We Won't Get Fooled Again: Where the Christian Right Went Wrong and How to Make America Right Again [Paperback]

Gregg Jackson (Author), Steve Deace (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2011

“We Won t Get Fooled Again is an in-depth expose of the so-called Religious Right, the most reviled and feared voting bloc in the past 30 years of American politics.

However, despite all of the attacks and the acclaim, there is little evidence the movement actually has accomplished any of its objectives, which is why Gregg and Steve sought out leaders in the movement to get their take on where the fight for righteousness in America went wrong. Readers will be agonized, traumatized, but also galvanized by what these Christian leaders have to say.”

Editorial Reviews

Review

Unapologetically Biblical in its approach to getting America back on the fast track to freedom and prosperity. If you want something lukewarm or platitudes in plain flavored pabulum, this book is beyond you. If you have courage and convictions, this book is your new soul mate. --Mike Huckabee

"In 'We Won't Get Fooled Again', Steve and Gregg expose what I discovered long go, that there as been a conservative industry created. Consultants, pundits, media types and even some in the faith community use push button issues to drive us to the polls to vote for certain candidates to protect their deal. Conservative voters have to ask the tough question: 'Are we moving the dial?' This is a must read for every conservative voter and if you start reading it, you won't want to put it down." ─ J.C. Watts Jr., Former U.S. Congressman from Oklahoma

“Steve Deace and Gregg Jackson have certainly stirred the pot with their new book. Some of the interviews will make you squirm, and all of them will make you ask the question: As Christians, have we put our trust in the political system more than the truth of the gospel?” ─ Michael L. Brown, Ph.D., host, the Line of Fire radio broadcast and author of A Queer Thing Happened to America

“Anyone with an interest in today’s politics will find We Won’t Get Fooled Again an interesting read that is well researched. And as an election looms, following Deace and Jackson’s points is one way to make sure that the potential new boss is truly different from the old boss.  4 out of 5 stars.” -- ForeWord Clarion Review

"Jackson and Deace’s first collaborative effort offers an unusual yet informed analysis of conservative politics.  Instead of throwing accusation and blame like many political messages, the authors objectively critique where the right wing went wrong.  More than politics, however, this book sheds light on the growing number of citizens who claim Christianity as the basis for their principles while walking a far different road.  This detailed look at problems in American politics will challenge any conservative.”  -- Kirkus Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: JAJ Publishing; 1st edition (December 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0983723818
• ISBN-13: 978-0983723813
• Product Dimensions: 0.6 x 5.5 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #158,826 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Wizard of Oz all over again December 13, 2011

By W. Duffy

Format:Paperback

As I read this book, I saw with my own eyes the curtain pulled back on the "Religious Right." It was the Wizard of Oz all over again. This book was highly recommended and now I understand why. "Conservative" leaders have used elaborate tricks and sleight of hand to convince us for decades that they are on our side and represent the values we hold dear. Now I know the truth.

The authors interview those who have been on the inside and even include personal texts and emails from conservative favorites such as Ann Coulter. The content is nothing short of shocking. This book finally exposes the truth and it's really a must read before ever walking into a voting booth again. I truly believe that if this information gets in the hands of America's grassroots, we can restore righteousness again.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars All Readers Will Be Disturbed December 12, 2011

By Author Dave

Format:Paperback

The reason for the reader's disturbance will vary based on perspective. If you are a GOP cheerleader then you likely be disturbed with the authors. If you've given your hard earned dollars to pro-family/pro-life organizations, then you likely be disturbed with the organizations mentioned in We Won't Get Fooled Again: Where the Right Went Wrong, and How to Make America Right Again by Gregg Jackson and Steve Deace.

As a matter of full disclosure, this reviewer considers both authors close friends. Over the years I have shared hundreds of emails and hours on the phone with Gregg talking about the issues in this book. I just recently met Steve in person in Des Moines, Iowa and have shared dozens of emails with him dissecting the pro-family/pro-life movement specifically and GOP politics in general. I have been privy to most of the emails and have listened to most of the interviews addressed in the book. This book was a sad trip down memory lane.

The premise of the book is "to subject it to the same scrutiny...the movement known as Christian Conservatives, the Religious Right, the Christian Right, Social Conservatives, or Values Voters." The scrutiny begins with very thought-provoking questions that will require critical thinking on the part of the reader. Some sycophants of the Republican Party and/or conservative movement may not get past this part in the introduction. Those who are willing to pursue the truth no matter where it takes them will be well advised to continue reading regardless their initial reaction.

A very wise part by the authors is the "Well, Who Are You?" prologue where Jackson and Deace introduce themselves and give their backgrounds and how they came to write this book.... This reviewer is well pleased by this because knowing these two intimately, they are very transparent in whom they are and their own personal struggles with the topic.

The list of interviewees is part of the Who's Who in the pro-family/pro-life and conservative movement and their testimonies will disappoint, outrage, and/or shock the reader, simultaneously at times. Some readers will have their heroes destroy themselves before their very eyes; it was tough to see this the first time in the personal emails and listen to on the radio. It was even tougher revisiting the whole sordid mess again.

Nevertheless, much hope and good advice are given not only by Jackson and Deace, but also at times by some of the interviewees, particularly Steve Baldwin, David Barton, Michael Farris, Gary Glenn, Brannon Howse, and Judge Roy Moore.

Baldwin gives good advice to concerned Christians as to where they should send their hard-earned money. "I would recommend that they find a grassroots based group that has a board that's accountable, that has people on it they can trust, and that has an agenda that you can easily follow."

Barton said if a voter cannot choose "the lesser of two evils" that ""I have a really easy response to that one. Thirty times in the New Testament we're told to protect the rights of conscience. I'm not going to argue with somebody's conscience. That's between them and God and that's why we've protected that constitutionally. That's why the Scripture says 30 times to protect the rights of conscience."

Farris gives what I believe is the most sound and succinct advice. "We need to diligently read the Word of God and apply it to political issues."

Glenn gives what Jackson describes as a "pithy solution to restoring the [Christian conservative] movement to its Biblical foundation and heritage." Glenn reminds readers: "Faithfulness is the key. Millions of Americans trust us to tell the truth and to be faithful to the agenda that we say we're all about. That's what we've got to get back to."

Howse gives the most powerful commentary on the wrong-headedness of the Christian conservative movement: "We could go to a smaller government, but if we have not had everything based on a Biblical worldview and on the principles of God, it doesn't matter how small your government is, you'll still have a godless government."

Judge Moore gives the reader strong reason for hope: "I think there's a lot of hope because there is a God. I think He's awakening the people. I think we're under a great awakening right now, and I think that people are coming to understand the Constitution of the United States..."

This is much needed because the interviews from Ann Coulter, Richard Land, and Tom Minnery are most disappointing. Coulter is the darling of the conservative movement, Land from the largest US protestant denomination, and Minnery the political director for Focus on the Family. All three clearly choose pragmatism over a biblical worldview.

And this is the takeaway from the book: the conservative/pro-family/pro-life movement is disturbingly destitute of a foundational biblical worldview. The authors gradually help the reader come to this conclusion through weaving together their question/commentary and the interviewees' words.

We Won't Get Fooled Again is a must read for all tea party activists, traditional evangelicals, and those disgruntled with the modern conservative movement. It is also highly recommended to anyone who fancies him or herself a truth seeker. Read more ›

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Moral bankruptcy led to economic bankruptcy December 22, 2011

By Donald Hank

Format:Paperback

While pundits seek answers in rocket science and Keynesian economics, Gregg Jackson and Steve Deace have a disarmingly simple explanation for our current malaise:
We are economically bankrupt because we are morally bankrupt.
For years we have been looking to the lesser of 2 evils to "save" America.
Voters never asked candidates about abortion. And yet the silent screams of millions of unborn babies were the canary in the coal mine, signaling trouble in all phases of political and economic life.
Romans 3:8 : Or can we say--as some people slander us by claiming that we say--"Let's do evil that good may result"? They deserve to be condemned!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Look Behind the Scenes December 19, 2011

By J. Green

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Jackson and Deace have provided a "behind the scenes" look at the last 38 years of political strategies by the Christian right--in the players' own words. Interview after interview provides insight into the motivations behind movements, allegiances, endorsements, and compromises . . . and it's not all pretty. The second half of the book is their suggestion of how to proceed moving forward successfully so we don't waste another 38 years.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Corruption We Suspected Is Confirmed February 20, 2012

By SayWhen

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

If you need to be shaken out of your Republican slumber, this is the book for you. If you've ever wondered how committed (or non-committed) the top names in Christian political activism are to Christ, if you've wondered where they get their cash (and jets) from and if you've wondered why they don't seem to have any effect on politics, this book is for you.

The chapters each consist of direct quotes from interviews with people like Ann Coulter (who is one scary chick that does NOT exemplify my understanding of Christian character), Joseph Farrah and Tom Minnery (a controlling top dog at of Focus on the Family who hand picks what info he passes up to Dobson). The chapters are short and to the point but packed with very interesting tidbits that paint a pathetic picture. The main thing I came away with is that I will NEVER be influenced again by what the "big names" say I, as a Christian voter, must do. They have strayed from the the confines of sound doctrine, compromised with the world, exploited the Christian market and done a disservice to the Church and the country. Read how in their own words.

We learn that Christian "activists" who get their names up in lights and their pockets filled with money they could not otherwise have honestly earned are basically the same as their non-Christian counterparts: greedy, hungry for power and "looking out for number one."

I highly recommend this book and that you put away all your Dr. Dobson materials and open the New Testament.
I agree with the book's main point: revival in the Church is what's needed. Perhaps five minutes of sincere, earnest prayer would accomplish more than ten political activists regardless that they call themselves Christians.