American politics has been hijacked. Over the past three decades, a fringe group of economic hucksters has corrupted and perverted our nations real...
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Oct 04, 2007
Carl
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While initially I thought I had read enough about the Republicanism's recent ascendancy and it's use of supply-side economics, this book gave me a break from the never ending onslaught of outrage I experience from the Bush administration. It was comforting to think of this all as a cohesive narrative and not just something that makes me cringe every time I hear a snippet from Bush or read about the latest sham the Republicans are trying to parade. Plus, it's a whole lot funnier to read stupid ju
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Nov 01, 2011
Patrick
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Mar 23, 2008
Christopher
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For someone raised in a conservative, Christian, Republican family, this book goes a long way in explaining the historical and cultural context behind why my feelings for George W. Bush border on loathing. Chait is a writer for The New Republic and so is clearly a liberal, but his argument is lucid. It presents at least "the other side" of the coin.
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Feb 05, 2009
Rachel
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Ok, I should start by stating that "technically" I have not finished this book - but I will either tonight or tomorrow morning. For me, this was an educational book on how the Republican Party has taken an obscure and untested economic theory - basically cutting taxes - and promoted it to the point where millions of us Americans have either fallen into line in agreement or probably more likely never really looked at the realistic outcomes. However, if you are a Republican I highly susp
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Oct 02, 2011
Ben
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Great information. This could really open people's eyes, but for one small failing. Chait often resorts to name-calling and emotional language, albeit boring approach could reach more people. What he's saying, though, is that political conservatives and liberals alike have shifted to the right in the past 30 years. Not only has there been a shift, there has also been a marked drop in analytical and critical thinking among the media. He gives ample news sources, lengthy quotes, and in-depth i
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Sep 13, 2009
Denis
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Should be read by anyone who wonders why the wingnuts didn't mind Bush spending our grandkids into poverty, but freak out when Obama suggests we raise taxes (a little) and increase spending to get us out of financial quicksand that we blundered into because Bush, Bush & Reagan led us there through slavish adherence to a nutty fiscal ideology (gasp). Actually Chait points out that the elder Bush tried to redress the damage done under Reagan and paid a frightful price in Republican circles.
Jun 14, 2008
Katie
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First - you don't have to be an economic guru to read this book. It will interest anyone wondering how we got in the bad economic situation we are in today, all Democrats, Republicans wondering what the hell happened to their political party, anyone interested in the upcoming election, and anyone who cares that future generations will have to pay up the wazoo for the tax cuts of today. The beginning and middle sections are scary indeed - especially when seeing the recent McCain pronouncements on
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Jan 08, 2012
Jean
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Jonathan Chait does a great job of telling the history of GOP economic theory for the last 40 years. From the Laffer Curve drawn on a cocktail napkin, to Reagan's trickle-down-theory, to the current supply-side "tax cuts raise revenue" thinking, Chait shows how GOP thinking went off the rails.
The most remarkable thing about this book was that it was published in 2007 but is still spot on. The Great Recession of 2008 and the advent of the Tea Party have had zero influence on More...
The most remarkable thing about this book was that it was published in 2007 but is still spot on. The Great Recession of 2008 and the advent of the Tea Party have had zero influence on More...
Aug 10, 2010
Surfing Moose
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I found it to be more balanced than other books I've read on the subject. Also I really did enjoy and found the history of the republican conservative movement quite insightful.
Aug 11, 2010
David
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This is a must-read for every American. Even more relevant now that our tanking economy is proving the thesis of the book.
Dec 20, 2007
Jeffe
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A good overview of the present stupidity we're mired in, for those unfamiliar with the neo - conartists who have hijacked this once great nation. For those of you who have been paying attention you won't find much new stuff here. I fact I feel that Chait in the interest, perhaps, of maintaining his credibility with the publishing cliques doesn't really go far enough. He could dig a little more for the historical roots of this dirt. But he does document the kind of crazy shit flying around in D.C
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Jun 22, 2008
Yuri
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I gave up reading the end of this - maybe I had just heard enough of the argument and I felt like a choir being preached to.
Lots of interesting (and true) interpretations of the Bush Regime's actions and the history that made it possible.
Lots of interesting (and true) interpretations of the Bush Regime's actions and the history that made it possible.
Feb 16, 2011
David
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Surprisingly readable discussion of the issues and problems with "supply-side" economics and how an unsupported economic theory is now driving republican part policy.
Sep 18, 2007
Barron
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Great; but honestly the "acknowledgements" page is the truly moving part of the book.
Feb 06, 2012
Sean
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Great overview of how America is getting fucked in the ass by the right.
Oct 29, 2007
Sabiel
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Really awesome so far. This is guy is like Paul Krugman, only wittier.
Feb 11, 2012
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