Take This Job and Ship It: How Corporate Greed and Brain-Dead Politics Are Selling Out America

by Byron L. Dorgan

Our trade deficit increases by $2 billion a day. Pharmaceutical companies and their lobbyists have such influence in Washington that Medicare, by current law, is not allowed to negotiate lower drug prices. We import oil on an ever-increasing scale, putting ourselves into dept with the Saudis, the Kuwaitis, and other Middle Eastern nations. With their windfall profits, they continue to buy American assets. China's booming economy and abundance of cheap labor are threatening our economic survival. We have mortgaged our fortunes, our principles, and our way of life.
In this comprehensive look at the real, human toll of America's unsound trade policy, Senator Byron Dorgan exposes the myth of "free trade." Indeed, free trade is not free; it is something that is slowly but surely draining away American prosperity. Sure, Chinese labor can drive down prices at Wal-Mart; at the same time, however, those saved wages--dollars that would have gone to buy these cheaper goods--are gone. Too soon, it will all come crashing down.
Major U.S. corporations continue to ship jobs overseas by the millions and, because of their influence in Washington, avoid paying a king's ransom in taxes. Many billions of dollars that these companies fleece from the government and the American people go overwhelmingly to investments in expanding production capabilities overseas. In short, our government is in the grip of corporate and foreign interests, and the American worker has born the brunt of this culture of corruption. How can we stem the tide of outsourcing? Why has the White House done nothing? Will the middle class survive?
From describing corporate profiteering to calling to action a lethargic, inactive government, Byron Dorgan exposes the truth about the destructive relationship between corporations and Congress and proposes strategies for what can really be done to preserve America's preeminence in the world. "Written with poignant stories, persuasive logic and superb factual support, this book is a wake up call for every American who cares about U.S. policy on trade and jobs. One doesn't have to agree with all that Senator Dorgan writes in this book to find it remarkably compelling." --Senator Tom Daschle

"If you're tired of seeing good American jobs shipped overseas in search of cheap labor, you're going to appreciate this book. Senator Dorgan and I have joined forces in the Senate to fight the trade policies of a weakening America. His book offers real solutions that can strengthen our country." --Senator Lindsay Graham

:If you think that no one in Washington gives a damn about about corporate greed and the decimation of America's middle class, you haven't met Senator Byron Dorgan. In TAKE THIS JOB AND SHIP IT," this modern day Prairie Populist pops the greedhead right in their snouts, using both facts and a stinging sense of humor. Byron's book is both a rallying cry and a blueprint for action. If you believe America is headed in the wrong direction and you want to do something about it read this book, then help us elect more Byron Dorgans." --Jim Hightower

"Senator Byron Dorgan is one of the few elected official of either party who ahs consistently and unwaveringly defended the interests of American working men and women and their families. His commitment to our country and the truth is inspiring. His book is a trenchant and timely examination of America's so-called free trade policies and the exorbitant cost to our middle class and our nation." --Lou Dobbs

"I watched Senator Dorgan take on the powerful interests in the U.S. Senate, and this book shows that he is still at it. Our country's trade policies are a scandal, and Dorgan has the guts to expose it and name names. He also tells us how to put our country back on track. This is an important book that might finally call our country to action to protect good jobs and our way of life." -Senator Fritz Hollings

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics, Business

288 pages, Hardcover

First published September 5, 2000

Reviews

[Lauren - Find me on Fable! · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good, informative read on the damage that shipping American jobs overseas has done to the economy and the quality of goods that we are buying today. Dorgan puts a lot of good information into his book, and writes it in a way that is easy to understand (not going to lie, I tend to find books about economics boring). He also offers some practical solutions to solve the problem, but unfortunately that would require the US to have corporations willing to just be profitable (not obscenely profitable) and politicians who were not in the back pocket of Giant Corporations. Fat chance of that happening...
I did find parts of the book hard to read as there was just a lot of information to process, but overall, this book gets 4 stars and I think more people should read it.

[Jeff Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Senator Dorgan paints a matter-of-fact picture in this book about what we don't see in business, economics, and what's happening to America. This book is NOT for everyone, but if you've ever been fed up with companies like Wal-Mart, or with a phone call to a "help desk" that gets routed to Bombay, then you will enjoy this read.

[Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome! This book described in detail the many economic and political issues of our nation and a formidable political solution to correct. Our economic status was created by legislative actions created by egregious corporate greed in our two leading parties during a period of increasing monopolization by large corporations. This unchecked monopolization must be legislated to provide more opportunities for the fast declining middle class. The middle class is the core of the greatest wealth of our nation.
It is now we the voters who must wake up and see what is happening to our nation and our society. We are fast declining as a leading nation to one that is becoming a second tier nation.
We live in a world of fiction. We must wake up to through informed and factual information sources to save our nation. We must think and VOTE accordingly.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of those I just picked up on a whim while I was strolling through the library. It deals with our idiotic “trade policies” and how badly we’re being harmed by them. It’s definitely a relevant book and I can relate to it personally, having had my last job outsourced and seeing that my current one is ripe to be at any time. It’s a very informative but infuriating book; I got so mad sometimes it was hard to read. He’s a Democrat so he spent most of his time bashing Republicans, but he let Clinton have it pretty good too. And his wrath for Wal-Mart knows no bounds. I think I’m back to not wanting to ever shop at Wal-Mart. Great book, something everybody should read but most people wouldn’t want to.

[Tommy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was terrific. Senator Dorgan goes into detail about specific corporations, businessmen, and politicians who are ruining our government and our economy by putting their personal wealth in front of ethics, human rights, labor standards, environmental standards, ideas of fair play, and people in general.

The soul and future of our country is at stake and I love Dorgan being up front and honest about what is wrong and how to fix it. That being said, I'm going to read a book presently the other side although I must say that the evidence presented by Dorgan is pretty damning. Every American should read this book.

[Michael Perry · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book during the "reflection years" - my introspective time prior to a midlife crisis, where I started questioning everything that I ever stood for, particularly my politics.

This book was good reinforcement of ideas that I already had about corporate greed, political corruption and the very wealthy - there wasn't really anything within that was particularly compelling or that I did not already know, but rather...just affirmation.

I don't regret reading the book. It served its purpose.

[Terri Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book every American citizen should read and every legislator should read before any election. Many people voting Republican have no idea of how the Republicans, in bed with Corporate America, are screwing the middle class and working class up the ass while laughing all the way to the bank. Read this to see where jobs have gone and who has benefited. He also provides proof for each statement. You owe it to yourself to know what your political leaders are purposely doing to you and how your vote can stop it.

[De'Andre Crenshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an insightful book that I enjoyed because it challenged my own thinking on trade, deficits, and economics in general. It was especially timely as we have shifted focus to protecting our manufacturing sector, getting tough on trade, and bringing jobs home. It’s a good read, and reminds us the struggles rural America, and some of the cities hollowed out by free trade faced, but also gives real answers to how to fix it. Not the demagoguery Trump provided, I hope other liberals take the time to read this, and add it to national politics .

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book, and a good juxtaposition to several better known books on globalization and free trade. Senator Dorgan (D-ND) makes a number of salient and well reasoned arguments. I read this bood with special interest and reccomend that it be read with other current popular economic books such as "The World is Flat".

[Ron Felber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dorgan’s book shows the importance of people being engaged in work that produces things and the dire consequences of the unemployed and effects on the family, self-esteem, crime. The book hints that the problem stems from corruption and insider trading. The U.S. representatives have sold out the country and hollowed it.

[Alan Fogelquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very clear account packed with real factual details and sound reasoning accessible to those not living in the scholastic stratosphere of abstract economic speculation or the back rooms of predatory corporate elites.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for a reality check. After you read this book, there is a much more of an awareness of what and where your everyday stuff comes from.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy to understand. Senator Dorgan makes a persuasive argument and makes sense. It's scary how everything is happening now like he said it would.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Currently reading this. I met Sen Dorgan in Jan 07, and got him to sign my book. He's on speed dial now

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provided another perspective of the longer term impacts of shipping jobs oversees to reduce cost short term. Wonderful strategic, thought-provoking book.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, solid treatment of an important topic by the senator. Far better than most books by senators and members of congress.

[Hapzydeco · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting take on a political conundrum.