How Conservatives Ruined Government - and Beggared the Nation

Two problems with this product:
1. The CD stops and skips so often that is painful to listen. Poor quality electronic production. I tried several discs with no improvemtn in quality. Very Disapointing.

2. This type book is a poor candidate for audio presentation. The author's style comes across badly in an auditory performance. So bad,in fact that it distracts from the author's message. Rendering the book unintelligible.

This book is great because it shows how conservatives with the use of propaganda are destroying our country their policies are gutting our education bankrupting us with endless war not to mention lets the oil companies pollute our land air water food and soil what happens when all our soil is polluted and we cant make any more food then we all die out but those greedy rich people don't care. this book shows how conservatives are really destroying America every day. this is a must read for anyone who wishes to be educated on how conservatives are destroying our nations future

Reading Thomas Frank's The Wrecking Crew has been like finding a key piece to a jigsaw puzzle. My other research led me to believe the things Frank writes about were going on. Frank provides the proof without having to do the first hand research.

In a nutshell, Frank proves the Republican/Conservative approach to governing is not to govern at all. If you are someone who believes there is essentially no difference between the two major US political parties, then this book will change your mind.

My personal preference is I want to vote for a political party whose approach is to govern by balancing the interests of all parties concerned. This approach, to me, is more likely to produce effective and efficient government. In other words, the party might have a preference for one group over another, but the party operates on the premise it will be more likely to be re-elected if it shows itself to be even handed.

Republicans/Conservatives take an entirely different approach. According to Frank's book, Republicans govern only to benefit business and their supporters, not the public as a whole. More on this thought in a moment.

Having recommended in my own book independent voters make contributions to both parties in order to see what each party says about the other, I was especially interested in Frank's description of conservative direct mail fund raising and its enabling of the physical (not intellectual) growth of what passes for conservatism. Frank describes the origins of that phenomenon and how the money is used not just for political purposes but also to feather the nests of those who conduct the operations.

Frank also does a marvelous job of describing the origins and driving philosophies of people such as Jack Abramoff, Grover Norquist and Tom Delay and the creation of the intensive lobbying efforts enabled by those flawed philosophies.

Some prime elements of that flawed philosophy include the following. Govern on behalf of business and your campaign contributors at the expense of the public at large, rather than balancing the interests of all. Hollow out and suppress the activities of regulatory agencies by putting political appointees in place who will to keep the agencies from doing their jobs. Reward your campaign contributors by outsourcing more and more government functions and awarding the contracts to your contributors. Incur excessive amounts of debt so the government will be forced to shrink and push off its welfare and education programs to churches (or at least that is the whispered plan with a wink. Whether such a plan was actually intended to be supported is debatable.)

Show me some examples, you say? How about failure to regulate financial markets to prevent either the speculation in oil prices or the sub-prime meltdown? How about passing drug legislation without negotiation requirements or credit card bills written by credit card companies? How about FEMA and "Heckuva job, Brownie"? How about Monica Goodling (a graduate of Pat Robertson's Regent University) using political litmus tests for attorneys to work for the Justice Department? How about no-bid contracts to Halliburton and using Blackwater mercenaries?

I also liked Frank's cataloging of something I've heard before. If a conservative politician fails to govern well, conservatives will blame not the flawed philosophy. Instead, conservatives will say of the politician that he/she was not a "true conservative".

Overall, I shake my head at the lack of perspective of the people expressing these philosophies. They are like people who complain about the mess the mud between the logs of the log cabin makes inside the cabin, never realizing the purpose of the mud and the damage removing the mud will create.

Thanks to The Wrecking Crew, the flaws of this philosophy have never been more evident.

There is nothing fair or balanced about this book. This is an all-out assault on the contemporary conservative movement. Frank doesn't make excuses as he hits conservatives rapid-fire with examples of their corruption, cronyism, and destruction of government. This was clearly not written for distribution at GOP events.

That said, Frank has put together a well-done example of incisive political criticism. While he makes intentionally one-sided arguments, he points to unmistakable facts that still trouble the conservative movement: support for the South African apartheid regime, Jack Abramoff, support of murderous warlords, and sweatshop labor in the Northern Mariana Islands. His most thought-provoking arguments, however, involve conservatives' attempts to "defund the Left" and essentially sabotage the parts of government that are seen as "liberal" (e.g. Dept. of Labor).

While this is clearly not a politically neutral work, Frank avoids the lies and innuendo so prevalent in today's political "hit pieces." His writing is clear and at times humorous, and his passion shines through his words. I would advise readers to know the perspective of this book before opening. This book will cause anger for some and head-nodding for others, but when viewed as objectively as possible it's a laudable piece of political criticism.

This is probably one of the most incisive political books of recent years with immense relevance to our current crisis. Frank meticulously details how successive conservative governments dating back to Reagan have deliberately emasculated and debased the US government, ensuring that government would become less and less effective while carrying on deficit spending at a rate that ensures that "liberal" administrations, when elected, no longer have the means to put their idealism into practice. The essence of "conservative government" consists in doing the will of business - labor and environmental protection laws written in the 60s and 70s were reversed or simply allowed to atrophy by hostile heads of departments like James Watt at Interior. At the same time, government became riddled with money politics, an ever-expanding lobbyist community working on behalf of (and themselves making immense profits from) big money interests which took over, through outsourcing or indirect control, government functions they were completely unqualified to perform.
The book is written in a highly readable, fast-paced style with numerous entertaining anecdotes concerning the various shady characters making up the neocon "fringe" - which turns out to be far less "fringe" than commonly believed. Like a good "Whodunit" I could not put it down as the saga of the eroding power of the average working citizen in the world's most powerful democracy continued to unfold. A must-read for every thoughtful citizen who is concerned about America's future - though it will not convert the hard-core targets it demasks, anyone who believes in "compassionate conservatism" who is truly open-minded will find in it cause for reflection. As the author says in his introduction, "we shall gaze upon one of the true marvels of history: democracy buried beneath an avalanche of money."

Mr. Frank clearly does not approve of the conservative antics he writes about, but who does, other than those getting rich on subverting government? A lot of this material has been in the news, but he has added a lot in the form of research and candid remarks through interviews with perpetrators such as Jackass Abramoff, Scanlon, etc. A major inspiration for these Wrecking Crew members was Reagan, with his view of "I am here to get government off your back". They (Junior Bush, et. al.) thought this meant, "...and into your pockets".

"The Wrecking Crew" is an excellently written book detailing how our federal government became as corrupt and divided as it has become since 1980 by naming names, places and actions that contributed to our present situation. Pointing out President Reagan's part by repealing the regulations put in place to prevent big business from taking over and acting like a monarchy. The book describes very cleary a place and living conditions presently under American jurisdiction that big business has taken over completely. The drastic results greatly resembling the worst practices of the old southern slavery before the Civil War, the American politicians and others that put it into place and the people that perpetuate the horrible situation. The response to it all by the average American citizen!

Got this from my library. Frank does write very well. The book is most valuable if you want to investigate how a progressive liberal thinks, other than that just forget it. The book is copyrighted 2008 and he feels the last liberal president we had was LBJ. LBJ signed the 1965 Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act then sent tons of people these laws were designed to help, minorities and poor folks, off to Vietnam all while lying about what he was doing there; but Frank ignores LBJ. Frank confuses corruption and love of money with conservatism rather than admitting that these failings know no party or political philosophy. Frank actually says conservatives WANT bad government and WANT to bankrupt the country in order to convince voters that government is bad so that they will vote for the Government Opposition Party; what a twisted logic. This assumes that voters are profoundly stupid! He goes so far as to say conservatives want government run like a business which is bad because although government is required to answer to customers business is not! Try not answering to your customers and see how long your business lasts. Bottom line is this book is basically propaganda and although it touches on some truths it woefully misapplies them. Heavily footed noted from secondary sources and many footnotes leave you scratching your head while you attempt to see the relevance. Still the book is a great window into how folks like Frank think and why they say the things they do.

Sickening and superbly documented history of the conservative movement, and the great evil it has done this country. Inspired by trash writers such as Ayn Rand, these transparent sociopaths have courageously prescribed social darwinism for America's most vulnerable citizens, meanwhile driving us deeply into debt to create a neonatal intensive care ward for corporations. By all means read this book, but not on a full stomach.

Brilliant! Brilliant! Brilliant!

After hearing Bob McChesney, the host of Media Matters radio show, rave about The Wrecking Crew, (something that he rarely does) and listening to his interview with Thomas Frank, I bought a copy of the book in Chennai, India.

I love Frank's analysis of American politics and governance in the post-1980 era.

I've highly recommended it to many people.

You remember Hillary Clinton talking about the vast right wing conspiracy back in the late 90's? Well in The Wrecking Crew Thomas Frank chronicles the entire 30 year, systematic and sordid affair, including all the details, names, dates, and theme songs such as "DE-FUND THE LEFT."

If you ever wondered who's systematically undermining (yes it's still going on) our government of, by, and for the people, this book clarifies things better than any book I've ever read. If you really want to know what the next President is up against, you can't afford to miss this book.

With the recent books by Jane Mayer, Naomi Klein, Scott McClellan and others I was looking for a composite of how the current administration accomplished their dismantling of government. Mr. Frank has come close to explaining how the conservative thinking came to pass and functioned. This may not be the one book to record the travesty of the last eight years and beyond but it comes close.

Mr. Frank contends the dismantling of government was premeditated by the Bush-Cheney administration and like-minded supporters. Frank contends the appointments to regulatory agencies and other governing bureaus were intentionally incompetent or non-supporters of their assigned agencies. They either incompetently or deliberately neutered these agencies. He states the department of labor was intentionally made impotent in 2 and a half months. We all are privy to the Gonzales incompetence, the "Brownie is doing a great job" incompetence and John Bolton's hate for the United Nations. Frank implies these appointments were intentional to prove that government doesn't work.

Frank's book can be summarized as stating the Bush-Cheney and supporters set out to prove government doesn't work and implies they also had intent to line the pockets of their supporters.

Mr. Frank hits upon the Jack Abramoff - Grover Norquist group pretty hard. He explains how Mr. Abramoff's antics played in the group and how he appearred to be above the law.

Thomas Frank's The Wrecking Crew may not be the final history book I was looking for, as it is slanted to the left, but then maybe the true history of this time may be that the right is nothing but a bunch of thugs. Only history can judge.

I really enjoyed this book. It was both witty and engaging, much like Frank's earlier book, What's the Matter with Kansas. As a lover of politics, which most people who read this book will likely be as well, I found that the matter is deals with is so obvious and blatant that it is almost comical - if it was so depressing and downright frustrating. If you enjoy looking at government and our political system with a critical eye, you'll enjoy this book.

What a big pile of misinformation. He is describing the crony capitalists that reside and feed off the government that are republicans in name only. Those that he talks about are not conservatives even a little bit. He knows a whole lot stuff that just ain't so.

Conservatives believe that the department of education should be done away with, not create a new educational program called no child left behind which is what Bush and his ilk have done. Bush is not a conservative, and he has no conservatives working for him, they are all establishment republicans that have never seen a tax or government program they didn't like.

What a big pile of misinformation. He is describing the crony capitalists that reside and feed off the government that are republicans in name only. Those that he talks about are not conservatives even a little bit. He knows a whole lot stuff that just ain't so.

Conservatives believe that the department of education should be done away with, not create a new educational program called no child left behind which is what Bush and his ilk have done. Bush is not a conservative, and he has no conservatives working for him, they are all establishment republicans that have never seen a tax or government program they didn't like.

Frank has done another superlative job that follows on his equally savvy and well written "what's the matter with Kansas?" Extensive footnoting, clear writing and a wry sense of humor make this book a delight. Required reading for anyone with an interest in making government do what it is supposed to do - serve and protect the people - not just right-wing idealogues.

For those of us looking aghast at the endless flow of partisan venom that's become our national media, the feckless catastrophe that's become our national government, and wondered how so many self-proclaimed uberpatriots have managed to steer America from the country the world loved to a blowhard much-despised power in a few short decades, Frank provides interesting answers (and they're well-researched and excellently documented, unlike the spewings of some current conservative chart-topping bestsellers). This book's both horrifying and wickedly funny -- each page is a mixture of laughs and groans of disgust. Difficult to see how even the most rabid partisan could quarrel with many of his conclusions, as they're drawn from direct quotes; Frank's a master of giving pompous politicos enough rope to hang themselves. A page-turner par excellence, and essential reading for any thinking American in this most vital of election years.

I am a conservative-libertarian, yet I must say I enjoyed this book. I had read What's The Matter With Kansas, the typical elitist-liberal scoffing-at of the trivialties of those ignorant peasants that just don't understand the grace that liberals feel they bestow on them. Yet it was a well-written book, and I always enjoy an honest critizism. So I picked up this new one, and I must say, it's much better. Liberals will love it, as it reenforces many of their feelings in an honest and well researched way.

Conservatives may love it too. As I suspect Frank realized, many of the pejoratives used by Frank in describing the way conservatives govern are viewed as a badge of honor from those with a different view of the role of government.

Thomas Frank has a thorough understanding of both sides of the political spectrum. It's too bad that he does not reject the idea that even benevolent big-government is an unwanted intrusion on people's lives. It is also too bad that he doesn't realize that it is not just a conservative phenomena that the bigger government grows the more it is used as a tool of the powerful, but that that is the inevitable consequence of a government that has the size and the power to pick winners and losers, so long as there remains the first amendment right to petition the government for your side.

That being said, a worthwhile read for all sides of the political spectrum.

I was almost finished reading this book when the current wall street crisis came to a head. Everything I had read in this book helped me understand how we got to this point in history. Thomas Frank is a great writer. His stories of the college republicans and the rise of the neoconcervative movement is written in a fair, funny and compelling way.

I subscribed to The Baffler & usually enjoyed (and agreed with) Tom Frank's commentary most of the time. I also enjoyed the book Commodify Your Dissent. So, after missing out on all the books he's written since then, I picked this one up with interest. My mother's side of the family comes from the DC area & so I was eager to read his take on the politics of the current political class that owns the DC suburbs & the federal government. Ever since Reagan was elected, it has amazed me that a group of wealthy people have been able to both control government and use it to expand their wealth, while at the same time undermining the faith in government of the average citizen. This is exactly what Frank proposes to detail & explain here (and in his previous book). Unfortunately, while Thomas Frank may share my political sentiments & while this book may have informative details, I found it to be too poorly written to read very much beyond the first chapter.

As a recovering Ph.D. student, now with a "real" job, I have grown weary of how poorly written most books are, particularly those from a viewpoint with which I sympathize. I am baffled by how many poorly written books earn heaps of praise both on websites and in literary reviews and then go on to become bestsellers. Am I the only one who doesn't have time to wade through an introduction that never seems to an end? or who tires of prose that reads as is if every 5th word either came from a thesaurus or is a word that the author coined himself? Are people actually reading these things? or are they just buying them because they agree with the writer's politics and then putting them on their shelves to show friends that they are hip too? Thomas Frank really needs to take a writing class or get someone to edit his books. As someone who likes to keep abreast of current issues & debates, but doesn't have the time to wade through pages of hyperbole & meandering prose, I must say I'm disappointed by this one. I want facts, figures, names, dates..... Let the information speak for itself. I don't need the additional (repetitive) commentary and analysis about how bad things are in American politics interrupting every other sentence in a description of D.C.'s suburban layout.

Another annoying aspect to Frank's writing is that instead of actually identifying people, Frank often refers to people generically ("a billionaire," "a lobbyist"...) without naming them. He pulls similar stunts with places & events, referring to them in abstract or vague ways. He then uses pages & pages of footnotes, almost as if to prove that what he is saying is true, but unfortunately the footnotes usually don't clarify the details any. The overall effect of this makes the book read as if it were written by an undergraduate student who is too vague about his argument & how to structure it. So, he has a compulsive need to overcompensate for the lack of content by using "proof" (i.e. footnotes) in order to convince the reader that what he's writing is true.

So, while the book may have interesting tidbits of information about DC & its suburban spawn, I found Frank's writing to meander too much to turn his information into a compelling read. Hopefully he'll take a writing class and hire an editor for his next one.

First part of the book is the author whining about the changes to his home town in kansas, very long painful description of the changes- I'm looking for substance, trying to understand his viewpoint, not looking for an author trying to chase his childhood wishing for the return of the 60s...

This book is great if you're a devout American.....COMMUNIST.
If ultra-lib filth are fawning all over this piece of trash, I know
it's an early warning signal to all Patriotic Americans; Buyer
Beware!!

I heard an interview with the author on August 4th and got the book. An interesting look at a political movement, but could be improved with more independent research and details. Take a look for example, at the coverage of Katrina recovery. The author points out the failure of FEMA, but does not mention the role of local agencies, which, especially in New Orleans are dominated by Democrats as opposed to conservatives. The details about the "private" efforts includes a single $100 million contract to some politically connected firm. I guess that amount is supposed to shock the readers, but now-a-days $100 million doesn't buy a lot of anything- Democrat-controlled Chicago spent $250 million to build a park on two city blocks (and they didn't even have to buy the land). Also, why would it be surprising that the contract is handed out to a politically favored firm? That's been happening since the very beginning of any nation. I think whatever failures have occurred in Katrina recovery can't all be blamed on private action- the blame for problems in that region have to be shared with the large government entities present there. Even if FEMA had worked well, they would be gone from the area in a few months and let the locals take over recovery. The success of the local authorities is evidenced by the election of a Republican governor in a state with a long history of Democratic control. In my opinion the book would be a better expose on the conservative governing style if it contained more glaring contracts instead of repeating the thesis with anecdotal information thrown in here and there.

Its easy to confuse "research" with persuasive writing. Peeling back the onion, the facts are 1). The author has a clear agenda 2). the author entered in to the book deal with a clear bias and agenda 3). he spent quite a bit of time to gather anecdotes to prove his already decided mind 4). he spent some time to string together carefully chosen stories, weaving a web of persuasive writing around it. 5). any view can be supported by such efforts, in defense or offense about any issue one chooses. 6). If you want to read about how awful conservatives are, this is fun reading 7). if you want unbiased facts, don't bother to pick this one up

A polemicist pens a polemic condemning polemics, just not his own or that of the politically professional Left, who are, after all, well, not polemic in their views. No, no, we're all equal, though some, like Mr. Frank and his ilk, are, apparently, more equal than others. Gotta love the 'zero sum', I-win-you-lose Left -- they never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.