I frequently hear callers on talk radio ask the host what they can do to help stop the destructive path our country is on.  Good news!  The new book, 2010 Take Back America by Dick Morris & Eileen McGann, is an action plan, in book form, which tells the average Joe like us how to make a difference in the upcoming 2010 election.  I devoured this book in two evenings.  It is excellent.  If you are serious about stopping the decline of our country, BUY, READ, and then IMPLEMENT the action plan in this book!

The book is divided into four parts:

Part One:  The Stakes

Part Two:  The Targets

Part Three:  The Strategy

Part Four:  The Electronic Precinct

Here are some highlights from the book with my input.

Part One:  The Stakes

“America stands on the edge of an ideological precipice…those who want our values, our culture and our economic systems to endure from those who want to change everything---regardless of the consequences.”  The first sentence in the Introduction of the book states:  “Casting your vote in the November 2010 elections may be the single most important thing you do all year. “  Part One explains why this sentence is true, partly with a little history and partly with simple, economic common sense along with Morris’ and McGann’s analysis.  For example:

• As Obama has dug us into the hole by raising federal spending from $3-4 trillion and tripling the deficit, we have begun to suspect that he has a diabolical plan-to use the deficit to justify huge tax increases on all Americans in the coming years.  Barack Obama is going to use it to make conservatives accept higher taxes.
• But now, as we watch bureaucracy (and its handmaiden, public employee unionization) destroy one by one the institutions of our nation – the Post Office, the Veteran’s Hospitals, the public schools – we see the bureaucrat for what he is:  our oppressor.
• In order to succeed, however, socialism requires global control.  As long as fee enterprise rules somewhere in the world, capital will flow there.  Workers will move there.  Jobs will flourish there.  European socialism needs to conquer America in order to survive.
• Our modern plantation owners…use taxes to keep their competitors down.  By passing out paternalistic benefits to the poor…while taxing the middle class to pay for them, they win the votes of the former and deny the latter the means of accumulating sufficient wealth to move into their exalted social circles.  Their own wealth makes them immune from the impact of taxation.

Part Two:  The Targets

Read more...

I suppose this is less a “Book Review” and more an endorsement for a book series, the Politically Incorrect Guide^TM series.  Trying to pick my favorite Politically Incorrect Guide^TM book is like trying to choose my favorite Thomas Sowell book – nearly impossible.  Many views I hold today are 180° from where I stood in my youth.  Being Missouri born and raised I have a “show me” attitude and am a doubting-Thomas by nature.  I am always reading trying to find, know &/or understand the “truth” of an issue.  This is what I love about the Politically Incorrect series.  Readers get the “other side of the story.”  While I don’t always agree with the author’s opinions, views or conclusions, I love the food for thought the books offer.  I also love how they recommend for certain segments or topics covered within the books “Books you aren’t supposed to read.”  These book recommendations give readers additional resources to continue or expand their understanding of the segment or topic, beyond what the book has time or space for.

I thought for the current political climate, with all of the talk of Socialism verses the free market; readers might find The Politically Incorrect Guide^TM to Capitalism by Robert P. Murphy, Ph. D. informative.  However, if you have read one of Thomas Sowell’s books on economics or a regular reader of Sowell's columns, nothing in this book will be new to you.  Where Sowell explains economics as a whole in his book Basic Economics, this book simply tries to dispel the misconceptions of some of the more important economic issues in Capitalism, such as, Windfall-profit taxes, pro-union laws, affirmative action, workplace-safety and antipollution regulations, Social Security by explaining how the free-market is better than government intervention.

The Politically Incorrect Guide^TM to the Constitution by Kevin Gutzman is another good read for the times.  I have to warn you about this book though; it took me forever to finish; not because it was hard to read, but because it made me so angry to read how we have so polluted the original meaning of the Constitution and intent of our founders, that I found myself procrastinating finishing the book.  It was just so depressing.  While we are on the topic of the Constitution, let me also recommend The Citizen’s Constitution by Seth Lipsky. This is small and easy to read (great on your bedside or for men out there, bathroom).  The book is the entire Constitution, including amendments, with notes by Lipsky which provide interesting or sometimes quirky information on every phrase in the Constitution and amendments.  This book is not going to give you a complete and full understanding of the Constitution; rather it is just a fun and interesting read (and a great gift).

The Politically Incorrect Guide^TM to American History by Thomas E. Woods, Jr. Ph. D. is chock-full of interesting information we never learned in our public school indoctrination or in the lame-stream-media (LSM).  Woods debunks some of the myths from colonial times through the Clinton administration.  Remember, this is not a comprehensive history of the U.S.  The intent of these books are to bring information, opinions and viewpoints to light you won’t get anywhere else, correct misinformation &/or debunk myths.

The Politically Incorrect Guide^TM to the South by Clint Johnson was a lot of fun to read, for me (maybe not for you, depending on your interest).  While I am a Yankee by birth (from MO), I consider myself a southerner at heart (having lived in the south for the last 18 years).  I think Johnson does a great job of explaining southern culture and modern day southern world view to the ignorant Yankee who believes what he has read in the LSM, that all southerners are uneducated racists.  This book is not just about slavery and the civil war.  It also talks about southern culture and contributions.

The Politically Incorrect Guide to Global Warming^TM by Christopher C. Horner may be a real eye-opener for some.  While it was written in 2007 and doesn’t reference the more recent scandals (most of which are chronicled on at this great blog, by these really funny guys in Minnesota Here).  However, it will arm the reader with knowledge they aren’t going to get at school or in the LST.

Ok, allow me one more recommendation.  I know I have to stop somewhere.  The Politically Incorrect Guide^TM to Women, Sex, and Feminism by Carrie L. Lukas. How ironic our daughters who benefit from a devoted mom and dad, in traditional roles, go off to college to be completely indoctrinated into the false feminist doctrines.  Often not finding out until it is too late, that the feminist doctrines are, more often than not, damaging to women, children, the family and society as a whole.  If anyone benefits from feminism it is amoral, irresponsible, puerile men.  Our older girls and young women need the information in this book to help them in make correct life choices.  However, if you are a fan of Dr. Laura, none of the information in this book will surprise you.

The point is what topic you would like to know more about?  There is a good chance there is a Politically Incorrect Guide^TM available.  The series will challenge your understanding and expand your knowledge on that topic.

If you have children, grandchildren, or just know any kids...you must READ (!!!) You're Teaching My Child What?  A Physician Exposes the Lies of Sex Education and How They Harm Your Child by Miriam Grossman, M.D. While reading this book I alternated between nausea, feeling my blood run cold, to utter rage at the attempts to corrupt our children.

First, parents need to understand the sex education happening in today's schools "is not about health - it's a social movement..."  While information presented in many schools is inaccurate, misleading and dangerous (explained in depth in the book) the information at the websites kids are being directed to by these sex-education lesson plans (and some teachers) will make you sick!  Am I the only one who thinks it is ironic how much money our government (at all levels) spend to reduce child obesity, prevent children from smoking, taking drugs, drinking, how to drive safely, and even warn about the dangers of tanning beds (I could go on), but when it comes to sex the "experts" tell us parents that kids are going to have sex no matter what, so let's just get them the facts (and condoms)...except these "experts" aren't' giving our children the "facts" they are promoting their corrupt vision of sexuality.  Further, parents are expected to teach about all of these dangers (smoking, tanning beds, etc.), but when it comes to sex, parents are told by the "experts" not to impose our values, don't interfere with our teen's decisions, allow them to decide when they are "ready," give them privacy, etc.

Dr. Grossman begins the book with a little history of where the radical ideas about sexuality come from and introduces the biggest advocates for this corrupt ideology.  She details much of the science not being shared in the school lesson plans and even has chapters devoted to homosexuality and gender confusion.  She wraps up with suggestions on what parents can do.  Also, at the end of the book is a chart showing the sex education mandates by state.

Now, about some of the science Dr. Grossman shares with us.  The book goes in depth about the science which has confirmed there are more than just a "few" differences between girls and boys (gasp...that is so un-P.C.).  Such as:

1. There is a "unique female cocktail of estrogen, progesterone and oxytocin" which bathes the female brain, influencing perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and dreams.  Oxytocin is also called "The Cuddle Hormone."  Intimacy (touch & cuddling-not necessarily sex) fuels a women's oxytocin level, which lights up the reward center of her brain, causing her to feel exhilarated.  These levels of oxytocin "turn on" attachment parts of the brain and "turn off" critical thinking, making judgment difficult.  The advice being "Don't let a guy hug you (a serious embrace at lease 20 seconds) unless you plan to trust him."  Science indicates that from infancy we have a biological need to form intense, lasting attachments and cuddling with someone or having sex sends silent signals to our brain with the message:  "Now I'm with someone special.  I can relax and trust this person.  I can love him or her."
2. Women exposed to male pheromones affects female mood, attention and ovulation.
3. Women exposed to female pheromones alters the timing of ovulation
4. Frequent exposure to her biological father's pheromones delays the sexual maturation of a daughter.
5. Surges of testosterone "marinate...boy's brains" making "sexual pursuit and body parts" obsessions.
6. The brain maturation, for both boys and girls, does not end in early childhood; it simply pauses for some years, only to restart with vigor at the onset of puberty.  The adolescent brain functions differently from adults.  The prefrontal cortex (PFC) is the last to mature; as late as the third decade of life.  This inability to control behavior and emotions contribute to rates of death, disability and health problems of teens which are 200-300 per cent higher than in children.
7. The cervix of girls, which plays a central role in female sexual health, is immature, only about one layer thick (allowing penetration of germs, etc).
8. The Y chromosome is teeming with units of DNA that are unique to males.  There are distinct male and female blueprints created from the moment of conception.  Eight weeks after conception, a fetus has a "boy-brain" or "girl-brain."

Part of the "facts" the school sex lesson plans share is the importance of using condoms.  However, they fail to give all the facts.  Facts such as:

1. With typical use (not perfect use...know anyone perfect?) condoms prevent pregnancy only 85% of the time.  Teens use can be expected to be even less than "typical."
2. At best condoms protect against HIV only 80% of the time with vaginal intercourse.  Less with anal sex since they are more likely to break/tear.
3. Condom use reduces the risk of infection only 26% of the time against Chlamydia; 62% of the time against gonorrhea; 25-50% of the time against genital herpes.
4. Condom use has little or no effectiveness in preventing the transmission of HPV.
5. HPV, herpes and syphilis can live on the skin surrounding the genital area - areas a condom doesn't cover.
6. Having more than five oral-sex partners increases a person's risk of having oral cancer by 250%.

Parents, read this book!  The children in your life will not get this information any where else.

Don't believe any of this?  Here are just three stories to get you started.  A simple search on the internet will lead you to more scary stories than you will ever want to read.

House Follows Obama's Plan to Replace Abstinence Grant with Contraceptive Funding.

Leaked Document Outlines Radical Sex Group's Plan to "Change the Way Americans Think about Sex"  Group to push "education" in orgies, masturbation, sadomasochism.

D.C. Schools to Screen for STDs Without Parental Consent

Dr. Thomas Sowell is the author of 43 (and counting) books and countless articles, commentaries and papers.  In my opinion, he is the intellectual giant of our time.  What further sets Sowell apart is his ability to take very complex ideas or issues and write about them in terms an average person can understand.  Every book and article Sowell has written is worth your time.  I decided to recommend Basic Economics because it is especially timely for the current political climate.  One of the problems with our political system is that too many voters don't have a basic understanding of economics.  Further, many politicians either lack an understanding, as well, or find it politically expedient to ignore basic economic facts.  For example, there are voters who think you can get "free healthcare" from the government and many politicians are too happy to sell voters "free healthcare."  While some of us may intuitively know there is nothing free in this world, in Basic Economics Dr. Sowell articulates and helps the reader understand why this is so.  Warning, the book is 551 pages long and not "light" reading; easily understood, but you have to be able to think about what you're reading.  Also, it will make your blood boil at what politicians get away with, because too many (politicians & voters) don't have a basic understanding of economics.  However, don't let me scare you off.  The information in this book is not just important, but really very interesting.  It is packed with information we all need to have to be educated voters and conscientious citizens.

If you enjoy Basic Economics or if you want to start on a smaller scale I would recommend Economic Facts and Fallacies, also by Dr. Sowell.  This book is only 221 pages long and easy to read (as are all of Sowell's books).  However, in this book he is not explaining basic economics (and a prior knowledge is not required to understand this book).  Sowell addresses some of the most obnoxious economic fallacies we have been spoon fed by politicians and the media because it suited their agendas; ideas such as, "green space," "discrimination,"  "foreign aid," the fallacy of asking why is one country is poor instead of asking, why another country is rich, the idea of "social justice," the ability of the media and politicians to use statistics in dishonest ways to further their agendas, and more.  For such a serious topic, this was a fun read.  This book will really arm you to recognize "B.S." when listening to the media or a politician.

Although Black Rednecks and White Liberals is not really about economics (although it touches on some economics-it is by Dr. Sowell after all) it is another favorite of mine by Dr. Sowell.  The book touches on aspects of race, culture and history of which I had never heard or read before.  It was eye opening and I highly recommend it.

My last Sowell recommendation is Late Talking Children which was later expanded on in The Einstein Syndrome: Bright Children Who Talk Late.  This is a very topic specific book I would recommend to parents with a young toddler who is not yet speaking or for a parent who had a late talking child.  Our daughter, a preemie, was a late talker and it was positively uncanny how many of her characteristics paralleled those of other late talking children, as described in this book.  Sowell's son was also a late talker which is where his interest came from.  This was actually my first Sowell book and my introduction to Dr. Sowell.