Review by manumuffin -- Unchecked capitalism is killing us!

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manumuffin
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Latest Review: Unchecked capitalism is killing us! by Earl Rynerson

Review by manumuffin -- Unchecked capitalism is killing us!

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[Following is a volunteer review of "Unchecked capitalism is killing us!" by Earl Rynerson.]
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4 out of 4 stars
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Wake Up! Unchecked Capitalism Is Killing Us! is a non-fiction book by Earl B. Rynerson, a retired Air Force Lt. Col., small business owner, and a professorial lecturer in MBA studies for Business Management and Marketing in San Francisco. With his considerable amount of experience and knowledge in economics and politics, the author connects the dots between abusive lobbyism and the constantly decreasing quality of life of the average American citizen. Rynerson summarizes that in the book’s subtitle: How unfettered corporate greed and corruption have made us poorer, fatter, sicker, less tolerant of others, and more dangerously exposed to Coronavirus.

The book is divided into chapters based on the main industries participating in the harmful kind of lobbyism. Each chapter discusses how correlated companies participate in illegal activities and continue to do so without effective repercussions. This practice – immorally influencing politics in favor of maximizing profits of corporations – is what Earl Rynerson would describe as unchecked capitalism. At the end of each chapter, he also provides tips and ideas the reader can implement to initiate change.

I like that Rynerson does not cushion hard truths in fancy words but rather seeks to speak in simple terms and in this way also reaches an audience who is not necessarily familiar with an economic or political vocabulary. Adding to that he also follows a clear structure. In this manner, he shows how certain actions by big industries exploit most people which they would not notice otherwise. Further, I really appreciate the ‘things you can do right now’ Rynerson adds at the end of each chapter as they have the potential to snowball into organized change.

Naturally, I did not agree with every opinion the author lets shine through. However, it seems that he is not fully educated on certain facts he states which can in the worst case enforce prejudices against marginalized groups of people. For example, I do not like how Rynerson clearly cases how ‘Big Sugar’ is the key factor in the rising obesity rates in the US over the last few decades yet blames these affected people in later chapters that they would not watch what is in the foods they consume. At first glance he may be right; there are many more factors, though, which do not allow to let this problem be solved so simply.

In conclusion, I think the book achieves the goal of explaining unchecked capitalism in simple terms while keeping it close to the citizen and providing small, immediate relief as well as food for thought. The book seems to be very well edited and despite the rather conservative approach I consider this a good read and rate it 4 out of 4 stars. I highly recommend this book to all American citizens who are not really interested in politics but are wondering what is going wrong with their country. Also, to everyone who likes to question the current system yet would consider themselves conservative-leaning. Ponder reading if you like statements backed up with a lot of examples and facts.

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Unchecked capitalism is killing us!
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