Customer Reviews

Downsize This!

5 star:		(75)
4 star:		(25)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(22)

 

 

This book is hilarious. I particularly like the chapter where he tries to get Bob Dornan commited, a riot. This book is a bit dated by now, but most of it still applies, unfortunately. His writing on corporate welfare and the way our government gives out 'payoffs for layoffs' to rich corporations is on point. Nothing has changed.

Moore sticks it to democrats and republicans in this book, (he opts for the term "republicrats") but his brand of humor and truth really seems to get on conservatives' last nerve. ...which is all the better.

You can see some of their silly reactionary replies here. Like Ryan Setliff from Lynchburg, VA who titles his review "For those who think a Job is a Right." He says: "They hold to a Marxist view that a job and economic security is an inherent right." Well, what's so humorous about this is not only the idea that Ryan would seemingly rather live in a country where the people can't get jobs and are economically insecure, but that it turns out that a job and economic security *ARE* actually basic and fundamental human rights.

Under the leadership of Eleanor Roosevelt, The "Universal Declaration of Human Rights" was adopted by the United Nations in 1948 and ratified by the United States. This document is basically the standard on which basic human rights are measured throughout the world, and it declares what we as individuals, and our governments, shall strive for in the modern world. Let's take a look at Article 23 of the UDHR shall we?:

(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.

(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.

(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.

(4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

Well, it seems that "Everyone has the right to work". :-D
Ryan is obviously full of [it]. The right to a job and economic security *ARE* in fact basic human rights, as is the right to organize in unions.

Now, let's look at Article 25...:

(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

Man, Ryan's probably boiling while reading this. ...but I bet he'd kill or mame to protect this one:

Article 17:
(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.

Yep, those others are all [garbage], but this one is right on. Nobody better touch my stuff!

...I read the book I laughed. I read these spastic sputtering reviews, I laughed again. Do the same!

Josh

pa·tri·ot·ic (ptr-tk) adj. --- Feeling, expressing, or inspired by love for one's country.

source: The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition - Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Look it up in any dictionary and you will get a similar definition. Notice it doesn't say anything about staying silent and never openly showing dissent towards your government. That's because our country was founded on the belief that we have the freedom of expression along with other freedoms...

Anyway, for those who actually want to READ the book, here are some of my thoughts on it.

Michael Moore, for those unfamiliar, is a one of todays most outspoken mainstream progressives. A die-hard supporter of Nader and the Green party, Moore is most well known for TV Nation and the indie movie "Roger and Me."

In "Downsize This," Moore takes on the both Democrats and Republicans in hilarious essays that will make you laugh while you growing angry. He also takes on that bane of Democracy: Large, rich corporations.

The best essay in the book is "Would Pat Buchanan Take a Check From Satan?" In it, Moore takes an old political trick from Buchanan's days with Nixon and uses it against Mr. Buchanan. According to Moore, Buchanan cashed checks from "The John Wayne Gacy Fan Club," (famous serial killer) and "Abortionists for Buchanan." Pat still hasn't cashed the Satan one yet.

Look for Moore's new book - "Stupid White Men...." It was nearly banned and destroyed because he dared criticize the President.

Micahel Moore's book Downsize This! shows the aspects of stupidity in American society. In the political spectrum, he is a liberal, but he is not quick to judge like other documents written by liberals and conservatives alike. Instead, he obviously does a ton of research and observes the patterns of politics and big business. He manages to pojnt out the shocking similarities between the Republican Party and the Democratic Party, and denounces both of them as alike, and givespretty good reasons on why half the population doesn't take part in presidential elections. His views on abortion, though comical in some sense, surprisingly make a lot of sense

Along with a satirical sense of honesty, Moore also throws in some very humorous commentary, like new and improved ways to vote for the President, and several jabs at certain politicians and corporations, especially a certain corporation he attacked in his documentary Roger and Me.

To read this book, an open mind is recommended. Moore's sharp wit and sense of being accurate, in most cases, may be too much for some to handle. This is obviously not a book for everyone, though I know many detractors and admirers on all sides of the political spectrum.

I was ill in bed and my wife bought Downsize this to cheer me up. I read it in less than a day. The book is hilarious, and Michael Moore has his facts right. His thesis throughout the book, and indeed throughout his early production, is that big corporations must stop accept government money and then fire most of their workforceto increase their already immense profits. He connects corporate greed to racism and corrupt politicians. His piece on congressman Robert Dornan is just superb! For me as a European this open corruption and greed in politicians in the USA is strange. Of course our politicians also lie and are corrupt, but they are a bit more discrete about it. And many of them are caught and forced to resign. We do not have this worship of Big Business.
At times the book becomes a bit rambling, but I can forgive that.
I hope more people will read and understand this book, and then go out and vote.

Like most political satires and/or commentaries, those who agree with the author's point of view will generally enjoy this funny little book. Moore exposes the corporate crimes and hypocrisy that take place in this country, but is by no means against Corporations in general or the virtues of making a profit. He just feels that corporations have gotten completely unreasonable by firing thousands of employees while profits are at a peak and leaving cities after receiving tax breaks as an incentive for staying.

The picture of the Federal building bombed in Oklahoma City is placed next to the picture of a condemned factory in Flint, Michigan after GM pulled out. The pictures are nearly identical and the imagery is extremely powerful. What exactly is terrorism, Moore asks?

Many will disagree with Moore's opinions and some will be offended by certain things in this book, especially the chapter dealing with the L.A. Riots and the O.J. Simpson case. However, I do think it's worth a read, even if you disagree, if only to reinforce your views.

Read this book! You probably won't agree with everything that Moore says - I didn't - but that's because it is at times (as many other one-star reviewers seemed to have missed) as satire as much as it is social criticism. Reasons to read: 1. Moore lives to upset the apple cart - gaurenteed to make you think 2. I love a man who admits to lusting after Mrs. Clinton 3. Damn funny 4. Educational. Moore the documentarian goes to work explaining how corporate welfare works, how what the average multimillionare celebrity spends his day, and in the most amazing chapter how political bigwig Bob Dornan is absolutely freakin' nuts (yes, Dornan is the guy who rallied against abortion but took his own wife to get one - and that isn't even the tip of the iceburg on this guy's irrationality and egotism and, well, nuttiness.) 5. Damn funny. Or did I already say that one? I had so much fun with this that I rented "Roger and Me" - which, like this book, is hilarious and real. 6. Moore is one of the few working authors today not absolutely brainwashed by wealthy and powerful.

Keep fightin' for the people, Mike!

Now, I have always fancied myself as a right swinging Democrat, so this book was quite a bit to the left of my personal beliefs. But I have to say, this man can communicate his point. His antics and his rants are all well read and educated when it comes to the issues in which he speaks. There is nothing this man won't do to make his point.

Michael Moore, the man who brought us "Roger and Me," brings to this book a passion for the American Citizen and the American worker that is second to none. His ideas are a bit extreme, but he really hits home with the points. From calling Nelson Mandela to end the "American Apartheid" brought forth by the fact that racism is still a major problem here, to sending campaign contribution checks to Pat Buchanan from the "Abortionists for Buchanan" PAC to prove that no matter who gives money to politicians, and no matter how much a politician says that they are against what the PAC stands for, they will take the money (Pictures of the checks and the endorsements are all pictured in the book)

Overall this book is about the general abuse the American worker has endured as a result of Corporate America, and its never-ending pursuit of the dollar. He makes constant reference to a multitude of American companies that announce enormous profits and then layoff considerable numbers of workers. He denounces the concept of corporate welfare as it amounts to three times the value of all social welfare programs combined.

I guess what I didn't like about the book was the extreme stances. The book definitely had some socialist overtones. I don't have a problem with the concepts but I do not always like how much the means will cost for the ends. . . .

Overall, this is a good book. If you do not have a left-swinging bone in your body, do not bother with this book unless you are checking up on what the opposition thinks. You will be offended. If you like good satire, or have ever been downsized, this book is for you.

epc

Regardless of whether you're liberal, conservative, centrist, or nonpolitical, you must agree that this book is hilarious. How can you not laugh when Pat Buchanan, America's self-proclaimed moral crusader, accepts a campaign check from the John Wayne Gacy Fan Club? Or when Moore suggests that we forget about Senators and simply vote for our favorite lobbyists?

Moore guides us through the landscape of the American political and economic system, with one chapter devoted to each major issue. Although he maintains the humorous tone throughout the book, he also presents plenty of solid information of the sort that you won't hear about in the "mainstream" media. For instance, in one chapter he lists the gigantic government handouts that have been given to America's multi-billionaire "corporate welfare mothers". Moore is at his best when skewering the hypocrisy of conservative corporatists (i.e. those who brag about their patriotism while sending our jobs to Mexico.)

Most readers, like myself, probably don't share all of Michael Moore's political beliefs. This book is definitely left wing, but still will appeal to almost anyone. It crosses political lines by relying on one thing that will be accepted by all: humor.

Moore attacks a wide group of companies, issues, and people, but not maliciously, but more humorously. Don't let that fool you though, his attacks are not light hearted. He goes after GM, Robert Dornan, Germany, and both political parties in a manner that is shocking by its humor and its truthfulness.

Moore doesn't claim to be a great writer, but his writing style reflects the way is - common, and easy to understand. This makes this book not only funny, but very readable as well.

Though pretty short, it's hilarious, original, and even provides some humorous pictures, mock trading cards, and mock articles. Check this book out and you'll most likely enjoy it, no matter what your political affiliation is.

I love Michael Moore. I do not agree with every position that he takes in this book (or his films) as I am not a political party. I am a person...my own person. I am not a "liberal", nor am I a "conservative", yet I certainly believe in selected viewpoints proposed by both sides. For those of us who are our own persons, (and I, perhaps naively so, wish to believe constitute the majority of Americans) this book will neither completely enthrall or completely offend. For the rest of you, liberal and conservative alike, you get exactly what you deserve. This man obviously has what a lot of extremists in this country do not...a compassionate heart, despite a few flaws in his thinking (who among us has no flaws). As for the one star ratings (rantings) in this list, I suspect that they are offered by those who have never and expect never to see minimum wage in their lives, except perhaps when they pay their employees. By the way...those liberals who would wish to own Michael Moore as one of their own, I feel that you are missing the point. In "The Big One" he points out that both Clinton and Dole were non-choices of the common man.