Book Recommendation #1

It Can't Happen Here
by Sinclair Lewis

I found this book at a local used book store. As far as I can tell, it's currently out of print. But if you are at all interested in politics and have a strong dislike for our current administration, it is definately worth tracking down a copy. The book presents an extreme view, but there are clear paralells between this administration and the one described by Lewis.

The book begins with the shady election of Buzz Windrip, a folksy, dark horse candidate, as President, over FDR. He promises equality (read: equality for everyone but minorities and women) and humanism (read: compassionate coersion). Sound familiar? Remember Florida. Remember the president who promised compassionate conservatism and instead brought us a revival of the Christian right.

Buzz Windrip's rise to power and subsequent consolidation of power (via abolishment of Congress, as an example) was enabled by various religious figures and political cronies. Bishop Prang, modelled after Father Coughlin an anti-semetic, Christian leader with a large ministry and national radio show initally threw his full support behind Windrip. Much like James Dobson (Focus on Family) and Pat Roberts have done today. His administration was packed with friends and loyalists (Harriet Miers. Remeber the FEMA guy who used to judge horse shows). But ultimately the strong men behind him pulled the strings (Karl Rove, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld).

Lewis himself was an adamant liberal. It is not surprising then that It Can't Happen Here shows the violent effects of a Facist coup. The military-industrial complex that Eisenhower warned off becomes reality. The breakdown of the political system does not occur overnight. It is the work of geniuses and media who shape and spin information and images, leaving behind an uninformed and powerless electorate. Although extreme in all senses of the word, It Can't Happen Here will leave you with plenty to think about long after you put it down. Give it a chance.

Links of interest:
Amazon's listing
Eisenhower's speech