The Ten Things You Can't Say in America

Rating:
Summary: Something even a "liberal" might appreciate.
Review: I was raised by two very liberal parents and I went into The Ten Things You Can't Say in America with my teeth gritted. After the first chapter, I profess to calling in to Elder's KABC radio show and commending the man. Though I think he's an eloquent man, his writing could definitely use some work.
The ten things you can't say in America (as advertised in the title) are: (1)Blacks are more racist than Whites; (2)White condescension is as bad as Black racism; (3)The media have a liberal bias; (4)There is no glass ceiling holding women back in the corporate world; (5)America's greatest social problem is illegitimacy; (6)there is no Health-Care "crisis"; (7)Governmental welfare is neither necessary nor constitutional; (8)There's not a dime's worth of difference between the Republicans and the Democrats.; (9)We are losing the war against drugs; (10 The ultimate goal of gun control is confiscation. Within these topics, Larry Elder creates subtopics, citing various incidents (as heard on the news and from independent research) and twisting them into political pretzels so one begins to shrug and suggest "yeah, I guess he's right".
The pages are filled with rhetorical questions that often don't support the point he's trying to make. He coins such phrases as "victicrat" (one who "blames all ills, problems, concerns, and unhappiness on others" {p. 22}) and "toe-tag liberal" (a cradle-to-grave liberal who ignores the facts) to assist his theories. The book is salted with such extremes, it's hard to differentiate between opinion and fact. I took every point in this 352 page book with a grain of salt. He is a smart man, though his style of writing might suggest otherwise, and he at least uses some forms of proof that were 100% factual. Overall, I enjoyed examining a side of politics I had never explored before. The message to me seemed to be one of independence: those who help themselves will go far in life. It's not a matter of being the victim of circumstance, it's a matter of going above and beyond expectations. Thus, I believed that Elder provided a positive message cloaked in a blanket of negativity.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This book is for dumb headed people who rely mainly on government for hand out and have a victim mentality. This book will enlighten you if you will be open minded to Larry's arguments.

Rating:
Summary: A New Voice for Common Sense
Review: Finally, someone has practically applied the libertarian philosophy to the twenty-first century. "The Ten Things You Can't Say in America" embodies the spirit of liberty and personal freedom that libertarians have been championing for years. Larry Elder presents to the reader a focused, case-by-case study that draws on research and common sense that should make Democrats and Republicans alike shudder. If more people start listening to the message in "Ten Things...", we may be on the brink of a political revolution.
Even after reading only the title of the first chapter, "Blacks are More Racist than Whites", one can note the clear absence of a sugar coat on Elder's philosophy. He boldly and thoroughly examines this first subject, and brings his own personal experience into the story without whining or contempt. Elder speaks as a black man who is tired of being portrayed as a victim by his country, which tells him that he is predisposed to be unsuccessful, violent, or a drug addict. The author fires back, asserting that to give blacks special protections is to tell blacks that they really are not as good as whites. It is Elder's statements such as this where common sense seems to hit you like a ton of bricks.
Positioning himself as an outsider with no personal political agenda, Elder is able to come across to the reader as a sincere, concerned American. Chapter 8 contains attacks on politicians who come from both sides of the aisle, and Elder explains why there is "maybe a dime's worth of difference" between Republicans and Democrats.
Both parties have left their philosophical base in an effort to appease the electorate, which maintains the status quo, according to Elder. By essentially removing a Republican or Democrat bias in his book, Elder's honesty becomes strikingly clear, making Elder more likely to be trusted by a reader before the author goes in for the kill.
Elder does some truly remarkable work in Chapter 9, "The War Against Drugs is Vietnam II: We're Losing this One, Too". The arguments for continuing the drug war are confronted and dismantled one by one. Elder exposes the myth of marijuana while debasing the faulty logic of the "gateway drug" theory that is so often repeated. Elder vigorously defends the right of an individual to control what substances enter into his/her body, and pits the perceived benefits of criminalizing drug possession with the actual cost to society of enforcing this prohibition.
It is Elder's arguments against the drug war where the author truly shines. Backed by scientific research that is indexed in the back of the book, Elder calls for an entirely new attitude toward drug use in this country. This issue, which those on both the far left and the far right agree, is just beginning to make its way into the national spotlight. With more support from educated voices such as Elder's, America may soon realize it has made a tragic mistake in pursuing the war on drugs,.
If you are looking for a book that will help you choose whether or not to vote Democrat or Republican, "The Ten Things You Can't Say in America" is not the read you are looking for. If instead you are looking for a fresh voice, free from propaganda and political motives, then Larry Elder would like to have a sit-down with you. But a word of caution- be prepared to change your mind about many things you have been taught by your parents, the media, and the government. Elder is no one's mouthpiece except his own.

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining, makes good points, but...
Review: Having been somewhat familiar with Mr. Elder, I decided to give this book a read. I must say that Mr. Elder is a very entertaining character. The titles of each chapter invoke laughter alone. He makes some very good points about race relations, how whites bend over backward for fear of being labeled "racist". Despite this, I don't think this is the best defense of the libertarian position. Mr. Elder does seem to retreat towards a more "conservative" position as a previous reviewer eluded to. I happen to believe in individual autonomy, with responsibility of course, so I don't agree with religious conservatives.

Overall, this is a pretty good read. If you are looking for a good scholarly case for libertarianism, there are better books out there, specifically Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith. I cannot recommend that book enough. I suggest checking Mr. Elder's book out from the library, rather than buying it.

Rating:
Summary: This no nonsense book is true to its title!
Review: Perhaps the best way to summarize this book is to understand the title. When everything is summed up, this book is really about ten things that you can't say in America, at least with out geting blasted for your opinion or fired from your job. Some statements are more controversial than others, but Elder is bold by not only stating these things in the format of one statement for each chapter, but by writing a well written argument for these statments. The amount of evidence and sheer facts and numbers, from reliable sources at that, make Elders book a wake up call for this politically correct world we live in today.
I doubt it's an accidnet, but the most controversial chapter is the first one, and the title is "Blacks are more racist than whites". Now this posting isn't about my opinion, but Elder sure presents his very well. The evidence he uses, along with studies, polls, and official numbers, make his argumenet very valid. In fact, his writing style on all topics is great..Elder keeps asking questions, wondering why the hypocricy...Elder compares one false statement with a correct one of his own. And the way he does it is masterfull, it really opens the eyes of the ignorant, and those who just want to learn more.
More controversial chapters are ones like the one about legalizing drugs, or maybe the chapter in which he bashes gun control advocates, but no matter how controversial the statement is, he always makes sure he backs his ideas up.
Very well written, and can't wait to read Showdown by Larry Elder = )

Rating:
Summary: Don't read this unless you have an open mind...
Review: I picked this one up a year or so ago... I believe the occasion was Black History Month or something like that. Chapter One is entitled "Blacks Are More Racist than Whites". This got my attention and caused me to close the book to look at the cover again, thinking that I had somehow grabbed a different book than I had reached for. Finding Larry's smiling face on the dust cover, I took the book out of the cover to make sure it was not Mein Kampf or something in the wrong wrapper. Having confirmed that this was indeed Larry's book and that he had indeed said something in the opening chapter that might get someone lynched in places like downtown Milwaukee, I read further.

Well, he is right. The title of the opening chapter is indeed something you can't say in America. I would never have dared to publish this statement... though I dare say that I have often found it to be true. The other ten things are just as shocking (to some), true (to everyone, like it or not), and thought provoking (to those willing to think).

Before I bought the book, I had classed Mr. Elder as a "Black Conservative"... perhaps even a "Black Rush Limbaugh". If you are reading this, Sir, you have been complimented and stand beside Rose Wilder Lane as being compared favorably with the Maha-Rushie. It would seem that you too have "Talent on loan from God"... but don't we all?

In classing Mr. Elder as conservative, I was slightly in error. It would be more correct to class him politically as a Libertarian... though Libertarians are merely conservatives with a wild hair up their nether regions.

I found this book to be fascinating, though I did not agree with the author on every point. His contention that drugs be legalized kind of shook my foundation a bit... and after reading that chapter, I concede that he has a few good points there. He also wrote the most honest thoughts on abortion that I have ever read:

Abortion remains the nation's most vexing issue since slavery. It is part religious, part spiritual, and part moral. I don't know the answer to the "question" of abortion. But neither does the government!

To those who dislike abortion, I say this: If you are opposed, don't have one.

He sidesteps the issue of defining life and murder... which is an essential connection with the abortion issue. Like many men, he is perhaps, uncomfortable making decisions for women who have brains of their own on an issue that a man will never face... aside from Arnold Schwarzenegger in the movies.

I found that I could readily agree with most of the things he proposes, and will happily recommend the book to anyone with a mind open enough to grasp simple facts... which he backs up with sources, graphs, and other statistical data at the end of the book. Ten Things is perhaps the most heavily footnoted political commentary I have ever read.

Buy this book if you are willing to read it with an open mind. If you'd rather think that everything is the fault of Republicans... don't even pick it up. It will destroy the dishonest little world you inhabit.

Dale A. Raby
Editor/Publisher
The Green Bay web
http://www.thegreenbayweb.com

Rating:
Summary: Larry Elder blows the lid off the PC box
Review: Larry Elder will make you think. He'll challenge your ideals and the motivations behind them. Giving a remedial lesson in Consitutionality 101, Elder calls even his conservative reader to reevalutate beliefs and policies in light of his no-nonsense truth-telling about America today. This book will inspire you to outrage and action. Packed with statistics, facts, and common sense anectdotes, this is one of the most thought-provoking books you'll ever read.

Rating:
Summary: A breath of fresh air
Review: Larry Elder is certainly a force to be reckoned with these days. This guy takes all those "truths" that are taken for granted today and exposes the biases and conceit, and sometimes, the outright lies, behind them. This book should be required reading in college government/political science courses. If you like Rush Limbaugh or Anne Coulter, then you should do yourself a favor and buy this one NOW!

Rating:
Summary: A review from a fellow south central los angelino
Review: The Ten Things You Can't Say in America ought to be subtitled the ten most controversial but necessary discussions that Americans need to have. The truth is America needs to be talking about reverse racism, the inefficient and ineffective welfare state, gun control, the economics of government subsidized health care, propaganda and the media, the two party political system, and the violation of civil rights. This book isn't going to change the world, but it might change a few hearts.

First of all, I want to say that although this is a fairly good book, it is not for everyone. This book is not for a staunch Republican, Democrat, Green Party affiliate, or Socialist. For them reading this book would be like a fundamentalist Christian reading the Bhagavad Gita. One needs to be open-minded enough about their political views or this book will just seem like rubbish. As convinced as he is, Elder is no Rush Limbaugh playing to the crowd. He sticks by his beliefs, even the unpopular ones and he tries to appeal to both our altruistic side and our more selfish desires as well.

This is also not a book for anyone who is versed in political thought for it is watered down academically speaking, and although more truthful than most party-aligned political commentary, it can be shamelessly biased at points. Elder recklessly quotes statistics and factoids in a very lopsided way that could fool an impressionable lad or maybe reinforce the bias of another libertarian.

But given who this book is not for it still has an audience - a savvy, yet apolitical type may really enjoy this book. Or perhaps anyone fed up with the moral alignment of the Republicans (read fascism) and the corrupt brand of socialism of the Democrats will find someone who has finally voiced what they were scared to say out loud. The war on drugs is useless, the health care crisis is not only a crisis to those who will not invest in their own health, etc. They get the chance to think about some very important issues today from a libertarian perspective that is overlooked far too often.

Larry Elder, is a dyed in the wool, care carrying libertarian. People either love him or hate him generally. But it seems that any one who is an independent thinker is neither going to hate Elder nor revere him and what he puts forth in this book. Elder could never be a thinking man's esteemed leader because, Elder is too much of a reactionary viewing every single law passed in terms of what restrictions it puts on his existence. I get the impression that if we reviewed the tape of Elder's life we would see that he had personal issues with authority and limitations from the start. For instance, Elder is accurate in portraying the war on drugs as a corporate war being waged by pharmaceutical giants, big alcohol and tobacco and the prison industrial complex. His thoughts on drugs are refreshing, but perhaps unrealistic. But nothing reeks of pollyannaish optimism about the responsibility of Americans than Elder's stance on gun control. Elder's arguments get pretty thin when it comes to gun control and his belief that a society full of randomly armed people would drive crime down is not backed up by any statistics...and just far too dangerous of experiment to play with.

Elder is not powerful enough or incendiary enough to elicit hate, except from people who have very staunch liberal beliefs. He doesn't scapegoat innocent people and he appears to have the greater good of humanity and not just his own interests at heart. (By the way, having the greater good of humanity is still a selfish pursuit, as Elder wants to live in the Libertarian Utopia he has envisioned.). Elder gets a special kind of anger from a large part of the black community (side note: although it should be of no consequence I am a black man from the inner city just like Elder) who consider him a sell-out Uncle Tom. I will be the first to admit that dealing with issues of race, socio-economic strata and how they relate to politics, is where Elder is the most astute. Most of his observations are accurate. Elder attacks the welfare state, illegitimacy, affirmative action, health-care and countless other political hot buttons with honesty that deal with the reality of capitalism and democracy. As a black man Elder has enough awareness to see that racism cannot be eradicated through government programs. Perhaps Elder could win more fans if he proposed new of a way to turn trends around for the African American community, but he doesn't have many ideas other than to have some self-respect and integrity. Many African Americans take offense to this, but turn around and beg for special treatment from the government. The government cannot undo what our communities should be doing and that is creating self-reliant capable citizens who seek out opportunity.

If you have read this far and are still interested, go ahead and buy the book. Its an interesting read and will provoke some thought which is always a good thing in this reviewers opinion. Its my belief that there are still something's that Elder is afraid to say, but at least he has started the ball rolling toward honest discussion amongst the masses in the country.

Rating:
Summary: white conservatives are the ultimate trick
Review: well if all i have to say to make 10,000 dollars a speech and sell a lot of books is say that blacks are whiners, liberals are destroying the country are the media is biased against conservative thought (even though most of the media outlets and talk shows are owned by conservative buisness.) i would have gotten out of computer graphics and get a talk show.well reading this book elder makes the same , tired , arguments no substance or ideas like his show he is a whiner too. as to the other reviewers who ask why he isn't a black leader after reading this book we all know why he is neither intellectually smart nor honest, the only black conservative with any intellect is shelby steele and goes to prove my prove my point that white conservatives are like tricks looking to pick up the first hooker they like regardless of the cost as long as she does or says what they like.