Independents Day: Awakening the American Spirit

In the Introduction to INDEPENDENT'S DAY, Lou Dobbs expresses his belief that populism will ultimately defeat elitism in government. He also provides an excellent, brief definition of populism. This book is a call for Americans to actively participate in all levels of politics. Mr. Dobbs warns that elites in politics, academia, and big business aim to roll back the gains for the middle class from the last 100 years. An interesting tidbit was the connection of Samuel Alito to George W. Bush's "extension of presidential authority". On trade, Mr. Dobbs differentiates between reciprocity and protectionism. He states that "Mutuality does not connote economic isolationalism" despite media hacks' sentiments to the contrary. The American version of "free trade" is basically giving the multinational corporations everything that they want at the expense of the middle class workers and their jobs. On page 166 he lays out a common sense assessment of the North American Union(SP & P) plans- "Elitists like quiet evolution of policy created in the dark, where it will remain away from the prying eyes of the press and the public." This explains the very limited media exposure to the on-going planning void of the people's knowledge for the most part. As an Independent populist myself, I found very little in Lou Dobbs' book that I disagree with. He covers the most important topics of our day with his no-nonsense approach. A recommended read!

My husband and I both have read Lou's book(s) actually on the second one now. He gives a very honest hard look at how things are today without the political ties of Republican or Democrat, We have both changed our status to Independent. Lou gives an honest review and tells it how it is, Too bad HE isn't running for President, it would truly be a no brainer!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, beginning to end. His critical analysis of both democrat and republican parties is astounding. It led me to wonder... Should America have a party between the far left and far right?

America is a great nation whose leaders have become intoxicated with the idea that our previous successes cannot be exhausted, that the USA has superior DNA and provenance from God, and a blind faith in markets. Questions such as "Why are we the world's leading debtor nation, Why can't we defeat an insurgency and sectarian conflict in a third-rate nation of only 25 million, Why does the government refuse to secure our borders and ports, Why have we run 31 consecutive years of trade deficits and now are dangerously dependent on others for oil, computers, and even basic necessities" are pushed aside and ignored. There's no question that we have a government for sale, and that there's little difference between the two parties on key issues such as free trade, dependence on corporate donors, fiscal pork vs. responsibility, and until recently, immigration. The "good news" is that Dobbs sees growing numbers of disaffected independent voters determining the outcome of the '08 election. America is now the world's largest debtor nation, with a record national debt of $9 trillion and an accompanying record trade deficit of $6 trillion which is rising even faster. Personal bankruptcies and home foreclosures are also at record levels, while the dollar hits record lows and our leaders hold fast to the programs that created these problems. (Absent the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy and corporate America ($1 trillion/year), our national debt would be decreasing.) We also have another $59 trillion in unfunded liabilities, and need, per ASCE, $1.7 trillion over the next five years to bring our infrastructure up to at least acceptable levels. Dobbs is also concerned about the considerable degree of privatization being used to side-step problems. Seaport management, toll roads, military support, and water treatment and supply is farmed out, often without competitive bidding and sometimes even in secret; foreign nations often take ownership of these key assets. (Additional insidious reasons for privatization are to reduce the power of a typical Democrat party source of strength - government workers, and to increase the business contribution base for mostly Republicans. Dobbs is also concerned regarding the amount of political involvement by many religious groups - clearly illegal, and often directed to supporting illegal immigrants. In 1999 the INS devoted only 240 agents to workplace enforcement; in 2006 it had fallen further to 100. Amnesty for illegals and chain migration (goals of many religious groups) would have astronomical results - chain migration (allowing relatives in) already brings in about 250,000 per year for those legal now). Illegal immigration is not our only problem with Mexico. Between 70-90% of cocaine entering the U.S. from South America comes through Mexico. Interesting asides: Despite howls of protest from those supporting illegal immigration, 71% of Hispanics say that English should be the official language of government op

With our failing 2 party system, Lou points out the Left & Right's failings while sharing his recipe for a successful America. Lou is fiscally conservative and morally "liberal" (for lack of a better word) and I think that describes the majority of Americans. As all his books, this is an excellent read from a man that should be running for president. You've got my vote, Lou!