We are living in a brave new world of uncertainty where previous norms of cultural and institutional behavior are being erased. In September, we watched the ugliest politics imaginable, used by the left to prevent the confirmation of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court.
This is the same political left that uses Saul Alinsky’s “Rules for Radicals” as its playbook. While those on the left are masters of the book, Republican leaders have not studied or understood the text well enough to know how to avoid the traps and pitfalls placed in their path. Some probably don’t even know who Alinsky was.
In an environment of uncertainty with shifting goals and rules, the victor is often the person who refuses to blink. Although President Donald Trump is not one to blink, this cannot be said for other members of the GOP. Trump, a former Democrat, understands the rules better than his skittish advisers.
“Rules for Radicals” is about overthrowing the existing political and socioeconomic system and replacing it with something more palatable to the political left. Alinsky was a master of deception and so are his disciples. His strategies include deception, infiltration, and manipulation. These are the tactics the political left has used to take over America’s colleges and universities.
If Republicans are going to govern true to the high principles found in their party platform, it is critical for them to become experts at recognizing and deflecting Alinsky’s tactics.
Listed below are the 13 tactics that Republicans need to recognize and deflect:
- “Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have.” Power is derived from two main sources: money and people. “Have-nots” must build power from flesh and blood. (Since have-nots have limited resources, they must use their numbers as a source of strength.)
- “Never go outside the expertise of your people.” It results in confusion, fear, and retreat. Feeling secure adds to the backbone of anyone.
- “Whenever possible, go outside the expertise of the enemy.” Look for ways to increase insecurity, anxiety, and uncertainty.
- “Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules.” If the rule is that every letter gets a reply, send 30,000 letters. You can kill them with this because no one can possibly obey all of their own rules.
- “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.” There is no defense. It’s irrational. It’s infuriating. It also works as a key pressure point to force the enemy into concessions. (Trump is a master of this one.)
- “A good tactic is one your people enjoy.” They’ll keep doing it without urging and come back to do more. They’re doing their thing, and will even suggest better ones.
- “A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag.” Don’t become old news.
- “Keep the pressure on. Never let up.” Keep trying new things to keep the opposition off balance. As the opposition masters one approach, hit them from the flank with something new.
- “The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.” Imagination and ego can dream up many more consequences than any activist.
- “The major premise for tactics is the development of operations that will maintain a constant pressure upon the opposition.” It is this unceasing pressure that results in the reactions from the opposition that are essential for the success of the campaign.
- “If you push a negative hard enough, it will push through and become a positive.” Violence from the other side can win the public to your side because the public sympathizes with the underdog.
- “The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative.” Never let the enemy score points because you’re caught without a solution to the problem.
- “Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.” Cut off the support network and isolate the target from sympathy. Go after people and not institutions; people hurt faster than institutions.
“Rules for Radicals” has become a bible for the true believers who would like to remake America by jettisoning its traditions.
By jettisoning principles in favor of end goals, Democrats have perfected the art of playing blacks against whites, whites against blacks, women against men, and older people against younger people. Alinskyites are masters of a craft that requires them to exploit other people’s pain and suffering to achieve selfish political goals cloaked in self-righteousness.
We no longer have a viable two-party system committed to the betterment of America. By word, deed, and pattern of behavior, the Democratic Party has allowed itself to be taken over by radicals who now control their party leaders. Once-respected Democrats no longer speak as the responsible individuals who once worked with Republicans to achieve bipartisan outcomes benefiting the nation.
During the Kavanaugh hearings, we heard Democrat lawyers and senators argue that Kavanaugh was not entitled to the presumption of innocence. Lawmakers demanded that unverified and unsubstantiated accusations of women with ties to anti-Kavanaugh activist groups be taken as truth solely on the basis of their allegations.
It is a repeat of the tactic that worked against Judge Roy Moore in Alabama. It was so successful that some Republicans joined the bandwagon against Moore, demanding he leave the race while failing to question the tactics utilized against him. Since it was so successful before, why not repeat it?
There is a problem here. These tactics can turn around and bite the other side. Democrat men need to beware. What happened to Moore and Kavanaugh could just as easily happen to any one of them at any time. The #MeToo movement is slowly evolving into something akin to the Salem witch trials.
We are watching desperate people engage in desperate measures to retain political power. The tactics intensify as dreams of a swift impeachment of Trump evaporate. The economy is booming. Trump’s approval rating among blacks is rising, and the nation is looking more favorably at the Republican Party. These are scary times for the left.
Those of us who love America and its people must fight harder than ever for our Constitution and Bill of Rights. We must be like the noble signers of the Declaration of Independence who were willing to risk their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to found a nation.
As we approach the 2018 midterm elections, we must motivate others by reminding them that America is worth fighting for.
Article appeared in The Epoch Times
Image: Judge Brett Kavanaugh sits next to his wife Ashley Kavanaugh, and daughter Liza, before the Senate Judiciary Committee during the first day of his confirmation hearing to serve as Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court at the Capitol in Washington on Sept. 4, 2018. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times)
