The Big Con Lib/E: The True Story of How Washington Got Hoodwinked and Hijacked by Crackpot Economics

The Big Con is a brilliantly revealing look at how the radical ideas of a small group of economic hucksters have taken over the American political system and perverted our nation's policies. American politics has been hijacked. Not by "neocons" or "theocons," but by a fringe group of economic extremists obsessed with radical ideas that favor no one but themselves and their business interests. With dark and engaging wit, Jonathan Chait shows how over the past three decades these canny zealots have gamed the political system and the media so that once unthinkable policies--without a shred of academic, expert, or even popular support--now drive the American agenda, regardless of which party is in power. Why have these ideas succeeded in Washington? How did a subset of fringe radicals take control of American policy and sell short the country's future? And how do they continue to do so despite repeated electoral setbacks? Chait tells the outrageous and eye-opening story, expertly explaining just how politics and economics work in Washington. Through vivid portraits of self-interested politicians and pseudoeconomists, with wry analysis of their bogus theories, Chait gives us the tools to understand what's really behind economic policy debates in Washington: a riveting drama of greed and deceit.

About the Author :
Jonathan Chait is the senior editor at the New Republic and writes the magazine's signature TRB column. He is a contributing editor to the Los Angeles Times and has written for the New York Times, the New York Times Magazine, the Washington Post, the Atlantic Monthly, the Wall Street Journal, Slate, American Prospect, Commentary, Washington Monthly, and Reason. Jonathan lives in Washington, D.C. David Drummond has made his living as an actor for over twenty-five years, appearing on stages large and small throughout the country and in Seattle, Washington, his hometown. He has narrated over thirty audiobooks, in genres ranging from current political commentary to historical nonfiction, fantasy, military, thrillers, and humor. He received an AudioFile Earphones Award for his first audiobook, Love 'Em or Lose 'Em: Getting Good People to Stay. When not narrating, he keeps busy writing plays and stories for children. David Drummond has made his living as an actor for over twenty-five years, appearing on stages large and small throughout the country and in Seattle, Washington, his hometown. He has narrated over thirty audiobooks, in genres ranging from current political commentary to historical nonfiction, fantasy, military, thrillers, and humor. He received an AudioFile Earphones Award for his first audiobook, Love 'Em or Lose 'Em: Getting Good People to Stay. When not narrating, he keeps busy writing plays and stories for children.

Review :
Chait is both very serious and seriously funny as he traces the rise of conservatism over the past thirty years.-- "Michael Kinsley" "Chait is both very serious and seriously funny as he traces the rise of conservatism over the past thirty years." -- "Michael Kinsley" "From beginning to end, Drummond's consistency of tone and emphasis makes a lasting, positive impression." -- "Publishers Weekly" "Jonathan Chait has written a classic of political journalism...Prepare to be shocked." -- "Michael Lewis, author of Liar's Poker, Moneyball, and the Blindside" "Riveting...Highly readable." -- "New York Times" "Who says economic policy has to be dry? [Chait] brings a lively wit and a limpid style to the topic." -- "Ramesh Ponnuru, senior editor of National Review and author of The Party of Death"