-guide-mark-amtower/1123011839?ean=9781600052651 

http://www.happyabout.com/unofficial-voters-guide.php

Atlanta Journal Constitution poll says Republicans frustrated

AJCs Greg Bluestein (@Bluestein ) reports that Georgia Republicans are frustrated with the party and they are seeking an outsider, which bodes well for @realDonaldTrump

http://www.ajc.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/poll-georgia-republicans-frustrated-democrats-have/np2BX/


***

The 2016 Unofficial Voter's Guide is available at


http://www.amazon.com/The-2016-Unofficial-Voters-Guide/dp/1600052649

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-2016-unofficial-voters-guide-mark-amtower/1123011839?ean=9781600052651 

http://www.happyabout.com/unofficial-voters-guide.php

More news, more polls...

CNN poll show Christie & Clinton in a virtual tie for 2016> Who cares- it's 3 years away?!?!
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/11/13/poll-christie-clinton-in-virtual-2016-tie/comment-page-1/

Texas Tech students poll residents of Lubbock, Texas on local power company & related issues- some interesting results 9hint: higher taxes for better services?)...
http://kfyo.com/texas-tech-political-science-survey-polls-lubbockites-on-views-of-lubbock-power-and-light-other-issues/

Gov McCrory (NC) polls improve slightly
http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/11/13/3367590/mccrory-has-slight-uptick-in-polls.html

One way to improve your poll #s- go on a retreat with wealthy backers... http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/11/14/3370374/morning-memo-mccrory-to-attend.html




The 2014 Unofficial Voter's Guide is available! It is a great Christmas stocking stuffer that fits the budget!
http://www.amazon.com/The-2014-Unofficial-Voters-Guide/dp/1600052495/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1384450823&sr=8-3&keywords=mark+amtower

11/5/13 - Election Day in some states

Why opinion poll fear grips political parties (this may be from an Indian newspaper, but it fits the situation in the U.S. as well.

http://www.business-standard.com/article/politics/why-opinion-poll-fear-grips-political-parties-113110500433_1.html

 

Chris Christie is hot-but can he win NJ in 2016?

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57610773/can-chris-christie-win-new-jersey-in-2016/

Political news 11/4/13

The political divide gets wider....

Political division broadens in Wisconsin

http://www.gazettextra.com/article/20131104/ARTICLES/131109968/1034

 

Obama: plus or minus for McAuliffe? (Virginia)

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-11-03/obama-stumps-for-mcauliffe-with-as-much-to-gain-as-give

 

More on Virginia with third party candidate

http://wtvr.com/2013/11/03/poll-third-party-candidate-may-make-difference-in-crucial-election/

 

Christie still hot in NJ

http://www.baristanet.com/2013/11/christie-lead-buono-10-points-new-rutgers-poll/

Pre-2013 election polls show massive discontent

Polls indicate the public is so disgusted with Washington politicians of both parties that a surprisingly large proportion of people would like to get rid of the whole lot of them.

http://www.torontosun.com/2013/11/01/the-new-ruling-class

Less than 25% of Western PA voters expected to vote on 11/5

http://triblive.com/politics/politicalheadlines/4961700-74/voters-county-percent#axzz2jb2YtTwN

Sunday, 11/3/13

In the Outlook section of the Washington Post today, there is a huge photo of a T-shirt with a political message.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/virginia-is-for-lovers-of-lax-ethics-and-anything-goes-politics/2013/11/01/757e86ce-40e6-11e3-a751-f032898f2dbc_story.html

It starts with "Virginia is for Lovers", with accompanying heart symbol. This is a tag line for television commercials about Virginia. But the message continues:

"of unlimited political gifts, anything-goes campaign spending, lax ethics rules and minimal oversight."

While amusing, this is also sad, and it applies in many more states to varying degrees.


In other headlines Inter Press Service reports U.S. corporations are "re-writing" labor laws & lowering wages-
http://www.globalissues.org/news/2013/11/01/17734

Close to Home comic for 10/31/13

Take a moment to view this comic. I'd post it but don't want to violate the Copyright.

http://www.gocomics.com/closetohome/2013/10/31#.UnWOyFLD_mI

Open for Business

The 2014 Unofficial Voter's Guide official blog is "open for business". It is the home, along with the Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/2014UnofficialVotersGuide, for my new book, which will be available later this month.

While this blog and the book are satiric, I will not accept comments that are mean-spirited or abusive. That being said, I will be posting links to information which displays the circus-like atmosphere that has become Congress.

I welcome links to interesting items that illustrate Congressional foibles.

I have lived in the Washington, D.C. area nearly my entire life, so I have been close to the political turmoil that defines this area.

In 1960 my father took me to my first political debate. It was for a Congressional seat and  Republican Charles "Mac" Mathias was running against the incumbent, Democrat Jack Foley. After the debate I told my father that Foley was quite convincing. My father told me that being louder and more animated than your opponent did not mean that you were saying more than your opponent. Foley, my father told me, said nothing, but did so loudly. My father, a life-long Democrat, voted for Mathias.

Every day there is something in the news - radio, TV or print - demonstrating the abuse of power that is commonplace among Congressmen. From exempting themselves from certain laws, taking PAC or other money, political gifts, gerrymandering (recently in my home state, Maryland), and so much more, it is little wonder that I find myself in a perpetual state of "contempt of Congress."

There is much to be contemptuous of. Regardless of the intent of freshmen Congress men and women, there is something nefarious at work in the halls of Congress that seems to drag most, if not all, down the rabbit hole of being influenced and manipulated by special interests of all sides and by the debilitating disease of re-election fever.

This past week on the NBC Nightly News, Brian Roberts said a new poll indicated the majority of Americans were fed up with everyone in Congress, and that they should ALL be replaced.

I would agree.