Title: The American Enterprise Party – Volume 1: The Swing Vote to Drain the Swamp and Reign in Big Brother and the Brotherhood
Author: Jerry Rhoads
Publisher: PageTurner Press and Media
ISBN: 1638713030
Pages: 154
Genre: Politics
Reviewed By: Dan MacIntosh
Pacific Book Review
With his book, The American Enterprise Party – Volume 1: The Swing Vote to Drain the Swamp and Reign in Big Brother and the Brotherhood, author Jerry Rhoads makes his case for a third American political party, which he calls the American Enterprise Party. It is a book packed with information. These details range from political/social commentary, to diehard facts and figures (which makes sense, as Rhoads is also a CPA). Although he doesn’t come right out and say it, Rhoads smartly makes the case that the Republicans and Democrats have failed us, disastrously, and we need a new political party to unite the country and move forward positively.
To that point, Rhoads is absolutely correct. It may be easy to point a finger at the Biden administration and the Democratically controlled congress, but Republicans messed things up when they were in the majority, too. Both parties helped create the astronomical national debt. It takes two to tango, as they say. Therefore, many will agree that America needs a third political party. In our heart of hearts, we know this to be true. Few believe in everything their particular party (whether Republican or Democrat) stands for. Most of us, if we’re truly honest, fall somewhere in the middle.
Rhoads mainly focuses on the failures of the overall American political system. With that said, though, it’s clear that Rhoads own political beliefs lean toward the conservative side of the spectrum. He reserves most of his vitriol for Democratic leaders, like Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. He’s no fan of the Green New Deal and many of the other more progressive policy initiatives coming from the left.
His case for a third party, however, is sometimes made in a most unusual manner. On the one hand, Rhoads incorporates detailed numbers to tell the story of America’s deep financial woes. One would expect nothing less from a CPA like Rhoads. Additionally, though, Rhoads includes what can only be described as political poetry. For instance, one poem is titled “Is Freedom a False Positive,” where Rhoads builds his rhymes upon Patrick Henry’s famous “Give me liberty or give me death” statement. Singer/songwriter Billy Bragg released an album in 1986 titled Talking with the Taxman about Poetry, a title/concept that sounds like a paradox, at best. How could a taxman ever have the wherewithal to comprehend the emotional complexities of poetry? And yet, Rhoads (yes, the CPA Rhoads) is fully qualified to talk both taxes and poetry. Truth is, indeed, many times much stranger than fiction.
If you’re in agreement with Rhoads’ positions, this book is filled with evidence after evidence that a third party is entirely necessary. Even if you don’t agree with Rhoads’ politics, you most likely still believe change is necessary. It doesn’t take a political scientist to realize just how divided the United States is right now. Yes, most of us would admit the need for positive change, but Jerry Rhoads has taken the time and made the effort to put these commonsense opinions into book form.
One other unspoken message coming through these pages loud and clear, is Jerry Rhoads’ deep love of America. He obviously cares enough about his country to think deeply about its sad state and come up with some potential solutions. Reading this book is like talking to the taxman about poetry – and politics – and coming away much more informed.
