Why should Americans pay attention to this book?
What importance is its contents to our daily lives?
How does it impact the governance of our nation?
These are a few questions that those who have not read this tiny, yet impactful book should ask.
I believe that this book impacts the lives of every American more than they know.
Though the book’s purpose is mostly self-explained, it is ignored by most Americans.
There are a few contextual points about the book and its author that may enhance the reader’s understanding of why it is so important and has been so destructive to our society.
The book’s subtitle adds some clarity, “A Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals.”
In the opening of the book, there are three acknowledgments. One by Rabi Hillel, one by Thomas Paine, and the last by Saul Alinsky himself.
Alinsky’s contribution is as follows,
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“Lest owe forget at least as over-the-shoulder acknowledgement to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology, and history ( and who is to know where mythology leaves off and history begins__or which is which ) the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom__Lucifer.”
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As I understand them, the title, the subtitle, along with this particular acknowledgment, are quite self-descriptive of the driving force and intention of this book. It is intended to teach reprobates how to deceive others sufficiently to allow control of their behavior, provoking self-destruction, that they might be plundered, physically, emotionally, financially, and/or spiritually.
In addition to these early revelations, there are a few peripheral points about the author that are further enlightening.
Dinesh D’Souza produced a documentary, “Hillary’s America.”
In this movie we learn more about the motivation of Alinsky, and how he developed, tested, and established some of the techniques revealed in “Rules for Radicals.”
It shows us how Hillary Rodham introduced Alinsky to academia and helped to solidify the foundation from which he was given access to what Rush Limbaugh called the “minds full of mush” of the American collegiate community.
Another enlightening point has been reported by Mark Levin.
As President Reagan filled the positions of his administration in 1981, there was found a “department” whose purpose was not clear. Mr. Levin was tasked with investigating it.
Levin’s directive was to then reform, or eliminate it according to its significance.
As Levin began his investigation, he found cases of books, intended for distribution to America’s youth. The book, “Rules For Radicals.”
Apparently, the Carter Administration planned to insert this “Pragmatic Primer for Realistic Radicals” into the realm of young Americans, where much discontent was already present.
Jesse Kelly defines Marxism, socialism, liberalism, progressivism, or communism as “the religion of the malcontent.” I believe that the radicals of whom Alinsky writes are also members of this religion.
My reason for writing this article is to address the long-term effects of this incredibly revealing book. The paperback is only 196 pages, followed by, “About the author.”
I believe that very little of modern American political reality is exempt from the effects of this book. Its principles are so ingrained in modern American society that they are performing somewhat at a subliminal, or sub-conscience level.
I think that most of the people who employ these “rules” do so unwittingly. These coercive principles have been woven into the philosophy of so many that they are taught by example, more than instruction.
I have pointed it out to people when they have employed Alinsly’s rules and have been accused of promoting a conspiracy theory, yet when I have reversed the rules against them, I’ve then been accused of being the dishonest one.
This too, is, of course, the use of Alinsky’s rules.
The purpose of these rules is not to persuade others of a point, it is to shame or trick them into compliance with a less-than-honest position.
The very first chapter is named, “The Purpose.” The subtitle of this chapter is, “The life of man upon earth is a warfare.”
This subtitle suggests that Alinsky intends to do warfare, or violence of some sort. Perhaps it is only emotional violence, or perhaps it is even more malicious than that.
The first six chapters set the stage for the introduction of the 13 rules for radicals. In these chapters, he appears to criticize communism, while preparing the ground for communist revolutions.
The way these chapters are written leads to confusion And discontent, as they pave the way to Alinsky’s target.
He begins the first chapter,
“WHAT FOLLOWS IS for those who want to change the world from what it is to what they believe it should be. The Prince was written by Machiavelli for the Haves on how to hold power. Rules for Radicals is written for the Have-Nots on how to take it away. In this book we are concerned with how to create mass organizations to seize power and give it to the people; to realize the democratic dream of equality, justice, peace, cooperation, equal and full opportunities for education, full and useful employment, health, and the creation of those circumstances in which man can have the chance to live by values that give meaning to life.”
“The significant changes in history have been made by revolutions.”
The real message in this book is the rules themselves. They are expounded in chapter 7, “Tactics.”
This chapter begins with Alinsky’s definition of “tactics.”
He wrote, “In the world of give and take, tactics is the art of how to take and how to give. Here our concern is with the tactic of taking; how the Have-Nots can take power away from the Haves.”
“Always remember the first rule of power tactics: Power is not only what you have but what the enemy thinks you have.*”
“The second rule is: Never go outside the experience of your people.”
“The third rule is: Wherever possible go outside of the experience of the enemy.
Here you want to cause confusion, fear, and retreat.”
“The fourth rule is: Make the enemy live up to their own book of rules.
You can kill them with this, for they can no more obey their own rules than the Christian church can live up to Christianity.”
“the fifth rule: Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.
It is almost impossible to counterattack ridicule. Also it infuriates the opposition, who then react to your advantage.”
“The sixth rule is: A good tactic is one that your people enjoy.*
If your people are not having a ball doing it, there is something very wrong with the tactic.”
“The seventh rule: A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag.”
“The eighth rule: Keep the pressure on, with different tactics and actions, and utilize all events of the period for your purpose.”
“The ninth rule: The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.”
“The tenth rule: The major premise for tactics is the development of operations that will maintain a constant pressure upon the opposition.”
“The eleventh rule is: If you push a negative hard and deep enough it will break through into its counterside; this is based on the principle that every positive has its negative.”
“The twelfth rule: The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative.
You cannot risk being trapped by the enemy in his sudden agreement with your demand and saying ‘You’re right—we don’t know what to do about this issue. Now you tell us.’”
“The thirteenth rule: Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.”
Alinsky, Saul D.. Rules for Radicals (p. 130). Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Much of the rest of the book contains examples of the employment of these rules. They expose a truly insidious nature.
As we read these chapters we will easily recognize the use of these rules in our lives. We may even recognize where we may have inadvertently used them ourselves.
It is important to take note that this process is blatantly dishonest. They are not intended to persuade others, but to deceive them.
Knowing these rules may help us to resist them. I recommend this book to all modern Americans as a guide to its nullification.
God bless you, Dave
“All of the miseries and evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war, proceed from despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible”__Noah Webster, Schoolmaster to America
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