The Trap

Rating:
Summary: A must read for subcribers to 'conventonal wisdom'
Review: An excellent format where conventional wisdom on many of our society's complex problems and their popular solutions are de-bunked by an eloquent criti

Rating:
Summary: One of the most important books of our time
Review: In "The Trap," Goldsmith points out the moral bankruptcy of the neo-right's "every man for himself" (particularly men, particularly white and wealthy) world-view, and also provides a vision for the future of compassionate *and* workable politics, economics, and community. Like Robert Theobald's "Reworking Success," or Thom Hartmann's "The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight" (all highly recommended and available on amazon.com), Goldsmith courageously confronts us with the problems we face and offers realistic solutions. Highly recommended!

Rating:
Summary: Unsupported Silliness
Review: It is indeed a sign of divine grace that Goldsmith's book was ever published; of course, had he not been a millionaire, this tract would never have been given a second look. The fatuity of the economic arguments presented on "The Trap" are nothing short of amazing; indeed, any undergraduate economics student could probably expose most of them. One particularly egregious example: Goldsmith's argument that foreign competition is unfair and harmful when beased on low wages, i.e., that companies should not be forced to compete against less efficient foreign economies that pay lower wages. Of course, David Ricardo thoroughly smashed this argument in 1817 when he elaborated the concept of comparative advantage -- but Goldsmith nevertheless resurrects protectionist drivel, 180 years later. This book is nothing but an uninsightful, grossly fallacious, hackneyed polemic by a writer that should know better.