Press Release: Jose Franco’s New Book Introduction

Hey, America, it’s me, Jose Franco. You probably know me as a New York City High School Baseball coach, a former political activist, and a guy who’s been writing oped articles on patch.com about making healthy food choices and self-confrontation in equal measure. Well, the writing continues—but this time, it's in book form.

Yes, folks, I’ve written Country Before Party: A Proactive Guide to Self-Confrontation for the Betterment of America, a nine-step guide that will take you on a grueling, greasy journey toward self-awareness and, hopefully, national improvement. And guess what? It’s free! Yep, just like hard work—it’s right there, accessible to anyone, and just as easily avoided. Funny how we dodge self-confrontation as fast as we dive into distractions like Twitter or Truth Social. (Looking at you, Elon and Donald!)

Imagine, for a second, Elon Musk sitting down to interview Donald Trump with the same deceptively simple question he uses to spot top talent: "Tell me about the most difficult problems you’ve worked on and how you solved them." Now, picture this going down on a platform neither of them owns. Awkward silence, maybe? Or just a lot of word salad? Let’s be real, avoiding tough questions is easier than solving problems—whether you’re running a tech empire or launching a social media platform to dodge your own reflection.

In writing this book, I had a George Carlin moment—a genius at language, Carlin was. But even he struggled with self-confrontation, stuck in his witty critique of human fallibility while missing the chance to confront democracy’s paradoxes. Carlin could dissect America with surgical precision but never turned the scalpel on his own reflections. It made me realize, in our democracy, we’re too busy dunking on each other to actually do the work that matters.
Which brings me back to greasy burgers. I’ve always been a fan of fast food—the slicker, the better. A double bacon cheeseburger that could double as hand lotion? Heaven. But greasy food is like our political landscape right now: It’s easy, it’s bad for you, and it’ll clog your arteries (and your brain) if you’re not careful.

It’s kind of like the 2024 election: Harris vs. Trump. Imagine pulling into the drive-thru. You’ve got Trump, the deep-fried option, and Harris, marketed like kale but covered in creamy dressing. Neither is the healthy choice you need, but here we are, ordering the political equivalent of extra fries. The real issue isn’t about choosing a side; it’s about choosing a new way forward that demands self-confrontation and real effort, which is exactly what my book is about.

Self-confrontation is the Ozempic-free diet for the soul. Where Ozempic promises to melt away your bad choices with zero effort, Country Before Party is more like intermittent fasting. It’s painful, slow, and requires discipline. There’s no magic fix—just you, facing the uncomfortable truths about your biases, your political allegiances, and the real work democracy demands.
Look, democracy was never supposed to be easy. It’s hard work. It’s messy, like biting into a greasy burger that leaves a slick mess in its wake. But it’s also worth it—just like resisting that easy political dopamine hit in favor of something more lasting. My book isn’t here to comfort you; it’s here to push you. Because if we don’t start now, our democracy will be as clogged as my arteries after a month of drive-thru meals.

And before you hit "like" on that Facebook post or retreat to your favorite echo chamber, consider this: Self-confrontation is what keeps us honest. It’s what stops us from becoming so distracted by party loyalty that we forget to prioritize the country. And if we’re serious about building a better America, it’s time we put down the fast food of partisan politics and get back to doing the work—together.

So, grab a copy of Country Before Party (did I mention it’s free?) and start asking the tough questions: "Am I doing this for the good of the country, or am I just trying to score a win for my team?" The answers might sting a little, but that’s how real growth happens—by confronting what’s uncomfortable, just like intermittent fasting (without the Ozempic).

In the end, democracy isn’t about finding the quickest fix. It’s about investing in the hard, greasy work of making choices that might hurt now but heal later. So, my fellow citizens, grab your metaphorical diet plans, skip the fast food options of political convenience, and let’s start confronting ourselves—for the betterment of America. We’ve got a country to save, and it’s not going to happen by distracting ourselves with Twitter or Truth Social.
Oh, and one last thing: While you’re busy confronting yourself, you might want to reconsider that double bacon cheeseburger. Your arteries will thank you later.
Jose Franco
(Author of How To Get Better At Things You Don’t Think You’re Bad At By 2020, former owner of Stoop Juice, and firm believer that self-confrontation beats any miracle cure—be it Ozempic or political shortcuts.)