Well written, good ideas that are well researched and well thought out. I wish there had been more on how we can implement them, however. At times, it felt like Simon was too busy trying to tight rope walk between the parties and not give offense to either side. Its ok. You can admit that recent Republican power grabs are the biggest threat to democracy. In fairness to Simon, this was written before the Jan 6 coup attempt. However, even without that Simin could take strong positions on what the obstacles to improvement are. The big obstacle obviously is how these fixes, which would ostensibly be unfavorable to some of those who favor them to begin with, will make it past these blockers and actually be more than just empty words. Its also notable that Simon, an investment CEO who presumably has far more personal wealth than even some of the partisan-aligned politicians who are availing themselves of the ‘corporate’ money currently flooding politics, never proposed much in the way of evening the playing field of actually getting involved in politics. A good primer on practical aspects of being a political candidate, and great theoretical plans, but just like those who actually made it to Capitol Hill, there’s not much workable or with a path forward to clearly solving the problem.

Contract to Unite America by Neal Simon

272 Pages
Publisher: Mascot Books / RealClear Publishing
Release Date: February 18, 2020

Nonfiction (Adult), Politics, History, Elections

I was intrigued by the title of the book but even more so as I began reading. Neal Simon ran as an Independent for a Congressional seat in 2018 for the state of Maryland. Even though his polling numbers were rising after the first debate, the fact the second debate was cancelled made him pull out of the election. He brings up many valid points in the book. These are the ten items he discusses in depth.

Item 1: Open Primaries
Item 2: Educated Electorate Act
Item 3: Term Limits Constitutional Amendment
Item 4: Elections Transparency Act
Item 5: Campaign Finance Constitutional Amendment
Item 6: Ballot Access Act
Item 7: Fair Districts Act
Item 8: Fair Representation Act
Item 9: Congressional Rules Act
Item 10: Creating a Culture of Unity

He mentions at the beginning of the book that this book is more moderate than conservative or progressive. He gives excellent reasonings behind all ten items. I completely agree that term limits should be in place for Congress and Senate since Governors and Presidents have them. As an independent in Maryland, I was always frustrated that I could not vote in a primary. The person I would have voted for never made it out of the primary. If there were open primaries, it is possible different candidates would be the winners. Mr. Simon’s writing style is easy to read and understand. His research is very thorough, and I liked the way he presented his arguments for change. In fact, I found myself nodding my head as I was reading. If you are interested in politics and how we can fix the system and move forward, you will like this book.

Americans have been divided throughout our history due to our political affiliations, but more so since the 2016 election. There are people on both sides that will defend their politicians because they are from their party, no matter what they do or say. The author of this book tries to tear down the walls that divide us and move forward together. He doesn't say that people have to abandon their beliefs, but shows how we can work and live together without constant conflict and insults. I found some of the information about how money controls politics to be interesting, as I have always known it has, but not to the extent it actually does. I highly recommend this book, as it is important for us to grow and find our way back to being the United States vs the Divided State we have become.

I thought this was an interesting look at the problems in politics today. He shows how it is definitely a two party system. How money plays a large part in what happens with elections and even legislation that is passed. I recommend the book whether you are from one party or the other. There are some eye opening things happening that need to be exposed.

I have never liked when people would ask me my nationality, as most of the time they were inquiring what country my ancestors came from. I began a practice of telling them I was an American, and during the 12-18 months after 9/11, almost all would smile and say something encouraging. In today’s world, if I state I am an American, they look at me like I have two heads. And for the record, that is the reaction of people in both major parties.

I have been reading a lot of political books lately, and it is refreshing when I come across one that does not fill the better part of 300 pages with direct attacks against the opposite party or backhanded snarky comments weakly disguised as fact. Neal Simon’s “Contract to Unite America” is a well-written message to those who are tired of our government not working and the bitter rancor that exists between many who identify as Democrats and Republicans.

Instead of constantly attacking people, Mr. Simon’s main thrusts are aimed at demolishing the walls that separate and prevent us from becoming a country whose citizens can set aside differences and learn to work together. Some of the polls on how members of the opposite parties think about the other side are shocking and illuminating as they help open our eyes to the bombardment of “facts” designed to sell us on the idea that our political party is best and the other party is evil.

After reading the book, I have to admit that I am not 100% behind the ten contract points he describes. Some I am not even close to 50%, but here is what is important. How can we ever hope to compromise and heal if we don’t even bother to actively listen to what others have to say? Readers can gain an idea of Mr. Simon’s politics and while he and I don’t match, I can still respect his ideas. I can choose to immediately back the ones I whole-heartedly believe in (my number-one 100% match? Term Limits) and I can listen and discuss those ideas and work toward a give-and-take solution.

“Contract to Unite America” may not be the ultimate solution, but it is a positive approach and a step in the right direction. Recommended reading for anyone nearing or at the voting age. Five stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and Real Clear Publishing for a complimentary ebook of this title.

Partisan Populist Polemic for Independents. I like that Simon opens the book with a note that if you are yourself a hyper partisan that thinks either side or the other is completely evil, this book isn’t for you.

The things Simon discusses in this book are things that I know for a fact many, perhaps most, Americans have not thoughtfully considered – or even considered at all. Sure, some of them are hotter button issues than others, such as his decrying of Citizens United – a common complaint of the left yet a case which is misunderstood by most and even outright misinterpreted in this very text. But others are much more esoteric, largely only thought of when the person themselves gets hit by the problem, such as ballot access – a process by which the “two” Party System in the US actively limits, indeed even places extraordinary hurdles to, the ability for anyone other than themselves to get on the ballot for election for most offices in this country.

Ultimately, however, Simon has crafted a partisan populist polemic for Independents that while useful as a conversation starter has numerous flaws in reasoning – even while being very well documented in his statements. However, even then there are, in the infamous words of Mark Twain, “lies, damn lies, and statistics”, and Simon’s constant refrain that “60% of Americans support each of these initiatives” is a bit disingenuous at best. And I’ve seen some of the very polls he was citing, often used them in my own debates! (See below) Still, with the various issues he brings up, most of which won’t be actively discussed by the various Presidential candidates or talking heads this year, this book deserves to be read and discussed even given its myriad flaws. Recommended.

With all of this said, allow me to note my own history, briefly, so that you can judge for yourself if I may fall into the trap of hyperpartisanship myself. I grew up as a Republican and voted in 2004 for Georgia’s Defense of Marriage Act. By 2006 I was already fed up with “both” Parties and trying to find my own way. I began reading *every* Party’s platforms and looking to what resonated most with me. I officially joined the Libertarian Party as a dues paying member the day after Barack Obama was elected President in 2008, and within 2 yrs I would: be a member of the Executive Committee of the Libertarian Party of Georgia, found a local affiliate (county Party) of the LP-Ga, run for nonpartisan rural small town City Council 2x, found a libertarian-leaning political blog, host the biggest event of the 2010 Georgia election cycle in terms of number of Statewide candidates present, be recognized 2x by the Georgia House of Representatives for my work in open government, video local County Commission and City Council meetings and put the unedited video on YouTube, run a Facebook group working for equal ballot access for Georgia citizens, serve as the Libertarian Party of Georgia’s Legislative Director, recruit a Statewide candidate for the LP-Ga, and probably a few things I’ve forgotten about in the decade since. However, by 2012 I had left active political activism altogether, and when I moved to Florida in 2017 I officially registered to vote as “No Party Affliation” – the way Florida encodes “Independent” status. (No State I had previously lived in actually registered voters by Party.)