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We're Right, They're Wrong : A Handbook for Spirited Progressives

We're Right, They're Wrong : A Handbook for Spirited Progressives

List Price: $12.00
Your Price: $9.00
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: He's Right!
Review: Carville really gets under republican's skins, mostly because he makes such a compelling case for a liberal agenda. Carville clearly explains why education funding is so important, and how funding continuing education can be used to SAVE money in the long run (by moving people off welfare). This book is largely based on the idea that "the only two respectable things for someone between the ages of 18 and 65 to do are woking or getting yourself educated", and the government should help facilitate this. Since this book was written, the US has moved away from Mr. Carville's philosophy, so if you agree with him, reading this book is pretty sombre.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Still highly informative, humorous and appropriate
Review: Carville writes like he speaks -- full of passion about everything. One can almost hear his Cajun drawl and rapid-fire style in this book.
Of course it's partisan. It makes no pretense about being otherwise.
It's also packed with examples of Democratic successes, suggestions on improving the country and tips on battling the sound bites, accusations and fabrications of the neo-conservatives.
Sources are footnoted and verifiable and he quotes acknowledged experts and sources to back up the points he makes. This truly could be a handbook for the spirited progressive, if only it were longer.
Even despite its slim size, It's packed with useful information written in an entertaining style.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: The Democratic Gospel According to Carville
Review: Carville, an advisor to (and well-known campaign strategist for) Bill Clinton, wrote this book two years after the "Republican Revolution" of 1994, when Democrats lost both houses of Congress to the bad guys. The book attempts to give Democrat readers "the facts to contradict all those myths and falsehoods put out by the Republicans". It's not trying to give fair and balanced views of both sides of a political discussion; rather, it's trying to provide partisans with verbal ammunition. It's thus a liberal version of popular 90's-era conservative books like Rush Limbaugh's SEE, I TOLD YOU SO (which, I might add, was also pretty entertaining even though I disagreed with most of Limbaugh's positions).

Following a brief introduction involving a Republican barbeque, the author proceeds to attack conservative argument after conservative argument, including job growth in the Reagan/Bush administrations, supply-side economics, the ineffectuality and social pathology of Welfare, the superiority of private education to public education, the fairness of regressive tax cuts, the destructiveness of the minimum wage, Medicare as a part of a socialist conspiracy, etc., etc. Carville makes an admirable case for the value of federal government (a favorite target for conservatives), describing more than 40 "Things Government Does Right".

I had a few criticisms with the book. One simply has to do with its datedness (1996). Although the majority of the arguments continue to have validity today, throughout the book I was trying to remember what was going on in the political world at that time. Another problem I had was Carville's conversational tone of writing. While generally it's quite readable, folksy expressions like, "...some people think it's kinda crazy..." and, "That's not philosophy, it's foolosophy," ultimately prove a bit patronizing and kind of annoying.

On the whole, the few flaws are worth overlooking. Recommended for (mostly Left-leaning) readers who, like myself, don't already feel terribly familiar with the subjects listed a few paragraphs above.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Go, James, Go!!!!
Review: I think Carville's greatest strength comes from being an unapologetic, entertaining, not-overtly intellectual liberal. Although I feel a little bit of trepidation about the fiery, "Conservatives Are Evil" rhetoric (I'm inclined to believe that liberals should stay above the partisan fray that the rabid neo-cons so adore), I'm realizing that possibly the only way we can win back the White House and Congress is by stooping to the lowest common denominator and striving to entertain the electorate.

Anyway, Carville is a hilarious writer, and an inspiring general for young liberals like myself, and this book is excellent at outlining the inherent hypocrisy, immorality, and illogicality of many of the platforms of modern neo-conservatives. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Right on the Money
Review: I would only suggest this book to a Democrat, because of the way the author deals with the subject is such a black and white fashion, it would aggravate a non Democrat to no end. With that said if you are a Democrat hold on to your hat. Basically the author approaches the book the same way he handles himself on Cross Fire, well maybe a bit more toned down, but still feisty and outspoken. He basically takes on what was coming from the Republicans during the 94 - 96 time frame and shoots back with his version of the truth. He includes some detail on the arguments and some footnotes, but he can not help himself in tossing in a few proclamations that are without back up. That's what makes the book fun to read.

With such a short book it will not give you an in depth look at any one issue or program talked about. The author states the book is help for he reader to argue points with friends and given that goal, the depth is really not there. This was the only thing that really disappointed me, I think the author could have taken more time to develop some of his / Democratic ideas instead of the gloss over many of them received. The most helpful thing he put in the book were a nice list of government programs that help the average Joe. It was nice to see such a long list. Basically the book is entertainment and not a deep study of any one issue. It is fun to read and moves quickly. If you are interested in the author or just a Democrat that likes to read something a bit in your face then you will enjoy this book.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: One Star TOO Many
Review: James Carville points an accusatory finger on the cover of his book, WE'RE RIGHT AND THEY'RE WRONG, and then spends under two hundred pages setting out to prove his point. Contained in this slim volume are a lot of witticisms, common sense observations, and some devastating facts and figures that he brings out in support of his philosophies. You may not agree with what he says in the book, but you can't deny the power of his passion and the clarity of his thoughts.

Carville has a folksy commonsensical writing style. He throws in numerous references to his childhood and family in Louisiana. One of his philosophies that he attributes to his Cajun mother is the idea of the "5/65 Democrats". She espoused the idea that there are only two important activities that a person should be engaged in between the ages of five and sixty-five - either having a job, or training for a job. Carville revisits this idea many times after its introduction, effectively using it to counter right-wing assertions that government programs encourage laziness and inefficiency. He repeatedly points out that helping people find jobs and giving them access to training are the two things he finds to be of paramount importance. He angrily dismisses the arguments of cutting education and training programs in order to fund tax cuts for the wealthy.

Although the book was written to coincide with the 1996 Presidential and Congressional Elections, there is still plenty of relevant material here. Carville's responses to Republican's plans such as school vouchers, the flat tax, "big government" and others still resonate today. And some of the passages that have dated are still interesting to read about in a purely historical sense. Although the Clinton Health Care package will never see the light of day, Carville's defense of it makes for fascinating reading. He also dedicates numerous pages to all of the liberal programs that have been opposed by conservatives but which have definitely proved their worth. He defends the programs, pokes holes in the arguments of their detractors and offers suggestions for improvement. With many political books devoted purely to pointing out mistakes and foibles, it's reassuring to read someone defending ideas that have been helpful and effective.

As the title suggests, Carville divides the book fairly evenly between defending the left-wing concepts that have merit and attacking the right-wing ideas that are flawed. It's a balanced approach. And, thankfully, Carville spends the required amount of time needed to site his sources. Fourteen pages are reserved merely for Carville to name exactly where he is taking his statistics, quotes and facts. This is an invaluable service; if you want to look up these things for yourself, you only have to search.

It's a pity that the people who would learn the most from this book are the ones who are least likely to read it, either though disagreement with Carville's previous statements, or just a disinterest in politics. The writing style is simple and straightforward enough not to alienate any political novices, while containing enough meat to satisfy the political junkies in the audience. The Ragin' Cajun served up a winner.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: We're Right, They're Wrong
Review: Just like Harry Truman, the Ragin' Cajun' gives 'em hell. James Carville wants to put Democrats back on the offensive. Carville, chief strategist of Bill Clinton's 1992 War Room, is out to break the GOP'S Contract with America.
In We're Right, They're Wrong, Carville serves up a sassy, no - holdsbarred response to the right - wing myths spewing out of Congress and polluting the AM airwaves. Carville rips apart Republican bluster and [extreme] programs and offers smart, compassionate, no-nonsense alternatives. Tired of getting browbeaten at neighborhood barbecues and school board meetings? We're Right, They're Wrong gets progressives off their heels and back on the attack.

With Carville's trademark wit, political savvy, and street smarts, We're Right, They're Wrong is a broadside for our times, the most provocative book of the 1996 campaign season.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: In defense of the left.
Review: These days, the right-wing conservative side of US politics has done a pretty good job of demonizing their opposition. Truly, they've pretty much managed to make bad words out of terms like liberal, Democrat, or even environmentalist.

The premise of Carville's book is that the political right isn't correct just because they're more vocal. He lays down some common sense to explain the liberal position on issues, and hopefully give the beleagered liberal some fortifications to defend themselves on the issues.

I wouldn't neccesarily consider myself a Democrat these days, rather just a Moderate Liberal perhaps more in-line with the Green Party even, but I found strength in what Carville has to say in this book. I highly recomend it, for an alternate, less-heard position in all the anti-left rhetoric flying about.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Time to beat the walls!
Review: This book would be a very funny book if it were not so true.

We have been mislead for years now and many gullible Americans have walked willingly into an imaginary world which has been presented as kind, supportive, and evenhanded. Mr. Carville in We're Right, They're Wrong has turned on the lights and the there is much scarring for the baseboards, as any self-respecting cockroach would.

Read this book... it is time for progressive democrats to stand up and start stomping our feet...

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Go, James, Go!!!!
Review: To mr_tack_driver

I just had to respond to your question "did you see that happening when Clinton was president?" Just what planet were you living on during those 8 years? So the republicans are just trying to do what is right and not give anyone hell? Does the name Ken Starr ring any bells in that empty head of yours?


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