The Trap: Selling out to Stay Afloat in Winner Take All America, by David Brook

Amazon link.

From Publishers Weekly:

Twenty-something journalist Brook sees the best minds of his generation scrivening away as corporate lawyers and accountants, and he's furious about it. His fresh and striking pay-gap polemic laments the plight of "educated, idealistic young people" who must choose whether "to be a sellout or a saint"—that is, whether to take a lucrative corporate job or to eke out a pauper's existence in creative or nonprofit work. "The new economic realities," Brook writes, "are shaping people's lives, closing off certain career and lifestyle options. They are reducing freedom." Brook marshals facts and interviews to make his case for "more egalitarian economic policies." Decrying recent economic shifts that have widened the chasm between private and public sector employment, he skewers centrist "New Democrats" as well as usual-suspects such as William F. Buckley and Ronald Reagan. (June 1)

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Ideals are dangerous. The idealists seek root causes and may find them in high places. Better maybe that the middle class like the poor keep their heads down, toiling at meaningless jobs to make ends meet.  On a positive note, dividends and capital gains taxes are at all time lows.  Estate taxes are way down. The frustrated wage slaves just have to get rich and all will be well. There has never been a better time to be rich in America. Losers like Brook deserve what they get. What they need are role models like me.  I work hard and expect nothing.  I identify with wealthy people and take vicarious pleasure in their fine dining. I am a Stoic and a World Class Fool. 

Comments

[O Lucky Man]

It's hard to imagine that the rhythm of this POS "documentary" could be as messed up as it is by accident (I saw the last 2/3):

The American Ruling Class (clip)

Artifice is the downfall of The American Ruling Class
-Variety

Preachy, condescending and shockingly naive
-Washington Post

Hey, there's Gypsy Scholars in the clip and some even try to sing!

o Plays July 30/31 on Sundance cable channel.

o Harpers Mag editor/author Lewis Lapham's statement

[Phil]

Thanks, blogged the links.

[kia]

Here's a bit more detail from Rick Perlstein.

[Phil]

Thanks, Kia, blogged it with permission of the Higher Ups.

[Duggy Dunn]

no mention of Federal Reserve Bank Corporation nor the debt it creates... the financial impact of this unconstitutional Bank is tremendous... 21 trillion dollars of skyrocketing debt... getting all of our federal national tax payments