America is facing a crisis of nearly unparalleled proportions and severity. There have been few times in our history when we have confronted a danger equal to that of today - and those times all were associated with war: a revolution, a civil war, a world war. It can be argued, in fact, that today's danger is even greater than the crises of yesteryear. Back then the American Spirit was our greatest ally. Today, the American Spirit itself is being destroyed. It is obvious to any perceptive observer of the current socio-political debate that none of the major contenders in that conflict are offering any solutions that are fundamentally different from the old, hapless, and hopeless policies and programs of the past. We are in a rut (or is it a grave?) and no one is offering us a chance to climb out. The major political parties and personalities only disagree about how fast we should keep digging. Precisely when our nation needs a ladder, the politicians only offer us different kinds of shovels. It is time that we the people told them to keep their shovels. We are getting out of here. This is a guidebook for action - a handbook for doers. It will offer unique solutions for the broad, systemic problems of government and social disintegration as well as insights for handling some specific issues such as crime, drugs, illegal immigration, national service, educational and moral reform. It is short. We won't spend much time discussing the nature of problems that we already know we have. Nor will we spend much time considering a crate-load of statistics to define just how bad the problems are. We all know they are bad. We won't cover all the troubles confronting the nation; but we will consider enough of the really bad ones to allow us to effect meaningful and lasting reform. The literary style of this book will be conversational and blunt. There is no intent to impress anyone with a scholarly demeanor. It is said that there is a time for all things under the sun. This is a time for the bold and the decisive. This is a time for warriors, for we are in the fight of our lives - the fight for America's life. One last thing before we embark. We will cater to no special interests other than those of God and country. It was good enough for George Washington, and that's good enough for us. As such you can bet that we will be slaughtering a good many sacred cows - but they do make the best hamburgers. We will undoubtedly assail an assumption or two that you hold dear or assault a special interest to which you belong. No apologies. We are all part of the problem, and we all need to make some sacrifices to solve the problem. Remember, it doesn't do much good to have the nicest stateroom on the Titanic if the whole ship goes down. Our ship of state is sinking fast. This is no time for inaction, and it surely is no time to honor the privileged position to which some think they are entitled. We all need to grab a bucket and start bailing. To be sure, we'll get wet and cold. We'll get blisters and soar muscles, and some of us will not make it at all. But if we get this right and get it fast, we can save the ship and all those who remain on board. However, if the ship goes down, there will be no survivors. So, don't think you have a choice in the matter, unless you regard dishonor, dissolution, and death a choice. The time has come for us to unite to re-form a more perfect union. The time has come for us to take pride in the magnitude of our sacrifice, not the magnificence of our privilege. The time has come for Americans to act like Americans.