DeMint Says "Private Ryan" Inspired "Saving Freedom"

Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., said he was inspired to write a book about saving free enterprise after he saw "Saving Private Ryan."

Just as the American Army worked together to save Private Ryan from the Nazis, DeMint said at an NPC book event July 8, “all generations of a free and prosperous American people” need to join together to save freedom from socialism. His book, "Saving Freedom: We Can Stop America’s Slide Into Socialism," was recently published.

“Republicans betrayed the trust of the American people” when the Bush administration increased government spending, DeMint said, calling for a sense of urgency to save the free enterprise system and limited government by cutting the federal budget. He said it is only a matter of time before allies “question the value of the dollar.”

DeMint also called for a return to religion.

“Democracy doesn’t work without Judeo-Christian values,” he said. “Our system doesn’t work without a religious and moral people,” adding that the Founders’ individualism is rooted in the Protestant Reformation.

He said action plans in "Saving Freedom" would keep Americans from “killing the goose that lays the golden egg.” Pointing to his success blocking immigration amnesty with only five votes, DeMint noted the United States has “sent people all around the world to fight for freedom, but here we gave it up with our votes.”

Asked whether Thomas Jefferson was right that “the tree of liberty must be refreshed…with the blood of patriots and tyrants,” DeMint demurred. “I haven’t given up on a civil route to this…I haven’t given up on tea parties.”

Book & Author Committee member Jan King introduced DeMint.