Where America Went Wrong: And How to Regain Her Democratic Ideals

The six reviews up to this point were written before 2006; before the torrent of corporate greed, dominance of special interests, lack of government oversight and the other baggage of a derailed democracy of which Talbot writes had become apparant to most of us. If the three negative reviews were written today (early 2009) they would have zero credibility because virtually all of which Talbott has written about has come to pass. He is as much "a prophet in our time" as I have seen.

A book that talks about providing more rights and power to the average person and taking it away from the very intuitions that so many of us feel control our lives, surly is a book that would have wide appeal. After all the book starts off by talking about the desire of all peoples in the world to be free and wasn't that one of the much repeated positive outcomes of the recent war? This book talks to these issues and has a main theme, which is that more democracy in American and across the world, will raise the standard of living for all people. The author believes that more Americans need to get involved in the working of the government. The author suggests that if there was more public involvement in government, there would be a dramatic reduction in the influence of the special interest groups (big business) that have taken hold in America. He tries to tie in the overall heath of the American economy by arguing that the more democratic we are, the more prosperous we will all be. His argument got close to a bit of redistribution of wealth plan with some of his views on taxation, but his examples and comments gave credence to his overall claims. I do not know if the author is correct in his view of America today and its significant pitfalls that lie ahead, but who does not want to read a book that tells you that you need more individual power. The book feeds into the somewhat common view that the special interests i.e. business leaders, rich and elected officials have taken control in one large power play designed to give them all the riches. For someone having difficultly making a house payment, this view is right on the money. Overall I found the book interesting and well written. The author had a spark about his writing style that made you want to take action, on what I do not know, but take action none the less. If you are not happy with the current state of politics in America then grab this book and be outraged all over again.

?John Talbott utilized a commanding understanding of economics and politics to come up with the best solution I have yet to hear or read on how to restore the American democratic ideal, as well as the economy. He explains, in no uncertain terms, how the economy is connected to democracy, and how democracy has been diminished by political leaders, with more than a little push from corporate America. He cites corporations, the affluent wealthy, some interest groups, some academics and a good portion of the media for contributing to the demise of democracy, with their short-sightedness. And they dragged the economy down along with it. This book blows so many whistles, that Talbott is having difficulty promoting it. It's reminds me of when Dr. W. Edwards Deming went to Japan to teach the Japanese about statistical quality control, because nobody in America was interested. His direction shifted the perception of Japanese products from shoddy imitations to one of quality products in only four years. Talbott is up against a similar apathy in America today, nobody wants to take one step back in order get two steps ahead. Yet he has been invited to advise several developing countries. If Americans don't wake up, someone else might pass us by democracy-wise, the way the Japanese did quality-wise, at least for a time. But Talbott's advise comes at a price. Americans have to exercise their constitutional responsibilities! I think it's worth it. But you should read the book and decide for yourself. Let him convince you, as he convinced me! Then let's go save our democracy!

This book highlights all the reasons that America is corrupt. It follows the political influence of corporations, lobbies, and the conservative rich. Talbott discusses the corruption of the media and of academic institutions. He then recommends ways that the American people can establish their one person/one vote rights in order to regain the democratic nation that our forefathers once set for us. Talbott includes suggestions for third world countries to establish democratic institutions and how agencies, such as the WTO and the UN, should promote more democracy. America is a wonderful place and Talbott believes that it is slowly becoming more and more corrupt. It is biased only towards the reality of big business squashing the wishes of the general public. I recommend that every hard working American individual read this book and then take action.