On Corruption in America: And What Is at Stake

Reading Sarah Chayes\’s descriptions of Gilded Age and modern kleptocracy from Reagan to Trump, I couldn\’t help remembering Upton Sinclairs\’ observation that he had aimed for the nation\’s heart with his novel _The Jungle_ but hit its stomach. Chayes\’s history of the Gilded Age, in my opinion, is at least as good if not better than Howard Zinn\’s and Thomas Frank\’s, and some of her detailed descriptions of American corruption from 1873 to present often made me feel physically ill. Not a few money-obsessed Democrats come in for scathing criticism alongside the expected bevy of Republicans (including the heirs to the Dixiecrats). It is not a matter of party or class per se: Chayes argues, correctly I think, that the Great Depression and World War II not only enabled the fulfillment of many of the goals of the strikers and protestors of the six decades from 1873 to 1933 but also taught most Americans a kind of social empathy that has been systematically and deliberately attacked by networks of moneyed interests from 1980 to the present day. Some readers may be a bit put off by Chayes\’s reliance on Greek and Christian allegories for thematic continuity, but I appreciated them. In any case, she more than redeems herself by drawing from her personal experiences in \”third world\” nations to expose, again and again, the hubris of Americans like Trump, whose infamous comment about \”shithole\” African countries reveals so much of the kleptocratic mindset and his personal psychopathy. Chayes offers many specific ideas for digging ourselves out of the quagmire of kleptocracy and corruption, but no simple solutions. Given climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, will we survive long enough to pursue them, let alone turn the tide?

Sarah Chayes uses her considerable analytical skills to tell the story of corruption in America and the scale of our current corrupt systems, exemplified by the network of Corporations, politicians, enabling lawyers and other agencies who have effectively corroded in the furtherance of their profit, all that was good and just and egalitarian in US society. Please read, please vow to support the changes she calls for. Our morality, our souls are at stake.

Disheartening, but, I fear, true. Seems like some calamity, where all of us must work together, loosens, if not breaks the hold money has upon our political process. The author makes some important points about this kleptocratic group exercising such a stranglehold upon our politics. First, she believes that the Supreme Court, in three seminal decisions, has rewarded political corruption, by its sophistical and disingenuous parsing of words, such as the term bribery, making it very difficult, if not impossible to combat corrupt politicians for such a crime. Secondly,she points to this kleptocratic groups success in dividing and splitting those groups opposed to its interests. Thirdly, she addresses the Supreme Courts decision on Citizens United and the flawed reasoning, allowing this group to strengthen its hold upon our politics, with added monetary contributions, dealing as death blow to campaign finance reform. Fourthly, she draws our attention to the revolving door between powerful corporations and governmentfor both Democrats and Republicans. It is difficult reading this book without emerging as a cynic.

Yes, the author presented a strong case that corruption exists in the USA and the world. The facts most of the time were clear and damming. Yes, the corruption is worse than we imagine; and it affects the less advantaged more than anyone. Why did I give it a \”3\” rating? The book is chaotic. It swerves all over the place in centuries and ideas. I finished the book worn out with jumbled thoughts.

The book was in excellent condition and we received it within 2 days while not being a prime member . Looking forward to a great read.

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