This is a review of two important books.
One is Nancy MacLean’s “Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right’s Stealth for America.”
The other is Gordon Lafer’s “The One Percent Solution: How Corporations Are Remaking America One State at a Time.”
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Sorry, off-topic, but here’s some disaster capitalism at its finest: https://theintercept.com/2018/01/25/harvards-endowment-is-profiting-from-puerto-rican-debt-as-the-islands-schools-face-crippling-cuts/
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Harvard and Yale: hedge funds and real estate development companies that happen to have higher education subsidiaries.
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To call this post a book review is to not do this justice. What you have written is so much more than a book review. It is a history lesson that details our socio-economic and political policies from the 1950’s to the present. This is a profound tale of our descent from collectivism to hyper-individualism. I urge everyone to read every word of Diane’s article as it outlines all the forces that have led us to where we are now without even referencing our current administration. Please share this review with other supporters of democracy and public institutions that may not have the time to read the books. I think anyone that works in government including representatives should read this post as well.
I am skeptical about conspiracy theories; however, the dots that you connect in this article lead directly to the Koch brothers. Other libertarian billionaires may have jumped on the bandwagon, but none of them can compare to the direct plan, organization and stealth of the Koch brothers. They are responsible for the funding that has created a network of conservative think tanks and foundations that work to suppress the role of the federal government, democratic input and the eventual destruction of our social safety nets. Paul Ryan, it was recently reported and confirmed by Snopes, has received $500,000 from the Koch Brothers after delivering the tax scam. I wonder what he will get if he delivers the social safety nets? The only forces that can stop this destructive snowball of runaway libertarianism are millions or irate citizens that cannot be brainwashed and show up to vote. This review is a must read!
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For those who don’t believe in conspiracy theory, there are these three extremely frightening words: Conservative Think Tank.
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I concur: “To call this post a book review is to not do this justice. What you have written is so much more than a book review. It is a history lesson that details our socio-economic and political policies from the 1950’s to the present.”
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Have been re-reading Zinn’s “A People’s History of the US” and since the beginning of this country, one can see the unbroken thread of the more things change the more they stay the same in regards to wealth, power and control.
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Read the review/discussion last week, it was really excellent.
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Bravo! Your review provides a great overview of the REAL “Deep State”… and it’s name is ALEC… and it’s face is the Koch brothers. Alas the “revolution of falling expectations” is working. My daughters who are in their 30s and 40s are both convinced there will not be enough money for them to benefit from social security or Medicare. That will only be true if the ethos promoted by the Koch brothers prevails… https://wp.me/p25b7q-23l
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Thank You Diane
The reason why this non educator follows your blog daily . The reason why I see the education wars as the main battle front in the assault on the American people.
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Fortunately I posted many pieces in advance but I am unlikely to post anything new until I am out of China. That’s why you are reading so many reruns because I didn’t want the blog to go dormant. In Vietnam and Cambodia I had no trouble writing new posts.
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