Frank: What's the Matter with Kansas

[ithacan]

I just read this book and loved it.

It's a very easy read, very well written and fascinating.

I've seen a lot of critical reviews and every single one of them I think misrepresents his main point.

The central puzzle motivating him: 100 years ago, Kansas was the center of left populism, socialism etc., and it was not incompatible to be a fundamentalist Christian and a leftist.

Now, Kansas is the home of the most retrogressive right wing "christian" political movements. Why?

Only part of the answer is that the democratic party, under the aegis of the DLC, has abandoned the economic issues that are important to workers, deciding instead to go after yuppies and people in the "new economy." That analysis is right on, I believe, and it also explains why DLC types have been trashing this book.

ANother very interesting point he shows: the divide within the republican party between moderates and "conservatives" is a class divide. Upper middle class and higher republicans tend to be moderates, even driving volvos and drinking lattes and listening to NPR. It's the struggling ones, working class, lower middle class, who are the foot soldiers of the conservative wing.

But ironically, their resentment against the moderates on cultural issues results in them supporting policies that actually serve to further enrich and improve the material well being of the moderate republicans (corporations, etc.).

Anyway, it's an excellent book to read, especially after this election.

[Redneck Socialist]

1. I liked his thesis but...

he dragged it out about 200 pages too long. It would have worked great as a long essay but he couldn't seem to leave well enough alone.

[Lindsey]

2. Question: Does is give us ideas regarding what the hell to do?!?!

This book is one of the most cited in recent memory. I had already planned on going to the bookstore tomorrow to get it.

[ithacan]

3. yes and no

on the one hand, I don't think the Dems can or should try to win back the crazy fundies.

But on the other hand, he makes a pretty good case that we need to give working class americans who are economically hurting a good reason to vote for the Democrats.

We need to reject the DLC pro-corporate line that refuses to critique big business and to defend the little guy.

Anyway, it's really provocative and will get you thinking about these things.

[YankeyMCC]

4. I'm in the middle of this book

So far I'm liking it very much. I'm glad to hear that he (apparently further into the book than I am at the moment) puts part of the blame on the DLC, because up to now (pg 100-something) I've thinking he's has glossed over that aspect of it.

I started reading it a few days after the election, and I do have to admit it was difficult, after reading the preface I had to put it down for a day because all the things I was reading in there about what the "red staters" think of us "liberals" was getting me angry. ;)

But, I pressed on and so far I'm glad I did.

Our local Democratic Town committee is going to have a book discussion group, and this is the first book we choose.

[ithacan]

6. I like that he's from Kansas and used to be a wingnut...

as an adolescent. His personal connection to this story really makes it come alive and makes it very interesting.

I love the "scales falling from his eyes" moment when he talks to a kid from another high school who says he wants to be a democratic politician because democrats help the little guy. He'd never thought of that before...

[Brother Buzz]

7. Same reaction with me...

library loan copy finally came through November 08. The introduction just slapped me in the face, jeez, like it was written just one week ago! Spot on, and it stung!

Like you, I pressed on and it did get better.

[cornfedyank]

5. paul krugman said nice things about it this a.m. on booknotes. n/t

[a new day]

8. One of the best reads I've had this year.

Franks is a very entertaining and interesting writer, for one thing.

And, the prescience in relation to the recent election is amazing. Here is one guy who isn't surprised by the outcome.

I just finished reading it aloud to my wife, and we totally enlightened. Now we get it.

[non sociopath skin]

9. I've just ordered this book from Amazon ...

... in the UK, it's called "What's the matter with America" BTW. Guess they thought we might not know where Kansas was ...

The Skin