Culture of Corruption: Obama and His Team of Tax Cheats, Crooks, and Cronies

by Michelle Malkin

Barack Obama's approval ratings are at an all-time low. A recent Gallup poll found that half of the Americans polled said Obama did not deserve a second term. Weary of the corruption that gushes from the White House faster than a Gulf Coast oil spill, voters are ready to put a cap on smear campaigns, pay-to-play schemes, recess appointments, and Chicago politics. In the updated paperback edition of her #1 New York Times bestselling book Culture of Obama and His Team of Tax Cheats, Crooks, and Cronies, Michelle Malkin says, "I told you so," citing a new host of examples of Obama's broken promises and brass knuckled Chicago way.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History, Political Science, Philosophy, Audiobook, American

386 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Michelle Malkin is an American conservative blogger, political commentator, and author. Her weekly syndicated column appears in a number of newspapers and websites. She is a Fox News Channel contributor and has been a guest on MSNBC, C-SPAN, and national radio programs. Malkin has written four books published by Regnery Publishing.

Malkin began her journalism career at the Los Angeles Daily News, working as a columnist from 1992 to 1994. In 1995, she worked in Washington, D.C., as a journalism fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a free-market, anti-government regulation, libertarian think tank. In 1996, she moved to Seattle, Washington, where she wrote columns for The Seattle Times. Malkin became a nationally-syndicated columnist with Creators Syndicate in 1999.

Reviews

[Mike (the Paladin) · Rating 4 out of 5]

*This is an update to correct a typo.*


I sometimes have what I believe might be called "pause" when rating a political book. Do I rate it on readability, accuracy, humor, "current-ness"....

Okay this one is pretty readable and very accurate. The situations laid out may anger some readers but they are situations etc. that are largely a matter of public record. I suppose you can simply deny, deny, deny, but it doesn't work for conservatives, why should it work for left wingers?

Okay, but the book's by Michelle Malkin.

I like the book, it's not the best I've read but I recommend it. It may annoy you if you don't want to hear negative facts about the president's "people selections". Maybe give it a try, you might find something out. Many won't be surprised at these things as, if you looked most were on the news somewhere. This book just brings them all together.

[TheQueensBooksII · Rating 5 out of 5]

This highly documented and footnoted work of investigative journalism will do nothing short of quell any illusions that we have a man of integrity in the White House. The depth and breadth of this Administration's exposed corruption and cronyism will surely turn the stomach of all Americans who value honesty, integrity, and their hard-earned taxpayer dollars. Written with wit and attention to detail, just one of the many disturbing revelations of the book is how our tax dollars are being used to fund this super-charade of "transparency" and the "end of business as usual." Beyond the Obama administration, Malkin further catalogues the intrigue and craftiness of the Clinton Team, and other players. It is impossible to refute the facts, and they come hard and fast in Malkin's work. She shows the same insightfulness, intelligence and quick-wit in her writing that she demonstrates in her live interviews, making what otherwise might be a dull parade of fact after gut-wrenching fact a lively romp through the swamp of corruption that is the current political machine.

[M.E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

All those Obama-worshipers out there should sit down and read this little gem. You can tell who a person is by what he or she does, and this book shows us who the president and the people in his administration are by documenting all of the corrupt, deceptive, underhanded, and downright illegal things they've done. We all heard about the corruption of Governor B. Didn't anyone stop to think that he probably didn't just get that idea out of nowhere? That that's something that probably happens more often than we know? And that our president came out of that political swampland? If they haven't yet, just have them read this book. They'll ask that and a lot more questions about Mr. Hopey-changy.

[Scott Lupo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, I read this one as an exchange with a Republicon neighbor. It was not easy. People who enjoy books like this must really not enjoy life and must have a black cloud over their head at all times. They might not even smile much. For all her education and experience, Michelle Malkin really didn't do herself any favors by writing such a vitriolic piece. It's okay to not like somebody or think that somebody in office is doing the wrong things but do you have to be so condescending in every paragraph? I can't read books where the author's opinion (not fact) is inserted where it doesn't belong. Plus I can't trust an author who cites herself! You can't do that and be considered credible. There is no doubt in my mind that politics is totally corrupt and driven by greed. We all know this already Michelle. But to call people immoral and devoid of ethics because they have to amend their taxes? Really? Because that would include just about every politician and anybody who earns over $500,000 a year. And the author's rant (literally a whole chapter) on how the media fawned over Michelle Obama's fashion sense was like reading the diary of the high school cheerleader that's dating the quarterback. On top of that Michelle Malkin condradicts herself constantly. She tries to make fun of the president for taking longer than 100 days to appoint his cabinet because he keeps vetting people out due to their indescretions (mostly tax return stuff). Then her whole book is arguing that he didn't keep his promise to change Washington. What the heck? That's what he was doing. He wasn't letting just anybody into his cabinet. But I guess what do you expect from somebody who is so blinded by their racism and partisanship? I gave this two stars because there were actually parts where I was able to read more than two pages with actual facts and not opinion. Obama is not perfect and to expect him (or anybody) to change a political culture rife with corruption that has been imbedded for decades in just 100 days is insane. Of course, that's exactly what this book is...insanity.

[Ronda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Knowing Michelle on a personal level from her working for the Seattle Times, this is classic Malkin.

She takes on Washington DC with the tenacity of a pit bull. Michelle has never been shy to say what is on her mind and is always well armed with facts and figures.

You will enjoy this book if you understand politics in America and how it is easily corrupted by those that would make deals for personal gain. As Michelle points out, most of the current people that came to DC in 2009 are known "deal makers" with a high degree of self-interest. Not good for my country. We need to have a TOTAL turnover as both parties have lost their understanding of the constitution and the mere fact that they work for US, the people.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The bigger government gets, the more corruption there is. I think it's even worse with this administration because no one but people like Michelle are looking at what is really going on. The book made me feel sick. I knew that there was corruption, but I really didn't know the extent. How's that hope and change working???

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do love Michelle Malkin. One of my favorite pundits. This book made my head spin. It's organized by crony, and the names and relationships are mind-boggling. But it's mostly names and dates and numbers, sprinkled with Michelle's quips. About a third of the heft of the book is notes, which gives credibility to her claims, none of which I think are too far-fetched.

I walked away from reading this book with the thought that I'm definitely in the wrong line of business. "Serving the people" is where there's money to be made. Sad commentary on how the people elect use us.

No, I didn't vote for Obama, but I was terribly interested in him around the Iowa caucuses. He really did seem to embody a fresh new spirit. But something about his message creeped me out, and I pulled my support. Turns out he's simply more of the same, professional politician.

This book is basically another rant on his seedy connections. Not the best book I've ever read. But it does make some interesting assertions that make me think twice about ANYONE in government.

[Gerald · Rating 1 out of 5]

I agree with the author that there is a culture of corruption at the highest levels, but, in my opinion, that culture exists more in politics itself rather than with one candidate or one party. The book met my expectations with lots of hate speech, supportted by footnotes lending a feeling of validity to the author's point of view. In the end, I strongly believe that 'the other side' of this argument could offer the same kind of supporting documentation to their arguments. The accusations are serious and ugly, just as the accusations the liberals level against the conservatives are serious and ugly. Unfotunately, and once again, in my opinion, each side has a portion of what is needed to set things straight, but the art of lying to prove a point has become so refined that one is left skeptical of anything written supporting either view; at least this "one".

[Matt Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summarizes all the sleazy, corrupt stuff that has come out about Obama's nominees, friends and associates. Assembled in one place, it's a pretty amazing compilation. The implied question is whether Obama himself can be associated with so much corruption, including very suspicious activities of his own wife, and still be an honest man. My conclusion is that he can't be, and probably isn't. It's pretty disturbing stuff.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just finished reading the book Culture of Corruption by Michelle Malkin. It documents the tax cheaters, criminals, hypocrites, and business-as-usual politicians President Obama has surrounded himself with and appointed in his administration. The book showed that the campaign of Hope and Change is anything but and that President Obama is a promise-breaking politician just like all the rest. One of the more interesting points of this book is that the author quotes many liberals/democrats who have criticized President Obama for reasons such as his selections for appointments to his administration, going against his own no-lobbyist rule, his courting of special interests, etc. The thing that made the most impact was the hypocrisy. President Obama made his campaign about changing Washington when he is actually deeply entrenched in special interests, nepotism, and what Malkin calls pay-for-play politics. This is a VERY detailed and thoroughly documented book (for example, the footnote section at the end of the book is 75 pages long). Although I appreciate the research and facts Malkin has made available to us, I found myself skipping several pages at a time because I just couldn't keep reading all those nitty gritty details of how Hilda Solis is in cahoots with unions and wasn't held accountable for violations of campaign disclosure and finance rules. The only other thing that rubbed me the wrong way was that sometimes the author would resort to namecalling. Michelle Malkin herself is an interesting character. She founded hotair.com and michellemalkin.com and has investigated many corrupt politicians including George W. Bush's own cronies. I would recommend this book for someone who wants facts and details to back up their opinion that the Obama administration is not what they claim it is.

And here is an awesome clip of Michelle Malkin taking on the ladies of the The View. I want to be like her when I grown up :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07KsEu...

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well researched and very readable for someone who may not be aware who all the players are. The more you read the more upset you get over where our country has headed. To think I spent 26 years in the military protecting these folks. We were out there barely making a living, sacrificing many of our own wants to protect people like this. I would never give up my time in the military because it is what I wanted and loved to do with my life, however now we are living off of our retirement while most of these folks are living off of our backs. Strange world we live in.
Michelle did a very good job of laying out who the players are and how many of them got away with things they have done and many continue to do. She simply put in writing what many of us have known for years.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Obama was elected with great expectations,
unfortunately, he's not done a very good job the last 6 years.

He'll probably be rated along with grant & harding as a corrupt useless placeholder.

the way things are going, the fedgov will self destruct within 20 years.

[Fayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe it was just the length of time since Obama was in office, but I found this book to be so very uninteresting. I trudged through a few chapters, but after I put it down for a few days, I just could bring myself to pick it back up.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a completely different edition than the one shown and was unable to find the one that I did read. The edition I read stated it was completely updated with three new chapters. Anyhow I digress and shall now move on to reviewing the book. This is a very well researched book as evidenced by the well over 100 pages of notes for reference. The book itself covers the current crook in the Whitehouse and how he has surrounded himself with crooks of various despicable guise and their claims to fame. This book really hit four stars and only dropped one for the nausea factor. This was nothing against the author and more of a personal thing. I felt as if I was going to throw up reading about how these thieves were shifting millions of dollars back and forth as easily as if it was pocket change. And what about being prosecuted for their various crimes? Sorry but these folks are apparently above the law and don't have to worry about something so petty as being convicted of a crime. For the average person, read you or I, we would be in a prison for such a long period of time that even our great grandchildren would forget that we even existed. Thank God that there is an election coming up that can hopefully clean some of the stains that mar our great country. Of course I won't even go into the various jokes about trying to find an honest politician, from any party affiliation. With that this is a good book, just be sure to bring some Pepto when you go to read it.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I only got through the first 1/3 of this book...not because it's bad, but because it examines the corruption of the Obama administration in far greater detail than I could effectively process while listening to the audio version. The book is an exhaustive list of Obama appointees' dealings in things like tax evasion, bribery, cronyism, nepotism, deceit, self-aggrandized victimhood, legal conflicts of interest, etc., etc. If any of them so much as jaywalked, Ms. Malkin will give you the exact date and location. Like David Limbaugh's books cataloging Obama's myriad misdeeds, much of CULTURE OF CORRUPTION feels like beating a dead horse, especially now these people are no longer in office. If you're a political journalist or pundit, this book will provide you with a treasure trove of research, but Ms. Malkin's manner of presenting the information is simply too dull and too dense (and, as of 2017, too dated) for the average Joe to enjoy reading it from cover to cover.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about the book is that it perfectly illustrates, without intending to do so, the utter disparity between the media's constant outrage at the Trump administration and their copacetic attitude toward the Obama admin., which was utterly rife with scandal, despite all their high-handed rhetoric about bringing transparency and common decency to Washington.

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book for me was OK and I have to qualify that because I thought this book could have been better. Content wise, this book assembled like a commentary on the news articles and research garnered. I thought there might be new revealing information. One could easily do a google search and discover the corruption of Michelle Obama and Valerie Jarret by simply reading archived articles on her involvement in the chicago "patient dumping" plan, while collecting a six-figure salary. I can see how this could be eye opening to the faithful Obama followers but for those who actually fact checked them, this isn't shocking. I did not care for her personal comments, pretty angry too. I sorta of felt like that was the biased part. The facts stand on their own and as readers we can come to our own conclusions. Ultimately, for overall history, I would recommend this book if one is a blind Obama follower but just felt as a journalist this could have been stronger if she did not interject her personal feelings in her writing. Check out the facts for yourself (her footnotes are helpful but you can just google "Michelle Obama patient dumping" and go from there) and come to your own conclusions.

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not able to finish this book though I enjoyed hearing the failings of Team Obama I found it a bit cumbersome. Most of the what I heard was linking cabinet members, vice president, and Michelle Obama to names and companies and shameful acts I had never heard of. All of the names and dates made it a bit difficult to follow while driving.

A few notable highlights:
The extreme number of Obama nominees that withdrew due to legal/tax/fraudulent issues.
The hospital where Michelle Obama worked was receiving charitable status while only donating a little more than 1% of revenue to charities and shipping uninsured patients to other hospitals to make room for the insured, more lucrative ones.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This books was not enjoyable to read albeit well researched and written. If you don't like president Obama, this book will provide you with reasons but I doubt it would persuade anyone. It reminded me of the "these guys are crooks" books about Bush and Cheney. Exposing corruption is essential to the future of our country, but it rings hollow to most people. Politicians of both parties brake promises, squander public funds and appoint cronies.
I like Michelle Malkin, but I would prefer a book exposing flaws in policy to a book exposing criminality in politicians.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I do not believe the current administration is pure, I have faith in their goals for our country. It is indeed sad to see the corruption in politics that seems to be our heritage (I truly thought we were going to have and administration of 12 year-olds when Obama said they were looking for people with no association with lobbyists!) It would be interesting if Michelle would take her microscope to the Bush administration or even the new leaders of the Republican party, perhaps FOX news and Rush as well. The rating of two is reflective of her writing style more than the content.

[Christopher Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning

An eye opener to the crooked tactics of the Obama Administration as they embrace business as usual. From the victim card to intimidation tactics this book relies heavily on a diverse group of sources to expose how the Democratic Party has been pulling the spotlight away from their less than savory tactics. A must read for people who want to understand the true administration behind the veil of hope and change.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone who wants the facts with no spin on what's going on in the current administration, this is for you. To the point and hard to refute. Amazing stuff, which most people have probably never seen or heard of before. You will be amazed at the absolute corruption in Washington politics at all levels and ranks, and especially in the political "inner circles." It pays to play, for sure.

[Holly Fox Vellekoop · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be required reading in all high schools and colleges across the USA. It exposes corruption at all levels of our government and how a radical can be elected to the highest office of our country.

[booklady]

Thanks Bear for forwarding the link to this interview. Go Michelle M.!

[Tracey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had trouble getting into this book. I need to try reading this book later. I have tried for about 2 weeks.

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Culture of Corruption is a book that exposes the various scandals and corruption committed by various officials in the Obama administration and those who were appointed to political offices by Obama but ended up quitting because they turned out to be a public embarrassment for the administration. The book is well-researched and heavily documented by political pundit Michelle Malkin and deserved to be read by everyone across the political spectrum whether they are conservatives, leftists and moderates. Early in the book Malkin makes it clear that part of the book would not be possible if it weren’t for some courageous liberals, even if they are a minority. The book really challenges the Obama image of “hope and change,” in which the administration present itself as going against the grain of “politics as usual” since Obama is supposedly for the little guy. Instead what we get is an administration that have continued with not only with business as usual in Washington but have also brought Chicago style politics unto the national level.
Some of the individuals that the book covers are already well known and infamous for their political dealings such as Joe Biden with his myth of being an “average Joe” that is notoriously hypocritical. What I like about the book is that even for the people that have been publicly reported for their scandal, the book goes into further details that a few seconds of sound bites aren’t able to go into. A good example of that is former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich who was going to sell the vacant seat that Obama left from the state senate. I learned from the book that the headlines about Blagojevich’s corruption was much wider than the headlines and include charges of mail frauds, abuse of power for campaign contribution and strong arm attempts to secure his wife a high paying job as a political favor, etc. Unfortunately Rod Blagojevich’s link with the Obama’s administration’s senior advisor Valerie Jarrett was downplayed during the investigation and Valerie Jarrett have told investigators that she didn’t realize there was a passing comment towards her for political favors.
I also thought the book did a good job covering the lesser known scandals, one that the main stream media downplayed or didn’t provide much news coverage of. The book’s exploration of ACORN and SEIU is downright scary. Both organizations enjoy a cozy relationship with Obama, with Obama being a member of ACORN. Readers might remember in the news ACORN’s trouble with voters’ fraud but apparently the level of corruption is deeper and more systemic than I realized. This is no hit piece against ACORN by conservatives for Michelle Malkin documented how even other liberals and members within ACORN have seen concern with the organization. The chapter on ACORN definitely is illuminating of what kind of organization that Obama worked with in his younger years and continue to partner with today.
There are much more information in the book that I can’t put all down in the review. Other notable information in the book include the various Czars that Obama had and their troubles along with the curious case of Obama’s many appointees for Secretary of Labor. I enjoyed the book but that didn’t mean it was easy to read—I had to take long breaks with the book for the sake of not getting too angry.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Michelle Malkin’s 2009 expose of the underside of politics inside the Beltway is tough sledding as a casual read. This is a research paper. It reads like a thesis. Hollywood will not be making this into a movie anytime soon.

There are no AK-47 shootouts, buildings imploding or car chases here. There is no sex or video tape here. There are plenty of train wrecks, however, in the form of lies and cover-ups allegedly perpetrated by the highest ranking members of the Washington, D.C. establishment. And that rings true, (to borrow Garrison Keillor’s description of George W. Bush), all the way up to the “Current Occupant” of the White House.

Malkin believes the architect of “hope and change” in the Presidential sweepstakes of 2008, Barack Obama, presides over a cesspool of pay-to-play, fraud, theft and money laundering allegedly committed by public servants who were appointed or elected to positions of public trust. Sadly, many of those keepers of the public trust were put in those positions precisely because they campaigned on a platform of honesty, integrity and transparency in government.

In this 292 page term paper, Malkin singles out a number of Obama appointees who had to withdraw from those appointments because their track record didn’t pass the smell test. Obama’s life partner, our nation’s First Lady gets her own chapter, focusing on “the other Michelle’s” own hypocrisy. We learn that Obama’s running mate, who likes to paint himself as an “average Joe,” is anything but when it comes to association with under-the-table deals and backroom politics. Obama’s allegedly crooked Cabinet is examined here, as are some of the dozens of Obama’s hand-picked czars who circumvent and in-truth, do the same work of the Cabinet Secretaries, but without any Congressional approval, supervision or accountability. Malkin also introduces us to many of the men and women who allegedly contributed to the nation’s current economic crisis. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner could be considered a poster boy for all the rich and liberal gate keepers of financial pork who helped create the country’s money mess and in some cases charged with helping to clean it up. The men and women of SEIU and ACORN get their own up-close and personal examination here, as do media darlings Bill and Hillary Clinton and Senator Chris Dodd and his alliance with the “Current Occupant.”

If what Malkin writes about Obama’s team of alleged tax cheats, crooks and cronies is even half true, shouldn’t the people mentioned here be behind bars serving very long term sentences? If so, could the reason they’re not have anything at all to do with the fact that maybe, just maybe the mainstream media is just as corrupt? If so, at the very least, shouldn’t the tax cheats, crooks and cronies’ cheerleaders and defenders in the press also be indicted as accessories to those crimes?

[Sheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Woefully depressing book. I think Malkin's point is that Obama's entourage was The Worst, and they probably were, but anyone who thinks the Republicans wouldn't be just as bad if they could get away with it is kidding themselves. The media holds Republicans a tad more accountable, which probably accounts for the fact that Republicans are somewhat less likely to be so corrupt.

The system itself is corrupt and encourages corruption, and until we get the government out of the business of business, crony capitalism is going to be a constant menace. My biggest problem with the book is that Malkin doesn't see that bigger picture, but instead wants to paint the Obama administration as the real problem. The problem is that government has too much power over -- and too much investment in -- businesses, and she never really touches on that.

Forbid the government from controlling businesses, forbid it from bailing out businesses, and force it to treat all businesses equally, and a lot of the corruption described in this book "wouldn't pay" and so wouldn't be done.

[Sarah Mariah · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why was this book even printed on paper?

Actually, it was well-assembled, and Michelle Malkin is clearly intelligent, drawing interesting - and often convincing - connections between what might, in isolation, seem like throwaway facts and incidents.

I kept imagining that this author is probably spending her time researching substantive leads and promoting publications - and not wasting time thinking literary thoughts or agonizing over any kind of a hip delivery - but, dang, that didn't make reading it any less - embarassing.

I think these political books - and the ideas in them - are supposed to be disposable, purchased by people who fancy they sure do esteem a good hardcover and an icecap and an in-store cafe. Not that we're all not guilty of a little of that - but - I think they are meant to just be bought and tossed, bought and tossed, as part of a thoughtless, bloated culture of consumption that fools people into believing they know something.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

A blistering indictment of Barack Obama and his minions. The author identifies each major player on the Obama team from inception of his administration and discusses (in detail) his/her individual dishonesty, hypocrisy and corruption. More than half of his initial Cabinet appointees failed to pass Senate scrutine for corruption, fraud, dishonesty, failure to report and pay federal income tax, etc. As for Obama himself, failed campaign promises, blatant lies, disregard of the law and the Constitution, hidden agendas and secrecy (when transparency of administration was his constant warcry on the campaign trail) characterize our current president. His administration has and will ever be known as a travesty, a shame and a blight on the American political landscape. Every American should read this book.

[Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can one say, if you've been shit on so many times, you begin to think you are shit and that is just what we've let happen. I hate the subject matter, because I've been aware that things are going to hell in hand-basket but only the past decade or so did I realize just how deep the swamp was. For the past 50 years they have peeing in the pool and looking at our "elected officials" all but a hand full continue to pee in the pool. Its pee of corruption has been overflowing for years now and effecting every element of what once was a great Republic.

I appreciate all the brave hands that gathered the information and that it is well documented. If you can keep from taking notes of all the crocked dealings this is a fast read.