 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.
 2008-11-24 - Explains How Milton Friedman & His Followers . . .
made billionaires out of millionaires and killed the middle class around the world.
Written and documented quite clearly, and even if at times, I disagree with her political views, she makes it quite plain that economies built on fear and greed destroy the Democracies that Capitalism is supposed to foster.
I wish I had read this book a year ago. I think it would have prepared me for the economy we face today.
2008-11-21 - top notch writing, dead-on analysis
Frank has done another superlative job that follows on his equally savvy and well written "what's the matter with Kansas?" Extensive footnoting, clear writing and a wry sense of humor make this book a delight. Required reading for anyone with an interest in making government do what it is supposed to do - serve and protect the people - not just right-wing idealogues.
2008-10-27 - The Wrecking Crew by Thomas Frank
You remember Hillary Clinton talking about the vast right wing conspiracy back in the late 90's? Well in The Wrecking Crew Thomas Frank chronicles the entire 30 year, systematic and sordid affair, including all the details, names, dates, and theme songs such as "DE-FUND THE LEFT."
If you ever wondered who's systematically undermining (yes it's still going on) our government of, by, and for the people, this book clarifies things better than any book I've ever read. If you really want to know what the next President is up against, you can't afford to miss this book.
2008-10-24 - Must Read Muckraking for 2009
One of the pomo lessons of the Bush era is this: A corruption scandal can ruin an administration; a corruption scandal every two days will only make your administration stronger. It is so hard to wrap your head around it all, especially when disbelief and outrage are blowing all your fuses. Frank gives us the intelligent encapsulation every American needs. His book should be sold at the check-out displays of every red-state WalMart in the country. This is not in-depth, follow-the-money reporting or Veblen-level analysis. But Frank is exactly the muckraker the times demand. Following the unsavory careers of Grover Norquist, Jack Abramoff, and other campus Reagan youth from their early involvements with South African racist cadres to their free market hit squads in the halls of K Street power, Frank reveals one of the more cynical, nihilistic corners of the "vast right-wing conspiracy," an entity whose existence few can now doubt. His basic premise is the way in which a libertarian philosophy and the inside destruction of government agencies are mutually reinforcing. You can enrich yourself corrupting, subverting, and looting government while at the same time demonstrating that, gee, government just doesn't work! This is a good dose of reality for any moderate liberal who believes our current crisis will somehow cast doubts on market fundamentalism or the hard right. Patriotism, for true market libertarians, is anything that effectively destroys the United States as a legal collective. By that standard, Bush is indisputably the hero of his movement, the one who smashed effective government for decades to come, grabbing an extra trillion dollars as he delivered a final kick to the stomach. Mission accomplished. In terms of values, reason, and civic concern, liberals and conservatives are just not operating on a level playing field. (To the "wing-nuts," as Frank calls them, the jailing of someone like Abramoff for some honest market payola only proves how corrupt constitutional law really is.) He also convincingly traces the connection between such formerly fringe thinking and GOP power, though not with any in-depth analysis of the psychological permutations. (Freudian death wish draped in a flag?) His villains are largely cynical, while I suspect that someone like Bush falls into the true-believer, banality end of the evil spectrum. Otherwise, great work. Highly recommended, etc. Only one qualm. Frank has a good light touch. He is not shrill, earnest, angry, or Chomskyish. But if, like me, you badly need a mental break from anger these days, you may want to wait a bit and pick it up after some time with the Vicar of Wakefield.
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