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The Book Rush Limbaugh Really Needs to Write — D.C. McAllister
We all know that Rush Limbaugh is writing books for children about the founding of the nation. I think that’s great. The more kids who are set straight about history, the better. Writing for kids is fun–especially about history. I’ve done it, so I know.
When it comes to reaching Millennials, though, I think Rush is missing the best story he has to tell: His own.
I thought about this while I was reading Charles Murray’s book, A Curmudgeon’s Guide to Getting Ahead. Don’t get me wrong: Rush isn’t a curmudgeon. But Murray’s advice to Millennials hearkens to what I’ve heard countless times from Rush about his own life: Work hard, figure out what you enjoy most, and learn how to make money doing it. Most of all—don’t sit around waiting for someone else to make it happen. Learn from your failures, don’t give up, and you can make the American Dream your own.
Rush has a personal story that will speak to Millennials. I know he mentions it every once in awhile on his radio show, but putting it in writing would give it a whole new life and an entirely different audience. If he were to write a moving autobiography about his experiences growing up in a notable family, being expected to go to college and following in his family’s footsteps, and then becoming a college dropout who had to find his own path though one failed job after another … well, that’s a story that would make heads turn. That’s a story that could inspire real change.
He has to write it himself though. I know there are Rush biographies out there, but this one has to be from his own pen, straight from his heart. He knows better than anyone else his own fears, his own pain, and his own joy. His story is a powerful message to young people about working toward a dream despite parental disappointment, economic setbacks, and personal failures. It’s a story for our time, and it needs to be told—cohesively, from cover to cover.
I remember Rush talking one time about being at home for a brief time before his parents told him to pack up and get a job. It was hard, but he had to do it. Rush could tell Pajama Boy a thing or two from personal experience—what it’s like to see life rise from the ashes of disappointment and unmet expectations. Empathy goes a long way.
Just picture it. A Rush autobiography that speaks to the current generation of young people in a real and moving way; that inspires them to follow in his footsteps. A movie could be made to spread the message to an even wider audience. Maybe Ashton Kutcher could play a young Rush? Okay, maybe not, but you get the idea. A real bridge could be built—if it’s done well—to a lost generation searching for guidance, for purpose, and for inspiration.
Stories about our own lives resonate like nothing else. We can retell stories from the past or portray characters from history in the most lively ways, but when it comes to real social change it’s our own stories that make a difference. Rush has a story to tell. I’m asking him to tell it. Not just in snippets on his radio show, but on paper, and then in film (maybe). If anyone can do it, he can.
What are some stories you can share about making it through hard times in the workforce (or in your personal life)? What is your story that will inspire this fearful, yet optimistic, generation?
Published in General
It’s a great idea but Rush can’t do everything. Perhaps the first step is to drop the made up term ‘millenials’ and treating those over 20 as children.
A ‘millenial’ just operated on my husband’s hand even though he looked like a youngster to me. They also had mild anti-obamacare posters in the surgical center. I guess what I’m saying is that this isn’t a new thing and it all seems a bit over-wrought. The article I posted on your other site had a jillion hits and I think was very effective- maybe more than Rush could be because it’s in their language: Cracked, Six Harsh Truths That Will Make You a Better Person.
There are two other books I’d like to see Rush write:
The first one would be about his travails with the state (or is it city?) of New York’s annual audit of his taxes. I assume most people are familiar with the fact that professional athletes pay income tax in every out-of-state venue they play in. Well, Rush has to prove every year that he has not worked in the City or State of New York so as not to have to pay them taxes. My guess is that it’s payback for Rush having moved to Florida ages ago.
The second would be about the Two If By Tea company he and his wife started. Rush on occasion has talked about the government hoops they had to jump through just to bring a product to market. I think it would be an illustration of why even kids’ lemonade stands are being shut down all over the country.
Back to the original topic. Yes, I would like to see Rush write an autobiography. My guess is that he’s going to be too busy with his children’s books to do it any time soon.
I really worry about the landscape of conservatism when Rush retires/dies in his chair.
There is no one like Rush out there, a lovable little fuzzball with a wry twinkle in his every word who exudes an everyman conservatism.
Levin and Hannity and their like are jerk-conservatism.
It’s a great read – deserves a link.
RushBabe49 will be sending a private email to the Doctor of Democracy tonight, with a link to your post. He’s paid attention before!
But, just who among the Millennials would give one second of their time to read anything written by Rush? They have been indoctrinated to believe that he is an evil sorcerer, who hates us common people, and is racist, sexist, elitist, multi-millionaire…the whole shebang. The ones who need to read his story, won’t.
As mentioned in the podcast, I think James Lileks is largely or partially wrong about the criticism of your idea. There are still many young people with non-partisan or conservative instincts, but there are similar stories from other people which also need to be told.
I agree with your basic premise, DC but as an entertaining and persuasive literary work, I think it would best be written by Dave Carter.
I bet you’d do a fantastic job, especially since you’d bring it the touch of a female patriot.
I have not read his recent children’s books, so I don’t have an opinion on how well written they are. But I have attempted to read his two books for adults, and I didn’t get very far. Rush has said that he writes the way he speaks. That’s not good writing, it’s good speaking.
I watched his old television show, as well as some of his appearances on television programs. I have come to the conclusion that he’s a genius in one medium, and that’s radio.
While I agree he has a good story to tell, he’s already told it on the best medium for him. On his program.
Correct. Frankly, this is a no-brainer.
Most of you have never heard of Bill Cook, who I had the pleasure of working for many years. Now, since his passing, I work for his family. Mr. Cook, “Bill” to most everyone, was a very successful entrepreneur. In the early sixties he started a medical device company in the bedroom of his apartment. Today that company, Cook Inc., employs over 10,000 worldwide.
Bill started with nothing and worked himself onto the Forbes list of the Top 100 Richest People in the world. His philosophy was simple, do what is right for the customer, and the money will follow.
Chances are you or your family have had their lives improved by Bill. He invented the multi-lumen catheter which allows the delivery of stents and angioplasty balloons. The first angioplasty procedure was a Cook balloon.
His story is worth reading. He had a very interesting life. By being a successful capitalist, he improved the lives of millions of people.
A story well told can captivate even the most obstinate dissenter.
I always thought it would be great if Rush bought the NYTimes or started a good TV news channel. This is when I first started realizing that Rush’s stated niche is radio and why don’t other media people on the Right get together and do this? Why are they so happy to stay in perpetual second place, like the Republicans? I started noticing how so many of our media ‘leaders’ say things like, ‘Even though ____ (gross leftist example: B.Maher/A.Coulter) is friend, I strongly disagree with them, but I also believe those Tea Partiers are too Rad.” Or, ‘While I am for SSM (many, many) or amnesty I strongly feel others have a right to disagree.’ And we wonder why we (those of us with other jobs) are ‘losing the culture and media wars’ and our media agrees with us.
Rush took the route of showing people how it’s done by starting a tea company, then engaging the culture by writing children’s books. Compare how often these have been touted in the Right media compared to being reactive of outrageous Leftist spoutings. Bad news sells.
Palin tries to engage the culture through reality TV and half of our side poo-poos this because it isn’t group rights oriented or intellectual enough even though millions watch -even if they don’t. Many dismiss both of them because they make money doing it.
Writers don’t necessarily have the entrepreneurial or competitive gene so perhaps the answer is for a group to get together with Rush and ask him for a good business plan.
A mendacious story of Rush has been well told and has captivated obstinate dissenters.