Power to the People [Hardcover]

Laura Ingraham (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 11, 2007

In her latest, radio personality and author Ingraham (Shut up and Sing) calls on the American people to take back the phrase "Power to the People" from the anti-establishment groups of yesterday that, today, have made the country, according to Ingraham, "a slave to fringe groups, political correctness, expanding bureaucracies, and our own consumerism." Taking an approach that makes mutually exclusive groups out of those "working and taking care of their families" and the "protest culture," Ingraham's message is loud and clear: "they're coming for you." Specifically, "they" means the Lifetime network (brainwashing women to "swear off men and family"), the growing ranks of "Team Atheist" (including Dan Brown), "family deconstructivists," illegal immigrants and Islamic jihadists, among others. Chapters cover most of today's hot button topics-the war in Iraq, homeland security, the judiciary, the news media and global warming-with attitude and conviction. Ingraham's commentary on the lack of education in our schools and the "pornification" of the culture contain her most sound, articulate arguments (bolstered by a wealth of statistics), but Ingraham's assembling tactics are overzealous; still, fans of her strident radio show should be pleased to find more of the same here.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In her latest, radio personality and author Ingraham (Shut up and Sing) calls on the American people to take back the phrase "Power to the People" from the anti-establishment groups of yesterday that, today, have made the country, according to Ingraham, "a slave to fringe groups, political correctness, expanding bureaucracies, and our own consumerism." Taking an approach that makes mutually exclusive groups out of those "working and taking care of their families" and the "protest culture," Ingraham's message is loud and clear: "they're coming for you." Specifically, "they" means the Lifetime network (brainwashing women to "swear off men and family"), the growing ranks of "Team Atheist" (including Dan Brown), "family deconstructivists," illegal immigrants and Islamic jihadists, among others. Chapters cover most of today's hot button topics-the war in Iraq, homeland security, the judiciary, the news media and global warming-with attitude and conviction. Ingraham's commentary on the lack of education in our schools and the "pornification" of the culture contain her most sound, articulate arguments (bolstered by a wealth of statistics), but Ingraham's assembling tactics are overzealous; still, fans of her strident radio show should be pleased to find more of the same here.
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From the Inside Flap

If you're like most Americans, you've had enough. You're fed up with sell-out politicians who won't defend our borders; a Hollywood that peddles profanity, pornography, and Al Gore and Rosie O'Donnell as "entertainment"; schools that teach our kids more about condoms than about the Constitution; and snooty judges who think it's their job to legislate for us. But there's a way to stop the madness and return power to the people - where it belongs. Laura Ingraham, the most-listened-to woman in political talk radio, shows us how to take back what is ours. In POWER TO THE PEOPLE she provides a riotous, take-no-prisoners journey through our besieged culture and gives us a battle plan to re-make it anew, the way the Founders intended - strong, patriotic, pro-family, and unapologetically God-fearing. Part exposé, part practical manifesto, and wholly entertaining, POWER TO THE PEOPLE is written in the style of Laura's fast-paced, no excuses, action-oriented radio show, weaving in personal tales of her own struggle to right the culture and the politics of our country: including how she derailed the appointment of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court, mounted a grassroots campaign against corporate America's sponsorship of one of pop music's biggest and most profane rap stars, and torpedoed the amnesty bill that would have granted instant legal status to millions of illegal aliens. And for the first time, Laura also reveals how she found her faith during a moment of deep loss, along with poignant details of her year long battle with breast cancer. Over the years Laura has jousted with everyone from Michael Moore to Bill Maher to the Dixie Chicks. She once worked in-side the "dinosaur" media (CBS News and MSNBC) and knows the deceptive techniques practiced by those who "report" the news. In POWER TO THE PEOPLE, she holds back nothing, and takes the fight beyond Right versus Left to show you how to reclaim the culture and win. If you're tired of bewailing America's course, if you want to know what you can do to protect your family and restore our country, POWER TO THE PEOPLE is the book for you.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Regnery Publishing; First Edition edition (September 11, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159698516X
• ISBN-13: 978-1596985162
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 1.2 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (143 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #411,661 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Laura Ingraham is the most listened-to woman in political talk radio
in the United States. "The Laura Ingraham Show" is heard on hundreds
of stations nationwide and has been addicting legions of listeners
since its launch in 2001. Always smart and entertaining, Laura is a
regular Fox News contributor and the principal substitute host on The
O'Reilly Factor. She is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of
four books--The Hillary Trap, Shut Up & Sing, Power to the People, and
new smash hit The Obama Diaries, released July 2010. A former
litigator and Supreme Court law clerk, Laura is a gradate of
University of Virginia School of law and Dartmouth College. She is
also an avid supporter of our troops and a variety of military
organizations. Laura lives in the Washington, D.C. area with her two
children. Her new book "Of Thee I Zing!" comes out July 12th.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

136 of 153 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars On the money - VERY well written September 14, 2007

By David S. Rhodes

Format:Hardcover

Ingraham once again uses her acerbic, straightforward style to entertain and inform. She genuinely is a gifted writer. She is one of the few authors who actually writes like they speak - a key component of readability.

She is almost poignant in her discussion of the current culture and its downward spiral. While reading the part about Rosie O'Donnell, I couldn't help but think of past comedians like Lucille Ball, Red Skelton, et al. How far we have dropped in 40 years!

She also takes on the "science worshippers" - a fitting moniker for those who believe that if a consensus of scientists support something - it must be true. She points out that such an intellectual endeavor is NOT science. Spot on!

You will find this book an easy, flowing read - filled with facts and opinion. Laura Ingraham is a talented writer and it shows!

451 of 525 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Clear, passionate, energizing writing on the issues Laura cares about most September 10, 2007

By Craig Matteson HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover

Fans of Laura Ingraham's popular radio show will recognize the themes discussed in this lively book. She is a person who is passionate about traditional moral values, protecting the family, enforcing the country's laws & our Constitution, and cleaning up the culture from what she calls its pornification.

Laura began her political writing as one of the conservative students at Dartmouth who wouldn't just sit back and take the pronouncements and bias of the left wing faculty. One of the incidents that came from her writing is recounted in this book. The chairman of the music department, William Cole, was using a general music class that kids took for an easy credit, to make pronouncements on racism and culture in America. She wrote about it and he became not only angry but threatening. Things escalated from there.

While she is also a lawyer (University of Virginia Law School - and she clerked for Clarence Thomas), is a blonde and a media personality, she should not be confused with Ann Coulter. Coulter is much more of a bomb thrower and sensationalist than Ingraham is. Ann Coulter makes much of her impact through shock and satire of her opponents. Laura is much more about speaking directly from her heart about what matters to her. While she isn't afraid to call things as she sees them without pulling punches, she doesn't look for the most inflammatory way to say things. However, Laura's language is full of passion, energy, clarity, and humor.

This book pleads with everyday conservatives to stand up and speak up about the things that we see as going dead wrong in our culture.... She begins by talking about the assault of the left upon the traditional family and the way that kids are actually being devalued despite all the appeals about "the children" and traditional marriage is being undermined.

Her chapter on illegal immigration is spot on. She is clear that immigration is an American tradition and valuable and even necessary to our economic growth and success. However illegal immigration undermines us in several ways. It allows those who are employing illegal aliens to externalize costs that they should actually bear. That cheap lettuce only seems cheap because the costs of medical care for illegal workers and educating their children are not factored in. This is an issue where her opponents constantly misrepresent her position to make her (and those of us who agree with her) out to be ignorant bigots. To be for controlled borders and legal immigration is not racist. It is a sensible response in a Welfare State.

Open borders made sense in a time when people had to make it without taxpayer support (or minimal support) once they arrived. However, nowadays, our hospitals and schools are being burdened with huge costs for treating illegal immigrants and our schools lose billions from educating their children. No one wants anyone to be untreated or to die. Nor do we want children to be trapped in illiteracy or innumeracy. However, if they were still living in their home country, they would not have to be treated or educated at US taxpayer's expense. If they were employed legally, at least some of those costs would be borne by their employers and through them, by those of us who purchase the goods and services they provide. You know, like regular workers. Then there is the whole issue of how the winking at breaking our laws undermines the rule of law in our country. A culture that winks at lawbreaking rots the very structure that allows civil society in the first place. Yet, the idea of being repealing immigration laws is obviously foolish. So, the only honest options is to simply enforce our laws and to change them as needed, through the legislature not the judiciary.

I also loved her chapter on why we have to get control of our judiciary by only electing and appointing judges who understand the principle of judicial restraint. Legislating from the bench is not only an abuse of our Constitution; it undermines our freedoms because it takes lawmaking out of our hands through the people we elect every two years.

Laura is also dead on about the importance of local government versus the constant Federalization of our lives. She could have discussed how the 14th amendment has contributed to that process, but even without it, her overall point is true. Her chapters on the pornification of our culture and the failure of our public schools are also very good. The left has always known that the key to its success over generations is to get control of educating the young and filling their minds with their values and principles. In this, they have succeeded for decades. The question is whether we will let them continue to win.

I obviously can't cover everything in the book in this little review. However, I will stress that we simply must hear her pleas for us to stand up and be counted. We must become those irritating "loud folks" our politicians complained about during the recent debate on "comprehensive immigration reform". If we don't, we are simply acquiescing to the agenda of the other side of the important debates of our time. Laura also expresses her faith in God and her gratitude for the second chance she has gotten in surviving her bout with cancer. For me, hearing expressions of faith and gratitude are among the most beautiful uses of the human mind, voice and heart. Thanks, Laura!

This is a very good handbook for those debates that you are likely to have with your liberal friends. It will give you some good stories that will both energize you and provide some information that will aid you in the debates that will surely arise over these issues. But make sure you become one of those speaking loudly to your representatives, too. Just because they got elected doesn't mean that they get to shut you out until the next election. Your voice counts, so let them hear it.

Recommended.

Reviewed by Craig Matteson Read more ›

95 of 113 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Refreshingly different political book September 13, 2007

By ironman96 VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

As Laura says, this is a purple book, something that can appeal to both those on the right and left. Get past the fact that Laura is a "right wing radio talk show host" (the horror!) and take a look at her ideas on their own merit. You may be surprised if you look at this with an open mind:) This book is well worth the read!

273 of 336 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a call to everyone who cares about family values, the Constitution & taking back the power this is rightfully ours September 10, 2007

By Valerie Matteson VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Laura is a passionate writer who obviously cares about her subject matter. This book is not only about how the power in our country is now with the judges, Federal government, education unions and Hollywood, to name a few, but also how YOU can help do something to change this.

If you are concerned about our educational system from elementary schools to high schools to colleges and universities, you can do more than just whine or complain. You can attend public meetings, write letters to the editor and in the case of really outrageous issues, call a reporter.

Another area Ms. Ingraham covers is the "pornification" of America, she suggests filling your home with great music, books and classic films and watching films together as a family and discussing them afterwards. Controlling the computer in your home is another important area and monitoring what your kids are watching. All great ideas.

We have all noticed how many new "laws" recently seem to be handed down by the courts. We need the courts to uphold the laws already on the books as long as they don't violate the Constitution but so often now these courts are NOT basing their decisions on the Constitution but on personal opinion. As was the case in the disastrous Harriet Miers nomination, the noise of the people can make a difference -- a big difference.

Ms. Ingraham touches on a number of other subjects such as illegal immigration, breakdown of traditional families, the interference of Federal government in formerly states' rights and responsibilities and her own fight with cancer and newfound faith in God.

You may not necessarily agree with all she says but it is very thought provoking nonetheless.

A terrific read.

77 of 93 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure Motives & Powerful Messages to Improve Life for All September 13, 2007

By Barbara Rose VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

"Power to the People" reads with tremendous heart felt passion that is evident throughout the text, passion to inspire us all to turn life around for the better.

There is one continuous stream of thought and intention that is interwoven throughout this book, and that is that Laura Ingraham genuinely cares about people.

**Quote:
"What good is returning "power" to the people if it is not the power to do good? And what better way is there to foster this spirit than through faith? It is faith, which calls us to be self-sacrificial and to love others, that has made us a great nation."

She is *not* waging a below-the-belt, immoral and unjust attack on the Left. She *is* deeply concerned about the state of our nation, our children, and the fate of our future.

**Quote:
"Our Declaration of Independence reminds us of the "unalienable rights" that are ours to enjoy: "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." These rights are dependent upon one another for survival. We often forget that we have been "endowed" with these rights by our "Creator." How seldom we think of Him and our duty to Him as we exercise these precious rights."

She cares a great deal about honest ethics in Broadcast Journalism - and she makes excellent points, such as:

**Quote:
"Even television "news" shows dip into the porn pond in their coverage of such pressing questions as whether Anna Nicole Smith's artificial breasts would decompose at the same rate as the rest of her natural body. This is absolute madness. So why are we watching this trash? And how is it reshaping America?"

While a reader may hold specific personal views about the ground covered, all issues are covered with fairness and objectivity.... Laura does not wage war - she presents many solutions that can only help our nation - and ultimately make life far better for our children.

A meaningful read and an undeniably ethical and noble effort. Read more ›