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Excuse Me, Professor: Challenging the Myths of Progressivism
There's little truly "progressive" about Progressivism. True progress happens when humans are free, yet the Progressive agenda substantially diminishes freedom while promising the unachievable. Excuse Me, Professor provides a handy reference for anyone actively engaged in advancing liberty, with essential essays debunking more than 50 Progressive clichés.Does the free market truly ignore the poor? Are humans really destroying the Earth? Is the government truly the first best source to relieve distress?Compiled and edited by Lawrence W. Reed in collaboration with the Foundation for Economic Education and Young America's Foundation, this anthology is an indispensable addition to every freedom lover's arsenal of intellectual ammunition.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 28, 2015
93 people are currently reading
845 people want to read
About the author
Lawrence W. Reed
26 books48 followersLawrence W. Reed is the president of the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) and the author or editor of several books, including Excuse Me, Professor: Challenging the Myths of Progressivism. Before joining FEE, he served as president of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy in Midland, Michigan, and chaired Northwood University’s department of economics. Reed has written some 1,500 articles for newspapers and magazines worldwide. He is a frequent guest on radio and television.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 8, 2015
Common Sense
The Austrians were right. No one single person possesses or group of people possess the knowledge of millions of creative, productive individuals. Leaving people free to run their own lives will enrich all of us.
The Austrians were right. No one single person possesses or group of people possess the knowledge of millions of creative, productive individuals. Leaving people free to run their own lives will enrich all of us.
November 29, 2015
One of the best little books I've read on dismantling "Liberal/Progressive/Democrat" ideology and the mythology about it and them created by mass media/culture. If you want straight-forward, well-reasoned arguments for conservative thought read this pithy passionate book.
March 31, 2016
Highly recommended for students but also for anyone who professes a progressive political stance. This book exposes the many fallacies of progressivism in a series of simple essays, each dedicated to a specific topic. How unfortunate for the many progressives I know who will never read this book.
May 13, 2016
A wonderful series of essays that will provide you an answer any time a Progressive starts trying to tell you how the world should work. It extols the virtues of true capitalism and demonstrates that it's the government intervention that puts the drag on the economy, not "greedy capitalists.
All the essays are fairly short so it's a quick read as well.
A good book to have on your phone.
All the essays are fairly short so it's a quick read as well.
A good book to have on your phone.
July 21, 2024
"Excuse Me, Professor: Challenging the Myths of Progressivism" by Lawrence Reed is a masterful dissection of contemporary progressive ideologies, delivered with clarity and intellectual rigor. Reed meticulously debunks over two dozen prevalent myths propagated by progressive thought, making a compelling case for free-market economics, individual liberty, and limited government.
The book shines in its accessible yet profound examination of complex topics. Reed tackles myths such as the infallibility of government intervention, the moral superiority of socialism, and the misperceived benefits of wealth redistribution. Each chapter briefly provides historical context, logical analysis, and empirical evidence to counter these myths.
Reed's engaging style makes the book not just informative but highly readable. He uses anecdotes and real-world examples to illustrate his points, making abstract concepts tangible. The book is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of economic principles and their practical implications.
On the flip side, it's also true that it's possible to argue that Reed's historical examples are selectively chosen and may not fully represent the broader historical context. While Reed provides empirical evidence to support his arguments, one may contend that he selectively uses data, potentially ignoring studies and statistics that highlight the benefits of some of the progressive policies.
The book stands out for its balanced approach, fostering critical thinking rather than partisanship. Reed encourages readers to question dogmas and think independently, making it a refreshing and enlightening read. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the principles of liberty and the critique of progressive orthodoxy.
The book shines in its accessible yet profound examination of complex topics. Reed tackles myths such as the infallibility of government intervention, the moral superiority of socialism, and the misperceived benefits of wealth redistribution. Each chapter briefly provides historical context, logical analysis, and empirical evidence to counter these myths.
Reed's engaging style makes the book not just informative but highly readable. He uses anecdotes and real-world examples to illustrate his points, making abstract concepts tangible. The book is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of economic principles and their practical implications.
On the flip side, it's also true that it's possible to argue that Reed's historical examples are selectively chosen and may not fully represent the broader historical context. While Reed provides empirical evidence to support his arguments, one may contend that he selectively uses data, potentially ignoring studies and statistics that highlight the benefits of some of the progressive policies.
The book stands out for its balanced approach, fostering critical thinking rather than partisanship. Reed encourages readers to question dogmas and think independently, making it a refreshing and enlightening read. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in the principles of liberty and the critique of progressive orthodoxy.
February 14, 2019
This is a “must read”! Great series of essays that challenge the myths of progressivism. My favorites were entitled “FDR was elected in 1932 on a Progressive Platform to Plan the Economy” 😂, “The Great Depression Was a Calamity of Unfettered Capitalism” 😂😂, and “Jesus Christ was a Progressive Because He Advocated Income Redistribution to Help the Poor”. These are just three of the 52 essays that you will find in this brilliant compilation of essays that shatter the myths of progressivism.
According to the editor, Lawrence Reed, the thought process of progressives are “so riddled with inconsistencies, non-sequiturs and dubious notions” that their faulty, illogical or contradictory premises just might be the reason they often come to the wrong conclusions.” Fantastic collection of essays to educate, inform and make one think critically!
According to the editor, Lawrence Reed, the thought process of progressives are “so riddled with inconsistencies, non-sequiturs and dubious notions” that their faulty, illogical or contradictory premises just might be the reason they often come to the wrong conclusions.” Fantastic collection of essays to educate, inform and make one think critically!
February 6, 2020
Short essays on freedom
This book is 51 short essays on a variety of topics with a liberty based perspective. I did not learn a lot from these but many offered some interesting approaches to a variety of issues where the progressives want to substitute their policy choices over individual choice.
This book is 51 short essays on a variety of topics with a liberty based perspective. I did not learn a lot from these but many offered some interesting approaches to a variety of issues where the progressives want to substitute their policy choices over individual choice.
December 22, 2024
A relentlessly logical debunking! Let freedom ring.
August 18, 2020
Kind of like an encyclopedia of counter-arguments to common leftist tropes. I found most of them fairly basic but there is a lot punched into every paragraph. The book achieves what it wants to achieve fairly well, I'm just not sure who this book is for, to be honest. I guess you give it to a normie left-wing friend? There are no obvious holes in most of the arguments presented so it's a quick solid gut punch to get people's basic worldview challenged.
May 15, 2023
A great way to rerun old articles, but just the same a good read.
Only gave it three stars because it is a rehash of old articles. That said, if you haven't read them it's worth the read.
Only gave it three stars because it is a rehash of old articles. That said, if you haven't read them it's worth the read.
November 28, 2015
Truth 101
This book should be a college course both undergraduate and graduate. Every college student should be exposed to the truth.
This book should be a college course both undergraduate and graduate. Every college student should be exposed to the truth.
April 10, 2016
I should read this every year.
July 3, 2018
A pleasure to read. Sound arguments were legion. Each chapter consisted of an essay dispelling some premise put forth by progressives, fifty-two in all. Authors vary.
July 28, 2018
This book set me free.
May 28, 2024
It’s sad to see a collection of well-intentioned articles be undercut by shoddy reasoning, many of which use references only to punctuate pithy retorts at would be strawman critics without any substantive rebuttals to their central premise. I’ve spent too long formulating a critique of the more egregious essay, so instead I’ll take a page out of the author's book and let his writing speak for itself.
“Let’s be blunt. If the recipe for economic recovery is putting tens of millions of people in defense plants or military marches, then having them make or drop bombs on our enemies
overseas, the value of world peace is called into question.”
“Socrates: I give up. You progressives are incorrigible. You’re the only people on whom my teaching method has no discernible impact. It seems that logic, evidence and economics count for nothing as long as you feel good about your intentions.”
“ In July 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt stated his opinion of Sinclair in a letter to journalist William Allen White: “I have an utter contempt for him.”
“Nazis found followers in the 1930s who resented the success of Jewish merchants and
professionals…The modern day progressives also rely on envy and coveting to justify raising
tax rates.”
“What people usually mean when they say mankind is destroying the earth is that human action causes a change they don’t like. It sounds odd to say that my wife, by eating a piece of toast for breakfast, is “destroying” the toast. But if I wanted that toast for myself, I might well regard her action as destructive. Same action, but the interpretation depends on purpose and context”
“Collectivist thinking is simply not very deep or thorough. Collectivists see the world the way the nearly-blind cartoon character Mr. Magoo did—as one big blur. But unlike Mr. Magoo, they’re not funny.”
Forbes reported in 2014 that there have never been as many Fortune 500, female CEOs as there are now—24 in total, and that is up 4 in just one year, so the future for women business leaders is bright.”
“It may disappoint progressives to learn that Christ’s words and deeds repeatedly upheld such critically-important, capitalist virtues as contract, profit and private property”
“Six years later, the Civil Rights Project at UCLA reported that “schools
in the United States are more segregated today than they have been in more than
four decades…A similar observation can be made about black attendance at operas, dressage performances, and wine tastings.”
“There are some other disparities that might bother the diversity people. For
example, Asians routinely get the highest scores on the math portion of the SAT,
while blacks get the lowest.”
Topping off this bad advice, underdeveloped countries sent their brightest to the
London School of Economics, Berkeley, Harvard, and Yale to be taught socialist
nonsense about economic growth.
“Being a progressive means never having to say you’re sorry.”
“Let’s be blunt. If the recipe for economic recovery is putting tens of millions of people in defense plants or military marches, then having them make or drop bombs on our enemies
overseas, the value of world peace is called into question.”
“Socrates: I give up. You progressives are incorrigible. You’re the only people on whom my teaching method has no discernible impact. It seems that logic, evidence and economics count for nothing as long as you feel good about your intentions.”
“ In July 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt stated his opinion of Sinclair in a letter to journalist William Allen White: “I have an utter contempt for him.”
“Nazis found followers in the 1930s who resented the success of Jewish merchants and
professionals…The modern day progressives also rely on envy and coveting to justify raising
tax rates.”
“What people usually mean when they say mankind is destroying the earth is that human action causes a change they don’t like. It sounds odd to say that my wife, by eating a piece of toast for breakfast, is “destroying” the toast. But if I wanted that toast for myself, I might well regard her action as destructive. Same action, but the interpretation depends on purpose and context”
“Collectivist thinking is simply not very deep or thorough. Collectivists see the world the way the nearly-blind cartoon character Mr. Magoo did—as one big blur. But unlike Mr. Magoo, they’re not funny.”
Forbes reported in 2014 that there have never been as many Fortune 500, female CEOs as there are now—24 in total, and that is up 4 in just one year, so the future for women business leaders is bright.”
“It may disappoint progressives to learn that Christ’s words and deeds repeatedly upheld such critically-important, capitalist virtues as contract, profit and private property”
“Six years later, the Civil Rights Project at UCLA reported that “schools
in the United States are more segregated today than they have been in more than
four decades…A similar observation can be made about black attendance at operas, dressage performances, and wine tastings.”
“There are some other disparities that might bother the diversity people. For
example, Asians routinely get the highest scores on the math portion of the SAT,
while blacks get the lowest.”
Topping off this bad advice, underdeveloped countries sent their brightest to the
London School of Economics, Berkeley, Harvard, and Yale to be taught socialist
nonsense about economic growth.
“Being a progressive means never having to say you’re sorry.”
December 4, 2016
This book uses facts, case studies, and research to debunk or at least offer an objective view on many common progressive ideas taught in today's schools and universities. While these ideas, toted by many politicians and academics, sound great in theory, Reed gives you the reality of how they've played out in history and in our modern age.
The idea that a few chosen elites in Washington can decide what is best for each individual and family in our diverse nation is a ridiculous lie that far too many people have bought into. Government should exist to provide for and protect the equal rights and liberties of it's citizens through the freedom of choice and a mildly regulated, free market economy.
The idea that a few chosen elites in Washington can decide what is best for each individual and family in our diverse nation is a ridiculous lie that far too many people have bought into. Government should exist to provide for and protect the equal rights and liberties of it's citizens through the freedom of choice and a mildly regulated, free market economy.
December 27, 2023
Don't get me wrong with just the three stars.
It's a good book with a lot of good information that is easy to understand. It was just also really easy to put down. I think would have been better to read at the same time as other books rather than by itself.
So I think it was a reader error lol
Each essay itself is actually quite enrapturing. I'm not usually a non-fiction kind of reader but I've been branching out recently and found this to be generally fascinating, educational, and entertaining.
It's a good book with a lot of good information that is easy to understand. It was just also really easy to put down. I think would have been better to read at the same time as other books rather than by itself.
So I think it was a reader error lol
Each essay itself is actually quite enrapturing. I'm not usually a non-fiction kind of reader but I've been branching out recently and found this to be generally fascinating, educational, and entertaining.
September 25, 2020
The set of short essays dealing with most popular myths about capitalism. The autor proves that the free market is better for society than economy with government regulations. This book should be recommended not only to freedom lover's but mostly to progressives, beacuse it could help them (very naive hope, I know) to understand the absurdities of interventionism.
July 27, 2017
Dry and lots of repetition but interesting points!
May 5, 2019
Argumentos muito repetitivos, porém muito bom até a página 50
December 18, 2021
A good source for help in forming your arguments against the leftist takeover
November 3, 2023
fairly biassed, but it opens your eyes to the world and provides some capitalism-based political insight.
January 14, 2016
Es una colección de poco más de 50 capítulos de autores varios. En cada uno de ellos se trata un tema, el de una frase o idea que es juzgada como un clisé, algo repetido y sin fundamento, que altera a la economía, a la política y a la sociedad. En otras palabras, es una exploración de malas ideas en esos campos.
La lectura es breve y simple, con usualmente buena argumentación. Una manera muy aceptable para que el lector haga trabajar a sus neuronas poniendo en tela de juicio ideas de escaso mérito, pero amplia difusión.
El capítulo sobre la Gran Depresión me pareció una muy buena introducción al tema. Otros tópicos se refieren a clisés sobre igualdad, daños a los pobres, derechos reclamados, sweatshops, déficit comercial, outsourcing, robots y desempleo, codicia capitalista, subsidios y muchos más.
Los escritores son todos defensores de la libertad y es de esperar que su examen de esas ideas combata medidas que ataquen a esa libertad.
La lectura es breve y simple, con usualmente buena argumentación. Una manera muy aceptable para que el lector haga trabajar a sus neuronas poniendo en tela de juicio ideas de escaso mérito, pero amplia difusión.
El capítulo sobre la Gran Depresión me pareció una muy buena introducción al tema. Otros tópicos se refieren a clisés sobre igualdad, daños a los pobres, derechos reclamados, sweatshops, déficit comercial, outsourcing, robots y desempleo, codicia capitalista, subsidios y muchos más.
Los escritores son todos defensores de la libertad y es de esperar que su examen de esas ideas combata medidas que ataquen a esa libertad.
May 23, 2023
Provides simple but quality arguments against progressive ideas. Mainly focuses on economics, government overreach/programs, and a few environmental arguments. Laid the foundation of knowledge needed to debate progressive ideas. Would definitely recommend this book for young minds who want to get their feet wet in conservative/libertarian arguments.
December 13, 2017
Well laid out, with short introductions regarding numerous topics viewed from the perspective of classical liberalism. Would have appreciated a little more depth and a little less rhetoric with each chapter, but not a bad introduction.
October 9, 2015
Easy to read book of essays on the role of freedom to and liberty in economics.
January 28, 2020
Excellent. Unmissable!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews