Customer Reviews

The Bush Agenda: Invading the World, One Economy at a Time

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ms Juhasz has really done her homework. The book is to be praised for giving us the nitty-gritty of what's going on with the attempt to steal Iraq's national wealth. Names are named, and the actual facts of the anatomy of the Bush Iraq policy are laid out. Notably, the fact that there was a highly detailed plan for post-invasion policy which is currently very much in place and proceeding: business as usual.
Anyone who takes the least notice of the contents of this incisive analysis can never again claim at the bottom line that we went into Iraq with any other than pure and simple profit motive (U.S. corporate profit, that is). None can again claim, in the face of the array of facts and dot-connections which Ms Juhasz has so diligently marshalled, that this war has any sort of ideological basis - other than a skewed neo-con vision of slave state capitalism - or that real concern for the "safety of the average American" was ever at its heart. What we are speaking of here is the flow of money - and Ms Juhasz has doggedly followed the money and mapped its flow. Herein, is the perspective from which future historians will adjudicate the moral justifications for this pre-emptive war. Never has the old platitude "The business of America is business" appeared as bald and as grisly in the face of the naked black and white. The must read book of the season.

It is quite apparent now that the signature decision of the George W Bush administration was the decision, made before any evidence was available, to invade Iraq. It was as if there was an agenda waiting for an excuse to unlock it. That's the thesis of this book: that Bush - or perhaps more correctly the Power Base behind George W - have an economic agenda that is now being rolled out relentlessly.

To quote Democracy Now! publication: "The book tracks the radical neo-liberal economic program the Bush administration has tried to impose on Iraq, which threatens to leave Iraq's economy and oil reserves largely in the hands of multinational corporations. It's an agenda, the book says, that the Bush administration is trying to bring to all corners of the globe."

I'm not completely certain of Anotinia Juhasz' argument. She has a philosophic leaning against Globalization as we know it, and meanwhile Bush seems to have been too random a President; too knee-jerk, too reactive, for this thesis to hold consistent weight. I'm not convinced that a president who scarcely had a view of foreign policy prior to entering the White House, should suddenly have developed a plan so sophisticated as we see in this book.

Between Rumsfeld, Bremer and the team however, there have been some huge dollars made from the War in Iraq. To cite the author in the LA Times:

"Although the military campaign is in chaos, the economic campaign is moving along quite nicely, at least for U.S. corporations and the Republican Party.

Halliburton, far and away the largest recipient of Iraq reconstruction dollars with about $18 billion in contracts, has seen revenues increase by 80% in the first quarter of 2004 compared with the same quarter of 2003, according to the Financial Times. These revenues reflect "steep profits from their Iraq operations."

Next in line is the Bechtel Group of San Francisco, with nearly $3 billion in Iraq reconstruction contracts. In fact, revenues generated outside the United States have increased by 158% since 2003 for Bechtel - turning around a three-year slump in that category. San Ramon-based ChevronTexaco has a contract to market Iraqi oil. Its profits have increased 90% during the first half of 2004 compared with the same period in 2003, for a total increase of more than $3 billion."

These profits are given an alarming degree of lock-in thanks to policies imposed by the Bush Presidency. There is no incentive, for example, for Bechtel or others to reinvest in Iraq. In other words war had put these enterprises in the the drivers' seat, and they are free to take their profits.

Is Iran next?

The strength of the volume is that it raises fresh ideas, fresh facts and fresh debate about America's changing role in today's uncertain world. The politics of oil are at the forefront of public concern, and so-too are the politics of globalism and employment: and the role of China. In this light, the book is a welcome read with a consistent argument, well argued facts to make it well worthy of serious debate - regardless of your own particular politics.

"The Bush Agenda" by Antonia Juhasz is a very accessible but also rigorously scholarly book. I am fascinated by her clever, subtle wit - you'd think it would be hard to make a subject such as the dastardly story of economic globalization fun, but Juhasz does it. Interspersed with interesting bits of personal memoir (She was there at many historical moments), I have found the book very hard to put down. Her wry style is refreshing and makes for an intriguing, enlightening read.

Antonia Juhasz has articulated one of the most, if not the most, devastating critiques of the Bush Administration and the most recent invasion of Iraq. Where the Left has failed to present a coherent analysis that is easy to understand and grounded in history and anti-war activism, Ms. Juhasz has done just that. Her arguments are easy to comprehend and, most importantly, blistering and passionate. If you are a person that has grown tired of the grinding daily analysis of events in Iraq, buy this book. The focus is on the big picture, something the Bush Administration has quite successfully kept off the agenda.

Also, knowing that Ms. Juhasz is young and will be producing these sorts of critiques in the future is very heartening. She has created an analytical framework that will be useful for years to come. Hopefully she will keep churning out wrecking ball analyses like this one.

At the center of the Bush Agenda is the argument that free trade will bring freedom, peace, and prosperity to the world. Juhasz, however, believes that "free trade" is shorthand for a number of economic policies that expand the rights of multinational corporations and investors to operate in more locations under less regulations. The result is increased inequality both within and between nations.

IMF/World Bank loans have been used to force privatization of utilities, trade liberalization, "user fees" (eg. for health care, education, water, etc.), restricting local government ability to control prices and interest rates, and elimination of agricultural subsidies. The outcome, however, has been less than wonderful.

In 1970, when IMF and World Bank loans began in Zambia, life expectancy was 49.7 years - in '01 it was 33.4 (lowest in the world). In Russia's case, IMF rules led to a 50% reduction in average income within four years, and output decline of over 40% from '92-'98, and poverty rates soared from 2% to almost 50%. Argentina privatized, then saw the value of its currency rise -> uncompetitive exports, mass layoffs, and loss of health coverage.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the U.S. lost 3 million manufacturing jobs during NAFTA; meanwhile cheap, heavily subsidized U.S. agriculture flooded Mexico. NAFTA also stopped guaranteed land rights to indigenous people. Bottom Line: 1.5 million people were forced off their land and out of work, and the average real wages in Mexican manufacturing is now lower than pre-NAFTA.

General Garner was summarily fired in Iraq after disagreeing with many radical Bush administration proposals, such as privatization of Iraq's 192 state-owned companies - he argued that Iraqis should determine their own economic fate. Bremer, his replacement, then ordered all Baath party members holding any position in the top three layers of management in every government ministry and other government institutions (eg. universities and hospitals) removed - about 120,000. (Five months later he allowed case by case reviews.) He then dissolved the Iraqi army and intelligence services, forcing another 500,000 out of work, and into an environment of 50-70% unemployment. (Also antagonized their families - about 2.4 million total.) Bremer next suspended all tariffs, duties, etc. for goods entering or leaving Iraq - devastating local producers (U.S. subsidized wheat and rice producers benefited.) He then went on to stop subsidies, exempted Coalition forces and contractors from Iraqi laws and taxes, replaced Iraq's progressive tax with a flat tax, rewrote its patent, trademark, and copyright laws to ensure access and protections to foreign products, allowed foreign ownership of Iraqi firms and prohibited local preference laws, and allowed unrestricted repatriation of profits out of Iraq. Then U.S. contractors brought in a large number of Americans at much greater cost than hiring locals, further angering them. Finally, Bremer had final approval over all political candidates. And we wonder why they don't like us!

The author's recommendations focus on Iraq - get our army, consultants and contractors out, and cancel their debts.

Excellent material, easily readable.

I'm amazed that someone would call this book "rank idiocy", apparently without even bothering to read it, and then give it FOUR STARS. Oh well. Anyway, just to clarify these "myths", no where in this book does it ever say, or even imply that America planned a war on terror to "take over the world economies". Please, that is just plain juvenile. The book goes into great detail to explain the who, why, and where, of global economics. It reveals and explores the connections and relationships of many of the people who are now, or have in some way in the past been associated with the current Bush administration. There is nothing "mythical" about it. Heck, it's not even something a good researcher, which the author is, can't find plenty of evidence in support of the accusations in this book. And what are the accusations? Simply put, that powerful, well connected people, both in and out of government, along with the huge business they are involved with, are using the war on terror, and war in general, to further enrich themselves. This isn't something new, but it has evolved and morphed into something quite monstrous. This plays out in a myriad of ways which the author, again, goes into great detail to explain. The facts speak for themselves, and this book is nothing if not factual. Of course we know that facts don't have much appeal to a number of our fellow citizens, god bless their sweet innocent hearts. But for the more patriotic folks who believe it is our duty as citizens to be ever vigilant- as recommended by the founders- this is a very good book, one that should be read carefully, and absorbed fully. There is much consistency from the left these days as the covers are pulled back to reveal this sordid corruption the likes of which have never been seen in our lifetime. I do believe Americans are beginning to awaken, it's hard to sleep through the stench, and books like The Bush Agenda are a great contribution to that awakening. By all means get it, read it. Regardless of how you vote or who you support you owe it to yourself to become informed. We are living in tenuous times for those who truly value freedom and democracy.

Antonia should be contragulated on the occasion of the publication of this profoundly insightful book on a topic so critical to our dignity and international standing. Antonia has enlightened us in a typical Chomskian fashion and she should be encouraged to do more. This book is an inspiration to those of us who protested this war even before it began. No true American patriot can ignore this book and claim to be a patriot. The issues raised and discussed in this book will keep us engaged in activism for years on end. It is an invaluable contribution to our enlightenment. Contratulations!

Okay, there are a lot of books out there showing how Bush and Co. lied our way into the mess in Iraq, so why bother with this one. There's one good reason why. The author details a little noticed aspect of the American invasion, one that's slipped past the public's radar screen and is seldom mentioned by the talking heads. Namely, how corporate America has written itself into becoming the "legal" owner of Iraq's newly privatized economy. Sure, Iraqi politicians may now sit in the seats of government as we read about the Allawi's and Maliki's every day. But as Juhasz shows, these same Iraqi patriots and their constituents can kiss local ownership of the economy good-bye as a result of L. Paul Bremer's official diktats. Check out the steps by which this "market transformation" has been carried out. No, the invasion isn't merely about the much touted oil reserves, invaluable as they are; it's also about grabbing off the entire economy and setting up "free market" zones as a model for the whole region. Never mind that these agreements are hardly made between equals, as corporate America throws its three trillion dollar weight around. Never mind also, that these trade agreements seldom work for the average citizen, whose few protections are stripped away by a "climate" for foreign investment. Yes indeed, Iraq has been sold to the Halliburton's and Bechtel's of the world, wihile the Walmart's and others wait their rapacious turn. To see how it's being done, pick up the book.

If only 1/10 of "The Bu$h Agenda" is true, we all ought to be scared! Antonia Juhasz has written an incredible economic chronology on White House relations with the Mid-East and what we can expect in the future. It prompts an "I don't believe it" reaction again and again, page after page. Our involvement in Iraq, she says, is really is about an economics foreign policy that will ultimately result in MEFTA. [Remember "NAFTA"?] It's not a quick read as it is extraordinarily fact-filled, information-packed, and seems vastly credible in its perspective as to what the administration, big corporations and our military are up to. The book is not at all a politico hack-job on GWB & Co. but does provide clear answers to any questions the reader may have had about: "Why are we over there?" Every talk-show host would do well to have this book on his/her desk, carefully read it, and then take it up on the air. Five-star effort by Juhasz!

Disheartening and infuriating. Antonia's book is like spring water in a desert of deceit. Well-researched and compiled, it uncovers at the very least, the basics of the "master scheme." It is disheartening by the Truths it portrays, how deep they are embedded within our lives and the fatal consequences being felt by our world. The world is being ravaged by a select few greedy, soulless, power-hungry individuals. The Sons of Satan if you will, the essence of pure evil. Yet they are as "American as apple pie."


The text is also infuriating. Hopefully this analysis is not brushed aside but taken to heart and to the streets. The monster has grown to epic proportions and looms large over our heads, casting a shadow of hopelessness on the ordinary citizen. Just as well, MLK was an ordinary citizen who fought for Justice. Juhacz does not abandon hope. She has taken to the streets. We must join her. We must never give up. I have gone from being complacent in this American consumption-culture to shunning all of it and devoting my time in the fight for Justice. This book only urges me on.
Spread the Truth, arm each other with knowledge and take a stab at the beast each and every day. No action is miniscule; hand out books, put up flyers, distribute documentaries and films (ala Loose Change). Protest! Do no just stand witness to possibly the greatest atrocity in human history. "They" have the economic and military technology to put our planet on a crash course with the sun. We are all affected.

"If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all. And so today I still have a dream."