Broke: The Plan to Restore Our Trust, Truth, and Treasure (also known as 'Broke') is a book by Glenn Beck

Glenn Beck

Glenn Edward Lee Beck is an American conservative radio host, vlogger, author, entrepreneur, political commentator and former television host. He hosts the Glenn Beck Program, a nationally syndicated talk-radio show that airs throughout the United States on Premiere Radio Networks...

 released in October 2010.

Background

In November 2009, Beck announced a non-fiction book called "The Plan", which, according to Beck, would "provide specific policies, principles and, most importantly, action steps that each of us can take to play a role" in a "Refounding". Beck originally planned to unveil the book during the Restoring Honor rally

Restoring Honor rally

The Restoring Honor rally was held on August 28, 2010 at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. and was organized by Glenn Beck to "restore honor in America" and to raise funds for the non-profit Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Billed as a "celebration of America's heroes and heritage,"...

 on August 28, 2010 at the feet of the Lincoln Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial is an American memorial built to honor the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. It is located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The architect was Henry Bacon, the sculptor of the main statue was Daniel Chester French, and the painter of the interior...

, but he canceled the unveiling soon after, opting to make the rally focus on faith and patriotism. The planned book was later renamed to its current title, and was released on October 26, 2010.

Contents

Broke is divided into three parts. The first part discusses the history of how the United States got "broken", the second part outlines Beck's theories of a government takeover, and the third part consists of Beck's solution to the problem.

Reception

Upon its release, Broke took the number two spot on the New York Times Bestseller List.

The New York Review of Books

The New York Review of Books

The New York Review of Books is a fortnightly magazine with articles on literature, culture and current affairs. Published in New York City, it takes as its point of departure that the discussion of important books is itself an indispensable literary activity...

said that the book "is a "sober...libertarian

Libertarianism

Libertarianism, in the strictest sense, is the political philosophy that holds individual liberty as the basic moral principle of society. In the broadest sense, it is any political philosophy which approximates this view...

 tract [in which...t]here is a call for minimal government, more federalism

Federalism

Federalism is a political concept in which a group of members are bound together by covenant with a governing representative head. The term "federalism" is also used to describe a system of the government in which sovereignty is constitutionally divided between a central governing authority and...

, a flat tax

Flat tax

A flat tax is a tax system with a constant marginal tax rate. Typically the term flat tax is applied in the context of an individual or corporate income that will be taxed at one marginal rate...

, balanced budget and term-limit amendments, stemming the growth of Social Security

Social Security (United States)

In the United States, Social Security refers to the federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program.The original Social Security Act and the current version of the Act, as amended encompass several social welfare and social insurance programs...

 and Medicare

Medicare (United States)

Medicare is a social insurance program administered by the United States government, providing health insurance coverage to people who are aged 65 and over; to those who are under 65 and are permanently physically disabled or who have a congenital physical disability; or to those who meet other...

payments, and serious cuts in defense spending."