education

Parenti tells it like it is, and his well-documented book may shock the majority of us spoon-fed propaganda by the mainstream media. He addresses issues that the powers-that-be are afraid to, like the maldistribution of wealth, the regressive nature of the tax system, the enormous subsidies granted to the rich using our tax dollars, the anti-poor and racist nature of our criminal justice system, the class motivations underlying the US government's myriad interventions overseas, and the conservative media bias. He writes very well, and his logic is compelling and impeccable. While Dr. Parenti is very critical of the current "politico-economic system," that does not make him a communist, though that is what many embarassed elites will call him. He is a progressive, a compassionate man thoroughly concerned with the well-being of working people, and this is apparent from his writing. Writing with such conviction about the ugly realities of American life will never get him on one of those sunday-afternoon political talk shows, because the elites that run the media are frankly terrified of him telling the ordinary people the facts about class and political power in America. I have read many books on politics and economics in my life, and of many excellent ones, this is probably the best and most comprehensive. This is a phenomenal and eye-opening book. I am currently reading anothr one of his books, Blackshirts and Reds, and that one appears to be just as good as Democracy for the Few.

A firend who is a political science grad student advised I read this. I was impressed by the thorough analysis of The American version of Realpolitik presented in Mr. Parenti's book. His writing style is clear and direct as this book was intended to be a polital science textbook. He presents facts about the realities of class and the efforts of the existing ruling "elite" to maitain their grip on power here and abroad. Unlike other reviewers here, I didn't feel Mr.Parenti was "America bashing" or that he "hates buisness". On the contrary, I think his intent here (and in other writings I've since read)is to inform people and encourage them to use this knowledge to get more involved with democracy. He is shows that democracy and capitalism need not automatically go hand in hand.
Also, other reviews here question the sources in this book. Apparently they discount ALL the sources here because of the use of some left-wing texts. Obviously we're expected to believe only right-wing journalism... Hope you enjoy this book!

Yes -- get rid of the CIA! How many embarrasing failures and scandals must be exposed before this agency is seen for what it REALLY IS?!?! It's nothing but a ruthless, murderess prostitute for greedy US corporate interests the world over. This organization should have been destroyed long ago by the RICO Act! They put the Mafia to shame as far as racketeering goes. They make Tony Soprano look like a girl scout! All the billions given this agency would have been better off going down a rat hole. (At least that money would insulate the house and give the rats a soft bed to sleep on) The Pentagon is nothing but welfare for the rich! Deploying a missle shield that doesn't work is proof of that! Don't even mention the waste in their Black Budget. What a scam!!! After Abu Ghraib prison -- we have more than enough proof that ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY -- especially at the CIA and The Pentagon! Be sure to see the movies Air America and Pentagon Wars for a small taste of what is going on in this government. Can we really call it OUR government? I PRAY that God Blesses America with some decent leadership in its future very soon!!!