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Feb 13, 2009

Susan rated it:

I really enjoyed this look at the "Dead Ideas" we as a nation and (often) Republicans/conservatives cling to, even as we see the economy spiral out of control, our schools failing, affordable health care becoming a disappearing dream for millions of Americans, Social Security looming on the horizon as millions of Baby Boomers reach that magical age of 62 . . . AAAGGGH!!!

I know, sounds depressing and scary, but I actually found it really refreshing and cautiously optimistic More...

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Dec 23, 2011

Barney rated it:

Well, this is it, 100 books in one year. Would it be that this book was in the top 10 of the year, or the top 50. The first half of the text, which deals with Mr. Miller's Dead Ideas, is excellent, reasoned and well argued. I found myself nodding in agreement with most of his points, especially those about taxes (should be higher) and schools (should be nationalized). Most of Miller's points are diametrically opposed to the talking points of both parties.

Take taxes, for instan More...

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Mar 11, 2010

Nathan rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

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Dec 06, 2009

Chris rated it:

As with any writing about economic and political policy, the author's beliefs and values influence his interpretation of history and the conclusions he draws about the current situation. I'm sure a large part of the reason I enjoyed this book so much is that I'm coming from a very similar place as Miller and he confirms my thinking much more often than he challenges it (why I noticed the book in the first place and decided to read it, I'm sure). Still, I think it's a well-written book that may n More...

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Jun 14, 2009

Gail rated it:

Here is another great nonfiction book recently released by Matt Miller who purposes that the world is changing and we are living with a lot of "dead ideas. We wrongly believe that (1)our kids will earn more than we do (2) free trade is always good no matter who gets hurt, (3) employers should be responsible for health coverage, (4) taxes hurt the economy (5) schools are a local matter (6) money follows merit.

Miller does a concise job of explaining his premise that we need fresh More...

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Sep 08, 2010

Mike rated it:

Let me start by saying I like Matt Miller. A bunch. Call his politics whatever you like...Centrist Democrat, Progressive, Socialism loving Liberal..I really don't care.

I find his ideas around taxes, education and health care reasonable and compelling. Two things I've always appreciated about his columns is his use independent organizations to back up the numbers he uses (CBO, CED etc) and that he suggests legislation to address issue and fiscal programs to pay the bill. He sugge More...

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Jul 19, 2010

Bart rated it:

This book was absolutely fascinating. Everyone I know should read it -- you may not agree with all of the author's conclusions and policy prescriptions (I didn't) but I guarantee that you will shake your head numerous times in agreement with the underlying analysis, and have at least a few "oh crap" moments as you realize how much differently we're going to need to do things here in America if we are to have a reasonable chance at maintaining our standard of living and our status in t More...

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May 26, 2009

Barbara rated it:

WOW! I learned so much in each section of this book. Each chapter lays out a clear timeline/history that useful just in itself. He challenges ideas on the left and the right.

Summary: "These ways of thinking—dubious at best and often dead wrong—are on a collision course with economic developments that are irreversible.
• our kids will earn more than we do
• free trade is always good, no matter who gets hurt
• employers should be responsible for health cover More...

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Mar 10, 2009

Thomas.harrop rated it:

This is the best book ever written about what it happening in America today. Whatever side of the political spectrum you fall into, MIller explains the history of things like health care, unions, corporations and many other things in ways that make sense and ring true. He talks about how we have reached a point where many of our assumptions are no longer true but set in stone. One such idea is that every generation will earn more than their parents, which is no longer true.

I highly More...

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Aug 10, 2011

Stephen added it

A succinct read from the get-go in the diagnosis, an iconoclasm that burns brightly, but which falters or weakens with a prescription that manages to throw in an apotheosis of the business leader, the C-suite executive and the board of directors as American heroes, fully flawed and unable to follow instructions or examples of exo-American experience. Read it for the contours of the debate, the framing behind the framing of the debate, and you will benefit from the clearer perspective, but dash t More...

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Sep 01, 2009

Robert rated it:

If you listen to KCRW's Left, Right, and Center, you know the moderator Matt Miller. He worked in the Clinton Administration and now works as a consultant for corporations and non-profits. His perscriptions here are powerful. He identifies a list of dead ideas that continue to paralyze us politically. They include: Employers should be responsible for health care; Taxes hurt the economy; Local control of schools is a good thing. This book is not an ideological diatrabe but a book that will s More...

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Jan 06, 2012

Dave rated it:

It's a very interesting time to be reading this book. Every one of Miller's "dead ideas" listed in this book is being brought forth as a timeless fact in our current GOP political campaign. While I can quibble with the details, the ideas that are brought up can be proven, in fact, dead. Most of the ideas are still believed to be tried and true descriptions of the way the U.S. works, but some ideas, such as the idea that the people at the top deserve to be there through meritocracy, More...

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Jun 01, 2009

Kim rated it:

I heard an NPR segment about this book that piqued my interest. Who wouldn't LOVE this title?? I am so glad I read this book, it is great to get you thinking about things you may not have thought about and in ways you may not usually think. I almost returned the library copy and went to buy my own copy so I could write in it, but it is a very "current" book, so it may not be relevant in 10 years. For full disclosure, it took me almost 2 full months to wade through this book. It is N More...

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Apr 18, 2011

Justin rated it:

In most things political, I am a fence-sitter. I try to see the merit of both sides of any argument and then when the time comes to make a decision or a vote, I take in as much evidence to support both sides and make the best choice I can with the information I have. I am a member of no political party. These things may be indicative of my career as a journalist. When I came to this book I expected an unbiased account of problems facing us today and some profound paths toward positive change. Ma More...

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Aug 26, 2009

Sean rated it:

This book was very interesting, and it did have a LOT of good ideas, but it also had a couple of severe weaknesses. First, it presented NO evidence whatsoever for the claims that it was making. Second, it took the "bipartisan" approach...that of attempting to pretend like everyone and every political attitude was always equally to blame for everything...which is a dangerous and boring crock of crap.

Read the chapters about the problems, skim the ones aobut Miller's sugge

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Jan 14, 2011

James rated it:

The author, who was a White House aide during the Clinton administration and who works as a consultant, examines some "dead ideas," i.e., ideas that we take for granted in our world that are holding back potential prosperity. A quick summary of the "dead ideas" he examines:

Our kids will earn more than we do.
Free trade is always good.
Companies should provide for their employees (i.e., benefits like health insurance).
Taxes always hurt the economy More...

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Jul 19, 2009

David rated it:

This is an excellent book; I highly recommend it to every person who cares deeply about the course of our nation. The book is actually quite an easy read--I finished it in a couple of days. But the ideas are profound. What is most interesting in this book is the balance between which things should be done by the national government, and which policies are best handled by private industry. It is very thought-provoking, and really made me think about my assumptions about politics, economics, and More...

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Mar 03, 2009

Brian rated it:

Provacative to say the least, Miller does more than force you to to pay attention to issues of capitalism and education, but he makes you change uncomfortable. Very few poltical thinkers want to do that anymore, which is a shame seeing it is groupthink that has gotten us into the economic mess we current face.

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Mar 23, 2009

Claire marked it as to-read

Sounds like someone saying out loud what some of us have thought for a long time. 'money follows merit' - people actually believe that? Obviously money follows privilege, most of the time. Etc... Not that there aren't exceptions, yadda yadda.. Anyway, looks like a great read.

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Apr 22, 2009

Murthy rated it:

The dead ideas themselves are not a big surprise, but I liked the detail behind why they were good ideas at one time and came to be widely held. Reading this book also got me thinking about other dead ideas that needed a decent burial (cremation?) so it was stimulating.

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Mar 05, 2009

April rated it:

not fun, but extremely informative. i don't agree with everything but at least he is trying to be pragmatic and face the realities of the changing world. america's status in the world is changing and will continue to do so. we can't be arrogant and continue thinking that all good ideas come from us.

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Dec 19, 2011

Chris rated it:

Okay just to get the negative out of the way about this book, and why it didn't get 4 stars. The author basically doled out a lot of advice on avoiding "dead ideas", but never really delves into the the firm guidelines needed to grasp new ideas.

As I was reading this book, the one thing I noticed in my conversations, is that this book inspired me to discuss the possibilities of exploring new and different ideas. It can't be said that this book provided and specific ideas or me More...

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Jan 08, 2009

David marked it as to-read

Reviews Look good. He piqued my interest with the discussion of the three issues we have created with our "can do" spirit. http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/29/news/eco...

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May 27, 2009

Janelle rated it:

I wish every American — especially every political official and every business leader — would read this book. We're so entrenched in the "safety" of what we know and so stick our head in the sand when it comes to dealing with the realities of the changing global economy.

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May 11, 2010

Marci rated it:

An intriguing & well written book about why Americans (people, businesses & government) hold on to ideas that have run it's course. Miller talks about the innovations he'd like to see coming from Europe & Asia particularly in the interest in public schools. His ideas are not for the faint of heart.

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Oct 30, 2010

S.t. rated it:

Though it's a little dated because the Tea Party has taken over so much of politics, it's fascinating to see his take on the sacred cows of liberalism and conservatism.

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Jun 27, 2009

olivia rated it:

As long as you read it with the understand that it is not predictive as much as prescriptive after the fact, and does have a distinct ideology of it's own.

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Oct 20, 2010

Jeff rated it:

Note to Matt Miller: if you think an idea is dead, don’t quote a poll in the first section that disproves your premise. Horrid, horrid book.

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Mar 24, 2009

Patricia rated it:

everyone should read this, not just for the politics of it but for the way it teaches you to view life decisions.

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Feb 16, 2009

Morgan rated it:

Gregg Easterbrook called this an important book. I think that says it all. Sure felt important while reading it.

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