 2009-01-06 - No middle ground here
There is nothing fair or balanced about this book. This is an all-out assault on the contemporary conservative movement. Frank doesn't make excuses as he hits conservatives rapid-fire with examples of their corruption, cronyism, and destruction of government. This was clearly not written for distribution at GOP events.
That said, Frank has put together a well-done example of incisive political criticism. While he makes intentionally one-sided arguments, he points to unmistakable facts that still trouble the conservative movement: support for the South African apartheid regime, Jack Abramoff, support of murderous warlords, and sweatshop labor in the Northern Mariana Islands. His most thought-provoking arguments, however, involve conservatives' attempts to "defund the Left" and essentially sabotage the parts of government that are seen as "liberal" (e.g. Dept. of Labor).
While this is clearly not a politically neutral work, Frank avoids the lies and innuendo so prevalent in today's political "hit pieces." His writing is clear and at times humorous, and his passion shines through his words. I would advise readers to know the perspective of this book before opening. This book will cause anger for some and head-nodding for others, but when viewed as objectively as possible it's a laudable piece of political criticism.
2009-01-02 - Fabulous summary of the right's hypocrisy
While I know lots of right wingers, some relatively extremist, one thing has stood out about them: their hyposcrisy. They'll talk about "free markets" yet take advantage of any government program--"free market?" That's a controlled market!--then can.
Thomas Frank wrote a real gem with "What's the Matter with Kansas?" a few years ago. There was some academic criticism of the work--justified, it seemed. (Yes, I read that too.) But I agree with his premise in that book, that many--too many--voters tend to vote against their own best interests. (I could go on about various American myths, but won't bother here to do so).
Anyway, I longed to read this volume, and purchased it. Then there wasn't time to read it so I also purchased the recorded version. I've said on these pages that I'm not a real big fan of recorded books as (1) they don't included footnotes and references and (2) you can't re-read items to let 'em sink in. But, as I had both media, I could refer to the written version while listening to the CDs--and while discussing it with my wife who comes from a line of old-line Republicans who think big business is God's gift to the human species.
Where does one start? Perhaps at one of the most important elements of the text: the Northern Marianias Islands. If one asks Americans what are the US "territories," they'll respond Puerto Rico, Guam...they almost always miss the Northern Marianias Islands. Why does that territory stand out? Because corporations employ slave labor who have NO citizenship priveleges, can be sent home, shamed, in a heartbeat if they even talk about collective bargaining. Yet their products proudly display, "Made in the USA." And the "free marketers" applaud the territory as the epitome of their objectives.
Other reviewers have commented on another important element of the text: that the "free marketers" complain about regulation, as if it's the legal manifestation of the anti-Christ. Frank offers examples that inept government is part of the "conservative" plan. For decades, they've insisted that unqualified and/or inept persons be installed in regulatory positions, thereby inhibiting that anti-Christ. PART OF THE PLAN, for cryin' out loud. Again, it's been a "conservative" demand for decades, and Frank provides quotes to prove it.
As I live in suburban DC, I know much of what he speaks. Frank insists that Loudon County, VA is one of the richest counties in the country. (My wife thought it was Fairfax County, VA--for which I used to work, in a regulatory capacity! Nope. It seems that county is second!) "Conservatives" insist that this is true because of the bloated federal bureaucrats, those overpaid sycophants who just drain you and me of our entrepenurial skills, right? Actually, among the wealthiest, Frank describes, are lobbyists, those overpaid lumps who influence the government at the expense of you and me, you know, those who can't afford people like my former Congressman who left for a lobbying firm after losing the primary to a far better person.
Frank brings up at several times during the text how much the "lobbying" organizations are making off their "causes." Now, truth be told, I've worked for some lefty groups that got on my nerves a little as they were not too much more than trendy fundraisers. But they made a living, and performed something. Some of the right wing groups make tens of millions, a small fraction of which ever gets to the causes the organizations allegedly endorse. And their founders are living in Washington suburbs...see above, Re: Loudon County, Fairfax County...
If there's a star of the book, that role probably goes to Jack Abramoff. We think of him as an abberation. Frank indicates that Abramoff is more typical of the lobbying realm than we'd like to think--and he's in jail now so the problem's been fixed, right? Wrong.
A partcicularly poignant portion of the book described a lobbying organization in Washington, the IFF, International Freedom Foundation. Frank was having trouble researching that organization, which warned us of evil, foreign influence, the terrible, Commie Sandinistas in Nicaragua, and on and on. The frosting on the cake of that group--and the reason its roots were difficult to find--is that it was a baby of Apartheid South Africa's military intelligence apparatus! (Leave it to them, though. After apartheid had dissolved, the IFF found some other causes to endear, and make $$$ money off of, some of them the opposite of those they'd endorsed in their ealier incarnation!)
Well, Frank's fine work was released before the deregulatory nightmare through which we're all suffering now. You might want to read it just to explain to yourself the roots of the nightmare.
I often consider a book based on its penchant for converting those aside from the proverbial "choir." This book has that potential. There is an "us vs. them" aura of the book, but it redefines who might be the "enemy." So even those disinclined to regulation, those who complain of government interference into the "free market," especially since they too are suffering now, might enjoy this fine book, and reconsider their views.
Note, by the way, that I put "conservative" in quotes most of the time. That's because I'm always challenged by that label applying to those who're jingoistic, or corporate cheerleaders. They're lobbying for another power structure, another aristocracy, rather than leveling that aristocracy which is an element ot true conservatism.
In short, it's a great book. Read it and spread it around. Learn and teach.
Thanks, Thomas Frank!
 2008-12-26 - On the money
This is an absolutely on-the-money analysis of what is wrong with the federal government (and to some extent state governments). Like most people, I struggled to understand how our federal leadership could be so incredibly incompetent. Books like this one and Naomi Klein's "The Shock Doctrine" explain the answer in great detail. The destruction of government is not due (solely) to incompetence, but is by design. I just read a couple articles about the lack of oversight by the SEC, and the lack of tax-cheat prosecutions by the IRS. After reading Frank's book, it makes perfect sense -- the conservatives have defunded these organizations, cut their staff, and done their best to de-fang these critical government agencies. The truly scary thing was that it took almost a complete global economic meltdown to get enough people to vote the conservatives "out of power."
2008-12-14 - The Wrecking Crew opens eyes wide to federal government corruption
"The Wrecking Crew" is an excellently written book detailing how our federal government became as corrupt and divided as it has become since 1980 by naming names, places and actions that contributed to our present situation. Pointing out President Reagan's part by repealing the regulations put in place to prevent big business from taking over and acting like a monarchy. The book describes very cleary a place and living conditions presently under American jurisdiction that big business has taken over completely. The drastic results greatly resembling the worst practices of the old southern slavery before the Civil War, the American politicians and others that put it into place and the people that perpetuate the horrible situation. The response to it all by the average American citizen!
2008-11-27 - Excellent -- a must-read for those believing in good government
Thomas Frank has written a thorough, well documented, and highly readable exposé of "how conservatives rule." I use quotes because these people are not conservatives at all, but radicals of the right. Frank's term "wingnuts" is entirely appropriate. True conservatives --nearly extinct in the US -- believe in fiscal responsibility, good government, and a careful, measured approach to change.
I rate this book **** instead of ***** because now and then Frank does overreach and brush people and ideas with tar they don't deserve. Tom Friedman is not an apostle of globalization; rather, he believes (as do I) that it's here, it's irreversible, and we have to deal with it rather than trying to wish it away. Not the same thing at all. As another example, not all supporters of tort law reform are part of the "wrecking crew." American tort law is an unholy mess and every American is paying the bill, one way or another. Serious tort reform can and must be achieved without compromising the right of the truly injured to be made whole.
A most useful contribution to the literature. And well-written, considerably above the "standard" (such as it is) set by the radical right. The chapter on Saipan is exceptionally effective. Strongly recommended for those who still believe in government.
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