"What's the Matter with Kansas?"

[SeanOhio]

Is anyone reading Thomas Frank's new book, "What's the Matter with Kansas?" I just saw the author on NOW and he and his views were very interesting. I'm wondering if I should pick up the book. Here's a link to amazon.com (where it was the best seller for a few days, though it has dropped since yesterday).

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0805073396/qid=1089605242/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/102-1037521-2535317

[MichiganVote]

1. I saw it too

and thought it was worth looking into. I agreed with his points. So long as the population focuses so exclusively on single issues, we lose economically. More to it but the man had good points to make.

[dumpster_baby]

2. Frank's thesis is pure genius

be sure to read some of the essays from his website:
http://tcfrank.com/

[tigereye]

3. that was a great interview

really interesting ideas!

[FreedomReload]

4. .

[tigereye]

5. she was very pretty

[FreedomReload]

6. .

[SeanOhio]

7. Thanks!

Those are very interesting readings.

[Robbien]

8. Yes. He basically said the New Democrats have given up the

fight on economics and have joined with the GOP on global expansion. There is nothing else to vote on except social issues, and the GOP picked the side of those issues which would speak to the conservative base. He also said the conservative base is even being screwed again because the GOP has not delivered on even one social issue.

Although no one is saying it, we are in a class war right now. The GOP is making use of that also by implying the Democrats are the class of the snobbish elite.

[Mari333]

9. as the daughter of a Union man and a Railroad engineer

I am a blue collar kid. I grew up with 5 little brothers and sisters and my dad worked 3 jobs sometimes to make ends meet.
He also read Mark Twain to us as kids, and quoted Shakespeare.
There was a time when the poor had their own opera houses, played beautiful music on their own instruments, and wrote and read poetry and appreciated beauty, truth, and art.
The turn of the century changed much of that, when the wealthiest snobs (GOP type robber barons) decided to extend the work week and force many people into jobs working 7 days a week, and many immigrants didnt have time for leisure or art.
Then, the robber barons and their fatcat friends decided to co opt art and music and thought they owned "culture".
Well, they dont, and they didnt.
The music of the soul is free, and cultural elitism comes straight from the wealthy 1% who think they own Beethoven, Bach, Rachmaninoff, and Twain...
No, they dont.
Its just as much my music as anyone elses.
I also own the sun rising, the moon at night, and the poetry of Rimbaud and Baudelaire.
I grew up poor. I chose to learn on my own, because I had parents who, despite their poverty, still believed in teaching their kids to read and learn and search for beauty and find a gentle spirit in all things.
My father always told me that money does not buy anyone class, and he was right..(see: Ken Lay, Enron CEOs)
You dont need money to read Twain, or Shakespeare.
You dont need money to create a symphony.
You dont need money to write poetry.
You dont need money to sing.
You dont need money to dance.
You dont need money to paint your own version of the Sistine Chapel on your own garage door if you are in the mood.
Your soul isnt for sale, and having a soul that embodies beauty and truth doesnt cost a dime.

[Robbien]

10. Yes, for some reason I have never believed the haves and the have mores

do much reading and only go to cultural events to be seen, not to enjoy.

[Mari333]

11. Classless and clueless morons, the wealthiest 1%

petit bourgeousie assholes.

[Cassandra]

12. Yes, I'm about a third of the way through...

and it's really good. He also has a fairly witty style and writes well.

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

13. I read it

He is a very interesting writer. One of my pet peeves is all these writers and media people that never even go see what the hell is really going on in the country or talk to people and ask them about it. He did the opposite of that with his book.

He gives historical perspective too. He was raised in Kansas and goes back there and talks about its history and how it has changed with the Walmartization and all that. He also shows what an ass David Brooks is with all that stereotyping.

It's amazing to me what is going on in the country with the economy and how little it gets talked about. I am about his age (41) and when I go home to visit Pennsylvania, I am always amazed at how poor and depressed the state looks compared to when I was young. I thought he gave some really interesting examples of how the whole rich getting richer and middle class and poor getting poorer thing is happening.