The Liberal Politics & Current Events Book Club discussion

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book club > "In Our Hands: A Plan to Replace the Welfare State" by Charles Murray - general discussion

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message 1: by [deleted user] (last edited Jul 03, 2013 10:24PM) (new)

We'll be reading In Our Hands: A Plan to Replace the Welfare State through the end of June.

This thread can be used to give book reviews as well as for a general discussion of the book. Please feel free to start a new discussion in the book club folder if you'd like to focus on specific aspects of or ideas from the book.

In Our Hands A Plan to Replace the Welfare State by Charles Murray


message 2: by Darrell (new)

Darrell (12mozart) | 1 comments Is this the same Charles Murray who wrote the "Bell Curve"? In the "Bell Curve" Murray tried to prove that Blacks are inherently inferior to whites. Why would anyone be reading his books?


message 3: by Mimi V (new)

Mimi V (naomi_v) | 432 comments One of the reviewers on goodreads said it was more relevant than [Ann] Coulter. Damning with faint praise. I'm curious to read it but not sure if ill take the time. Looking forward to seeing the conversation here


message 4: by Joseph (last edited Jun 03, 2013 04:50AM) (new)

Joseph Robbins (leer03) | 34 comments I had to take a research class as a graduate student. I am currently working on my Masters in Social Work. My research professor made my class read Charles Murray's "Coming Apart," not so to influence our thoughts (the social work field is very liberal) but so that we can learn to argue with facts and research. I choose this book because I believe most of us on the left feel that a social safety net is needed to keep America moving forward. Charles Murray ( a libertarian) has other views. It is my hope (as was my professors) that you read this book, take Mr. Murray's arguments, research them, and prove him wrong. I did just that with "Coming Apart," and as a smart intelligent person, Darrell, you can do the same.

Yes, this is the same Charles Murray that wrote the "Bell Curve," which I too read and found incredibly sad and racist. But if we (as liberals) are ever going to make better arguments against the right, we need to be well read on the right's arguments, and be able to discredit them with science, research, facts, etc (just as Chris Mooney states in "The Republican Brain." )

Read the book, take some of Charles Murray's points, and research them to prove him wrong. I mean look at what researching a topic did for Megan Kelly earlier this week against a very sexist Erik Erikson and Lou Dobbs.

http://thinkprogress.org/media/2013/0...


message 5: by Shelley (new)

Shelley | 48 comments Just the phrase "the welfare state" makes me see red.

He's talking about all the corporate welfare, I hope?

Shelley
http://dustbowlstory.wordpress.com


message 6: by Joseph (new)

Joseph Robbins (leer03) | 34 comments Shelley wrote: "Just the phrase "the welfare state" makes me see red.

He's talking about all the corporate welfare, I hope?

Shelley
http://dustbowlstory.wordpress.com"


Shelley,

Unfortunately, he is not talking about corporate welfare.


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