If we're recommending American political writings, may I suggest the treatise:
"A Disquisition on Government" by John C. Calhoun.
Quite short.
Definitely not written by a ghostwriter. Former Secretary of War, 7th Vice President, US Senator, Secretary of State, but had some modern day naughty opinions (naughty for good reasons).
Still lionized by the US Senate, however. By both parties. Power talks.