America: Who Stole The Dream?

Customer Reviews:

A Bit of a Nightmare.......2003-06-17

I have read some of these authors other works and they fall on the same side as Michael Moore of anything to do with the current business environment. Basically anything a corporation does that is not to the benefit of the worker is just dirty pool. Sure they point out a few rather nasty effects of NAFTA and oversees work forces, but what they fail to also document is that the American public wants the inexpensive goods and is not overly concerned how they get them. Are there trade issues that are not fair to the US, sure there are, but again the authors do not dig deeper to explain more then the surface trade issue. With all trade items there is a political background that is a large part of why we all certain relationships to exist.

For example the authors spend a good deal of time beating up the Japanese for their very protective trade rules. The authors imply that the current sets of politicians are so inept that they do not see the issue and can not correct it. What the authors don't tell you is that the US has to play nice in order to keep the large number of US military bases on Japan to keep North Korea in check. We are also pushing Japan with both hands to beef up their own military to help in Asia issues. Due to these issues the US has to make some concessions on trade. Plus with each country and region of the world there are many different social issues at play. It could be that some of these countries would rather buy their own products. Overall the book was interesting, but I felt it was not the full story. I also grew a little tired of the overall level of complaining.

A must read.......2003-04-27

An accurate, yet disturbing, assessment of the cost of globalization. Corporate CEOs are selling out the American worker in order to increase shareholder value. People at all levels of organizations are being laid off while their jobs are shipped overseas. The book is very well researched and should be read by everyone in America from college age up.

Left winged or right winged this book is well researched.......2002-02-06

America, Who Stole the Dream, was a WONDERFUL READ. I find myself leaning more to the right, from a political perspective, but the authors arguments are EXCELLENT at times and they definitely bring up some great points.

This book is the most well argued book I have read about the current demise of the middle class in the U.S. After reading it I would definitely have to say that I have more concern about political decisions being made in Washington as the authors illustrate that consistently the politicians don't do the right thing for the country.

The authors bring up several concerns

1. Middle class demise via outsourcing of manufacturing to lower cost areas
2. Growing disparity of wealth (the rich own more in % terms)
3. The outsourcing of the 'HIGH TECH JOBS' that are to be the savior of the country.
4. Commentary about various social programs set up and how ineffective they are.

In conclusion I would say this book was extremely well researched and I therefore give KUDOS to the authors. While I don't agree with everything they wrote I believe they have put forth an excellent piece of work.

My main contention with the book is that it focuses on the demise of manufacturing and low-end jobs, along with some high tech. The U.S. is expensive from a labor perspective. As we have outsourced much of our manufacturing we have been able to purchase products at cheaper prices in the U.S.. Imagine what some products would cost if we were paying for labor that was, in some cases, 10x higher than current wages in developing countries? NOWHERE in the book do the authors mention the BENEFIT to our standard of living because we can buy more with our dollars than we would be able to do so otherwise. In general, this book is WAY to the left so reader beware.

My background is a B.S. in Acct., an MBA in finance and current interests in economic and social policy development so I found this to be quite an interesting read.

Informative but unenlightening.......2000-10-28

The book is another installment of the authors' concern for what might be called the `hollowing out of America'. Like the previous books, this one includes valuable facts and figures detailing the decline of America's working class. Much, however, is also repetitive, so not much new ground is broken. Nevertheless, the theme can support retelling since repercussions from the massive shifts in wealth and manufacturing continue to be felt throughout the land. It should also be noted that this decline is ongoing despite the so-called boom economy, whose benefits - as the numbers also show - have overwhelmingly flowed to one wealth bracket,. the upper 10%

One fresh feature in "...Dream" is the mounting assault on skilled high-tech salaries now underway. By and large, this is being done by either contracting out software programming to increasingly skilled Third World countries like India, or by importing these same skilled workers at a fraction of American salary. The latter operates under a legal cover that requires the company to advertise the job before turning to foreign workers as last resort. Apparently, however, compliance is left to the good faith of the company which unsurprisingly applies it insincerely. Viewed cynically, there is perhaps poetic justice in this whitecollar decline after the years of unchallenged blue-collar retreat.

The authors' discussion of the trade deficit reveals an important shortcoming in books such as this that focus mainly on statistics. As B&S show, the numbers indicate that the trade deficit continues to grow despite all the hand-wringing and tough-talk from Washington. Even so, the authors treat this economic negative as something of a mystery, blaming it on a lack of will on the part of successive administrations, as if the only ingredient missing is political gumption. In capsule, an issue such as this highlights a major failing of conventional expose's. On one hand, they focus strongly on the basic reality of class struggle, without, of course, ever using those words; on the other, their brief analysis of an issue like trade relations remains blandly conventional, repeating nothing more than unenlightening nostrums that leave the reader badly misdirected.

Instead, what is called for is a peek at the postwar world of capitalism and America's role since 1947 as arbiter of international capital and regulator of international markets. From this less conventional perspective, reasons for an apparent lack of government resolve readily take shape. In order to avoid consensus damaging trade wars, America has in the last few years opened its domestic manufacturing markets to low priced foreign competition. That is, in order to prevent competitive chaos from breaking out in the rush for international markets narrowed down by an expanded world-wide capacity, the US has sacrificed major portions of its own manufacturing sector, a move that has the collateral incentives of both quelling domestic inflation and undermining the strength of organized labor. Thus the overall interests of capital are served at the expense of one of its parts, a manufacturing sector whose owners have been well-compensated with tax write-offs for their sacrifice. Meanwhile middle-class bluecollar jobs are replaced by low wage service sector employment and the 'hollowing out' continues. From this perspective, a politically explosive one, it is not gumption our administrations lack, it's honesty about real policy and whose interests get served first.

The main problem with books like Barlett and Steele's is not their focus on numbers; it's ultimately their herdlike conventionality that is at once both informative and unenlightening

Should be read by all working people.......2000-10-23

There is little refuting the fact that over the last 15 years the split classes, between not just the rich and poor, but the rich and the working class, has grown sharply. Equally obvious is the control that big money has over every political level, on both sides of the political fence. What this marvelous book does is show specifically how this came to be, what policies caused it to be that way, and is loaded with in depth statistics cementing it's case. It also gives some good examples of how we might remedy the growing plutocracy.

Book Description

Powerful, one of a kind book which will begin to move the African American community toward financial freedom in the 21st Century. A step by step guide which leads to total financial freedom! Any African American family who do not read this book will no longer have an excuse for not living the American Dream!!!

In defense of "expert journalism.": An article from: Columbia Journalism Review

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In defense of "expert journalism.": An article from: Columbia Journalism Review
Steve Weinberg
Manufacturer: Columbia University, Graduate School of Journalism
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B00097AWCA
Release Date: 2005-07-28

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Columbia Journalism Review, published by Columbia University, Graduate School of Journalism on January 1, 1997. The length of the article is 1031 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the supplier: The journalism of Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele in their books "America: What Went Wrong?" and "America: Who Stole the Dream?" is a good example of the fresh understanding that journalists can bring to existing evidence. Although the pair were roundly criticized by defenders of the status quo for manufacturing theses ahead of their story and relying upon anecdotes rather than statistics, neither claim is accurate. The journalists defend their arguments with data and bring that data to life with moving interviews with people forced to live a nightmare.

Citation Details
Title: In defense of "expert journalism."
Author: Steve Weinberg
Publication: Columbia Journalism Review (Refereed)
Date: January 1, 1997
Publisher: Columbia University, Graduate School of Journalism
Volume: v35 Issue: n5 Page: p18(1)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

"Clarence Darrow [was] perhaps the most effective courtroom opponent of cant, bigotry, and special privilege that our country has produced. All of Darrow's most celebrated pleas are here—in defense of Leopold and Loeb (1924), of Lieutenant Massie (1932), of Big Bill Haywood (1907), of Thomas Scopes (1925), and of himself for attempted bribery."—The New Yorker

Customer Reviews:

A Friend of the Oppressed.......2005-02-27

The 'Forward' by Justice William O. Douglas says this book contains addresses delivered to juries in criminal cases, and speeches on controversial subjects. Darrow opposed bigotry, prejudice, ignorance, and hate. He was always fighting for equal protection, due process, and a fair trial. Darrow trusted juries more than judges to protect the life and liberty of the citizen. He was also a champion of labor when unions were often regarded as illegal, and suffered from government by injunction.

The 'Introduction' by Arthur Weinberg says Darrow was an orator who played on the emotions of his listeners. But people acted mainly through emotions. Darrow's pleas always had a powerful rational basis. He also defended many causes that were unpopular at the time. Clarence Darrow was a corporate lawyer until he became an attorney for the American Railway Union and its president Eugene Victor Debs. Was it a matter of conscience (p.xxx)? This book contains an edited selection of Darrow's speeches, giving the background and the aftermath.

"Crime and Criminals" has his speech to the prisoners in the Cook County jail. Darrow contrasts the acts of the convicts to the actions of the monopolists (gas, trolley, oil). Advertisements in the newspapers are all lies. More people go to jail in hard times than in good times. Most people who go to jail are poor; they can't afford a good lawyer. There is a correlation between increased poverty and increased crime. Darrow suggests crime is a natural phenomenon, like cattle seeking a better pasture. Having a good lawyer is more important than guilt or innocence! Laws exist to protect the ruling class, not to do justice. Darrow suggests that living where there is plenty of land and a chance to make a living would result in no crime (p.14).

Although Darrow was involved in many famous trials, he may be best remembered for the Scopes Evolution Case. Thomas Scopes discussed evolution in his high-school class to challenge a new Tennessee law. The publicity made Dayton famous. The famous William Jennings Bryan, a fundamentalist, advocated these laws and volunteered to help the prosecution. [If this is all you know of Bryan, please learn more.] Darrow examined Bryan on a question of law, the jury was not present. The next day this testimony was stricken from the record. The jury found Scopes guilty. On appeal the Tennessee Supreme Court reversed this, and dismissed the case. The Tennessee constitution banned state support of a religion. Most teachers today are still controlled by state laws as to what they can teach.

In the aftermath of the trial of the McNamara brothers for bombing the Los Angeles Times Building in 1911, Darrow was accused of attempting to bribe a juror. Darrow's investigators were double agents who offered a bribe, and claimed Darrow did it. Such agent provocateurs are found in movements like labor unions. Darrow said the State had put spies and informers into his defense team. and the LA police admitted so (p.504). The man who offered bribes admitted Darrow knew nothing (p.505)! Darrow pointed out that no one's life or liberty would be safe if they could be framed-up for a crime (p.507). Darrow would get a deal if he framed-up Samuel Gompers (p.510)! The plots against Darrow show evidence of the frame-up (p.516). Darrow decided to take a plea bargain for the McNamaras before any bribes were offered (p.522)! The jury quickly found Darrow 'not guilty' (p.531). Adele Rogers St. John's "Final Verdict" provides another view of this trial. Nearby, a young Erle Stanley Gardner was beginning his legal career. Was the angel in the film "Its a Wonderful Life" named to commemorate the recently deceased Clarence Darrow?

Biography of a deeply flawed man and attorney.......2004-01-25

Contrary to the myth surrounding the "heroic" Clarence Darrow, as a fighter for the common man and downtrodden, the real Clarence Darrow was a socialist who despised the United States, its legal system, and Christianity. In actual fact, he lost his two most famous trials- Scopes, and Loeb and Leopold. He was also put on trial himself for jury tampering- bribing jurors to acquit his client. Only through the work of the greatest trial attorney of that age, Earl Rogers, was Darrow acquitted. Stories abound in Chicago legal circles about Darrow's bribery of Cook County jurors, the real secret to his "success". His personal life was a failure. If this man is your hero, you need to rethink your life.

If this guy isnt your hero he should be........2002-03-30

Book is stunning. Makes you realize that language used to be more valued. The guy was amazing simply amazing.

Excellent.......1999-02-12

It is nice to know that in one point in our society that there was somebody whocared about the little guy, the poor,the downridden, the underdog etc.,Clarence Darrow found a cause and stuckto it like a fly on poop. It takes guts to stand up against the establishmentand never apologize for it.We need more guys like him.

Attorney for the Damned: Clarence Darrow in the Courtroom

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Attorney for the Damned: Clarence Darrow in the Courtroom
Clarence Darrow
Manufacturer: University of Chicago Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N79BXW

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Attorney for the Damned: Clarence Darrow in the Courtroom
Clarence; Weinberg, Arthur Darrow
Manufacturer: University Of Chicago Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OPII78

Book Description

Practical advice and proven techniques to succeed and prosper in your home office

If you're one of the millions of people currently working out of your home, you know that, along with independence and flexibility, there are challenges. Home office workers face isolation, stress, burnout, time management issues, family and relationship conflicts, and procrastination, among other concerns. Now, America's leading virtual office authority gives you the tools and techniques you need to thrive. Keep yourself motivated-and productive-as you learn to:
* Manage time and workload-avoid scheduling conflicts, control interruptions and distractions, overcome overwork
* Balance work and home life-prioritize responsibilities while constructing boundaries between home and office, deal with spouses and children
* Cope with emotional fallout-manage stress and burnout; overcome depression, isolation, and rejection
* Maintain good health-establish routines of regular sleep, nutrition, and exercise; organize a safe work environment

Become your own best boss!

Customer Reviews:

This was a very valuable book.......2002-08-25

This is an excellent topic and a book that you should read if you are working at home and have children.

At Last -- A book that understands!.......2000-04-01

I've been working at home for 5 years and read my share of books on how to do it efficiently and happily. This is the best book yet on explaining the emotional issues that come up and how to cope with them. It was very, very helpful to me; I've modified the way I structure my day in response to suggestions in the book and now I frequently get more done AND feel less stressed.

The home office solution.......2000-03-28

If you work at home it can be challenging. This book gives great advice on how to overcome many of the home office challenges.

Book Description

Many policymakers, journalists, and members of the public at large are intimidated and mystified by the discipline of economics. The efforts of economists to make sense of interrelated, dynamic markets have lead to theoretical models and an analytic methodology that few outside the profession can begin to understand. Unfortunately, a pervasive economic illiteracy contributes to public confusion in public debates and confounds attempts to develop good policy. Policymakers and journalists who misunderstand economic concepts or are unaware of economic uncertainties make good decisions by accident rather than design. In this volume, edited by Jeffrey Madrick, many leading economists debunk conventional wisdom while clarifying distinctions between concrete evidence and theory that often fits poorly with real-world realities. Authors and topics include New York University's Edward N. Wolff on wealth inequality, Anthony Carnevale and Stephen Rose of the Education Testing Service on inequality and the new high-skilled service economy, Cornell University's Robert H. Frank on rational choice theory, Ohio State's Richard H. Steckel on indicators of health and quality of life, and James Crotty of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst on international capital controls. AUTHOR BIO: Jeffrey Madrick is the editor of Challenge magazine and author of The End of Affluence: The Causes and Consequences of America's Economic Dilemma (Random House, 1997).

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This research report examines how PSA business solutions, a market that has grown significantly in the last 12 months, clarifies the complexities of the e-World.

How to Live Within Your Means and Still Finance Your Dreams
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Contains outdated financial principles

One of the most interesting technical finance books availabl

SIMPLY THE BEST!

Best Book On "Budgeting /Decision-Making" Thus Far

You must read this book!

How to Live Within Your Means and Still Finance Your Dreams
Robert A. Ortalda
Manufacturer: Fireside
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Public Finance | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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Credit Ratings & Repair | Personal Finance | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Financial Planning | Personal Finance | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
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Customer Reviews:

Contains outdated financial principles.......2006-08-09

Robert Ortalda's book is worth every penny of the $1.11 it sold for new.

One of the most interesting technical finance books availabl.......2004-11-01

This book is very thought provoking and in my opinion is right-on. Interesting reading for an often dry subject. If only most accounting courses could be this interesting.

However, with the amount of bookeeping that is illustrated and the advance of household computers over the past 15 years, I think many a reader would be better served to get an updated version that has some computer programs to supplement the reading material.

SIMPLY THE BEST!.......2002-02-19

If you need a method for managing your money, this is simply the best book out there. It is not preachy and is more focused than most financial books that try to cover personal budgeting in a single chapter: it is too complex a subject to get adequate treatment in a few pages.

This, on the other hand, is a good chunk of book about just the one subject. There are a lot of OK books out there but, really, to do budgeting and financial planning how many do you need? Only one and this is it!

But be warned, the system presented by the author is complex and intensive in that it requires that you really think about where your money is going. It also forces you to set priorities and face the limitations of your financial resources.

If you use the system it will force you to become future and goal oriented and if you have a problem with spending too much and not saving enough, this might just be the cure. Good luck.

Best Book On "Budgeting /Decision-Making" Thus Far.......2001-04-29

This is a "how-to" book covering the fundamentals of establishing a personal financial system of establishing and attaining financial planning goals. The book successfully sets forth an easy-to-adopt system of "funding" each desired goal. Throughout the book the author illustrates the principles with stories from this own dealing with clients.

If you need assistance with "establishing a budget", "getting out of debt", or "learning to save", then this is the book for you. It is probably most suited for persons age 18-55 who need a system to manage their income, or to handle sudden influxes of wealth.

If you are living beyond your means, or never saving enough, an attitude adjustment book explaining the "why" (such as "The Millionaire Next Door") might be read first, followed by this book, which shows you the "how". You might then follow these readings with others in personal finance and investing, such as John Bogle's excellent primer "Common Sense on Mutual Funds".

My only reservation about this book is that it lacks an explanation of how to implement the "funding" system proposed through Quicken or MS Money financial planning software. If the author is listening, perhaps a future edition can be planned. Until such happens, however, this 1990 book still remains the best "how to" book of "funding" and "budgeting" personal finances out there. I often recommend this book to my younger clients and thereafter see their successes in implementing the system this book teaches.

You must read this book!.......2000-08-09

I thought I knew everything about personal finanace, because all the other books I'd read said the same things: pay off your debt, save 10% each month, and use willpower when you budget. WRONG! This is the best approach to managing money I've ever seen. It helps you to actually use your money effectively and develop plans based on what you need and WANT. This book does not recycle the same stale, predictable, unrealistic rhetoric of finances - it questions everything we've been told by "Dad and Uncle Ralph" over the years and looks instead at what makes sense right now, today, this minute. The advice in this book is practical and immediately useful. Suddenly, it all makes sense!

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