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4.5
After reading AMERICA, I can see why Dinesh D’Souza would be deemed a prime target by the progressive American left. D’Souza doesn’t hold back as he unleashes on the progressive ideology and America-loathing liberals he believes are pushing this country down a path of self-destruction. AMERICA serves as rather convincing wake-up call that illustrates how the unraveling of America has commenced now that radicalized progressives have been unwittingly elected to positions that allow them to implement their plans for America’s future … a rather bleak future.Yes, AMERICA is sure to trigger an emotional reaction: bitter anger and dismissal by those who believe progressivism will lead to a better America and to those on the other side of the spectrum, a rallying cry to stop the bleeding before it is too late. D’Souza doesn’t dance around the issue at hand, he goes straight for the jugular by explaining the roots of progressivism and how a handful of hardcore believers have successfully inculcated enough followers to elect like-minded individuals into positions of power. Hardcore believers like Alinsky, Ayers and Chomsky, too radical to get themselves in a position of power, instead peddled their ideology to the mushy-minds of college students in the 1960s. This resulted in an army of acolytes taught to spread progressivism in a more palatable, subversive manner … same beliefs, but presented by palatable, non-scary and even rational-sounding means. Now, those “Alinskyites”, the torchbearers of the progressive flame, have positioned themselves in the highest levels of American government. We know the names (Obama, Clinton and other members of the so-called “Founding Fathers of 1968”) and we know the current state of affairs in America (more citizens dependent on government assistance than ever, poor economy, decreasing global influence and an ever deepening social divide among its citizen) … D’Souza uses AMERICA to connect all the dots.What differentiates AMERICA from the myriad of similarly-themed anti-liberal books is the author himself. D’Souza, an Indian who became a naturalized American in 1991, is an authentic example of a non-citizen so enamored with this country (including its history and values), he became an American. Now he sees every redeeming quality that fueled his desire for citizenship being targeted for dismantling, reworking or simply destroyed. It is easy to sense his honesty and pain as he witnesses America decline under the direction of its own leaders while India uses the American blueprint to rise in world stature. The frustration D’Souza expresses is not anger-tainted, but one of disbelief as he senses Americans have been lulled into a hypnotic stupor that allows a progressive-led government subtly pull the rug out from under them. His fears are that it may be too late before progressive policies neuter American global influence to a point of no return … allowing a resurging China to take the helm as the world’s superpower.While D’Souza’s path to being an American adds authenticity to his argument, his willingness to publicly debate his concerns with the progressive torchbearers adds validity. AMERICA is not simply a one-sided affair, he addresses the issues at hand (crippling political correctness, capitalism, Christianity, Islam, foreign policy, etc.), presents the progressive point-of-view and methodically explains how policies implementing that point-of-view have eroded everything that made America what it is (was). His arguments are not complex, but rather simple … in fact, he effectively contrasts each and every progressive point with common-sense.It isn’t until the final chapter that the book’s title is justified. Preceding chapters reveal how progressive policies have started to (quickly) erode the founding principles that led America to being so prosperous. Policies that are designed to undo/fix all that progressives think is wrong about America (from the land it “stole” to its “oppressive” and unfair capitalist economy) … in other words a ridiculous list of wrongs that progressives will openly and relentlessly condemn while quietly reaping their benefits (owning multiple properties on that “stolen” land and enjoying personal lives of luxury thanks to capitalism). What the final chapter does is present a sobering look at what will likely happen if/when America intentionally falls from its lofty world perch. D’Souza (again using common-sense) sees China emerging as the next superpower to supplant the United States. He illustrates China using its values, powerful economy and massive military might to influence the world as America once did. The catch is that a Chinese superpower will infuse its culture across the globe; a culture that is not inherently benevolent or tolerant. In other words, if progressives have convinced you that an American-led world is bad … just wait to see what lurks in the future.I found AMERICA to be quite a provocative read. D’Souza effectively articulates his arguments in a manner that is quite easy to understand. Sure, some will view this as nothing more than a partisan hit-piece, but I felt the purpose of the book was more an effort to get Americans to see how the little, insignificant things we’re dealing with today contribute to the bigger picture. The bigger picture being the future of America, a future that the Founding Fathers of 1968 want to create, but will not have to suffer through.
