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Summary: O'Neill hits the bulls-eye
Review: Paul O'Neill has scored a knockout punch to the Bush administration with this candid assessment of his nearly two years as Secretary of the Treasury. He confirms what many of us have long suspected...this White House crowd is secretive, manipulative and out of touch.The controlling nature of the Bush administration didn't then and I'm sure doesn't now allow free-thinkers like O'Neill. It mattered not that the secretary had a proven track record of accomplishment in the business world and a lifetime of experience working in government. The picture he paints is staggering and the results to which he steers us offer a grim future for the state of the economy and the style by which things operate at the White House. O'Neill often compares the current administration to two others that he had worked for previously....Nixon and Ford. High marks are given to each and O'Neill just shakes his head at the lack of interest and level of intelligence exhibited by George W. Bush. The fact that so many cabinet meetings were "scripted" adds another dimension to a White House that seems rife with sycophants. The service that Paul O'Neill has done in giving us this wonderful book is that it will be an eye-opener and a reinforcement to many. Prying open the door to get a peek inside the Oval Office means that the silence from within is no longer so hushed. O'Neill sheds light on a group of people who tend to march in lockstep and who view the world in terms of black and white. Thank you, Paul O'Neill!
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Summary: Good Book---Challenging but Worth It
Review: ***
I thought I would write this review to suggest who might enjoy this book. The Editorial Reviews above describe well the topic of this book. I am a bright but politically ignorant reader who found this book educational, enjoyable, and an extremely challenging read. There were many paragraphs I had to read multiple times in order to understand them---paragraphs about economics, governmental intricacies, and containing unfamiliar words (I kept a dictionary nearby and used it often). All of this work was worth it. The book provides an experience of how government works from the perspective of a powerful and intelligent man, Paul O'Neill, former Secretary of the Treasury under the current President Bush. I found his perspective unique and insightful, and the writing of Ron Suskind interesting, entertaining, and provocative. I had trouble putting the book down. The portrayl of President Bush is from the point of view of Paul O'Neill, just one man, but it is interesting nonetheless. I was disturbed and wondered how many other high-ranking governmental officials share his views. I think that just about anyone would enjoy this book. Bush-haters will love it because they will use O'Neill's perspective as evidence to justify their ingrained views. People who respect President Bush will enjoy it less, perhaps, but if you are like me (I like and respect President Bush but disagree with many of his positions) I think you will still find much that is enlightening in it. I felt privileged to be allowed into Paul O'Neill's head, to see how he thinks and views things, and to appreciate his apparent deep integrity. I probably am less likely to vote for Pres. Bush because of it, but it is one of just many criteria I will use to make my decision. The experience of reading this book was like being a fly on the wall of Paul O'Neill's office, in his hotel room, in his home with his wife, and as he walks and talks and meets with President Bush. I have to credit Ron Suskind's fine writing that delivered this experience. More sophisticated and politically aware readers will even enjoy this book more. But even those of us who have little exposure to our government will come away with something valuable, intellectually challenging, and be glad we purchased the book, even in hardback.
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Summary: A Well Written Book
Review: There's a lot of talk about Mr. O'Neill's comments about the President's actions, or lack-there-of, in the media. If you take the time to read this book you'll find; that O'Neill is an extremely bright man, that Suskind has a real feel for how policy should be developed and you'll enjoy the style. This should be required reading for political science students. Dr. Robert S. Ardinger
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Summary: Why Mr Suskind belongs out of Government
Review: Mr Suskind doesn't understand how government really works . He seems to think that HE was going to make policy even if the president didn't agree with him . Perhaps he should just go and teach at a nice liberal college ( pick almost any college ) and spread his silly ideas . Who knows he could change the way the real world works to fit his foolish ideas.
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Summary: What is the price of loyalty?
Review: According to this book, the price of loyalty is mutual agreement on major points based on mutual confirmation of facts. But what if that which you are trying to achieve has never been done before? What if there are incomplete facts to base your decisions on? What if there are problems that need to be solved now, such as high taxes and a potential disaster in the making from Iraq? Leaders make decisions based on incomplete information, realizing that their decisions will lead to other problems to be dealt with later. Loyalty is based on believing in the direction being taken by the leaders in dealing with these problems. O'Neill could not in good conscience work for Bush because he personally differed in his opinion of how these problems were dealt with, and his differing personal style from Bush. However he does not have any meaningful alternative solutions and this book comes off as sniping, rather than analysis, which he so ardently praises time and again.
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Summary: Required Reading
Review: This book, while dry in some passages, should be required reading for all registered voters in the USA. Hand it out with every voter registration form. We all need to know that this is the way "our" country works. This book includes a clear demonstration that we were going to war in Iraq long before 9/11. Page 75 - "Ten days in, and it was about Iraq." Ten days after Bush's inauguration, that is.
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Summary: our democracy is at risk
Review: I am currently reading, in addition to this, two other books that deal with the current Bush adminstration. These others are "American Dynasty" by the well known old liberal, Kevin Phillips and "The Sorrows of Empire" by the well known socialist and pinko "fellow traveler", Chalmers Johnson. This book, The Price of Loyalty, is written by a former reporter for that ever-bleeding-heart rag and bastion of populism and liberal politics, The Wall Street Journal :-). As most observers who have watched the unrelenting attacks, by our suddenly far-right-wing dominated Presidency, Congress and Supreme Court, on fiscal responsibility, civil rights, and any semblance of rational democratic process knows by now, this has been the most ideological and destructive administration the American people have ever experienced. I pray that we are not so far down the channel that leads to right-wing dictatorship that our ship of state cannot be turned. However, given the abandonment of its watchdog role over, and indeed the unbridled collusion of corporate media with, the forces that threaten our democracy and are rapidly undermining the ideals and values upon which this country was founded, Suskind, O'Neil and I are very fearful that the America we have always known is a thing of the past. Benjamin Franklyn, as he exited Constitution Hall at the end of that Miracle in Philadelphia, when asked "what kind of government have you given us, Dr. Franklyn?" is supposed to have replied, "A republic, sir, if you can keep it!" Suskind and Paul O'Neil, along with a few other Bush administration officials who felt their loyalties lay not with the small cabal of right wing ideologues manipulating and controlling the weak and mentally lazy, governmentally incompetent Geo. W. Bush - and through him and an ever more subserviant Congress and acquiesant Supreme Court the levers of government for the benefit of the few - but with a true reading of the constitution and the governing precedents and processes that guided many generations of American statesmen and elected officials. O'Neil's interviews with Suskind and his release of a spider's nest of Bush-damning documents, should, all by themselves, be sufficient to create a firestorm of reaction in this country. But when this book is combined with the other recent indictments in the public record of this adminstration, its overweening arrogance and misgoverning based all too often on the manufactured "gut feeling" of a president who makes the average adolescent seem thoughtful and responsible, it is unbelievable that our elected representatives of both parties are not crying for impeachment. Where are the American statesmen who once were the guardians of our constitution and the values that long made this country and our government a beacon of light and hope to all the world? Unfortunately, they have morphed into Tom Delay, John Ashcroft, Donald Rumsfeld, Karl Rove, and the weak and craven Colin Powell. I fear that this book, along with the other titles I have mentioned, will be among the first books burned under our new Bushian order. Suskind and O'Neil are true patriots. Such men are usually the first to face the firing squads of the Pol Pots and similar tyrants of our modern world. A great book, but one that may put your life at risk to own. wfh
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Summary: Bush Must Go!!
Review: This is a book written by a very accomplished man who sought to spend his last career stop in a Presidential Cabinet. Surprisingly, he was treated badly by a man who is portrayed in a distubing way--George Bush, Jr. Paul O'Neill was ignored and pushed aside in a literal orgy that the right wing has had in Bush's administration. They could care less about the middle class or the average guy as O'Neill illustrates. All they care about is making sure wierdos like Grover Norquist, a fanatical right winger who has the ear of all the Republicans in Washington, has his agenda to strip the federal government away from helping the average guy taken care of. Please people realize that Dick Chaney and the current Bush Administration could care less about you. If you need evidence, just read this book by Paul O'Neill. And then go out and vote for anyone other than George Bush. By the way, where was this so called "compassionate President" when O'Neill brought back all the evidence of suffering in Africa? Bush did nothing. Yet, the so called liberal press lets it slide as usual. I hope Paul O'Neill and Bono are still working together on this very important project to help the people of Africa.
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Summary: Inside the Bush White House
Review: Ron Suskind's book, based largely on interviews with, and documents provided by, Paul O'Neill, the former Treasury Secretary, reveals a presidential administration where politics guides all decisions. O'Neill, the eminently respectable and highly regarded former CEO of Alcoa, assumes the role of Treasury secretary somewhat reluctantly. Once in the administration, though, he sets upon a course to guide and improve the country's economy, often in consultation with Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan. The book reveals O'Neill as a thoughtful, intelligent, pragmatic decisionmaker, who seeks to consider all policy decisions from every angle before setting upon a course of action. This spirit of open dialogue, however, gets him in trouble. Although his thoughts on economic policy are clearly reasonable and well thought out, he is routinely shot down by Cheney and company, and is virtually unable to engage in intelligent discussion with the president. At first, he is merely perplexed by the resistance of the political wing of the administration, and attributes Bush's aloofness to a quirky management style. As time goes on, though, he comes to realize that economic policy decisions (and all decisions, for that matter), are predetermined by political considerations. Though realizing that politics has its place, he is shocked that it so thoroughly trumps policy considerations. He also realizes that Bush's aloofness is really just that; the president is not interested in thinking through the issues, reading memos, or considering the implications of politics-driven decisions. O'Neill becomes increasingly alarmed as he sees crucial tax policy decisions being made with no regard to reality. He refuses to concur in this course of action and is eventually forced to resign. "The Price of Loyalty" is a fascinating read. It should not be lumped in with other liberal books criticizing the administration. It is not an attack on the president from the viewpoint of a liberal. Instead, it is the portrait of an intelligent citizen who wants to do the right thing and make the right decisions, but is prevented from doing so. It is clear that O'Neill would work well within a republican administration; he has done so in the past (i.e., Nixon and Ford). It is merely this administration, and these particular individuals, with whom he has taken issue. This book, therefore, is valuable reading for conservatives and liberals alike. For obvious reasons, liberals will enjoy it. But it is even more important for conservatives: it should encourage them to demand better, more intelligent, more responsible governing by the members of their party.
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Summary: Excellent Look into the Workings of Bush 43-- A Must Read
Review: This book is a must-read for thoughtful Americans and for students of federal policymaking under George W. Bush. As O'Neill and Suskind demonstrate, the George W. Bush administration depicts a style of governance in which the building and marketing of a political base trump policy pragmatism. Put simply, the policy makers have been shunted aside by the political team and decisions are made primarily on whether they appeal to or can be sold to the base of voters who support Bush. An important aspect of this narrative is the extent to which the top political and administrative team that surrounds Bush (Cheney, Rove, Rice and Card) dominate the establishment of federal policy, to the exclusion of the Cabinet officers and subject matter experts in the executive branch. The process described is one in which the top political/administrative team sets policy direction (frequently on the basis of campaign stands or personal belief), and then summons Cabinet members to support that decision with specific information. According to O'Neill, discussion is infrequent and an open examination of alternatives seems to be actively discouraged. By contrast, previous presidents whom O'Neill served (Nixon and Ford) were committed to the discussion of policy alternatives with their Cabinets and to an active discussion of the data underlying these alternatives. How do Americans want federal policy made? Those comfortable with a presidency that discourages discussion and debate by Cabinet members and others outside the innermost circle should be comfortable with the George W. Bush model. Those who prefer an administration that actively pursues data and encourages Cabinet members and others to participate in the policy decision process might wish to support another candidate in 2004. The book also reflects the extent to which discussion in Washington has become dominated not by discussions of the merits of particular policies, but by what appeals to and can be sold to the electorate or one's political supporters. In other words, the political and communications gurus are in charge, and the folks responsible for policy definition and development take a back seat. This has usually been the case with election campaigns, but recently has become common after the election, especially in the House and in the Senate. As O'Neill's experience demonstrates, the George W. Bush administration has adopted a governance approach centered on political and media concerns. The book rings true. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld's theory of asymmetric threat as described by O'Neill (due to technology advances, America can be threatened by attacks from rogue nations or groups; a pre-emptive strike is necessary to intimidate or quell these nations or groups) is a coherent explanation for an otherwise bewildering war in Iraq. The use of moderates in the Cabinet (O'Neill, Whitman, Powell) for political cover rather than for meaningful input into the policymaking process also rings true. O'Neill and Whitman have left the administration, and Powell will leave in January 2005. All told, this is an important and thoughtful book that deserves to be read.
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