Synopses & Reviews
Is American democracy in a death spiral? Why do Americans ignore political frauds and swallow pervasive lies from president after president, in campaign after campaign? In Attention Deficit Democracy, James Bovard diagnoses a national malady whose symptoms include a citizenry indifferent to facts and unable to judge when their rights are under attack. He exposes the frightening national reality of absolute presidential power and argues that our current myopia has dire consequences for America's future. His is an authentic voice urging citizens to return to the principles of the Founding Fathers and to once again become the most important check against the abuse of power.
Review
"A lively attack on politicians, voters and government. Bovard's indictment of an ineffective but ever-expanding federal government would make any libertarian proud."--
The New York Post "A comprehensive attack on the administration from a less-often-heard place on the political spectrum. . . . Readers looking for a rousing refresher on the merits of skepticism will find it here in spades."--Publishers Weekly
"Bovard explains how supposedly free citizens have bought into the lies and frauds offered by the political class.... Bovard offers wise counsel and sage advice."
--The Orange County Register
"We ignore Jim Bovard's work at the risk of being repeatedly...'betrayed' by the siren songs of presidential candidates of both parties."
--Former congressman Bob Barr, American Conservative
"Attention Deficit Democracy not only diagnoses our national malady, it provides a remedy as well. If you care about the loss of our liberty, have people read this book. Once Bovard gets their blood boiling, they start paying attention!" --Charles Goyette, Air America
Synopsis
Does the people's need to believe in the president trump their duty to understand, to think critically, and demand truth? Have Americans been conditioned to ignore political frauds and believe the lies perpetuated by campaign ads? James Bovard diagnoses a national malady called "Attention Deficit Democracy," characterized by a citizenry that seems to be paying less attention to facts, and is less capable of judging when their rights and liberties are under attack. Bovard's careful research combined with his characteristically caustic style will give "ADD" a whole new meaning that pundits, politicians, and we the people will find hard to ignore.
About the Author
James Bovard is the author of the classic Lost Rights and, most recently, The Bush Betrayal. He has written for The Wall Street Journal, American Spectator, New York Times, New Republic, Washington Post, and Newsweek, in addition to maintaining an active blog (jamesbovard.com). He is also the author of Terrorism and Tyranny, Freedom in Chains, Feeling Your Pain, and The Fair Trade Fraud (all Palgrave Macmillan).
Table of Contents
Introduction * The Problem of Demented Voters * Fearmongering and the Battered Citizen Syndrome * Lying & Legitimacy * Campaign Reform and Other Voter Frauds * Elections as Reverse Slave Auctions * Torture and American Political Values * The Non-Check, Non-Balance Congress * Spreading Freedom, Messianic Democracy and No-Cost Killings * Bush and the Rise of Conservative Authoritarianism * Trusting Government in an Age of Vast Deceits * Conclusion
Introduction * The Problem of Demented Voters * Fearmongering and the Battered Citizen Syndrome * Lying & Legitimacy * Campaign Reform and Other Voter Frauds * Elections as Reverse Slave Auctions * Torture and American Political Values * The Non-Check, Non-Balance Congress * Spreading Freedom, Messianic Democracy and No-Cost Killings * Bush and the Rise of Conservative Authoritarianism * Trusting Government in an Age of Vast Deceits * Conclusion