Part I. What is "America"? Not a country, a state of mind : Introduction -- Freedom is intended as a challenge -- Fake patriotism -- Fake democracy -- Part II. Core values : Principle one: We are required to speak freely -- Principle two: We have a duty to rebel continually against injustice and oppression -- Principle three: ordinary people are supposed to run things -- Principle four: Americans cherish the rule of law -- Principle five: America establishes no god -- Principle six: Americans deliberate with their neighbors; we disagree without violence -- Principle seven: liberty is universal: America cannot maintain an oppressive empire -- A new American revolution -- Part III. America: the user's guide : 1. Driving change : "Democracy commandos" / Curtis Ellis -- 2. Speech : How to petition -- How to play hardball once you have petitioned -- Become the media yourself : How to write a press release / Lisa Witter ; create the debate yourself ; Help frame the news coverage ; How to leak to an investigative reporter ; How to pitch a feature piece ; Radio ; TV -- Produce new media : How to create a blog / Elizabeth Curtis ; How to create a web video / Will Coghlan -- 3. Protest : How to drive a boycott -- How to take to the streets / Marjorie Cohn -- Staging a protest : How to be safe as you protest ; Arrest ; The permit system / Heidi Boghosian -- How to speak in any public context -- 4. Deliberate, community-build, and organize : How to start a political movement : Direct-action activism / Trevor "Oyate" ; Starting your own political movement / Raymond D. Powell -- Organize a town hall meeting : How to run a meeting / Wende Jager-Hyman ; Deliberate with your neighbors / Mary Jacksteit -- Become the leaders of America : How to start a nonprofit organization ; How to fund-raise / Stephanie Berger -- 5. Rule of law: create of change laws yourself : Initiatives and referenda -- Make every vote count / Mark Crispin Miller -- Organize a national hearing / Annette Warren Dickerson -- Expose government secrecy: a guide to getting government files / Lauren Melodia -- 6. Dismantle an oppressive empire: remake U.S. foreign policy : How to promote democracy overseas through investment / Diane Keefe -- 7. Understand how your system works : Overview / Curtis Ellis -- What is the electoral college? / Wende Jager-Hyman -- User's guide to the constitution and Bill of Rights / Steven C. Bennett -- 8. Wish list for the future : Direct democracy -- Voting / Curtis Ellis -- A twelve-step program to save U.S. democracy / Mark Crispin Miller -- Additional wish list items.