No, They Can't

Why Government Fails - But Individuals Succeed

By: John Stossel

Narrated by: John Stossel

Length: 9 hrs and 14 mins

Publisher's summary

The government is not a neutral arbiter of truth. It never has been. It never will be. Doubt everything. John Stossel does. A self-described skeptic, he has dismantled society's sacred cows with unerring common sense. Now he debunks the most sacred of them all: our intuition and belief that government can solve our problems. In No, They Can't, the New York Times best-selling author and Fox News commentator insists that we discard that idea of the "perfect" government - left or right - and retrain our brain to look only at the facts, to rethink our lives as independent individuals -and fast.

With characteristic tenacity, John Stossel outlines and exposes the fallacies and facts of the most pressing issues of today's social and political climate - and shows how our intuitions about them are, frankly, wrong:

• The unreliable marriage between big business, the media, and unions
• The myth of tax breaks and the ignorance of their advocates
• Why "central planners" never create more jobs and how government never really will
• Why free trade works - without government interference
• Federal regulations and the trouble they create for consumers
• The harm caused to the disabled by government protection of the disabled
• The problems (social and economic) generated by minimum-wage laws
• The destructive daydreams of "health insurance for everyone"
• Bad food vs. good food and the government
• Intrusive, unwelcome nanny sensibilities
• The dumbing down of public education and teachers' unions
• How gun control actually increases crime

. . . and more myth-busting realities of why the American people must wrest our lives back from a government stranglehold.

Stossel also reveals how his unyielding desire to educate the public with the truth caused an irreparable rift with ABC (nobody wanted to hear the point-by-point facts of ObamaCare), and why he left his long-running stint for a new, uncensored forum with Fox. He lays out his ideas for education innovation as well and, finally, makes it perfectly clear why government action is the least effective and desirable fantasy to hang on to. As Stossel says, it’s not about electing the right people. It’s about narrowing responsibilities. No, They Can't is an irrefutable first step toward that goal.

©2012 JFS Productions, Inc. (P)2012 Simon & Schuster

Freedom to speak

If you could sum up No, They Can't in three words, what would they be?

Government Hinders Enterprise

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Proof and examples of an overreaching system

What about John Stossel’s performance did you like?

He continues to report and summarize in his own style without vindictive platitudes.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

We are bankrupting this country

Any additional comments?

Keep them scared John!!

Excellent!

Common sense approaches to our country's problems in a well presented manner. Stossel's narration is excellent!

No, they really can't!

What did you love best about No, They Can't?

John Stossel puts forth logical, persuasive arguments supported by fact. Over and over he documents another case where big government fails and the private sector succeeds. He provides concrete examples of government failures and contrasts that with similar issues that were successfully solved by the private business.

What about John Stossel’s performance did you like?

Mr. Stossel has a voice you either love or hate. I love it, I could just listen to him talk for hours (and have). There's something about his presentation style that just holds my attention. I listened to the book in one day, something I rarely do.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both. I laughed at many of the stories, but wanted to cry, or more accurately scream in rage, at the obscene blunders made by government.

Any additional comments?

John Stossel is very open about the fact he is a Libertarian. So right off the bat you know where he comes from. If you are a die hard lefty or righty you'll probably just get mad. But if you are "in the middle", please give this book a read. It will open your eyes to many of the deceitful practices being foisted upon you by both government and the media.

THANK YOU JOHN!!!

No, And Leave Us Alone!

This is so right on...every voter should read this prior to his or her vote. I do fear Stossel is spitting into the wind, however, for the government will never relenquish their power or leave us alone.

Red pill

So much common sense! Look at data when available rather than trusting intuition. The country could be so much better if these principles that Stossel advocates were accepted.

Spectacular

Where does No, They Can't rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I love this book. I thought it was insightful, quick to understand, easy to grasp and yet indepth and intriguing. I enjoy Stossel's writing and reading style. I think most people will love this book.

Another hit for John Stossel

Would you listen to No, They Can't again? Why?

Yes, it's very refreshing. Best book I listened to so far this year.

What other book might you compare No, They Can't to and why?

Give me a break, Myths, lies, and downrigh stupidity.

What about John Stossel’s performance did you like?

Tell it the way it is.

If you could give No, They Can't a new subtitle, what would it be?

it's perfect the way it is.

Any additional comments?

I realized that more of us are libertarian than we know.

Makes so much sense, you'll want more

What did you love best about No, They Can't?

Made me want to learn about Libertarianism.

What other book might you compare No, They Can't to and why?

My next book was "Liberty Defined" by Ron Paul, then "Free to Choose," by Milton & Rose Friedman.

Which character – as performed by John Stossel – was your favorite?

Very easy listen, very entertaining.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Nothing

Any additional comments?

I loved this audiobook and highly recommend it.

Classical liberal case for limited government!

John Stossel does not make the academic libertarian/classical liberal case for limited government that Hayek, Mises, and Friedman make. Stossel makes the practical case using everyday examples. His book is a good practical complement to the works of the academics. That makes No, They Can't a must listen audiobook. I first listened to this book 4 years ago and it is worth listening to again and again.

What you should know

Where does No, They Can't rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The most interesting and informative. Presented in a clear and concise manner. Also, it was not boring.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The facts that were presented.

Which scene was your favorite?

Not applicable

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, I preferred to mull the information. This was not an action adventure.