politics

There were several things i enjoyed about this book.

First is Mr. Reich argument that the liberal cause will again become popular. The bases of his argument are that:
1. Radical conservative aims, as he defines them, have occurred many time and in many places in history, and have always been replaced by more progressive ideas, sometimes gradually and sometimes as the result of revolution.
2. Most Americans favor progressive ideas over radical conservative ideas (based on a variety of polls and polling organizations).
He argues that all that is needed is a spark, a leader, or some other stimulus to unite and lead the liberal cause.

Second, I liked his discussion of "bubble-up economics" in contrast to the counterproductive "trickle-down thories of Reaganomics. I hope to see more Nationwide debate on this topic.

Third, I enjoyed his stories of his younger days, which provide insight about how his ideas developed over time. His references to Robert Bork, one of his conservative mentors, were particularly interesting. They showed the value of listening to opposing viewpoints. His anecdotes about how "Radcoms" are illustrative but not nearly as entertaining as those of Jim Hightower.

Overall, the tone of the book is "educated" but not "scholarly." His abundant references include both academic treatises and journalistic pieces meant for the general public. It's not too dense to read on the train but is far from the puff pieces of some political books. It's definately worth the time to read cover-to-cover.

Robert Reich, former Labor Secretary during the Clinton administration, does a marvelous job of dissecting the true nature and motivations of the radical conservative movement currently polluting our country.

What is perfectly obvious is that individuals like David E Leon, preeminent Amazon reviewer, is neither a PHD nor one of the rational people sitting on the political fence that Mr. Reich wrote his book for. On the contrary, Mr. Leon is precisely the type of selfish money motivated religious ideologue (see his other posts) who is helping drag our country into the gutter. If your entire argument (all 9 points) revolves around the words, "does not benefit me economically", reason is not one of your best traits...

... But, I'm relatively certain, based on your intelligent arguments, all of the books you were able to buy with your $217 federal tax refund have benefitted your mind... because, I can't imagine that $217 benefitted you economically. Your argument is base poppycock.

Fortunately for those of us who take the time to consider how our decisions and opinions affect others, history has shown that this type of radical conservatism is, not only cyclical, but short lived. The last time it infected our political system and our country was around the turn of the century during the industrial revolution. What followed the carpet baggers, Boss Tweeds, and Railroad Barrons was decades of reasoned government and social progress. Reason will prevail again.

Who wouldn't want our national and state political leaders to make decisions based on a carefull analysis of the real facts and not have it based on ideology? I would, and I think everyone else would also. Robert Reich has taken the political arguement to where it should be. About reasonable solutions based on facts and made incrementaly. With the radcons, his word, making large policy leaps of faith based on ideology instead of incremental changes based on the facts its no wonder that we have record deficits, a war against terrorism that does not appear to be going well and was seemingly based on deception versus reality, the middle class losing ground, and bedroom politics. Instead of catchwords and debate by yelling, Reich makes a well reasoned arguement about why the Liberals will ultimately win just as they have over and over again in the past, because we care about our fellow citizens and society as a whole, and not just ourselves. That Liberals want to see society flourish for everyone and not just a few. He argues that instead of focusing on bedroom politics in the so-called "Value Wars" that we should be focusing on the abuse of boardroom values and what corporations are doing to our environment, communities, workers, and customers ... all in the name of profit.