SOCIAL SCIENCES

Down for the Count: Dirty Elections and the Rotten History of Democracy in America

by Andrew Gumbel
New Pr. Apr. 2016. 304p. notes. index. ISBN 9781620971680. pap. $18.95; ebk. ISBN 9781620971697. POL SCI
COPY ISBN
Journalist Gumbel (coauthor, Oklahoma City) looks at the shady past of the American political system to try to explain why the present structure seems to be so badly broken. There are chapters on historical and current voter disenfranchisement efforts and the promises and very real threats of technology ruling the voting process. The usual suspects are blamed here: conservatives, elites, and the incumbents who do not want to upset their favorable status quo. The insidious influence of lobbyists and big money is always at the forefront, and the recent election problems have led to further partisan division rather than a coming together to fix things. Gumbel is hopeful that the electorate will become so disgusted that it will demand changes, and he offers suggestions for improvements to policies and procedures.
VERDICT This revised edition of 2005's Steal This Vote contains numerous reference source notes. The easy-to-read narrative may make your blood boil, but it shows that U.S. citizens' bitter anger with their government has a long and shameful history and is certainly justified. Suitable for all libraries at this contentious time.
Reviewed by Daniel Blewett, Coll. of DuPage Lib., Glen Ellyn, IL , Apr 01, 2016
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

REFERENCE

Critical Insights: Power & Corruption
REFERENCE

Current Biography Yearbook 2023
NONFICTION

Birds Aren’t Real: The True Story of Mass Avian Murder and the Largest Surveillance Campaign in US History
by McIndoe, Peter & Connor Gaydos
NONFICTION

The Last Human Job: The Work of Connecting in a Disconnected World
by Pugh, Allison J.
NONFICTION

The Bonnet
by Kucbelová, Katarína
NONFICTION

Free the Land: The Root Cause of Inequality and the Fight for a Better Future
by Lim, Audrea
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?