OnlineBookClub.org

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Unchecked capitalism is killing us!" by Earl Rynerson.]

In Unchecked Capitalism is Killing Us, author Earl Rynerson describes how the common good of our democracy has taken a backseat to unchecked capitalism. Over the last 30 years, our government has slowly been taken over by large corporations and special interest lobbyists. Rynerson suggests that the decline began in the Reagan years with supply-side “trickle-down” economics. Then when Clinton passed the “Free Trade” agreement with China, many of our manufacturing jobs moved off-shore. Rynerson describes in very well documented detail how the Banking, Auto, Pharmaceutical, Health Care, Defense, and Oil and Gas Industries have contributed to this decline.

My favorite thing about this book is that it doesn’t just identify the problems. At the end of each chapter, there is a section called “Here are some things you can do right now.” There is also a complete chapter called “Solutions” that proposes four levels of activities to drive change: Individual, Group, Local or Regional Activism, and Interface with Politicians. There is another chapter that proposes the formation of a third political party that would represent the interests of working people in America. Also, there is a website, https://uncheckedcapitalismiskillingus.com, that contains up-to-date information. A podcast will be announced shortly in July. Templates will also be available on the website to use when interacting with elected officials.

My assessment of the problem is that capitalism is our economic model and democracy is our form of government that establishes the policies and regulations that allow capitalism to function properly. Big corporations have taken over the economics side; and now with over 14,000 lobbying groups spending billions of dollars to influence our elected officials, they also control the governance side. The taxpayer is no longer driving legislation. Lobbyists and big corporations decide what legislation is passed. The answer is to restore the proper balance between capitalism and democracy. In 1907, President Teddy Roosevelt banned political contributions from corporations. We need to return to that mindset.

Earl Rynerson has issued a call for action. The changes proposed in this book will require a drastic culture change. Elected officials will need to stop all corporate lobbying and start establishing regulations to ensure that corporations put the needs of employees, customers, communities, the environment, and the nation equally alongside the interests of shareholders. It seems overwhelming to imagine turning the whole government around from its current self-destructive trajectory, but we made the rules, so we should be able to change the rules.

This book is very well written and was professionally edited. I only found one minor typo. I can’t name one thing I don’t like about it. I am pleased to give this book a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. I would recommend Unchecked Capitalism is Killing Us to every registered voter in America. It may take a half a century to turn things around, but it is worth doing. After reading this book, I feel inspired to answer that call for action.

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Unchecked capitalism is killing us!
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This isn't unforseeable, right from the onset of democracy it had been known that the people's will may be thwarted by greedy personnel. What is apparent of democracy is, it make it easy for people's will to be hampered.

I've encountered many books, articles and social media posts that scream about the evils of capitalism, I'm glad to see one that goes the extra mile to provide possible solutions. After all, if you never move beyond complaining, the problem will remain the same. Great review, I'm very curious about what this book has to say.

Although I am not well-versed in the topics of this book, I will be glad to learn more about them. Thank you for this detailed review. Good job!

I like that the author termed it "Unchecked Capitalism" as opposed to the regular cry of all aspects of capitalism is evil. I'm curious about the plausible solutions he proposes to check the situation.

Glad to learn about new things related to America I wasn't familiar with before. Thanks for the review.

Michelle Fred wrote: ↑16 Jul 2020, 10:08 I like that the author termed it "Unchecked Capitalism" as opposed to the regular cry of all aspects of capitalism is evil. I'm curious about the plausible solutions he proposes to check the situation.

That's how I feel. I definitely support capitalism, private property, earning one's own way...but I do see how it's been corrupted. Apparently anything people put their hand to ends up corrupted and that's a sad state of affairs. But to hear this author has proposed solutions? That's always good. I'm pretty tired of hearing "Wake Up America!" as if only the yell-er has a clue something's wrong. Offering actionable solutions is the way to go. Voting SHOULD be the answer but no one trusts that anymore either.
I admit that I worry it will end up like pulling out an entire bathroom because the faucet leaks - overkill.

Capitalism is a very interesting topic and the exposition done by the author is amazing. Thank you for the excellent review on this book

I think economics is a subject that everyone should be informed about, so books like this one, are always good to take a look at. Great review!