Griftopia: Bubble Machines, Vampire Squids, And The Long Con That Is Breaking America (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
Infuriating. I rarely if ever come across books that shake me to the core like this one. It's exactly the type of shit this book sheds light on - namely the abhorrent, inexcusable, greed-induced, illegal behavior of the major US investment banks and government agencies leading up to the financial crisis - that motivates me to work as hard as I can towards someday transferring power from Wall Street to the people. Griftopia is Taibbi’s sour take on the financial crisis and its aftermath. He reviews what he calls the “grifter era” where everyone in government and business has moved towards seeking a fast buck instead of long term planning. Pennsylvania attempts to sell its turnpike, and Chicago does sell its parking meters to fill a one year budget gap(for a 75 year lease) This resembles the sacking of a crumbling empire rather than a plan for continued business. He treats the bailouts, the Tea Party, Affordable Care Act(which has done nothing to break up the insurance cartels and is many ways a gift to them) with scorn, disgust and also compassion. The consensus between the two parties to back up business at every turn while keeping people squabbling over social issues is creating a culture of cynicism and corruption truly alienated from democratic impulse.
What do You think about Griftopia: Bubble Machines, Vampire Squids, And The Long Con That Is Breaking America (2010)?
Got to love the clarity of Matt Taibbi laser insight. Must read for our moment in time.
—Lilleyanna
One of the scariest books I've ever read! Thank goodness it's just science-fiction...
—love
