If the Gods Had Meant Us to Vote They Would Have Given Us Candidates

by Jim Hightower

If anything, in this presidential election special, he's madder than ever! In his earlier bestseller, There's Nothing in the Middle of the Road but Yellow Stripes and Dead Armadillos, Hightower only began to tap into the deep yearning that Americans have for a new politics that speaks to them from a real-world, kitchen-table perspective. Now, with the year 2000 being an especially significant marker for contemplating our country's direction, not only for the new year but for the new century and the new millennium, it's time for citizens to reclaim their political, economic, and cultural heritage. Leading the way with his hilariously irreverent yet profoundly serious book is our name-naming, podium-pounding, point-them-in-the-right-direction populist, Hightower himself. He whacks conventional wisdom right upside the head,showing,with startling facts and compelling personal stories, that despite a so-called period of prosperity, America's middle class is getting mugged, and that far from being ordained by the gods,globalization is globaloney! Hightower rips the mass off of the candidates, the parties, the consultants, and especially the moneyed powers whoa re supporting all of the leading presidential hopefuls. he's mad about them all--but what he's maddest about, what really gets his goat,is that they are all the same! To paraphrase Jim, American politicians are alike because they don't come cheap. In fact, they're all very expansive. which is why only the rich can own them and why their allegiance is definitely not to regular,worka-day citizens. No one is spared in this insightful and engaging blend of horror and success stories, hard-hitting commentary, laugh-out-loud humor, useful facts, and sparkling language. An equal opportunity muckraker and conscientious agitator for "We the people," Hightower inspires us to take charge again, to build a new politics, and, together, to build a better tomorrow. Jim Hightower's If the Gods Had Meant Us to Vote They Would Have Given Us Candidates proves yet again that his is a uniquely wise and peerlessly singular voice in the maelstrom of political prattle.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History

368 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

James Allen Hightower is an American syndicated columnist, progressive political activist, and author. From 1983 to 1991 he served as elected commissioner of the Texas Department of Agriculture.

Reviews

[Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

"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.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hightower takes aim at political corruption,
especially campaign financing, along with
the corporatization of America. Fascinating.
I would vote for this man.

[Christopher Heckman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dated - from just after 2000 - but a Texan (a Texan saying "Gods" instead of "God"?) telling us how to take back our country.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[T G · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Carol Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Nonconformist48072 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keep on pursuing the truth!

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do not know why I continue to read books that confirm my belief that corporations rule everything.

[Kate]

Very well researched, but also very heavy going (despite the author's great sense of humor.) In the end, I just couldn't stick it.

[Christine Prasnik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hightower makes an insightful and engaging critique of the injurious policies of candidates from both sides of the political fence.

[Macalester Linguistics]

US 9.0