Jason Altmire seems to have a realistic view of what is happening in government today. He has looked at it from inside Congress and outside. He is a Democrat but I as a Republican think he has looked at what is going on in our political world today with eyes wide open.

For the record, I have never used a political party as a basis for my vote. My decisions are always based upon the policies and beliefs of the candidate, not on party affiliation. I employed this same outlook while reading and reviewing Jason Altmire’s “Dead Center.”

The book addresses the current polarization of political parties in America, an issue that is apparently neglected as citizens’ approval of the U.S. Congress is down to single digits. Mr. Altmire’s book reveals that approximately 20% of Americans fall on the extreme left or right of the political line, while most people gravitate toward the center and would like to see more compromise between parties, even if that meant the bills they supported were watered down in order to achieve that goal.

In the first part of the book, Mr. Altmire relates his experiences while serving as a representative in the U.S. Congress, relating the challenges experienced by a “centrist.” The author ran in a contested region, and felt his moderate views aided his election and subsequent reelections. He then follows that with his thoughts and suggestions on how America could institute ideas that could help ease the polarization we currently experience. Mr. Altmire spares neither party, and readers not wishing to approach this book with an open mind may find some sections disturbing. Some may take issue with the candor expressed when relating stories of the Democrats’ political pressure he experienced choosing not to toe the party line (Mr. Altmire felt he needed to represent his district). Others may not like his criticisms of Republicans in some of the situations described in the book. At these times, it is important to remember that a centrist will not vote consistently with a particular political party, and as such, Mr. Altmire’s views will reflect that philosophy.

Some may question why the book states that a minority of the U.S. citizens appear to control our elections, resulting in congressional representatives that lean heavily to the far right or the far left. Mr. Altmire spends much time explaining how the situation began and the causes that continue to insert themselves between elected officials, forcing them further and further apart. He bases his theories on facts and provides a wealth of footnotes for readers to investigate.

While I did not agree with all of the author’s solutions to the polarization issue, what is refreshing is that he is choosing to speak up and address a serious issue that currently plagues our country. I personally would be happy to see some or all of his suggestions implemented, knowing full well that I do not agree with all of them. However, that is what Mr. Altmire is talking about. Compromise is not getting the other person to accept all of your talking points, it is a give and take that results in laws that accommodate both sides. This book is a step in that direction. Five stars.

Dead Center: How Political Polarization Divided America and What We Can Do About It
by Jason Altmire
I requested this book from NetGalley and the review is voluntary.
Politics is a very difficult to talk about and to read. I can't imagine how difficult it must have been to write about but Mr Altmire does it admirably. He does it without accusations, blaming sides, talking down, getting too political, or bogging the reader with little details. This is the history of how this country, in the recent history, has come to be so divided. It makes a lot of sense if I like it or not. He goes on to describe so many things I would never have thought of. I guess that is why he is who he is and I am not into politics. It takes someone that knows about the workings of the government and the people to understand.
The book also makes a point that most people would rather have a candidate that is not in the center of there party. They like the far right or far left. Then this is discussed as to how this leads to further divide. Why don't we like the center? Wouldn't the center be better, work harder, get things done?
This is a common sense, no nonsense, open, non-judgemental book that I enjoyed. Yes, a political book I enjoyed! I did read it in parts, I can't read any political book all at once, LOL
If only we could get the President and Congress to read it too!

This is an important book for our current political climate. It is quite difficult to argue with how severely our country is being divided by partisan politics, yet, that seems to be all that we seem to discuss on any given day. This divide led to an especially divided and nasty election in 2016, leaving many voters torn between two candidates they traditionally never would have considered to vote for in the past. By interjecting personal experiences of trying to operate as a centrist, the author provides the audience insight into the belly of the beast, as it were. Without getting too formal or condescending, former Representative Altmire is able to give a civics lesson and a tell-all look at American politics simultaneously.

The first half of this book was boring for me - it was pretty much the author's story of how he came into politics, and not what I had expected from the book. However, the second half delivered. A lot of it was not new - if you keep up with any sort of politics, then you know a lot of it. But it's the insider information, with quotes from prominent political leaders, that really takes your breath away. Seeing how the Obama administration passed the ACA through what can only be described as Mafia-style techniques on the congressmen really explains a lot about why that mess went through. I think it has good intentions, but will probably not change anything. Our stage is set, and the drama must unfold.