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Gangster Government: Barack Obama and the New Washington Thugocracy
Bribery ... coercion ... intimidation. Sounds like a movie review of The Godfather, but unfortunately we're talking about your federal government. So says bestselling author David Freddoso. In Gangster Government: Barack Obama and the New Washington Thugocracy, Freddoso exposes how the Obama administration bears a closer resemblance to the mob than to a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Laying bare the backdoor deals, threats, and pay-to-play schemes Obama uses to push his policies on unsuspecting voters, Gangster Government proves that Obama is more concerned with protecting his friends and punishing his enemies than doing right by the American public. In this shocking book, Freddoso reveals: who really benefited from the auto industry bailout and the stimulus package (it wasn't the car companies or the American people); how Obama and his EPA cronies are setting up a protection racket to control fossil fuels; why trial lawyers will benefit from Obamacare more than anyone else; and much more. Controversial and compelling, Gangster Government reveals an administration that is so corrupt, it would make Al Capone blush.
- GenresPoliticsNonfiction
9 pages, Audio CD
First published March 10, 2011
19 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 28, 2025
As a former Chicagoan I will admit that Chicago politics have always been considered “gangster” and the result of most elections in that city are usually in question. It’s sort of like the joke, “Is Osama Bin Laden really dead”? He must be, he’s registered to vote in Chicago”.
Jokes aside, GANGSTER GOVERNMENT by David Freddoso is a fascinating, well documented look at the inner workings and tactics employed not only by the current administration but by both Republicans and Democrats over the last 20 years or so. Both parties, it appears, attacks its’ “enemies” and rewards its “friends”......both of these actions at the expense of the American people.
This book zeros in on our current political and social environment and the picture it paints is not a pretty one. It would seem that we are becoming a country where strong-arm methods and circumventing the Constitution are looked upon as smart political maneuvering, disparaging the opposition with pejorative comparisons is standard operating procedure and the desires of the masses are ignored by the very individuals sent to Washington to represent “we the people”.
Based upon the facts set forth in Freddoso’s narrative, it would appear that the philosophy and course of action being pursued by the current resident of the White House is more in keeping with the ideology of Malcom X than the dreams of Martin Luther King.
The question at hand is are we, the American public, willingly and willfully looking away, swallowing lies and resigning ourselves to a seemingly hopeless situation or can something be done to diminish the effects of the wheels that have been set in motion before they reach runaway speed? The answer could be summed up in the words of President Obama when he said, “Elections have consequences”. That’s something we all should remember!
Jokes aside, GANGSTER GOVERNMENT by David Freddoso is a fascinating, well documented look at the inner workings and tactics employed not only by the current administration but by both Republicans and Democrats over the last 20 years or so. Both parties, it appears, attacks its’ “enemies” and rewards its “friends”......both of these actions at the expense of the American people.
This book zeros in on our current political and social environment and the picture it paints is not a pretty one. It would seem that we are becoming a country where strong-arm methods and circumventing the Constitution are looked upon as smart political maneuvering, disparaging the opposition with pejorative comparisons is standard operating procedure and the desires of the masses are ignored by the very individuals sent to Washington to represent “we the people”.
Based upon the facts set forth in Freddoso’s narrative, it would appear that the philosophy and course of action being pursued by the current resident of the White House is more in keeping with the ideology of Malcom X than the dreams of Martin Luther King.
The question at hand is are we, the American public, willingly and willfully looking away, swallowing lies and resigning ourselves to a seemingly hopeless situation or can something be done to diminish the effects of the wheels that have been set in motion before they reach runaway speed? The answer could be summed up in the words of President Obama when he said, “Elections have consequences”. That’s something we all should remember!
November 30, 2014
Always has befuddled me since the 2008 election season how a politician from Chicago with a meteoric rise wasn't given more scrutiny, at the very least for his associations with people such as Bill Ayers, Tony Rezco, Rod Blagojevich, Valerie Jarrett, and yes, even current Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Freddoso argues that the "Chicago way" is now the "Washington way" - do good for your friends, do....well, not so good for your non-friends. He illustrates how Obama is indebted to major U.S. unions (think NEA, UAW, SEIU) from their campaign contributions even though union members now only comprise about seven percent of the American workforce. Before we started really hearing about the Solyndra scandal in late summer/early fall 2011, Freddoso had already been aware and includes its back story. Of course, there is an also an entire chapter on health care reform (HCR) and organizations' (coincidentally, many unions') waivers from enacting "Obamacare" as quickly as the HCR timetable requires.
With the facts Freddoso presents, at best the Obama administration appears grossly incompetent in understanding the economy. And with "thugocracy" in the title, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out Freddoso doesn't just think the Obama administration is inexperienced.
Freddoso argues that the "Chicago way" is now the "Washington way" - do good for your friends, do....well, not so good for your non-friends. He illustrates how Obama is indebted to major U.S. unions (think NEA, UAW, SEIU) from their campaign contributions even though union members now only comprise about seven percent of the American workforce. Before we started really hearing about the Solyndra scandal in late summer/early fall 2011, Freddoso had already been aware and includes its back story. Of course, there is an also an entire chapter on health care reform (HCR) and organizations' (coincidentally, many unions') waivers from enacting "Obamacare" as quickly as the HCR timetable requires.
With the facts Freddoso presents, at best the Obama administration appears grossly incompetent in understanding the economy. And with "thugocracy" in the title, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out Freddoso doesn't just think the Obama administration is inexperienced.
December 20, 2011
Powerful. This book comes clean with the political spew and deceit hidden from most Americans. We need more writers like David Freddoso to speak out against the corruption that has overwhelmed this nation. Out Founding Fathers would be ashamed of how our government has turned out and turned over to the vile creatures we call leaders.
I definitely suggest picking this book up and not putting it done!
I definitely suggest picking this book up and not putting it done!
June 8, 2011
Another detailed view of the corruption of our government. It explains why GM was bailed out (to save the auto union), and how Chicago politics are alive and kicking in DC. Public virtue? Cannot say when that will return, perhaps a generation from now.
May 29, 2012
I'm glad I read this. It gave me some tangible evidence of what I knew in my gut all along. Having grown up in Chicago in the 50s and 60s, I know all too well what the political aspect of life there was...and is. And now it's in the White House.
July 22, 2024
DID PRESIDENT OBAMA BRING "CHICAGO POLITICS" TO WASHINGTON?
Political reporter David Freddoso is also the author of ‘The Case Against Barack Obama: The Unlikely Rise and Unexamined Agenda of the Media's Favorite Candidate.’ He wrote in the first chapter of this 2011 book, "This book will ... examine Obama's subversion of our Constitution and laws and cast a hard look at a president whose training on Chicago's political playground shines through with every bent law and every broken promise."
He wrote, "If you want to understand 'gangster government,' there's no better place to start than Chicago, the place where Barack Obama learned the art of politics from some of its most notorious figures. Obama has brought Chicago to Washington..." (Pg. 6)
He suggests that the Obamacare bill "certainly did reward and punish the industries according to their relationships with the Obama White House." (Pg. 69) He suggests, "the drive to save the economy looks suspiciously like a drive to save Obama's friends." (Pg. 138) He suggests that while the administration's stimulus measures "net out to zero in economic terms, both hands are helping to increase the Obama administration's power over business, health care, the economy, and generally over people's lives. And that's the whole point of gangster government." (Pg. 156)
He asserts, "In its first two years, the Obama administration has shown an amazing, even Nixonian propensity to pick fights and lash out against perceived enemies." (Pg. 183) He also charges, "no administration has ever been as active in rule-making as Obama was in fiscal 2010." (Pg. 192)
He concludes that the mid-term elections in 2010 were a mandate against Obama and his policies. "I believe the voters turned on Obama because they saw something they didn't like: The big, heavy, pushy hand of big government, reaching out from every shadow. They saw one overreach after another---the stimulus package, the health care bill, the bailout of the automakers, the favoritism toward special interests. And they said no to gangster government." (Pg. 205)
While given to somewhat over-the-top generalizations (e.g., "thugocracy"), this book has some interesting critiques of the Obama administration.
Political reporter David Freddoso is also the author of ‘The Case Against Barack Obama: The Unlikely Rise and Unexamined Agenda of the Media's Favorite Candidate.’ He wrote in the first chapter of this 2011 book, "This book will ... examine Obama's subversion of our Constitution and laws and cast a hard look at a president whose training on Chicago's political playground shines through with every bent law and every broken promise."
He wrote, "If you want to understand 'gangster government,' there's no better place to start than Chicago, the place where Barack Obama learned the art of politics from some of its most notorious figures. Obama has brought Chicago to Washington..." (Pg. 6)
He suggests that the Obamacare bill "certainly did reward and punish the industries according to their relationships with the Obama White House." (Pg. 69) He suggests, "the drive to save the economy looks suspiciously like a drive to save Obama's friends." (Pg. 138) He suggests that while the administration's stimulus measures "net out to zero in economic terms, both hands are helping to increase the Obama administration's power over business, health care, the economy, and generally over people's lives. And that's the whole point of gangster government." (Pg. 156)
He asserts, "In its first two years, the Obama administration has shown an amazing, even Nixonian propensity to pick fights and lash out against perceived enemies." (Pg. 183) He also charges, "no administration has ever been as active in rule-making as Obama was in fiscal 2010." (Pg. 192)
He concludes that the mid-term elections in 2010 were a mandate against Obama and his policies. "I believe the voters turned on Obama because they saw something they didn't like: The big, heavy, pushy hand of big government, reaching out from every shadow. They saw one overreach after another---the stimulus package, the health care bill, the bailout of the automakers, the favoritism toward special interests. And they said no to gangster government." (Pg. 205)
While given to somewhat over-the-top generalizations (e.g., "thugocracy"), this book has some interesting critiques of the Obama administration.
July 7, 2012
An excellent piece of journalistic research, the book introduces us not to just how things are done in Washington DC but some of the background on how the situation has evolved with the current administration, both in their first two years in power and in the time in Chicago. Understanding "the Chicago way" helps the reader see how the natural inclinations of Washington beauracracy to favor big government fit well with the Obama administration's ways of doing things.
Author Freddoso tells the story smoothly and in an easy to understand style, with copious footnotes for those who might not think such things are possible, as well as first person quotes from true believers who are proud of their accomplishments. This is absolutely a book that should be read by every American and which should be included as required reading for Political Science students learning about the administration that said they were elected on meant they were going to "fundamentally transform the United States of America."
Transform USA
On a personal note: The only thing that interfered with my enjoyment of the book were the things that I thought I knew and had confirmed as I read, and the new information that I was learning about. Every time I would again start to read after taking a few days off I could only read a few chapters without outrage overcoming me. The more I learned about how the government is working now, the more disapponted I felt.
Hint: Buy the hardback, use the highlighter freely, and encourage your family to become informed voters. .
Author Freddoso tells the story smoothly and in an easy to understand style, with copious footnotes for those who might not think such things are possible, as well as first person quotes from true believers who are proud of their accomplishments. This is absolutely a book that should be read by every American and which should be included as required reading for Political Science students learning about the administration that said they were elected on meant they were going to "fundamentally transform the United States of America."
Transform USA
On a personal note: The only thing that interfered with my enjoyment of the book were the things that I thought I knew and had confirmed as I read, and the new information that I was learning about. Every time I would again start to read after taking a few days off I could only read a few chapters without outrage overcoming me. The more I learned about how the government is working now, the more disapponted I felt.
Hint: Buy the hardback, use the highlighter freely, and encourage your family to become informed voters. .
February 14, 2013
President Oboma is charged with having the belief that is is above God and the government and violating the US Constitution. His relationships with corrupt politicians and business is exposed. The author states that Oboma has played thw corrupt Chicago political game, rewarding friens and punishing enemies.
July 25, 2012
This was an excellent read. A continue education who this President is from and why he does what he does and the choices he makes. A very spirited page turning books with a lot of facts and details that have been well researched.
January 17, 2023
Obama is such a snake in the grass 🐍. It is unbelievable of all the crimes they get away with.
Currently reading
May 27, 2011I am just starting this book but it already very good. As a democrat, I feel that Obama has to be one of the worst presidents ever so this is giving an interesting perspective into his presidency...How much of it is true, hard to say but it is interesting so far.
April 16, 2011
Good book, but would be a better read for those who are blind to what Obama and his administration are doing.
July 9, 2011
Please read this and heed the warnings given. It only confirms what Stanley Kurtz wrote in his very well-researched book "Radical-in-Chief."
December 18, 2012
A neo conservatives' mental illustration and interpretation of the presidents' policies and governing styles in the USA.
September 12, 2011
It was okay. A little heavy on facts & I already knew about most things in it. Not terrible though.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews