The War on the Poor: A Defense Manual

The objective of this book seems to have been to provide a bullet presentation regarding the issue of poverty, those on welfare and alternatives. Despite the fact that the reader may disagree with it's assertions and conclusions, one cannot argue that the authors did a good job in meeting their objectives. The book is written in such a way that the lay person can clearly understand points being made. Although there is always some compromising of the "facts" when presented in a simplistic way, it nevertheless meets its objectives. The best part of this book is how it attacks the myths surrounding the issues of poverty and welfare. It seems that those who did not like this book would not like ANY book that expressed the idea that poverty is primarily caused by societal forces not individual indolence. But of course, it makes them feel a lot safer thinking the latter, because if only indolent people become poor, than they can't possibly ever be poor.

I read this book for my Race, Class, and Gender course in college in which we deconstructed the institutions of our "fabulous" society to see what was really happening behind the scenes of democracy. "The War on the Poor: A Defense Manual" was a fantastic resource in doing so. The working class and welfare recipients in our society are silenced and horribly labeled, treated as the "under class". "Rightists" and "fundamentalists" and "Rush Limbaugh Junkies" (for lack of more insulting terms) have created a society where we are made to believe that individuals are solely responsible for their "plights". It's time these people take a course in sociology to understand that there are multiple factors in the existence of the "poor". And it's too bad that the "evil republicans" have to be displayed in this book as just that, but it's time they realize that bully, right wingers are outnumbered and will lose. Maybe that's childish, but it's also childish to claim a group of people are lazy and able to succeed in our society by "pulling themselves up by their bootstraps", which many right wing, republicans tend to do. This book is full of fabulous statistics, which are clearly not created for the sole purpose of sales...take a course in class sociology...the statistics will amaze you. And all that bulls**t you've been fed will make you laugh.

I did not see one picture of "mean Republicans stepping on poor, defenseless, and deserving poor people" in this book. In fact, one of the points of this book seems to be that people do not deserve to be poor, given the wealth of the United States. "War on the Poor" makes its argument with facts, numbers that seem to come from reliable sources, like the numbers the U.S. government provides. If you have any questions about the numbers you can look up the sources because the text is thoroughly footnoted (along with the cool graphics). The book demonstrates some of the failings of our society, including the welfare program, and challenges the reader for a response. I don't think even the most strident Republican would be foolish enough to deny there are too many poor people in this country, and that poverty is a problem! Yes, the book does have a liberal bent, but is it liberal or conservative to shine a spot light on a problem? It isn't until chapter 8, "Alternatives," that people might have disagreements with the authors, but then again, they only seem to be trying to start a dialogue. Anyhow, I recommend the book, and I hope it does make your blood boil.