The People and Forces Behind America's Fifty-Year Fall and Those Fighting to Reverse It
Steven Brill's book is a detailed explanation of everything that is screwed up in America and how we got here. He divides Americans into the protected and the unprotected. Although the country has prospered over the past 50 years, the profits and spoils have primarily gone to the protected class. He describes this group as the meritocracy (as opposed to the aristocracy) that has taken over with their talents and privilege. With advance training, this privileged group has used the "financialization" of the "casino economy" to accumulate vast wealth and control. Unions and workers have been greatly weakened and inequality has risen to new heights. Workers have been left behind by globalization and automation combined with inadequate retraining. Poverty levels continue to plague the country along with decreasing safety nets.
In the mean time, the protected class has built "moats" to safeguard their interests. Using techniques such as gerrymandering to suppress voters, Hastert Rule to block legislation, and the nuclear option to pass judges, congress has been able to serve their special interests. Money has become a major factor in all legislation, particularly with the recent passing of the Citizen's United case removing limits on corporate contributions.
The book describes a steady progression of enriching the protected meritocracy from the complaining Carter, the exploiting Reagan, the finessing Clinton, the shopping W, the hopeful Obama, leading to the irrational Trump. The Republicans have been a unifying force in leading the progression (ie Newt 90's) culminating in the total resistance of the Obama administration.
The book ends by calling for resistance from a coalition of the middle class and the poor to "storm the moats." Unfortunately, "Things may get worse before they get better."
