Free Lunch: How the Wealthiest Americans Enrich Themselves at Government Expense (and Stick You With the Bill)
By David Cay Johnston. Portfolio. $24.95.
Take former Treasury Secretary John Snow, whose csx railroad saved billions by skimping on maintenance; when there was a fatal crash, taxpayers footed the bill. Before entering politics, George W. Bush ran a money-losing baseball team, but ended up millions of dollars richer by getting a government-funded sweetheart deal on a new stadium. Retail chains like Wal-Mart win property-tax breaks and then squeeze out local businesses that pay their fair share. The free ride has become business as usual, but Johnston sees it for what it really is: cheating.
Free Lunch fizzles in its final chapter, where Johnston lays out some unconvincing solutions. He proposes "politician finance reform"—giving members of Congress all the money they want for dining, travel, and entertainment so they can't be tempted by their wealthy friends. Yet the end of Abramoff-style golf junkets and free box seats would do little to curb the influence of major campaign donors. Johnston's final appeal to handout-hungry ceos to "ask themselves how much they are willing to sully their reputations" feels naive, too. It will take more than a call for self-restraint to derail this gravy train.
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If you have not read How the Wealthiest Americans Enrich Themselves at Government Expense (and Stick You with the Bill). you are missing one of the most important books of this century. David Cay Johnston’s writing is riveting, and his expose on how government regulations are helping take from the many to help the few is essential knowledge or all who wish a good and prosperous future for America. As you can see from the others posting this is a must read.
Instead of bring a bottle of wine to our friends when visit, we are now bring a copy of the book. We have never had such a positive reaction to our thank you gift! Conservatives, libertarians, progressives are all appalled by information in this book. We need to get the message out and take our country back. You owe it to yourself and future generations, if you read no other book this year, to read this one. What Mr. Johnston has done provides a major service for America and it will only be useful if we read it and take action. In case you missed it Mr. Johnston was just on Bill Moyer’s,
and Terry Gross’s Fresh Air. You can google them listen to them on your computer or ipod.
They are well worth listening to and passing on to your friends who love America and want to help it have a great future.
