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We the People: A Call to Take Back America

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Thom Hartmann, a leading radio voice in progressive circles and a diligent writer promoting American values, has combined the hard-hitting, concise common sense message of populists Jim Hightower and Molly Ivins in a cartoon context reminiscent of the best of Gary Trudeau's "Doonesbury." This approach enables readers to more readily absorb the important points encompassed by Hartmann in "We The People."

Hartmann is a scholar of early American history with a solid grounding of the philosophy of the Founding Fathers, which he effectively utilizes in drawing important differences and parallels between the early days of the Republic and now. A highlight of this informative work is his valuable insights comparing the Patriot Act of the Bush administration and the Alien and Sedition Acts passed by the Federalists during the administration of President John Adams. Then, as now, attempts were made to squelch opposition as journalists fighing the principle of power immersed in the hands of the privileged few, and allying themselves with the new Democratic Party led by Thomas Jefferson, were arrested and put in jail. The Federalists sought to maintain the very monopolistic practices against which colonists rebelled with the Boston Tea Party, which was the first major act in breaking the stranglehold of Britain's East India Company.

Striking parallels emerge as Hartmann compares the current practices and long-term goals of the Republican right and previous forms of government such as Feudalism, German Nazism and Italian Fascism. While spokesperssons of the right recoil at the associatiion of such totalitarian practices alongisde what they term conservatism, Hartmann contends that Bush-styled Republicanism marks a strong departure from traditional conservative thought. He cites the stated goal of rightist tax advocate and stanch Bush ally Grover Norquist to "drown government in the bathtub." Hartmann notes that Feudalism, Nazism and Fascism bore the similarity of of merging cumulative corporate wealth with a central government. Norquist and other Bush disciples seek to destroy protections traditionally enjoyed by the citizenry, leaving them every bit as vulnerable to a government-corporate elite as were vassals in the Middle Ages.

A frightening corroboration of this viewpoint has been realized. Not that long ago the world's leading corporation was General Motors. Its employees enjoyed the benefits of a Union Shop promulgating safe and healthy work standards, along with a satisfactory minimum wage, medical care, sick leave, and retirement benefits. Currently the largest corporation is Walmart. Its economic dominion is exemplified by the temporary worker stripped of benefits. This enables an all-powerful employer to subject employees to long, burdensome word schedules devoid of the protections and benefits enjoyed by the General Motors work force.

Hartmann sounds another alarm bell in the face of a frightening current trend. In writing about the dangers of theocracies as manifested in the past, Hartmann warns us a about the dangerous trend in this direction as currently observed in the Bush presidency. The very messianic message carried by Nazi propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels to the German people concerning Adolf Hitler's Third Reich, which was destined to endure for a thousand years, is being delivered by Bush and his evangelical Christian base. Televangelist Pat Robertson recently stated that Bush was certain to win reelection "in a walk" because he is the handpicked emissary of God. Bush told Bob Woodward in an interview that, prior to invading Iraq, after he had been asked if he had requested advice from his father, who was president during the first Gulf War, he responded that he had sought counsel from his "other father," meaning God. With the Christian right so strongly anticipating Armageddon, a pervasive danger exists that entrenched evangelical beliefs will override efforts to achieve peaceful compromise in the Middle East and harness to most sophsticated nuclear weaponry alongside primitive religious beliefs.

Not only does Hartmann make a convincing case for political change and restoring America from a nation dominated by corporate elitism to the democratic tradition embodied by the principles of Jefferson, James Madison and Thomas Paine; he provides grass roots recommendations for citizens to coalesce toward their goal. He cites numerous organizations on the Internet and in America's cities, towns and villages that are dedicated to restoring traditional American democratic principles. As Hartmann notes, the prevailing corporate monolith must be effectively challenged with vigilant, intelligently focused citizen action, and cannot wait for direction in the traditional party structure. A new group of dedicated Americans needs to emerge in the twenty-first century and commit themselves to the restoration of democracy in the same tradition of the Founding Fathers of 1776.

This is a delightful work of art and advocacy by one of the most eloquent and thoughtful commentators on America's current direction. Mr Hatmann and colleagues have produced a superb document on how power is usurping justice and the common good in the age of corporative monopoly. Having heard the brilliant and articulate author on Australian radio speaking to issues raised in his "Unequal Protection", I had high expectations of this book. I wasn't disappointed. Complex issues are treated with intelligent simplicity,directness and respectful detail. Ingenious visuals capture the essence of the real issues facing a US gazing into the bottomless blue hole of pap television and syndicated media trivia while the noblest of America's traditions and commitments are carried off for re-wording or the junkyard. Reading this book is a pleasure and an education. For educators like me, it is a most valuable resource.

If you Haven't read a any of the Thom Hartmann Books, you are in for a real treat. Thom's Newest book, We The People: A Call To Take Back America," is simply must reading. It's not quite describable, but a cross between animated comic and Japanese anime art, but it's talking about all the political and democracy issues that Thom takes on so well-- corporate personhood, the right wing threat to democracy, selling off the commons, how the founders, particularly Jefferson, of America would have viewed today's situations....
I've reprinted just about every article Thom publishes lately, on my progressive. tough liberal website OpEdNews dot com, where I am editor publisher. His articles are always among the most popular. (They are usually first published on CommonDreams dot org.) If you know Thom's work, whether his brilliant books, Last Hours or Unequal Protection, or his OpEd articles, you'll want to be sure to get this newest book. You'll be very glad you did. If you're smart, you'll order two or three, since you're definitely going to want to pass them out to people you care about.

I don't think anyone discusses democracy, not any pundit or politician alive, than Thom Hartmann. He approaches his subject matters with vision, depth of history, compassion and intelligence. He says he comes from the "radical middle" and it's true. his positions are ones the average person agrees with-- filled with common sense and great wisdom.

You'll want to hide this book from your right wing relatives... just getting a look at it will be like a punch in the face, or... a flush of blood to the brain. But you'll want to get lots of copies to give to your friends. I'm getting a copy for each of my kids (23, 20 and 14.)

Frankly, when I heard that some of Thom's writing had been adapted to a comic format, I was skeptical. But it's been brilliantly done. The originally ideas that were in Thom's essays are actually improved upon by the creative imagination of his editors and illustrator-- Gene Latimer (Editor), Paul Burke (Editor), Neil Cohn (Illustrator.)

Don't think of this is a comic book. Think of it as a hyper-idea media document that will rivet your attention and move you to passion. This is a powerful book that will make a difference.

I know at least one person who has started a We The People Campaign, inspired by this book.

Impressively written by Thom Hartmann, nicely illustrated by Neil Cohen in a "reader friendly "graphic novel" format, then collaboratively adapted and edited by Gene Latimer and Paul Burke, We The People: A Call To Take Back America directly addresses the dangers of losing our democratic liberties from a variety of corrosive influences including corporate special interest groups who finance and exploit the fears and intolerance that so often separate the political right from the political left. Only a "radical middle" can restore and defend the principals of fair and democratic government against the growing temptations of fascism. If you are a social activist committed to good government and the constitutional rules set out in order to promote "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness", or simply someone who has become aware of, and concerned about, the increasing political polarization of our country, the read We The People: A Call To Take Back America.

I found this book at a small boutique, picked it up and stood there for 30 minutes reading it before I realized I was entranced. A lot of the concepts in this book were not new to me but the way they were organized and presented was new to me. It was clear and made sense. Very well done. I am on Amazon.com ordering 2 copies to send to friends. This is must have information. The book not only effectively presents this information but it also gives constructive instructions so that the reader feels empowered rather than overwhelmed. I would recommend this book to everyone... and I do.

If you Haven't read a any of the Thom Hartmann Books, you are in for a real treat. Thom's Newest book, We The People: A Call To Take Back America," is simply must reading. It's not quite describable, but a cross between animated comic and Japanese anime art, but it's talking about all the political and democracy issues that Thom takes on so well-- corporate personhood, the right wing threat to democracy, selling off the commons, how the founders, particularly Jefferson, of America would have viewed today's situations....

I've reprinted just about every article Thom publishes lately, on my progressive. tough liberal website OpEdNews dot com, where I am editor publisher. His articles are always among the most popular. (They are usually first published on CommonDreams dot org.) If you know Thom's work, whether his brilliant books, Last Hours or Unequal Protection, or his OpEd articles, you'll want to be sure to get this newest book. You'll be very glad you did. If you're smart, you'll order two or three, since you're definitely going to want to pass them out to people you care about.

I don't think anyone discusses democracy, not any pundit or politician alive, than Thom Hartmann. He approaches his subject matters with vision, depth of history, compassion and intelligence. He says he comes from the "radical middle" and it's true. his positions are ones the average person agrees with-- filled with common sense and great wisdom.

You'll want to hide this book from your right wing relatives... just getting a look at it will be like a punch in the face, or... a flush of blood to the brain. But you'll want to get lots of copies to give to your friends. I'm getting a copy for each of my kids (23, 20 and 14.)

Frankly, when I heard that some of Thom's writing had been adapted to a comic format, I was skeptical. But it's been brilliantly done. The originally ideas that were in Thom's essays are actually improved upon by the creative imagination of his editors and illustrator-- Gene Latimer (Editor), Paul Burke (Editor), Neil Cohn (Illustrator.)

Don't think of this is a comic book. Think of it as a hyper-idea media document that will rivet your attention and move you to passion. This is a powerful book that will make a difference.

This book is wonderful. After reading tons of foot-noted books this election season, I found this book invaluable in the way Hartmann summed it all up and connected all the dots. What a wonderful history lesson this was. He gave me a birds-eye view of what is happening in this country.
I plan on buying more copies to send to friends that don't quite understand yet the threat this country faces.

This book fills in the basics and MORE of what we might have forgotten in civics classes. Issues challenging our democracy today have their origins in history. Corporatism/fascism is once again threatening the very fabric of our democracy.(Corporate control of drugs and oil is challenging enough; wait 'til they start privatizing the WATER SUPPLY! We will be in BIG trouble then -- if not now!) Reading Plan of Attack, Worse Than Watergate, or Against All Enemies gives you the inside track and an idea of the short-sightedness of the this Administration. Reading WE THE PEOPLE lets you know that history is repeating itself and how to peacefully arm ourselves with knowledge and truth in order to defeat the challenges to our civil liberties and precious democracy. Thom Hartmann's radio shows are archived and can be downloaded at www.whiterosesociety.org

I work in a Senator's office and brought the book along with me to read one day in case work was slow. The boss at the office flipped through the book and looked at me skeptically because of its comic book appearance and I almost felt dumb for bringing it in. However, after finishing the book, I feel it is far more comprehensive and inspiring than other more "serious"-looking political books. I expected Hartmann to segment the book into diatribes on particular issues as most progressive writers I've read do, but instead of seemingly disconnected rants on particular debatable issues in America, the book consisted of a well-meshed analysis of the main issues we are facing (as well as a few that most people probably aren't aware of). But Hartmann didn't stop at simply pointing out the issues or futilely calling for action; instead, his book goes further than any I've read in tying all these problems in America to a greater and far more sinister problem concerning the power of corporations and new feudalism. The book also gave me many facts that I was not at all aware of before; though I had already felt and researched my own anti-corporate sentiments, I had never realized that things were not always this way. It used to be illegal for corporations to fund politicians. There was a time when corporations weren't treated as persons, and the reason why they did start having human rights is far more riduculous than I imagined.

This book is a definitive piece on every issue confronting American democracy; a must-read! It will be immensely important to average joes who don't vote in elections and to hardcore political activists alike. It is a call to action which seeks to rise above the bogs of petty issues to really challenge today's political sphere to accommodate "We the People."

Regardless of a reader's political and/or ideological affiliation, "We The People" puts forth facts about past and recent US history, and the contemporary events that affect our lives today. And the most important question is: the future. Where are we headed? Can the road we're on be changed? can *we* change the course? The answer is of course is yes, with awareness and acting upon it.

This is a book that the American public has needed for a long-time because of the *way* the information is presented. This format is the BEST, for this topic matter.

The brilliance of "We The People" is in its illustrated style. (Kudos to Neil Cohn.) This illustrated format is augmented and enhanced by the editing and succinctness.

The mammoth amount of information it contains is organized, direct, and clear. Tying points together with historical facts, judicial precedents, and Congressional laws, among others. Again, it's not a book in dry text, written in paragraph format. Key points are aided and reinforced by illustrations and supported with text. A lot is said with few words. You can also find the sources and references of this information immediately.

"We The People" does not have to be read back-to-back. You can turn to any page and and read it without having to start from the first to last page (beginning-to-end), if you choose to do so. You will be hearing a lot more about Thom Hartmann in the future. I highly recommend it.