"Today, our gift of democracy is endangered not by military might threatening a sudden, explosive coup but by the stealth of corporate lawyers and politicians, seizing a piece of self-government from us here, then another piece from over there, quietly installing an elitist regime issue by issue, law by law, place by place, with many citizens unaware that their people's authority is slipping away."
I really enjoy reading Jim Hightower, his style of writing informs and amuses. This book, written in 2000, is still very relevant to the corporate power and rising inequality we are witnessing today.
Hightower takes aim at political corruption, especially campaign financing, along with the corporatization of America. Fascinating. I would vote for this man.
This is a good book for liberals. Not Democrats, but liberals. There is a lot of enlightening material in this book that ideally would be reported more prominently in mass media but is usually hard to find. As expected, there is a lot material that takes Republicans and conservatives to task, but there is also a great deal of information about how many positions taken by the Clinton administration weren't so great (from a liberal point of view). Though the information can be maddening, Hightower presents it all in an engaging and often humorous way.
Another excellent one from a great populist and activist. Jim Hightower is deeply familiar with how politics work at the local, state, and national levels, and he spares no perpetrator of malfeasance and takes no prisoners. Unlike many political commentators and writers, he has a history of service as an elected official himself, so he's been in the arena. Great reading for anyone who wants to be better informed about what and who to watch out for as an informed citizen.
The more of this book's advice you're following, the better an American you probably are. I know that seems highbrow. but it's a great call to arms. And with an election of no small import looming maybe now's a good time start giving a rat's ass. Myself included.
It was good when it was good. But it was just a timely, little big-hard-bound-book. And it isn't 2000 anymore. Will 2008 be better? I don't know, but I can tell you a voice like Hightower’s will be obsolete.
I came across this book while cleaning my basement. The title is as appropriate now as it was when it was published in 2000. The sad thing is that many things have gotten worse. Income inequality has gotten worse and this book was written before the Citizens United decision.