Also by Glenn Beck
The Overton Window
Idiots Unplugged: Truth for Those Who Care to Listen (audiobook)
The Christmas Sweater: A Picture Book
Arguing with Idiots: How to Stop Small Minds and Big Government
Glenn Becks Common Sense: The Case Against an Out-of-Control Government, Inspired by Thomas Paine
Americas March to Socialism: Why Were One Step Closer to Giant Missile Parades (audiobook)
The Christmas Sweater
An Inconvenient Book: Real Solutions to the Worlds Biggest Problems
The Real America: Early Writings from the Heart and Heartland
BROKE
The Plan to Restore Our
Trust, Truth and Treasure
Written & Edited by GLENN BECK and KEVIN BALFE
Illustrations by PAUL E. NUNN
Contributors: PETER SCHWEIZER, TYLER GRIMM, COLIN BALFE, and GARY BROZEK
THE DEDICATION
To all the historians who refuse to compromise the truth to be popular, rich, or tenured.
History is rife with those who were called crazy by the establishment. They are almost always the ones who change the world while the establishment is forgotten.
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Copyright 2010 by Mercury Radio Arts, Inc.
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever. For information address Threshold Editions Subsidiary Rights Department, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
First Threshold Editions/Mercury Radio Arts hardcover edition October 2010
THRESHOLD EDITIONS and colophon are trademarks of Simon & Schuster, Inc.
GLENN BECK is a trademark of Mercury Radio Arts, Inc.
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ISBN 978-1-4391-8719-7
ISBN 978-1-4391-9012-8 (ebook)
As John Adams once said, revolutions take place in the hearts and minds of the people. To win that battle, we have to usher in a revolution of thought by shifting the debate in America from one about retirement ages and tax hikes to one about individual rights, equality of opportunity, and Gods role in our success.
They say that the truth will set you free, but Ive found that it will first make you miserable. I say: Bring it on. There is much work to be done and many tough choices lie ahead: difficult sacrifices, financial pain, maybe some dark days. It wont be easy, but nothing worth doing ever is.
This book is about understanding that our system of government is broken because we ourselves are broken in spirit, broken in trust, and broken in our faith. Its about understanding that debts and deficits arent the disease; no, theyre just symptoms of the disease. This book is about learning from the past and seeing that minimum government, maximum freedom isnt just a catchy slogan. It was once a way of life in America, and its a way of life that we can have back. My hope is that it will help you to think out of the box politically and motivate you to challenge those who are blocking the doorway to restoration.
The time for trusting others in government based on a D or an R has long since passed. Trust yourself. Trust your neighbors. Live your life the right way and prepare to witness miracles. God is not done with freedom, and neither am I.
But it all starts with you. You have to find your role, your place in this fight.
Remember, the heroes we read about in history booksPaul Revere, George Washington, Benjamin Franklinwere usually only a very small part of the story. You dont have to ride the horse at midnight yourself to make a real difference. You just have to help make sure that someone else can.
New York City, 2010
THE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Special thanks to...
Everyone who make the long hours at work worth it: The VIEWERS, LISTENERS, READERS, and INSIDERS.
Everyone who makes the short hours at home worth it: All of my PARENTS, my wife, TANIA, and my amazing CHILDREN. And to my stepparents, VINCENT and MARY ANN COLONNA, thank you for being such good role models for your daughter, my wife.
Everyone atMERCURY RADIO ARTSwho has helped to turn a sketch on a whiteboard into a world-class company, including:CHRIS BALFE, KEVIN BALFE, STU BURGUIERE, DAN ANDROS, LIZ JULIS, RICH BONN, CAROLYN POLKE, PAT GRAY, JOE KERRY, SARAH SULLIVAN, CHRIS BRADY, KELLY THOMPSON, PATRICIA BALFE, JOHN CARNEY, JEREMY PRICE, and CHRISTINA GUASTELLA.
Everyone whose advice, support, and research made this book possible. I couldnt have put this together without youand any mistakes are, of course, all your fault:
Brian Riedl, Yaron Brook, Larry Schweikart, David Dougherty, Stephen Moore, Chris Edwards, Dan Mitchell, Erik Prince, Stephen K. Bannon, Steve Kraemer, Fraser Seitel, David Buckner, Andrew Biggs, Professor Owen Smith, Wilson Garrett, Emily Rittenberg, Dan Andros, Pat Gray, Stu Burguiere, Rhonda Adair, Abby Argersinger, Wynton Hall, David Healy, Jr., Grace Hemphill, Jonathan Nicholson, Tim Ward, Casey Wood, Ivan Santana, and Tad DeHaven.
Everyone at Simon & Schuster who makes these books possible (literally), including:CAROLYN REIDY, LOUISE BURKE, MITCHELL IVERS, ANTHONY ZICCARDI, LIZ PERL, and EMILY BESTLER.
Everyone at Premiere Radio Networks and Clear Channel who allows my voice to be heard by millions every day, including:MARK MAYS, JOHN HOGAN, CHARLIE RAHILLY, JULIE TALBOTT, DAN YUKELSON, and DAN METTER.
Everyone at Fox News who lets me be myself on television, warts and all, including:
ROGER AILES, BILL SHINE, SUZANNE SCOTT, BILL OREILLY, JOEL CHEAT-WOOD, TIFFANY SIEGEL, and everyone else on my extraordinary STAFF.
Everyone else who has helped me over the years in both big and small ways, including:GEORGE HILTZIK, KRAIG KITCHIN, BRIAN GLICKLICH, MATTHEW HILTZIK, JOSH RAFFEL, JON HUNTSMAN, DUANE WARD, STEVE SCHEFFER, DOM THEODORE, SCOTT BAKER, RICHARD PAUL EVANS, GEORGE LANGE, TIMOTHY SHANER, RUSSELL M. BALLARD, KEN SWEZEY, along with ALLEN, CAM, AMY, MARY, and the whole team at ISDANER.
BROKE
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