How does a strong and growing economy lend itself to job uncertainty, debt, bankruptcy, and economic fear for a vast number of Americans? Free Lunch provides answers to this great economic mystery of our time, revealing how todayβs government policies and spending reach deep into the wallets of the many for the benefit of the wealthy few.
Johnston cuts through the official version of events and shows how, under the guise of deregulation, a whole new set of regulations quietly went into effectβregulations that thwart competition, depress wages, and reward misconduct. From how George W. Bush got rich off a tax increase to a $100 million taxpayer gift to Warren Buffett, Johnston puts a face on all of the dirty little tricks that business and government pull. A lot of people appear to be getting free lunchesβbut of course thereβs no such thing as a free lunch, and someone (you, the taxpayer) is picking up the bill.
Johnstonβs many revelations include: β’ How we ended up with the most expensive yet inefficient health-care system in the world β’ How homeownersβ title insurance became a costly, deceitful, yet almost invisible oligopoly β’ How our government gives hidden subsidies for posh golf courses β’ How Paris Hiltonβs grandfather schemed to retake the family fortune from a charity for poor children β’ How the Yankees and Mets owners will collect more than $1.3 billion in public funds
In these instances and many more, Free Lunch shows how the lobbyists and lawyers representing the most powerful 0.1 percent of Americans manipulated our government at the expense of the other 99.9 percent.
With his extraordinary reporting, vivid stories, and sharp analysis, Johnston reveals the forces that shape our everyday economic livesβand shows us how we can finally make things better.
Media Buzz
Countdown with Keith Olbermann - November 8, 2010 Countdown with Keith Olbermann - September 22, 2010 Countdown with Keith Olbermann - April 15, 2010 Lou Dobbs Tonight - February 10, 2009 Lou Dobbs Tonight - February 2, 2009 Lou Dobbs Tonight - January 8, 2009 Lou Dobbs Tonight - December 5, 2008 Lou Dobbs Tonight - December 1, 2008 Lou Dobbs Tonight - November 25, 2008 Lou Dobbs Tonight - November 20, 2008 Lou Dobbs Tonight - October 24, 2008 Lou Dobbs Tonight - September 22, 2008 Lou Dobbs Tonight - September 17, 2008 Lou Dobbs Tonight - July 14, 2008 Lou Dobbs Tonight - July 9, 2008 The View - June 2, 2008 Lou Dobbs Tonight - May 30, 2008 Fresh Air - NPR - January 3, 2008
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