Customer Reviews

250 Ways to Make America Better

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One would expect "George" Magazine to come up with something more thoughtful than this - but then again.... The editors asked 250 activists, celebrities (former 1950's bathing beauty/actress Esther Williams wants the USA to investigate the JFK assasination AGAIN (! )), and assorted individuals to come up with suggestions which would make the USA a better country. The results are depressing because of their simple mindedness, cliched and PC-like platitudes, shallowness, and the over-reliance on entertainment figures to fill this volume. Some of the suggestions here border on the grotesque. Some are so transparently cynical or sarcastic that they contribute to a deepening sense of malaise about the awful state of civic involvement in this country. Less than a dozen suggestions here are truly practical and would have any noticeable effect if put into practice - a dismal result. My guess is that the editors knew that few in the USA today would buy a book featuring truly thoughtful and well-educated contributors - so, bring on those rap artists and movie stars! A sad commentary on the state of the nation and the mental state of those who presume to be watching over the political process.

While the criticisms of this book are completely valid, I think it is an interesting change from politicans and political candidates being the sole dispensers of such theories.

Is this what Plato intended his "Marketplace of Ideas" to become? Problaly not, but I enjoyed reading some of the entries and actually found myself nodding in agreement with their suggestions. For instance, I was shocked that Maddona and I share some of the same political beliefs (you would not guess it if we were standing together because I am more grungy)

Because this book avoids mention of PACs and big donation, the stars are not special interests or big money in this book, but citizens who also want government fixed.

Granted, some of them are superficial and hence depressing, but I seriously doubt this is what Mackler and Kennedy intended. Both wanted to demonstrate that politics can be relevant and fun--without a degree in political science, law, public adminstration or another field. Just because I was facinated by the nuts and bolts of government, did not mean that others were affected the same way.

George magazine asked 250 Americans from a cross section of America's elite (comedians, activist, politicians, actors and actresses, rappers, entrepreneurs) to write about how they would make America a better place. The writings are sometimes comical, insightful, sarcastic, and often eye opening.

The suggestions range from improving education to becoming a vegetarian. Other ideas are taking mass transit because driving causes pollution and requiring men to wear lipstick.

In all, I enjoyed this book. It made me think about my daily actions and how I impact America, as well as how America impacts me.

This book came out in 1999, shortly before John F. Kennedy, Jr.'s death. George magazine, now defunct, was launched by JFK, Jr. and examined the life of political figures. What I love about this book, is that these are essays, quotes, platforms, positions, cartoons, and vision statements from 250 leaders (actors, many elected officials, playwrights, poets, musicians, athletes, cookbook authors, journalists, etc). And while I've owned this book since it came out, most all of the ideals aspired to are still applicable today, nearly 10 years later. Some are random and saracastic, prodding the reader to challenge current institutionalized absurdities; some are truly evil (Phyllis Schlafly) but most are inspiring (Chuck D, Ben Cohen, John McLaughlin, Bella Abzug, Barbara Mikulski, Jay Rockefeller, Howard Zinn, Sister Mary Rose McGeady, Stephen Covey, and SARK).

The only downside is that because the lengths vary, there isn't a table of contents so as to find the one in particular you're the most curious about. You just have to flip through the pages.

As a leader in any capacity, vision is critical to motivate others to become invested. I find these readings to do just that, excite the reader to do something to create change for the better.