Customer Reviews

50 Simple Things You Can Do to Fight the Right

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This book helped to re-energize my commitment to progressive politics. The websites recommended are worth the price, but even more valuable is the political philosophy inherent in this book, to wit: a well-written explanation of why the authors chose to support a the progressive wing of the Democratic Party rather than a third party such as the Greens. I have been stuggling with this issue for several years, and have finally come to the same conclusion as this book--We need to build the existing infrastructure of the Democratic Party just as the hard right has built the Republican Party by speaking to their base. This may sound polarizing, and indeed it may BE polarizing, but even if it is, this is simply a true reflection of the philosophical and political state of this country. I do not seek to compromise or find common ground with the proponents of neo-conservatism, but rather to wrest political power from their collective grasp. This book is an excellent manual to that end.

This book is a manual for Progressives as well as moderates who are tired of the direction this country is taking, with simple, easy ways to affect change. Many of the ideas are obvious once you have read them, but the author has made me stop and think about how easy it can be with some additional brilliant solutions. It was a lot of fun to read and a great resource.

This is the must-have quick reference guide for progressives and moderates. Whether you are an activist, an aspiring activist, or a someone who just wants to have the answers to shut up your conservative friends and family, this is the book for you. This is the handy go-to book for anyone looking to take on the misleading propoganda of the right in today's fractured society.

Let me also say that if you are looking 50 simple ways to take on the Right, this book will give you that and much more. Yes, it does have 50 areas in which to take on the Right, but it provides several options for doing so in each of the 50 areas. Therefore, you can choose some or all of the options depending upon what you choose. Moreover, it lists resources where you can go for assistance or more information.

But "50 Simple Things" does not stop there. Need a list of progressive news sources: it's in the book. This book is chock full of internet web sites and web logs to help you coordinate with others or gather more information. Media watchdogs: they're in the book. In fact, there are so many internet sources listed in this book that I became physically tired of linking to all of them.

But this book is not just for internet geeks like me, it has phone numbers for organizations that you can contact. Ideas for campaigns and campaign volunteers. Little ways that you can stick it to the Right.

This is the handiest quide for progressives and moderates I have yet to see. I have read many books on progressive issues, but none match "50 Simple Things" in ease of reading and coverage of major issues. And the best thing is that "50 Simple Things" is about simple things everyone can do and it is set out in a concise book that is less than 200 pages. All of the things you need in a small, very portable format.

This book is like the Uncle John's Bathroom Reader for progressive activism. The title's '50 Simple Things' are really fifty separate topics, providing a wide range of quotes, information, suggestions, recommended reading, and online resources that you could spend anywhere from five minutes to the next six months exploring. Whether you're already burned out on politics or just digging in for this year's elections, there is literally something here for everyone who is fed up with being pushed around by the rabid right wing.

For folks who have little time on their hands, but want to do something productive to fight the right, simple exercises can be found in this book. It took all of 30 seconds to recognize the great work behind this book and the Loud directive to progressives to take action. Make time, folks, it does a body good!

This quick read fires you up! Simple Things intelligently informs about the inception and mission of the Radical Right. It reminds you how tyrannical their leaders are. This book wakes us up. It directs you to web addresses for immediate information and action. A small sampling of simple ideas include: walking out of bars showing Fox TV, ordering Working Assests and/or adopting one progressive candidate. It guides you toward long-term progressive change. If each of us did just one thing from this book progressive change would happen There is no time left to waste.

As the title states, this book describes a number of things that anyone can do to counteract the Right's strong influence in present-day America.

Some of the actions included require little or no effort. Join a progressive group, be it local or international. Take back control of the American political vocabulary. Donate a subscription to a progressive magazine to your local library. Become familiar with the parts of the Bible that support progressive positions. Visit alternative news web sites. Also, visit right-wing sites to begin to understand the Right.

Some actions require a little more effort. Adopt a blog. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper (even if your letter is not printed, it might encourage the editor to print a similar letter). Did you know that the Pledge of Allegiance was written by a Christian socialist named Francis Bellamy? Talk to your neighbors, and to your congressperson's local office. Attend local meetings, like school board, city council or planning and zoning commission; the Right will be there. Support public education, along with local arts and artists. Stand up for science in the classroom. Volunteer for a political campaign.

For the committed individual, become an expert on a particular subject. Look for right-wing spin in your local media. Start your own media. On Election Day, become a poll watcher. Spread the word the "person of faith" does not automatically equal "conservative." Last, but not least, why don't you run for office?

The only part of this book that may cause disagreement is the assertion of the publishers that the Democratic Party needs to be reformed back into the progressive party it once was. Like it or not, America is a 2-party system, and reforming the Democratic Party is easier than starting over with a third party. On the other hand, many people in America believe that the Democrats are just as bad as the Republicans, and, therefore, not worth saving.

Aside from that, this is a gem of a book. It contains plenty of inspiration for people of any age or income level. Even if the reader can do only 1 or 2 of the things mentioned in this book, it will help to change the tide in America. This book is very much worth reading.

This is a great book for any budding political activist, or anyone who just wants to do something to help fight the rise of the conservative-religious-right movement in the United States. It's a quick read and is organized so that it can be used as a ready reference.

I found out I was alredy doing about 33% of the 50 things, but even for those I was already doing, helpful information and sources were provided that made the purchase worthwhile.

My wife read part of the book, and wound up putting a sticker for the Green Party candidate for Senate in our state; one of her coworkers noticed and asked my wife about who that person was, and as a result, the Green Party candidate has gained another vote.

This is a great resource for anyone concerned about the direction our country is being moved in. It's time for the "common sense" majority to stop being silent witnesses.

This book is really a good read and reference source for those who wish to help fight and rid the country of GOP poision........it does highlight some GOP speak, and it highlights some very useful web sites that can be used in the effort to cleanse America and bring back to our beloved country the true ideals in which it was founded.

My only problem with the book; the authors give readers only a smattering of ways to actually "take out" the cancer of America, such as the lunatic religious right, and hate mongers such as Corsi, Limbaugh, Hannity, Coulter, and Dick Morris.......etc...... There should be more concise efforts to drawn a plan of eradicating the disease of the GOP's lunatics, thus allowing the conversion of more Republicans, who want to become true believers in democracy, such as the recent convert, General Colin Powell!

This book is worth many times the price of the book, if just for the web site leads and quotations found at the bottom of each page.