'Rules for Patriots,' an instruction manual

By Sylvia Thompson

For those Americans who have grown weary of the many statements of the problems plaguing our country, there is now a book that offers solutions. It is titled Rules for Patriots: How Conservatives Can Win Again, by author Steve Deace.

According to Talkers magazine, Steve Deace is one of the "Heavy Hundred" talk show hosts in America. His influence in the first in the nation Iowa Caucuses has been profiled in much of the national media, and he is a columnist for The Washington Times. His book is what might be called the polar opposite of the leftist Rules for Radicals, by Saul Alinsky. Alinsky was an America-hating socialist whose ideology inspired Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. He dedicated his book of rules to Lucifer (Satan), a noteworthy "radical" in his eyes.

I am an American who is mutedly enraged over what is happening to my country in the clutches of the progressive Left. I am especially perturbed by the tepid response to the Left by many who claim conservatism as their mantle. That sentiment is even more pronounced in face of the utter weakness of some who say that they are Christian leaders. Consequently, I am always looking for evidence of strong conservatism in people who have a national platform and who are not afraid to use that platform to confront the Left offensively.

I should explain my conception of conservatism, because it is neither Libertarian nor moderate. My perception is that liberty and freedom cannot exist outside of an understanding of Almighty God's mastery over human existence, and a grasp of the importance of His will in the human experience. He set human existence into play, and to assume hubristically that we woefully inadequate humans can now write Him off as irrelevant to the survival of this nation is glaringly arrogant. I am reminded of a cartoon I once came across depicting the current state of defiant humans in relation to God. An ant stood boldly on a track shaking its puny fist at an oncoming train, likely screaming (although there was no caption) "I will do it my way and to hell with you!" For those readers who may not get it, the pathetic ant is defiant humankind; the train is Almighty God.

America is in decline because it is spiritually and morally corrupt, owing to leftist influences. A culture that willfully severs its connection with the God of the Universe (the God whom Christ Jesus proclaimed his Father) is doomed. Undesirable consequences are the inevitable result: economic woes, enemies at the ready to pounce upon perceived weakness, pronounced government corruption and injustice toward its citizens, increasing disdain for life (because it seems so futile), criminal intent toward the unborn, shameful treatment of the elderly, an eager embrace by leaders and trend-setters of all that is evil, perverse, and profane. Actions and behaviors bereft of God's approval will eventually spell the demise of any nation on the globe, and America is no exception.

God-fearing Americans like Steve Deace and I have concluded that we will not surrender our home without objection. This book gives us methods with which to engage offensively those enemies within; that is, the socialist progressive Left and its current leader, Barack Obama.

Mr. Deace introduces his book with three myths that he summarily debunks. First myth, Republicans lose presidential elections because they are too conservative and thus alienate independents. Second, Republicans must abandon their stance against abortion to attract women. And third, the Republican base is "shrinking," requiring that the Party move left. The third myth is a no-brainer, because we know that the base is not shrinking, but is in large numbers abandoning the Republican establishment. They are fed up with feckless, conservative-lite candidates such as Mitt Romney.

Chapter 1 of the book opens with a compelling argument regarding why we conservatives lose in the arena of ideas in the public square. This chapter sets the stage for his presentation of ten "commandments" outlining how we reverse this losing trend and recapture and retain lost ground. The book makes clear that we are in a war for the soul of America.

An inspiring statement in his concluding chapter is worth highlighting here:

The Republican Party didn't make us. We made them.

We don't take the orders around here. We give them. Or at least we ought to be [giving them]. We don't take sanctimonious lectures from our employees about how "half a loaf is better than none" or "the lesser of the two evils." We run the show, so we determine what the acceptable standard is, who met that standard, and how to hold them accountable when they don't meet it.[1]

Superbly stated.

Rules for Patriots is a much-needed and potent tool for all conservative Americans. My hope is that it will equip us finally to wage war with the corrupting influences of the Left on a much more even plain.

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© Sylvia Thompson