It’s Even Worse Than It Looks

By: Thomas E. Mann, Norman J. Ornstein

Narrated by: William Hughes

Length: 7 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's Summary

Hyperpartisanship has gridlocked the American government. Congress' approval ratings are at record lows, and both Democrats and Republicans are disgusted by the government's inability to get anything done. In It's Even Worse Than It Looks, Congressional scholars Thomas E. Mann and Norman J. Ornstein present a grim picture of how party polarization and tribal politics have led Congress - and the United States - to the brink of institutional failure.

In this revised edition, the authors bring their seminal book up to date in a political environment that is more divided than ever. The underlying dynamics of the situation - extremist Republicans holding government hostage to their own ideological, antigovernment beliefs - have only gotten worse, further bolstering their argument that Republicans are not merely ideologically different from Democrats, but engaged in a unique form of politics that undermines the system itself. Without a fundamental change in the character and course of the Republican Party, we may have a long way to go before we hit rock bottom.

©2016 Thomas E. Mann & Norman J. Ornstein (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Great book!

This is an important book that should serve as a wake up call to all of us.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Obama era drama

detailed reporting on the Washington hyper drama with a partisan slant. Sure the R's have grosser style but the goal of both parties is the same and that is to keep the votes that they buy. They have different styles and the media which is the arena that exists only to drive a consumer economy will exploit any and all drama and at the same time worship ceaselessly any and all power which includes any high office. Exploiting negative emotion seems to be an arena that is left to the R's because in our society (especially with Obama in the White House) negative emotions from the working class or any complaining from lower-middle class is actually quite taboo in mainstream media. We're supposed to be living the American dream, everybody get's their own home.

It's even worse than they say

You left out a lot. Some of the most egregious actors are the media. News outlets like the New York Times and MSNBC have profound effects and they have essentially become tools of the corporations who own them to strategically influence politicians and the public. this is a major part of the story that you completely ignore. I I feel like it's a crucial part of both the agreement and the explanation.

3 of 17 people found this review helpful