John Manrique

For the People: the Invisible Hand of Power's Unofficial Guide to the 2008 Presidential Election John Manrique

Publisher Marketing: "NYC Prep" meets "The Manchurian Candidate" in this blistering satire of the 2008 Presidential Election. Voltaire is a child born into ultimate privilege; his family is one of the ruling members of "They," the invisible hand of power behind mankind's machinations, as in "They say you need to eat more fruits and vegetables, or donate ten percent of your pay, or believe ..." As young Voltaire prepares to enter manhood and take his place at the table, he finds himself disagreeing with what "They" say about the upcoming US Presidential election. Emboldened by the impetuous confidence of youth and the fresh face of Barack Obama, he decides to do something about it. The result is a hilarious, uncompromising look at modern society. Religion, gender, race, celebrity, class-nothing is sacred in this sensationalized romp through the incestuous world of American pop-political culture that chronicles an insider's fanciful interplay with all the characters. From Caribou Barbie to terrorist pals who made the 2008 campaign one for the ages, "For the People" intersperses real life with fiction-but is it really fiction? While the outcome of the 2008 Presidential election may be known, this surreal journey behind the election, with its many twists and turns, poses real questions for the people to answer about our role and responsibility in it all.