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Downsize This! Random Threats from an Unarmed American

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Love it
Entertaining broad propaganda
Back When Moore Had a Real Issue......
If you work hard and the company prospers, you lose your job
Michael Moore Throws a Tantrum

Downsize This! Random Threats from an Unarmed American
Michael Moore
Manufacturer: Harper Paperbacks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Who says the left wing doesn't have a sense of humor? Maybe it doesn't, but documentarian Michael Moore sure does--Exhibit A was Roger & Me; B was the ill-fated TV Nation; and C is 1997's print skirmish Downsize This! Moore's politics are rabidly liberal, populist, and anti-big business--about what you'd expect from the former editor of Mother Jones. While this restricts his audience to Americans on the left side of the aisle, for them Downsize This! will be a chance to point and laugh hysterically (if ruefully) at the clique of rich white guys who run everything.

Moore is at his best as a prankster, whether it's trying to see if Pat Buchanan will take a campaign donation from the John Wayne Gacy Fan Club (yes) or whether he can have Bob Dornan committed to an insane asylum based on his bizarre behavior (no, but it was close). Moore is one of our sharpest satirists, and Downsize This! makes one wish he would write a "Sorry State of the Union" every year. But only if it doesn't cut into his moviemaking--that's too big a price to pay. --Michael Gerber

Book Description

Americans today are working harder, working longer and yet for most of us, in this time of ruthless downsizing and political cronyism, job security, a decent standard of living and a comfortable retirement are becoming harder and harder to find. In this brilliantly funny and right-on-target diatribe, irreverent everyman Michael Moore gives his own bold views on who's behind the fading of the American dream.

Whether issuing Corporate Crook trading cards, organizing a Rodney King Commemorative Riot, sending a donation to Pat Buchanan from the John Wayne Gacy fan club (which was accepted) or trying to commit former right-wing congressman Bob Dornan to a mental hospital, the in-your-face host of TV Nation and director/star of Roger & Me combines an expansive wit with biting social commentary to make you think and laugh at the same time.

In hardcover, Downsize This! stormed the bestseller lists of the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle and others. Given Michael Moore's enormous -- and growing -- constituency, this trade paperback edition brings his unique perspective on the nation to an even greater audience.

Customer Reviews:

Love it.......2007-05-09

I just love Michael Moore. Have a few books by him. He is frank, to the point and raises questions. He makes you sit and think and ask questions yourself.

Entertaining broad propaganda.......2007-02-14

[Crown Hardcover] Lacking the wit of left-of-center pundits like Al Franken or Bill Mahr, Michael Moore tries harder - sometimes trying *too hard* such as tossing in barbs at the inconsistencies of Saturday Night Live - and does make compelling points about the phenomenon of CEO ascendancy and workforce oblivion; Bob Dornan, G. Gordon Liddy, Steve Forbes far-right/far-out observations and recommendations, etc., but just like his offensively titled movie "Farenheit 911"...it needs more meat on the bone. And less facetiousness - okay, most of these CEOs are "non-ethnic" folks but by including the color of their eyes in a long litany of names and reputations is stretching the point. (In addition, in all fairness - look that word up, Mike - it's quite possible that many [GM?] workers had to be let go because product quality and customer service went down, profits or no profits...sometimes I like to reflect on my '82 Skyhawk experience and a few "hot-line" exchanges with people who acted somewhat...indifferent). The suggestion that downsizing is the order of the day for single-minded greedy guys is a little too simple.
An interesting chapter is on President Clinton, who MM sees as a leader who got off to a running start, then ran in all directions, sometimes well into "enemy"/right-wing territory. Whatever motivated him, his conservative view on Welfare and Economic Reform showed that the "complicated" millenium man President made some bold and intelligent *adjustments*. Moore finds this perplexing.
Moore does have a message, however, and he gets us to ask questions. This book might not get you to rethink your views but it will cause you to see things in a different light. That can be fun reading.

Back When Moore Had a Real Issue.............2006-06-17

This is from an era where Micheal Moore actually made valid points. I'm a Republican, but I'm also a Christian. That means I believe that people are supposed to give a darn about something besides just money. Greed and heartlessness in the corporate world are very real... though I'm a capitalist, this greed thing is something that I struggle with. There are folks who lose their jobs for no reason at all, hard working people with nowhere to go.

It's not right.

But when the government gets involved, I can't say things are made any better.

Nonetheless, Moore makes some valid points in this book, which is from an era when he was more than an anti-gun, anti-war loony.

If you work hard and the company prospers, you lose your job.......2006-05-17

Of course, this book is partly out-of-date. It covers mainly the Clinton years. But the issues it tackles are still very actual.
- the unemployment issue: Manpower is still the number one US employer and corporate downsizing continues unabatingly
- the salary issue: worker's salaries are still less today in real dollar terms than in 1979
- the CEO salary issue: a CEO earns 212 times more than an average worker
- the healthcare issue: more than 40 million US citizens cannot afford healthcare insurance
- the voting issue: why is only a small part of the US population voting?
- the abortion issue: 'outlawing abortion would mean a return to the good old dirty, unsafe days of illegal abortion'
- the corporate representation issue: few blacks or workers
- the race and affirmative action issue: still necessary
- the immigration issue: all US citizens are descendants of immigrants
- the corporate fraud issue: Enron and Co
- the welfare v. Aid to Dependent Corporations issue

and most amazing of all, 'the balanced budget issue', proposed by the Reps. But once in office, the Reps digged enormous holes in the budget by offering heavy tax cuts to the super-wealthy!

However, Michael Moore committed also a colossal blunder: 'Democrat? Republican? Can you tell the Difference?'

That Michael Moore's voice is terribly feared by the wealthy, the powerful, the conservatives and the religious right, is mercilessly exposed in the excellent movie 'This divided State' by Steven Greenstreet.
We need his vitriolic voice.

Michael Moore Throws a Tantrum.......2006-05-02

I've seen Michael Moore on TV, humorously trying to get an appointment Roger Smith (then General Motors chairman). The book "Downsize This!" has the moral high ground concerning the looting of corporations by CEOs, accompanied by plant closings. However, I rapidly lost interest because author Moore strayed from this subject. After thirty-seven pages of wandering. I concluded that he'd forgotten about it.

Moore is right about some other things. The American dream has gone up in smoke, and the political parties are alike.

However, Moore quickly resorts to mindlessly repeating the entire litany of liberal thought, spiced up with insults to anyone who doesn't agree with him. We are asked to believe that Joe Citizen is a militia target. Oklahoma City is redneck. Pat Buchanan doesn't agree with Moore, so Buchanan is motivated by hate and fear. Moore uses generalizations and stereotypes. He attacks the opposition's motives rather than their facts and logic.

Moore's grandparents were immigrants and anti-immigration talk makes him feel bad. People who are against immigration, are "a_ holes." Moore tells us that immigrants aren't a drain on welfare, they don't commit crime, they only take jobs that other people won't do. Moore says that if my surname was not on the Mayflower passenger list, then I have to "shut the f_ _k up" about curtailing immigration.

No facts, no figures, no research, no logic, no quotes, just bare opinion. Page 37, I'm out of here. Plunk, wastebasket.

There were some good parts in. Moore's movie "Canadian Bacon." I think he should stick to screenplay.

Average customer rating:

Downsize This Inscribed
Michael Moore
Manufacturer: CROWN PUBLISHERS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000Q107MY

Downsize This: Random Thoughts from an Unarmed American

Average customer rating:

best book ever
Michael Moore....My Hero
A REAL AMERICAN HERO
Moore tackles corporate downsizing with the fury of a genius
A Tragic comedy about America today

Downsize This: Random Thoughts from an Unarmed American
Michael Moore
Manufacturer: Audio Renaissance
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 1559274042

Customer Reviews:

best book ever.......2003-01-24

as finding this book very informative and to take new stance in my political stance he has opened a new horizon for me i love his books and the real truth about america

Michael Moore....My Hero.......2002-08-05

In his first attempt at publishing, Michael Moore presents us with his amazingly informative and hilarious political satire! This book provides us with some very startling information that everyone should know in order to be active participants in our democratic society. From his ultra-sarcastic beginning chapter "The Etiquette of Downsizing," to "A Sperm's Right to Life," to "So You Want to Kill the President?" this is a perfect book for anyone. From those who desire to be more informed citizens to the vetran activist...its a sure bet! Funny...informative...PERFECT! After you read this book make sure to check out his movies "The Big One" (my personal favorite), "Roger and Me," and "TV Nation volumes 1 & 2." And of course, you will NEED to read his latest and greatest "Stupid White Men...and Other Sorry Excuses For the State of the Nation!"

A REAL AMERICAN HERO.......2000-01-09

MICHAEL MOORE DID A SPECTACULAR JOB ON THE BOOK. IT WAS TRUTHFUL AND INSIGHTFUL. THIS SHOULD BE REQUIRED READING FOR ALL WORKING CLASS PEOPLE. THE BOOK WAS AS GOOD AS HIS MOVIES: ROGER AND ME, THE BIG ONE, AND CANADIAN BACON. HIS THOUGHTS ON NAFTA SHOWS HOW THAT BIG BUISNESS RUNS OUR GOVERMENT. MICHAEL MOORE IS A WORKING CLASS HERO. WHICH THERE ARE VERY FEW OF. THANK YOU MICHAEL MOORE FOR WAKING UP PEOPLE TO THE REALITY OF THE SITUATION.

Moore tackles corporate downsizing with the fury of a genius.......1999-09-23

Moore unrelentlessly attacks the bussiness and moral ethics of today's society with this well thought out literary success. The much ignored unemployed citizens of this "great" country now have a powerful voice of humor and reason on their side: Michael Moore. All should read this.

A Tragic comedy about America today.......1999-09-10

This may be the most timely book I've ever read, written by a man who is clearly in touch with reality. This book is written for all of us who have downsized and outplaced. This treasure should be required reading for every political candidate and college student. God help us to recognize this wisdom before it's too late. Arthur Hrin

Average customer rating:

Downsize This

Manufacturer: Non Basic Stock Line
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: 0330427679

Average customer rating:

Downsize This! Random Threats From An Unarmed American
Michael Moore
Manufacturer: Crown Publishers, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000K05UA0

Average customer rating:

Downsize This. Random Threats from an Unarmed American
Michael Moore
Manufacturer: Crown Publishing Group
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JOHZEQ

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