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The Anti-American Manifesto
In arguably the most radical book published in decades, cartoonist/columnist Ted Rall has produced the book he was always meant to a new manifesto for an America heading toward economic and political collapse. While others mourn the damage to the postmodern American capitalist system created by the recent global economic collapse, Rall sees an opportunity. As millions of people lose their jobs and their homes, they and millions more are opening their minds to the possibility of creating a radically different form of government and economic infrastructure.
But there are dangers. As in Russia in 1991, criminals and right-wing extremists are best prepared to fill the power vacuum from a collapsing United States. The best way to stop them, Rall argues, is not collapse—but revolution. Not by other people, but by us. Not in the future, but now. While it's still possible.
But there are dangers. As in Russia in 1991, criminals and right-wing extremists are best prepared to fill the power vacuum from a collapsing United States. The best way to stop them, Rall argues, is not collapse—but revolution. Not by other people, but by us. Not in the future, but now. While it's still possible.
288 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2010
5 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Ted Rall
50 books97 followersTed Rall is a prominent left-leaning American political columnist, syndicated editorial cartoonist, and author. He draws cartoons for the news site WhoWhatWhy.org and the email newsletter Counterpoint, and writes for The Wall Street Journal opinion pages.
His political cartoons often appear in a multi-panel comic-strip format and frequently blend comic-strip and editorial-cartoon conventions.
The cartoons appear in approximately 100 newspapers around the United States. He is a former President of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and twice the winner of the RFK Journalism Award.
He is the author of 20 books.
His political cartoons often appear in a multi-panel comic-strip format and frequently blend comic-strip and editorial-cartoon conventions.
The cartoons appear in approximately 100 newspapers around the United States. He is a former President of the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and twice the winner of the RFK Journalism Award.
He is the author of 20 books.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 18, 2010
Years ago the professor in my political ideologies class laid out a view of the political spectrum that I've never forgotten. It does not, he said, resemble a line with a far left, a far right and a center. Instead, it is a nearly closed circle where the extremes of the spectrum are turning back towards each other. The accuracy of that analysis has struck me several times over the years, especially this year.
For example, among the books that make up the Tea Party canon is Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals . Alinsky's 1971 book was almost a hornbook for those on the left who were willing to work within the system, for "the Have-Nots on how to take [power] away." Now, the Tea Party looks to it as a primer on community organizing tactics.
I was reminded of it again last month by a new book that set forth the following definitions:
No one would be surprised to see that in a Tea Party tract. But these come from Ted Rall's new book, The Anti-American Manifesto . Rall, an award-winning author, syndicated columnist and syndicated editorial cartoonist, is plainly on the left side of the spectrum. In fact, in 2004 he wrote Wake Up, You're Liberal!: How We Can Take America Back from the Right , which challenged liberals to step forward and lead this country to the promise it offers. From the impressive opening "Credo" to the concluding chapter, "The Manifesto for a New America," I was so impressed I made sure to get a personally autographed copy.
So, six years later there's a president of color in the White House who ran and was elected on a campaign of "change." So what's Rall thinking now? He thinks it's time for a revolution right here in the good old U S of A.
I don't think Rall's gone off the deep end. Instead, his book is an example of how people across the political spectrum have no faith in the ability of America's existing political and economic system to change the country for the better. That's certainly contributed to the popularity and success of the Tea Party. It's just that Rall takes things a step further. He says it's too late to reform the country or the government because the existing system is not viable or open to real change. Revolution, he writes, is preferable to collapse.
"The current U.S. government must be prophylactically removed," he writes. "Our economic and social structures must be radically reinvented. These things can only happen by using force." Yet The Anti-American Manifesto doesn't suggest the revolution start on the left. In fact, he invokes the adage "the enemy of your enemy is your friend, urging people to "reach out to anyone and everyone who is willing to take on the existing system." That also means, somewhat maddeningly, that Rall isn't specific about what will follow revolution. Although he still hews to many of the ideas expressed in Wake Up, You're Liberal!, he believes the first priority is to get rid of the current "zombie system of government." Only then should we begin to "split ideological hairs" on what will replace it.
Rall believes Americans have 10 essential rights: shelter, food, basic clothes, education in accordance with your abilities and talents (through college), medical care, retirement benefits, transportation, communication, competent legal counsel if charged with a crime, and job training and rehabilitation if incarcerated. Although only one of these is currently guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, an argument can certainly be made that what Rall advocates are crucial elements of the unalienable rights of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" described in the Declaration of Independence. Only a revolution can help protect such rights because the governmental and corporate structure that has evolved in America is incapable of doing so, he contends.
Rall has never shied away from impassioned rhetoric or even hyperbole, whether in his writing or his art. Nor is it reserved for the government. For example, he says that if BP and other oil companies "could extract oil from the crushed skulls of newborn babies, they would."
Rall, quite simply, seems to have reached the end of his political rope. Not only is necessary change not coming, he believes it never will. Rational people, then, have only one choice, which is to take things into their own hands and start over. Even if people don't, the system is going to collapse on itself and revolution will be forced upon us. He believes it better to be proactive than reactive. Whether that call to action will succeed is another question altogether.
In the book, Rall notes he "hated" the title of Wake Up, You're Liberal. I would quibble with title The Anti-American Manifesto. Rall isn't anti-American. He's anti what America has become. Yet calling the manifesto "anti-American" doesn't get that point across. In fact, it may tend to divide rather than unite the enemies of his enemies.
Second, I understand Rall wants to avoid infighting among those are willing to tear the system down. I'm on the opposite side of the question of having aims and goals for any revolution. Without them, fear of the unknown will always outweigh throwing the bastards out and then splitting ideological hairs. Like our government, corporations and media, Americans want to know "What's in it for me?" before committing to even quasi-radical action. Some essential common principles likely need be expressed.
Finally, to some extent The Anti-American Manifesto has echoes of the late 1960s. Despite the youth culture and cries of revolution in the street, today we are in an arguably worse state of affairs. The America to which Rall is speaking is likely less receptive to such ideas than four decades ago. This is particularly pertinent when Rall himself admits, "It is better to do nothing than to stage a half-assed revolt."
It's not surprising Rall has reached his limit. In fact, he says he's thought revolution was necessary before but was afraid to say so. In fact, in the "Credo" in Wake Up, You're Liberal he said, "Radical problems require radical solutions." The last item in that "Credo" is also relevant six years later: "I reserve the right to change my mind."
(Originally posted at A Progressive on the Prairie.)
For example, among the books that make up the Tea Party canon is Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals . Alinsky's 1971 book was almost a hornbook for those on the left who were willing to work within the system, for "the Have-Nots on how to take [power] away." Now, the Tea Party looks to it as a primer on community organizing tactics.
I was reminded of it again last month by a new book that set forth the following definitions:
Us: Hard-working, underpaid, put upon, thoughtful, freedom-loving, disenfranchised, ordinary people
Them: Reactionary. stupid, overpaid, greedy, shortsighted, exploitative, power-made abusive politicians and corporate executives
No one would be surprised to see that in a Tea Party tract. But these come from Ted Rall's new book, The Anti-American Manifesto . Rall, an award-winning author, syndicated columnist and syndicated editorial cartoonist, is plainly on the left side of the spectrum. In fact, in 2004 he wrote Wake Up, You're Liberal!: How We Can Take America Back from the Right , which challenged liberals to step forward and lead this country to the promise it offers. From the impressive opening "Credo" to the concluding chapter, "The Manifesto for a New America," I was so impressed I made sure to get a personally autographed copy.
So, six years later there's a president of color in the White House who ran and was elected on a campaign of "change." So what's Rall thinking now? He thinks it's time for a revolution right here in the good old U S of A.
I don't think Rall's gone off the deep end. Instead, his book is an example of how people across the political spectrum have no faith in the ability of America's existing political and economic system to change the country for the better. That's certainly contributed to the popularity and success of the Tea Party. It's just that Rall takes things a step further. He says it's too late to reform the country or the government because the existing system is not viable or open to real change. Revolution, he writes, is preferable to collapse.
"The current U.S. government must be prophylactically removed," he writes. "Our economic and social structures must be radically reinvented. These things can only happen by using force." Yet The Anti-American Manifesto doesn't suggest the revolution start on the left. In fact, he invokes the adage "the enemy of your enemy is your friend, urging people to "reach out to anyone and everyone who is willing to take on the existing system." That also means, somewhat maddeningly, that Rall isn't specific about what will follow revolution. Although he still hews to many of the ideas expressed in Wake Up, You're Liberal!, he believes the first priority is to get rid of the current "zombie system of government." Only then should we begin to "split ideological hairs" on what will replace it.
Rall believes Americans have 10 essential rights: shelter, food, basic clothes, education in accordance with your abilities and talents (through college), medical care, retirement benefits, transportation, communication, competent legal counsel if charged with a crime, and job training and rehabilitation if incarcerated. Although only one of these is currently guaranteed by the Bill of Rights, an argument can certainly be made that what Rall advocates are crucial elements of the unalienable rights of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" described in the Declaration of Independence. Only a revolution can help protect such rights because the governmental and corporate structure that has evolved in America is incapable of doing so, he contends.
Unless you're hopelessly self-deluded or stupid, you have to accept the painful truth. Under the current triumvirate of state power currently presiding over our lives -- governmental, corporate and media -- you have no more ability to change anything important -- e.g. the way the economy is managed, or which countries and people are being attacked by the armies you pay for -- than a medieval serf or a German under Nazism did in the past, or a detainee in a secret CIA prison somewhere does now.
Rall has never shied away from impassioned rhetoric or even hyperbole, whether in his writing or his art. Nor is it reserved for the government. For example, he says that if BP and other oil companies "could extract oil from the crushed skulls of newborn babies, they would."
Rall, quite simply, seems to have reached the end of his political rope. Not only is necessary change not coming, he believes it never will. Rational people, then, have only one choice, which is to take things into their own hands and start over. Even if people don't, the system is going to collapse on itself and revolution will be forced upon us. He believes it better to be proactive than reactive. Whether that call to action will succeed is another question altogether.
In the book, Rall notes he "hated" the title of Wake Up, You're Liberal. I would quibble with title The Anti-American Manifesto. Rall isn't anti-American. He's anti what America has become. Yet calling the manifesto "anti-American" doesn't get that point across. In fact, it may tend to divide rather than unite the enemies of his enemies.
Second, I understand Rall wants to avoid infighting among those are willing to tear the system down. I'm on the opposite side of the question of having aims and goals for any revolution. Without them, fear of the unknown will always outweigh throwing the bastards out and then splitting ideological hairs. Like our government, corporations and media, Americans want to know "What's in it for me?" before committing to even quasi-radical action. Some essential common principles likely need be expressed.
Finally, to some extent The Anti-American Manifesto has echoes of the late 1960s. Despite the youth culture and cries of revolution in the street, today we are in an arguably worse state of affairs. The America to which Rall is speaking is likely less receptive to such ideas than four decades ago. This is particularly pertinent when Rall himself admits, "It is better to do nothing than to stage a half-assed revolt."
It's not surprising Rall has reached his limit. In fact, he says he's thought revolution was necessary before but was afraid to say so. In fact, in the "Credo" in Wake Up, You're Liberal he said, "Radical problems require radical solutions." The last item in that "Credo" is also relevant six years later: "I reserve the right to change my mind."
(Originally posted at A Progressive on the Prairie.)
March 23, 2011
I loved this book. It points out exactly what is wrong with our country, and what we need to do to fix it. While some of Rall's fixes are a bit extreme in my opinion, I think that he would be a great politician. His political cartoons are also very funny.
The solution that Rall is suggesting isn't just protesting or boycotting, it's overthrowing the government. Finally acting out over the injustices that have befallen the American people. What injustices you ask? The fact that the 2002 election wasn't decided by the popular vote as it's supposed to be, as proved in Florida. Or maybe the fact that billions of dollars went to fat cat corporations in a massive bailout that was tried back in the times of the Great Depression instead of being given to the people or funding things that the people want (and it didn't work either time). If those two aren't enough maybe it's that instead of putting a higher tax on the millionaires and billionaires of our country, we have decided to keep the entire country in a supposed "financial dip," although this is the kind of dip that is more like a depression. Or maybe the fact that the left and right spectrums of the political scale may promise different things in the race to get elected, but once they finally are, not much changes. I'm talking about the closing of Guantanamo Bay that President Obama said would happen but it never did, and many other issues. Or the fact of just how little the Senate gets done these days, thanks to deserting Democrats or filibustering Republicans.
You can probably tell that I'm serious about politics. I'm considering maybe going into them later in my life. If you have the time, i suggest that you go to Ted Rall's website and read some of his political cartoons. Just google Ted Rall and it will come up.
I think that conditions will have to become very dire in order for the lazy uninformed Americans to go out and finally protest for their rights. Hopefully we can one day have a government that actually works.
The solution that Rall is suggesting isn't just protesting or boycotting, it's overthrowing the government. Finally acting out over the injustices that have befallen the American people. What injustices you ask? The fact that the 2002 election wasn't decided by the popular vote as it's supposed to be, as proved in Florida. Or maybe the fact that billions of dollars went to fat cat corporations in a massive bailout that was tried back in the times of the Great Depression instead of being given to the people or funding things that the people want (and it didn't work either time). If those two aren't enough maybe it's that instead of putting a higher tax on the millionaires and billionaires of our country, we have decided to keep the entire country in a supposed "financial dip," although this is the kind of dip that is more like a depression. Or maybe the fact that the left and right spectrums of the political scale may promise different things in the race to get elected, but once they finally are, not much changes. I'm talking about the closing of Guantanamo Bay that President Obama said would happen but it never did, and many other issues. Or the fact of just how little the Senate gets done these days, thanks to deserting Democrats or filibustering Republicans.
You can probably tell that I'm serious about politics. I'm considering maybe going into them later in my life. If you have the time, i suggest that you go to Ted Rall's website and read some of his political cartoons. Just google Ted Rall and it will come up.
I think that conditions will have to become very dire in order for the lazy uninformed Americans to go out and finally protest for their rights. Hopefully we can one day have a government that actually works.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2017
Just what we need: an itemization of things to look for, things to be realistic about, and things to not expect.
America's in decline, but it's a long haul, and there's no telling what Teutonic plate of infrastructure and/or culture will shift next.
Be forewarned!
Witty, charming, and unusually cut-through-the-bullshit. Rall went through a lot of false (or partially-true) roads in his life to come to this conclusion, as embodied in the title, and his position feels well-earned. Like reluctance, and benefit of the doubt, has been exhausted, and one reaches the point when reality stares you in the eye: the scaffolding falls off, and one's disenchanted.
Buy copies for friends.
America's in decline, but it's a long haul, and there's no telling what Teutonic plate of infrastructure and/or culture will shift next.
Be forewarned!
Witty, charming, and unusually cut-through-the-bullshit. Rall went through a lot of false (or partially-true) roads in his life to come to this conclusion, as embodied in the title, and his position feels well-earned. Like reluctance, and benefit of the doubt, has been exhausted, and one reaches the point when reality stares you in the eye: the scaffolding falls off, and one's disenchanted.
Buy copies for friends.
February 23, 2014
Rall doesn't mince words and explains exactly what he thinks is needed to change things in this country. I don't agree with everything he wrote, but it's an important book nonetheless.
February 15, 2022
Review to come.
April 12, 2011
I have a copy of this that's free to a good home. I expected a provocative and entertaining read and instead received a healthy dose of boring and predictable. Plus, Rall fails miserably at providing solutions or instructions on how to carry out the overthrow for which he is calling, frequently stating "I don't have a solution" or "I don't know what exactly to recommend" or "It's up to you (the reader) to figure out." His main point seems to just be "do something" - and this banal point is somehow stretched over 200-odd pages. It's like an SNL movie that is good as a skit, but doesn't translate into a full-length feature. Also, I knew I would be giving this book away as soon as I hit the chapter in which Rall invokes the tried-and-true (and, again, predictable) Nazi/Hitler comparisons to government figures, including Barack Obama. I'm not surprised that Rall used to be a cartoonist, as this book reads like satire at its finest. Unfortunately, I think Rall was trying to be serious and it's an abject failure.
May 28, 2021
3.5 but I'll be generous and round up, nothing in here is super new but goddamn does it light a fire under your ass. Some of the takes are really solid, the line "If we do nothing, we will loose without having fought" stood out to me, but some are a little questionable. Though as he states himself, this isn't supposed to be a coherent political philosophy, but a call to revolutionary action. I will say though I'm having trouble understanding who exactly this is for? Right wingers won't read it, centrists will see it as just the same as fascist propoganda, and liberals won't be swayed. Maybe it's for folks who need a bit of revolutionary hope.
January 11, 2013
This book is a serious argument for violent revolution in America. Some of the facts are presented in a skewed ways, but everything is cited. Read this book. Decide for your self. Then don't tell anyone you've read this book and hand to it to a trusted friend.
March 19, 2023
I agree with a lot of this book, but I draw the line at finding common ground with Nazis and working with racists as mentioned in the book.
April 2, 2022
I like the way Ted comments on everything that's wrong with the american government, specially post-2008 which had a recession that affected heavily the perception of the american people and their government.
He talks about the imperialism, colonialism, ineffectiveness attending the people, the treatment of immigrants and marginalised communities such as the black, latino, gay and muslim communities.
What I personally like the most about the book is that Ted calls for revolution, it got me thinking about an american revolution that ends with the current system and the regime, which are ineffective and sponsor terrorism in order to uphold corporate interests, and how it would basically create a domino effect that possibly ends the current bureaucracy that rules the world right now.
I think the book is very good, and I recommend it to anyone that supports revolution and anti-americanism.
He talks about the imperialism, colonialism, ineffectiveness attending the people, the treatment of immigrants and marginalised communities such as the black, latino, gay and muslim communities.
What I personally like the most about the book is that Ted calls for revolution, it got me thinking about an american revolution that ends with the current system and the regime, which are ineffective and sponsor terrorism in order to uphold corporate interests, and how it would basically create a domino effect that possibly ends the current bureaucracy that rules the world right now.
I think the book is very good, and I recommend it to anyone that supports revolution and anti-americanism.
June 16, 2017
An impassioned plea for the revolution creating a better, saner country.
If only it could be...
If only it could be...
July 30, 2025
Great analysis. But this was in 2010, time for an upgrade!
April 4, 2018
This little book 7"x5" and 273 pages was devoured on the return flight from AVL to BTV with a quick layover at LGA and packed a simple message (for me.) Several years ago, I attended the DAR Ceremony for Colonel John Smith - signer of the Declaration of Independence interred in the Cemetery of 1st Presbyterian Church, York, PA. It was during the run-up to the start of the WAR FOR IRAQ OIL (so now you know my mental-state.) As the Declaration was read I was overcome with the realization that WE - AmeriKa, was doing exactly the same thing in IRAQ that the British were doing in America in1776 - so I thought - it is time for another revolution. Well, it has only gotten worse. The situation is totally FUBAR and we have only ourselves to blame. I hope people take a few hours and read this and somehow we all have to get together at my house and figure out a way to create something that is better than what we have now. We could do it at the lake, 80-100 people could sleep there. I was so relieved when Obama was elected that I could return to reading better stuff, but this is almost worse than the 8-years of DUBYA and whenever I venture into a bookstore I am drawn to the Current Events section. It is an addiction. This book does not provide answers, but lays the ground work for how the author thinks things will evolve as we continue the downward spiral w/ copious footnotes supporting his prose We really have to do something and soon because someone else will and it will not be very pretty. .
September 9, 2015
Rall makes a compelling case for violent revolution. My one critique, something I actually find really upsetting, is that he almost totally overlooks misogyny as a form of systemic injustice; he finally spends two pages discussing women's potential contributions to a future revolution, only to conclude that poor and middle class men will likely be the ones to actually start the revolution because they're a lot more angry than women are. He comes off as a bit of a "manarchist," but I say this without knowing much more about Rall than what I read in the book. Still worth a read, especially for those who are progressive but reluctant to advocate anything other than non-violent reform.
February 12, 2016
A poorly written temper-tantrum; which says a lot because I'm sympathetic to the author's cause. Rall should stick to doodling.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews