Red State Uprising: How to Take Back America [Hardcover]

Erick Erickson (Author), Lew Uhler (Author)

Book Description

Release date: September 20, 2010

Fed up with our arrogant federal government? Don’t want massive programs we don’t need and can’t afford? Then join the Red State Uprising! In his new book, RedState.com founder Erick Erickson clearly outlines what needs to change in Washington and what we can do locally to make it happen. Red State Uprising is not about anarchy or a revolution—it’s about reshaping government to maximize economic growth, individual liberty and private property rights. Barack Obama has shown his determination to move the country towards a socialist nanny state, culminating in the government takeover of health care. The vast majority of Americans reject this vision and Red State Uprising calls upon this majority to stand up and take action. There is a “right size” for government, Erikson argues, but it is much smaller, much cheaper, and much less intrusive than what we’ve got now. Red State Uprising offers conservatives a plan to take back the people’s government.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Want a Real Conservative Revolution? Here’s How

Few conservatives are more influential than Erick Erickson, the man who sets the course for the Right as the editor of RedState.com. Even fewer are as knowledgeable about the Constitutional limits of government as Lewis K. Uhler, who has fought rampant government growth and high taxes for decades.

In this moment of crisis — with big government threatening fundamental American freedoms — Erickson and Uhler have written an essential how–to guide for cleaning up the GOP, slashing government, reclaiming lost ground, and getting America back on course.

Red State Uprising reveals:

Why your Republican candidate may not be a real conservative — and how you can tell the differenceHow to make the Republican Party a truly conservative party (Red State activists are doing it now)How to shrink government using practical solutions that could be implemented TODAYObama’s contempt for your America, and who he has hired to radically reshape our nationWhy today we have a unique opportunity to reduce government to the right size

A rousing call for Americans to take back our government, Red State Uprising not only sounds the alarm about our freedoms in jeopardy — it shows us how to secure them now and in the future.

From the Back Cover

“Insightful and timely, Red State Uprising: How to Take Back America is no typical sky–is–falling analysis of big government. Erickson and Uhler dig deep to diagnose not only what the problems are, but how they came to be—and candidly examine the contributions of both Democrats and Republicans to the disastrous state of governance in America today. Even better, though, they offer solutions for downsizing the government, electing true conservatives, and reclaiming our heritage as citizens in the land of opportunity.”—Rush Limbaugh

“Erick Erickson and Lewis K. Uhler’s insights on American conservatism are mandatory reading for everyone committed to limited government and Reagan conservatism. Red State Uprising: How to Take Back America is a call to arms for everyone who believes in the enduring values of the conservative movement today.”—U.S. Congressman Mike Pence

“Red State Uprising: How to Take Back America should be required reading for anyone who’s fed up with Washington’s reckless policies and wants to do something about it. Erick Erickson and Lewis K. Uhler are fearless conservatives who expose big government politicians in both parties and sound the alarm on runaway spending, debt, and government intrusion into our lives. Red State Uprising taps into the American awakening taking place across the nation and provides an action plan for grassroots activists and a new generation of conservative leaders to take back their country.” —U.S. Senator Jim DeMint

“Red State Uprising presents a way forward to reclaim the mantle of fiscal responsibility by focusing on right-sizing government through free market reforms, spending reductions, and political activism by newly empowered voters concerned by our country’s direction.”—Dr. Arthur B. Laffer

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 238 pages
• Publisher: Regnery Publishing (September 20, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596986263
• ISBN-13: 978-1596986268
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 0.9 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #165,948 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #67 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Politics & Government > Elections & Political Process > Political Advocacy

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 30 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Use this book to persuade friends who are on the fence. Make a difference this November! September 20, 2010

By Craig Matteson HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover

If, like me and so many others, you love the blog RedState you will love this book. You may think that since you are already going to vote for Conservative candidates this November you are set and don't need this book, I would suggest that you know people who are on the fence. You need to persuade them. So, read this book and get the information you need to be more convincing in your conversations with people who aren't quite sure. You can also buy extra copies and hand them out and help open some eyes and minds. We need EVERY vote in November. Every vote!

Erickson and Uhler present their information and arguments in 15 short chapters. They spend the early chapters blasting big government Republicans and making the argument for swapping out the status quo GOP for a more Conservative version. Yeah, the media keeps telling you it won't work, but we should give it a try because where we are is so bad that we have to do the right thing for America and our children and their children. What we have been doing for 50 years is a losing game. Democrats: "We want this program funding at X level!" GOP : "Oh, too big, too expensive! How about program X funded at 75% of X?" And so over time we get entitlements we can't afford and a monster government that benefits only the politicians, the bureaucrats they employ, and those who have heavy connections and can feed at the government trough with a shovel. The rest of us have to fund the government with dollars and be happy when they give us back nickels.

The authors then take us through why this approach to government is not a fulfillment of the American ideal and why it is bad for us.... They give us specifics and numbers about how our nation is running off the rails, is being crushed by debt, and is being plundered by those in power and their cronies.

Finally, they show us why we need to reform entitlements, downsize government, and get back to the Constitution and bind our public servants (not political leaders) with the chains provided in that precious document. Are you, like me, offended every time these hypocrites in Washington take an oath to uphold, protect, and defend the Constitution knowing they don't believe in the document and intend to ignore it everything they do?

The last three chapters show us a way forward, discuss the option to start a third party if the GOP won't be reformed, and how conservatives can take back America.

I hope you use this terrific book to make an even bigger difference this November. We need to send a Krakatoa sized explosion this election because only something that big will frighten the incumbents enough to change their ways. They only adapt when they face extinction. So, let's help them realize that the old ways no longer work and they must change or find a different form of employment.

Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Saline, MI Read more ›

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The Case for Abandoning Obama October 3, 2010

By Fritz R. Ward TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Erick Erickson and Lewis Uhler have written a comprehensive book on what has gone wrong with the United States over the last decade and how to repair it. They correctly note the problems with Obama's policies and explain how these policies have mired us in an extended recession. But, by far the strongest part of the book is the introduction where they acknowledge that the Democratic takeover of the country was due in large measure to failed Republican policies most of which undermined free markets. Fiscal conservatives, they argue, need to read find a gameplan for defeating the disasterous Obama policies. But they also must prevent the coming Republican majority from acting like the last one. While I find their evidence convincing, I do not think it supports their conclusions.

Our current economic crisis is a result of failed statist policies. From federal control of interest rates, to manipulating the policies of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government sent false signals to the economy resulting in a massive misallocation of resources. In addition to that, the Federal Government seized control of the pharmeceutical market, regulated traditional education out of existance, and increased regulation over all aspects economic affairs. If this sounds like what you would expect from the policies of liberal politicians, you would be correct. Liberal politicians did promote these policies. But the liberals, in this case, were all Republicans.

Erickson and Uhler begin their story by noting how Republicans, beginning with the election of George Bush, gradually abandoned their committment to free markets and small government.... Bush, in fact, was a "big government" conservative, and with the help of Karl Rove, he was able to bring most of the establishment Republicans in Washington with him. While continuing to voice "socially conservative" themes in public (abortion, gay marriage, etc) these politicans rejected small government in favor of a government that promoted their social ideals. Instead of demanding the government leave education to local communities, they sought to control it from the top. Rather than let housing markets manage themselves, they sought to establish their own permanent power base by creating an "ownership" society by manipulating the credit market from Washington. Finally, they sought to preserve their own election success by wasting tax payer money on stupid and wasteful earmarks. The results were disasterous. The economy collapsed as the misallocation of resources became apparrent, and the Republican base simply rejected the establishment which came to be represented by John McCain. Into this arena came Obama promising no new taxes on anyone making less than $250,000 and promising a social agenda that would be paid for by spending cuts elsewhere. Of course Obama lied. But enough voters were disgusted with the Republicans that they stayed home, while others, cautiously hoping for a rational Democrat leader, voted for Obama.

The rest of the book details the outcome of this bargin with one of the New Party founders and ACORN supporters. The results have been unemployment over 10%, a lingering recession, and a future of no more than single digit economic growth. It will take years to unraval the damages done by this administration, if ever. But what is the alternative? The authors suggest returning control to the Republicans, who at their worst are never quite this bad. But they correctly note that we cannot just elect any old Republicans to office. It is easy to talk tough about "abortion" and other issues that really have no impact on actual legislative issues. Instead, the authors suggest fiscally conservative voters focus on a committment to small government and on ending earmarks.

I think, for the most part, that the author's suggestions are reasonable. Voters should reject any candidate who is unwilling to oppose both taxes and spending. And to a great degree, "tea party candidates" are doing just that and winning, though the Republican party, as a body, would rather not fund them and remain a minority, than fund their campaigns and face the internal reform these candidates might bring. But I want to suggest an alternative to the uprising strategy the authors propose. Even if tea party candidates are successful, and some of them surely will be, one has to ask, is it likely that the Republicans will bring long term reform? After all, the Republicans swept Congress in 1994 using a "Contract with America" that shared similar themes to the tea party uprising. And that contract, while promoted in 1995, was abandoned as soon as the party realized it could seize control of both the legislative and presidential branches of government. The Democrats may support the wrong principles, but they at least have some. It is not at all clear Republicans do. And if the Democrats lose power before they can enact the rest of their agenda (Cap and Trade, etc) they can easily wait until the next economic disaster follows the statist policies of the Republicans.

So what is to be done? I am unconvinced that the tea party candidates will lead to any long term reform. The best alternative then may simply be to give up on America and move elsewhere. This country was a great idea, but the ideas of freedom, equal rights and treatment under the law, free markets, and a true separation of church and state have all been co-opted by a party that believes in unlimited government. The Republicans, far from being an alternative, are simply accessories. What is wonderful about this book is it reveals, without intending to, just how hopeless the situation really is. Read more ›

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic read September 21, 2010

By Ken Colley

Format:Hardcover

I got an early copy of this book and already devoured it. A friend of mine is now reading it and I am hoping he passes it on as well.
If you are a fan, or even an occasional visitor of[...], you owe it to yourself to pick up Erick's book. Small government fans, rejoice!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Prescriptions for America December 23, 2010

By Bill Bowen

Format:Hardcover

Erickson does a thoughtful job of laying out the problems with our government and providing (in Chapter 13) a "Way Forward". Like many readers of Red State Uprising I am a follower of his Red State blog and even attended the Red State Gathering in Austin earlier this year. The underlying philosophy of the book is familiar (from Erickson and others) but the differentiating factors are its comprehensive scope and logical organization. For those seeking a concise manifesto, Erickson provides it.

Bill Bowen - author of The Target

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Nothing new, but good for those who don't know this material November 1, 2010

By Lee A. Shurie

Format:Hardcover

I agree with most everything in Red State Uprising and I wanted to like it. However, there is nothing new in here. It is a quick concise summary of what has gone wrong with American politics, a glimpse at how things should be, and a few thoughts about how to get there. Nothing wrong with that! However if you have ever listened to conservative talk radio, ever gone to a Tea Party rally, or read conservative blogs on the Internet, then you have heard all this before and could have written a similar book.

I would recommend this to people who have had no exposure to the material. Consider it a cursory introduction. If you have already been introduced, look for something with more substance.