Where the Right Went Wrong : How Neoconservatives Subverted the Reagan Revolution and Hijacked the Bush Presidency

Rating:
Summary: An excellent book!
Review:
Had I read this book before he ran for president, this voter would have cast his for Pat Buchanan instead of George Bush. Buchanan is right on target as he points to the deindustrialization of America, the end of national self-sufficiency, the loss of national sovereignty to the WTO, the falling dollar, the shattered lives and lost revenues when millions of jobs are lost, and the crisis in Social Security and Medicare.

He laments that "falling currency is the mark of a failing country, and our fading dollar mirrors fading confidence of the Bush administration's ability to manage America's affairs." That results from debt and deficits. We are borrowing over a trillion dollars per year to finance our binge-buying, and there can be no doubt that we are selling the family farm to foreign investors.

But when do we turn it around? The federal government has grown by 10% under the GOP watch. Instead of retraining Dept. of Education workers for Homeland Security, and then closing DOE, we instead hire new workers. I suppose that's job growth, but it shouldn't be done in government jobs.

Pat argues that congress's surrender of its constitutional authority over trade has been total. In 1994 it allowed only a yes or no vote on a 23,000 page GATT treaty and put the United States under the jurisdiction of an institution of world government, the World Trade Organization, where we have one vote to the European Union's 25 votes. He's right on target.

But he fails to disclose the real cause: Money!

Congress is owned and operated by multinational corporations whose CEOs have but one goal: increased profits to drive their own salaries into the sky. And to get them there they are willing to share part of those profits with the politicians who have made GATT, NAFTA, and the WTO a reality. It's called campaign contributions in return for the family farm.

Pat missed the Big One. Only when our public electoral system is funded by the taxpayers will we begin to see politicians voting in the best interest of the people. Only then will spending be controlled. In any other country we'd call our system bribery and payola, but in America we call it freedom of speech.

This kind of speech is not free and it will cost us dearly if we don't demand an immediate house cleaning. Let's hope that Buchanan and other broadcast anchors carry this message with vigor to their national TV audiences. That is, if their corporate media bosses will allow them to expose the politicians who write the FCC rules.


Rating:
Summary: AN ODD REFORM OF THE REPUBLICIAN PARTY
Review:

Buchanan is a great guy and has always been right about many things but this book is mostly just another restatement of what he has been saying for years. If you don't know what he has been saying then you might consider it for sure, otherwise I can't really recommend it. In short, he is a rightist or conservative who wants, 1) a more aggressively conservative social agenda, 2) less free trade, and 3) a much less aggressive foreign policy, particularly as regards Israel and Iraq.

The quality of the arguments is average I'd say; not so much because Buchanan is dumb, he certainly isn't, but more because the arguments are shaped to sound like campaign rhetoric, which probably he intended, rather than rational academic thought; so what you can learn is somewhat limited.

The social issues are open to endless debate anyway. Buchanan does not seem to advance the cause much, but then again that would be a problem for almost anyone. On the Middle East I think he is quite right in suggesting that if we had pushed Israel toward peace at the '67 borders, rather than toward war and expansion in the West Bank, the Middle East and Osama Bin Ladin never would have been a problem, and all those dead or wounded people would be fine now.

On free trade he is simple wrong with his logic that all of our manufacturing jobs are going to low wage China and India. Buchanan was a typical Republican free trader until someone in New Hampshire asked him, during a presidential campaign, "how are you going to save my job from going overseas?" At that point truth was cast out the window in search of votes. Richard Nixon stated the truth best when he said, "America must produce world class goods." He knew that the more protected an industry was from foreign competition, the more inferior its goods and its country would become. He also knew that with each new individual with whom you are allowed to trade, no matter what city, state, or country he lives in, the wealthier you will become.

On free trade and foreign policy he's actually closer to Democrats than modern day Republicans. Ideally he would want to purge the Republican Party of the neo-conservatives who have engineered the Middle East and 9/11 disasters, the free traders who rely on decades of established economic wisdom, and the weaklings who won't fight for conservative social issues such as tradition marriage. It seems a long shot at best but,in the wake of George Bush's ideologically very confused administration Middle East debacle, who knows what will emerge.
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Rating:
Summary: A call to arms for the old school conservatives
Review: For years, I have been a big fan of Pat Buchanan. His political commentary is honest and much of the time, needs to be said. Republicans lately have been taking aim at him for his strong opinions on the war in Iraq but in his latest book, "Where the Right Went Wrong", don't expect to book by a two time Republican Presidential Candidate, one time Reform Party nominee, to all of a sudden out himself as a tree hugging hippie. His case against Iraq is a conservative one no matter what one's view of the war is. Other topics such as the economy and the situation with the Mexican border come into play as well. Its a fair critique of the Bush White House but that really is not the point of the book. The point is that the Republican party is divided right now and needs to gather focus. By no means does he suggest pulling the lever for the Democrats either but rather make an attempt as resurecting Barry Goldwater. Any fan of political theory should give this book a shot. I myself am a proud Republican that supported Bush in two elections. This kind of criticism should be welcomed by the GOP not damned like it has been by some. I highly recomend this one.

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Summary: A very important book for all Americans
Review: If you want to know what is wrong with today's conservative movement and America in general start here. Ronald Reagan once said that he didn't leave the Democratic party, it left him. If you feel the Republican party, with it's out of control spending, mass immigration policies, and global interventionist crusading for 'democracy' has left YOU then this book is for you. The authors writing style is very persuasive, gives you all the facts, and is very erudite and engaging. No droning here. I urge you to read this along with Pat's "The Death of the West" which you can also get here on Amazon.

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Summary: As usual Pat Buchanan gets right to the heart of the matter
Review: In my adult like there has never been a public figure with whom I agree on more issues than Patrick J. Buchanan. From his earliest days on CNN's "Crossfire" I almost always found his arguments to be well-informed, coherent, painfully honest and in most cases quite convincing. I find that his latest effort "Where The Right Went Wrong" continues in this tradition.
Right at the outset, Buchanan makes a compelling case that there was absolutely no justification for the United States to invade Iraq. He presents overwhelming evidence that a group of neo-conservative bureaucrats and thinkers succeeded in persuading this President of the wisdom of deposing Sadaam Hussein. He documents how well known and highly influential individuals with names like Paul Wolfowitz, Richard Perle, Donald Rumsfeld and others took advantage of the events of 9/11 to advance their extremely questionable agenda. Regrettably, President Bush bought their ideas lock, stock and barrel over the objections of both the Democrats and traditional conservatives like Pat Buchanan and now our nation finds itself in a real mess.
"Where The Right Went Wrong" proceeds to discuss a number of other substantial issues that have been at the forefront of the neoconservative agenda. Since the early 1990's, Pat Buchanan has been warning Americans of the consequences of policies like open borders, amnesty for illegal aliens and so-called "Free trade". He courageously fought the adoption of both NAFTA and GATT and as a result lost a considerable amount of stature within the Republican party. Yet on each of these important issues the neocons won the day. We are now confronting the consequences of these ill-advised policies. Good paying jobs (my own wife's included) are going overseas at an alarming rate and our standard of living is in jeopardy. Most traditional conservative Republican voters I know just shake their heads and wonder why George W. Bush has chosen to go along with all of this. Given his dismal record I certainly did not think he merited re-election. But when you consider the alternative....
While "Where The Right Went Wrong" does a superb job of detailing all of the many problems we are facing as a result of this neocon coup d'etat, Pat Buchanan also goes the extra mile to recommend ways to repair the damage and retreat from many of these ill-advised policies that have been thrust upon our nation. Although "Where The Right Went Wrong" is not the best book Pat Buchanan has written, it is an important book that is well worth your time and attention. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Impressive and compelling
Review: Pat Buchanan is a much better writer than talk show host (lately he has been guest host on "Scarborough Country"). Buchanan shows an impressive understanding of history and makes a very strong case against the war in Iraq and a harsh critique against the idea of an "American Empire." He gives a very detailed account of what terrorism is and how it has been used in history. He also gives a good critique of the runaway government spending and how China is on the way to eclipsing America (how because of globilization and the huge deficits we are actually paying taxes that are used by China to buy American corporations!) However, I definitely disagree with him on social issues. While I definitely do not agree with all his premises, this book does what a good book does - makes you think.

Rating:
Summary: where right IS wrong
Review: Pat Buchanan writes an easily read book that comes off as a polemic. This reviewer is impressed with the scope of Buchanan's knowledge -including one of the best short recounting of the West's interaction with Islam. There are no sacred cows to Buchanan. His prime thesis is that terrorism is the price we pay for being over in Muslim countries. He also attacks unwavering support of Israel by Neoceonservatives. Buchanan mentions that Neoconservatism is an off shoot of wayward ex Troskyists and new Deal types (interventionists) versus the brand of conservatism practiced by Goldwater and Reagan. There are no sacred cows and Buchanan bring all his "villians to the table" The book attacks free trade, the IMF , Ariel Sharon and gay activists. It is suprising the lenghts Buchanan goes in attacking Ariel Sharon and Isreal a key ally. Some might say Buchanan is anti Semitic. The book certtianly could be interpreted along those lines ,however others may say that for Buchanan there are no sacred cows including support for Isreal . However conservatives such as Reagan and Goldwater (a Jewish man by ancentry) supported very strongly. Although I didn't care for his attacks on immigration policy and some of his criticism of Isreal I was intrigued by his attacks on free trade and the seemingly strong case why this policy should be re-thougt. In all of Buchanan's book the reader may get upset at the rhetoric I gave this 4 stars because of the provocative nature of these questions one being: Did Neoconservatives convince the President on the basis of bad ideology to intervene in Irag in spite of what old line conservative thought would have done? Time will tell if Buchanan;s arguments have merit.

Rating:
Summary: Transformation of the Republican Party
Review: Republicans of all degrees are feeling a sense of mixed emotions at this time. Most are happy that their man, George W. Bush, won the office of the presidency. But many are disturbed at the direction the party is headed and would like to see a return to more traditional roots.

One man who doesn't like what he sees is Pat Buchanan. He is dismayed at the "neo- conservative" movement that has taken over his old political party. He doesn't like the reckless spending, the soaring budget deficits, and the new philosophy of imperialism. His concerns inspired him to write this book, giving Buchanan the opportunity to examine some of these new policies and explain why they are wrong for the Republican Party and wrong for America.

Buchanan talks about the war against Iraq, the "war on terror", the threat from China, economic problems at home, and the excessive power of judges to control our lives. In each of these areas, Buchanan argues against the current Republican establishment, showing how the policies the neo-cons are enacting are going to lead to financial crises, military exhaustion, and a decline in personal freedoms. He argues well for his points, citing countless statistics on the matter and making some good, intellectual insights into domestic and foreign affairs.

I like Buchanan's persuasive writing, and I appreciate the fact that he has the guts to take on the party he once called home. This is something rarely seen in modern- day politics, with all the kowtowing that takes place every day among Repubs and Dems, and it makes for some refreshing reading. The only complaint I have with this book is that Buchanan seems a little bit paranoid and excessively worried about the future. I can understand his concerns, but the way he writes and the way he explains things, you get the feeling the planet earth is going to implode at any moment. No one will know if Buchanan is right or not until many years into the future. But I think his negative attitude goes a little overboard at times.

Regardless of paranoid Pat's personal views, I still think this is a very good book. I don't agree with everything Buchanan has to say, and I'm certain that other readers will feel the same way. But this book is still worth a look, just to read about the failures of the Republican Party and the embracing of the "big government" philosophy that George W. Bush and his fellow neo- cons have undertaken in the past few years.



Rating:
Summary: Interesting and Thought Provoking
Review: While I do not agree with all (or even most) of Buchanan's assessments and opinions, I do find his arguments persuasive and well written. Buchanan lambastes the Bush administration and the Republican party, which he believes has abandoned its conservative roots in favor of expanding empire and increasing spending (the last in order to buy votes). He advocates a rejection of the "neoconservative" philosophy of free trade, open borders, and American hegemony in favor of a return to the more protectionist/isolationist Republican principles of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His prose is fluid and easy to read, and his arguments are intelligently presented.

Rating:
Summary: An interesting Paleo-conservative take on current events
Review: While some of the Buchanan's economics are questionable--both Friedman and the Austrian economicist like Rothbard and Von Mise would find his justification of protectionist tariffs somewhat flawed--and his theories on race and immigration are almost purely reactionary. Yet, despite both those faults, this book is a powerful expose on how the meaning of "conservative" has changed so much its hard to deal a neo-conservative from a neo-liberal (neo-con sympathizer George W. Bush relationship with neo-liberal labour party leader Tony Blair is a perfect example of this).

Bachanan's classical education and nack for history shines in this book particularly in sections of foreign policy. His economic analysis of US/China relationships is something that hits an uncomfortable truth about the American economy, without investment in physical capital and an attempt to fix the trade deficit, the US will remain a declining economic power while China will continue to rise.

Bachanan's critique of the war and Bush's realignment with the neo-conservatives to make "Democracy" making back along Wilsonian lines is dead-on. Bachanan is right about the questionable nature of pre-emptive strike and the damage it can do to American creditability. You can only lose creditability once.

Even when I disagree with Buchanan, I find his assertions brave and internally consistent with his principals. His isolationism is the mark of old conservative thought and I can respect that. I do wish, however, that he cited his sources more clearly: the lack of endnotes and bibliography is a small, but important flaw in this book that spands so much of modern political history.