Ap Government Book Report
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- Category: Politics
- Date Submitted: 02/04/2010 08:07 PM
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AP Government Book Report
“The Great Derangement”
By Matt Taibbi
AP Government Book Report
“No voter wants to believe he doesn’t really matter, so he buys into that idea that there are two substantively different parties frantically competing for his attention, the ideological fate of the country hanging on this decision every few years. It flatters the average citizen to think that way. The reality is that the dominant characteristic of our political system is the unchanging nature of the political consensus – while the two parties agree about most all of the important things, they disagree violently about the inconsequential stuff, providing the fodder and the drama for an endless political “struggle” that plays itself out in entertaining fashion every couple of years.” Pg.129
“They voted in huge numbers, but they were voting out of loathing, against enemies and against the system in general, not really for anybody. The elections had basically become a forum for organizing the hatreds of the population” pg.20
“The problem started when our elected leaders started playing a different game from the one the people sent them to play. They corrupted the process, made it sick, and in the end created a new species of government, an organism that functions well to serve its own ends but is nonresponsive to the public needs. It’s a heart that beats but doesn’t pump blood.” Pg.28
“The party’s gift for this kind of abject political non sequitur has been a defining characteristic for about a dozen years now, but especially in the last five. Terrorists strike New York? We better repeal the estate tax, quick! Asian bird flu on the way? Millions will die – if the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 isn’t overturned!” pg.40-41
“The Rules chairman tries not to laugh, somberly nukes every meaningful amendment request with a pained, regretful expression, and then...
“The Great Derangement”
By Matt Taibbi
AP Government Book Report
“No voter wants to believe he doesn’t really matter, so he buys into that idea that there are two substantively different parties frantically competing for his attention, the ideological fate of the country hanging on this decision every few years. It flatters the average citizen to think that way. The reality is that the dominant characteristic of our political system is the unchanging nature of the political consensus – while the two parties agree about most all of the important things, they disagree violently about the inconsequential stuff, providing the fodder and the drama for an endless political “struggle” that plays itself out in entertaining fashion every couple of years.” Pg.129
“They voted in huge numbers, but they were voting out of loathing, against enemies and against the system in general, not really for anybody. The elections had basically become a forum for organizing the hatreds of the population” pg.20
“The problem started when our elected leaders started playing a different game from the one the people sent them to play. They corrupted the process, made it sick, and in the end created a new species of government, an organism that functions well to serve its own ends but is nonresponsive to the public needs. It’s a heart that beats but doesn’t pump blood.” Pg.28
“The party’s gift for this kind of abject political non sequitur has been a defining characteristic for about a dozen years now, but especially in the last five. Terrorists strike New York? We better repeal the estate tax, quick! Asian bird flu on the way? Millions will die – if the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 isn’t overturned!” pg.40-41
“The Rules chairman tries not to laugh, somberly nukes every meaningful amendment request with a pained, regretful expression, and then...