Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity: Get Out the Shovel--Why Everything You Know Is Wrong

John Stossel cuts through the overload of good and garbage information out there like few people can or will. He gathers the facts and presents his views in a relentlessly reasoned and pragmatic way that gives even the most closed minds food for thought. And thank God, he's unapologetic about taking on the wealth of stupid thinking, conventions and institutions in our country and the serious problems they have created for us all. READ THIS BOOK AND PASS IT ON!!!

Stossel takes on political correctness, the unions, and especially the lawyers. All the angry reviewers here are calling names without refuting the arguments. These folks must love the lawyers running the show in this country. Playgrounds closing down, towns not being able to find doctors, drug companies intimidated into not being able to produce vaccines because lawyers are waiting like carrion vultures to take them apart, people blaming others and suing because they can't quit smoking or overeating. Blame everyone else for your problems. Confront this crap like Stossel does and it is sending some readers into liberal rage. We need a million more John Stossels and we might make a dent in the problems of the deterioration of our society. Oh! it's a well written and entertaining read as well.

Here Stossel exposes the deluge of misinformation that the media has been feeding us for years. And yes, there is a lot of things. He cuts through the media sensationalism surrounding many issues and challenges the assumptions that so many of us hold - including many assumptions that I held. He makes the point that we shouldn't just blindly accept everything that the media tells us but question that as well. He reminds us that bad news sells. He certainly pulls no punches here either regarding controversial issues. For example, he shows that price gouging actually helps the customer. When I first saw that, I thought, "now this I have to see!" He actually demonstrates it pretty well too - I later took economics in college and his arguments on this and many other economic topics make a lot of sense. Here's another one: all the fearmongering about DDT was wrong and has lead to a lot of deaths from malaria in third-world countries. I'll let you read the book to read his other points and his defense of this one. He comes to startling but compelling conclusions about many contemporary issues. You will learn a lot from this book, such as: - The alleged systematic discrimination against women in the marketplace isn't occurring - Global warming and cooling has been going on a lot longer than we've been polluting - Much of the policy that environmentalists are pushing will do little or no good and often do a lot of harm - e.g. the DDT scare - Minimum wage helps some workers but hurts others - The outsourcing "crisis" is actually helpful - Etc. Although I don't agree with everything he says, it certainly made me think (including about the topics I disagree with him about) and even made me change my mind on several topics (actually quite a few topics). Stossel does a great job debunking many of the popular myths out there. If you don't want your assumptions challenged and to think critically about issues like public education, global warming, minimum wage, and many other topics, then don't read this book; otherwise, read it. This is a very worthwhile read that will really make you think.

John Stossel has gone back to press and come up with another winner. "Give Me a Break!" gave those who believed in government infallibility an eye-opener; "Myths, Lies and Stupidity" gives them more of the same, plus something the prior book lacked- footnotes. Now readers seeking to follow up on Stossel's revealations with actual sources can do just that- and throw solid evidence in the faces of those who say that trial lawyers are good for America, that brand name is better than generic, and that government action can solve any and every problem. The book's not perfect, though. Stossel occasionally makes statements without backing them up at all with objective fact. Don't take this book as infallible- question it, just as you should question anything ANY media person says. Stossel admits he's been wrong himself in the past, even working hand in hand with the forces he now works to expose. This book isn't a perfect testament to a free market and limited government. What it DOES do is make a solid argument for restraining the power of government and especially of lawyers- and give the reader a trail to follow to learn more about HUNDREDS of examples of how modern common sense is utterly mistaken.

I've read John's other book and watched his programs as often as possible. This one is the best yet. The covereage of the truth about American schools is enlightening and will hopefully help pave the way for greater action in this area. The section on brand name vs. non-brand products was excellent. My daughter performed a similar taste test for her science fair project revealing that people mostly buy for image and belief purposes and less for taste and quality purposes. John's findings were in the same line and should be read by everyone. The fact that New York City tap water beat out EVIAN should really make the world feel NAIVE (EVIAN backwards) about making their product the number one bottled water. Particularly since a chemical analysis showed the water was no more pure or healthy than what came out of the NYC pipes. Great book. I really believe you don't know everything you need to know if you haven't read this book. Tom Carpenter