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Summary: "Empowering" the people?
Review: Abraham Lincoln's government "of, by and for the people" inspired millions for generations. Yet, the Gettysburg exhortation stumbled then, and does now, over definition of "the people". In the United States, the ideal government is created by "the people" and is accountable to them. But who is "the people"? - all residents?, only the voters?, or something left to be defined by those in power at the moment? Michael Moore has targeted the American public to consider these questions and respond to them. Although presented in tones a demagogue might envy, he raises serious issues that deserve attention. Political agendas must always be scrutinised in detail, particularly in a democracy. That is Moore's theme. He believes the United States has lost its democratic foundation. He wants to restore that ideal using this book as a warning signal. Viewing the path America is taking, he wants to pull back. It is easy to move from "democracy" to "demagoguery" to "dictatorship" as the power of decision-making moves from "the people" to "the individual". Moore's book is an attempt to halt that progression. As such, it needs to be read and considered carefully. Rough language doesn't camouflage the importance of his views. The recent report issued by the Carnegie Institute validates many of Moore's contentions. To Alexander Hamilton, the people was a "great beast", easily swayed by passions of the moment. No more intense moment exists for America than the morning of 2001-09-11. Moore sees his countrymen as swayed by fear, triggered by the WTC attacks. He asserts President Bush has capitalised on that shocking event for cynical political purposes. Bush, he asserts, has used the environment of fear to implement his political agenda - exploit resources without reserve, allow business the fullest licence, expand American hegemony to wherever its military can take it. In short, create the image of American power with no thought for long-term returns. Moore thinks Americans are stronger than that, but must be made aware of the path down which they're being led. Policies created through fear abandon democracy by substituting emotion for reason. This isn't a new theme for America. Franklin Roosevelt cautioned Americans to fear only fear. He knew fear's strength in guiding behaviour. Moore follows Roosevelt's lead by showing how American thinking has been distorted by fear. He wonders why few have considered whether the WTC attacks were actually launched by bin Laden. His proposal that Saudi Air Force crews were the perpetrators is equally valid as Bush's assertion that it was el Queada. No information pointing to el Queada has been made public, yet Bush has launched two unconstitutional wars by capitalising on American fear of another attack, argues Moore. This ploy and other pretexts has allowed the Bush adminstration to curtail long-held individual rights, while loosening restraints on business. Moore makes the stunning revelation that corporations are secretly insuring their employees to increase profits through death benefits accruing to the firm. This while employee pensions are depleted or lost, layoffs occur and the corporate wealthy constrain an ever higher proportion of the nation's income. Moore doesn't stop with simply ringing alarum bells. He offers simple, practical solutions for restoring America's founding heritage. A little time, a little attention, and minute cost applied where needed can make a momentous difference. For Moore, "the people" is everybody. The small attention and effort applied by all those individuals to the issues he raises cannot but make substantial differences in the response of policy-makers. Each individual, acting in the best understanding of "self-interest", Moore argues, is just what is needed to restore democracy in America. And elsewhere. America considers itself the ideal democratic nation, envied and imitated by many. If it fails, it will fail elsewhere. If it can restore its traditions, that will bring hope to others fearful of losing what democratic gains they've achieved.
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Summary: Oh he's done it again!
Review: Hilarious expose from a courageous author and citizen. I have one criticism, however -- the misguided view Moore presents on vegetarianism. He does love his meat, and that's too bad. Other than that, I highly recommend this book. You'll probably vibe to it too, unless you're very "Bushy"! :)
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Summary: Micheal Moore for President!
Review: Moore does a great job of being funny (even more so than Stupid White Men) AND backing up his statements with sources- which is essential with the important claims that he makes. The book got me upset and energized to get involved in the next campaign to stop this madness!
Rating: 
Summary: Good But The Same
Review: Good book. Basically the same as SWM but updated for W. Thank goodness there are people writing books like this!
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Summary: True Patriotism
Review: What's up with the Canadian reviewer below ? Can anyone understand his review (which just so happens to be posted FOUR TIMES, in a surprisingly depserate attempt to lower the rating of this book)? His four indentical reviews are harder to read than the USA PATRIOT Act!
Onto the book: I am willing to overlook some of Moore's small hypocrisies to hear his views on the bigger picture of things. He lays out undisputed facts that George W. Bush and his Administration would not like us to know. I won't summarize the book, as I find that quite annoying in reviews, so let me leave you with this thought: get out there and make a difference, do good in the world. This is a time for change, like the 60s but FOR REAL THIS TIME.
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Summary: Blind rage
Review: I hate Bush and what he is doing to our country but I felt like this was written in a blind rage. It was a little too much for me and I had to keep putting it down. Then of course if you are not in a blind rage then maybe you are not paying attention.
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Summary: A Breath of Fresh Air
Review: Terrific!! A book that has the courage to furiously challenge what is being feed to us from the Bush Administration as "facts". Moore does an excellent job of digging at the heart of a growing impatient and distrustful American populace. The timing of this book was brilliant; it came just as we were learning more and more about the distortions coming from the White House on Iraq. Moore adds fuel to the fire by dropping his own bomb by suggesting a selection of "whopper" lies and covert ties. It's very likely that if you're a Bush supporter, you'll disregard this book "left-wing hate propaganda". But if you were distrustful of the Bush Administration before reading it, it will only intensify your anger. In that sense, he too can proudly proclaim "Mission Accomplished" It's obvious after reading this book that Moore is terribly unhappy with his president, perhaps for good reason. The first chapter is full of sarcastic and relentless questioning where Moore suggests that the ties to the Bin Laden and Saudi Royal Family deserve answers, particularly in a country so proud of its democracy. He doesn't accuse as much as he ferociously suggests. As the book progresses, he taps into conservative vs. liberal issues and suggests-backed with statistics-that America is more liberal than it realizes. Just as with the President himself, Moore seems to be a public figure that you either love or hate. This book is no exception. You may not agree with everything he says but nevertheless, it is a book that needs to be read. Well done Mr. Moore, and keep up the good work!
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Summary: I find it interesting....
Review: I find it very interesting that many Americans can slam Michael Moore and other liberals as being unamerican in today's day and age. Although much of what Michael Moore has to say in this book, and in his previous book "Stupid White Men", must be taken with a grain of salt they are provaccative and generally valid. Is it not at the core of being an American to uphold the Constitution and the right to free speech? Is it not absolutey the right and duty of Americans to examine and question the actions of their leaders? Otherwise it would seem that just following whatever a leader says without question only leads to the downfall of that society and there are plenty of examples throughout history to prove that. The kinds of treatment and behaviour that occur to people like the Dixie Chicks and other Americans of prominence for speaking their mind in a very American fashion are frankly appauling. How far are you from the days of blacklists? Not very. This book is thought-provoking and full of Michale Moore's signature wit and humour. Some of the points may be exaggerated and over-simplified but it is nonetheless a good read and a focused commentary. I have no doubt that many will read this and slag the "socialist" country in which I live, but honestly this is the view that many people outside the borders of the United States have. The viewpoint presented here is absolutely crucial to the survival of the American condition and rich culture of questioning leaders that date back to your founding fathers and what they intended your great country to be.
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Summary: Hoorah for Michael Moore!
Review: Can I give this book ten stars? Mr. Moore's book is quite a eyeopener even though I have read four other books about our "glorious" president. I heartily recommend this book to everyone; it is a "must read" for any American (especially conservatives and Republicans) who wants to know what's really going on in our government. I am a liberal and a heretic and proud of it. I am also a patriotic American and proud of that. I also greatly recommend the other four books that I've read: two by Molly Ivins, "Shrub" and "Bushwhacked", "Lies" by Al Franken, and "Big Lies" by Joe Conason. To the conservatives out there: there is no liberal "conspiracy" to take over the country (however, there is a reactionary conspiracy to do just that with Prez Dubya as poster boy). There is NO conspiracy to destroy Christianity. (When someone criticizes a Christian for that person's behavior, they are NOT criticizing the entire Christian religion, just that one person's behavior). All these ideas are some of the lies the lunatic fringe of the ultrareactionary/Republican group (any large enough human group has a lunatic fringe), the people who are controlling Dubya and his administration, tries to get people to believe. Please open your eyes and vote Democratic in the election in November.
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Summary: worth a read
Review: Not all of this book is enjoyable but it's certainly been hard to put down. I agree with most of those that complain Moore is just another sensationalist media monger... but at the same time I'm glad to see a counterweight to the Anne Coulter/Rush Limbaugh carnival. Moore might have done his research but by reading this book, you can't be sure. He only sites references in, I think, the first chapter. At the very least the book will dig up a lot of controversial topics that we should be looking into ourselves. Moore's humor doesn't resonate much with me. Many think he's hilarious but in my opinion his jokes and farces are forced before they are clever. (especially the chapter titled "Jesus W Christ") As is typical of Moore, he molests you with his opinions... rather than simply taking you to them through a logical progression. But hey, how often does LOGIC sway us? Give us murder, scandal and money... things that stir our emotions! Overall I recommend the read for entertainment and some general awareness but just like anything, ya gotta read it skeptically!
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