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

Government is the problem; not the solution

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

Stossel's personal recollections on how he changed his mind on the role of government

What was one of the most memorable moments of No, They Can't?

What does John Stossel bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Thought provoking,but humerous.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

At first the book seems tongue in cheek, but when you think about what John is saying you say - wow

What was one of the most memorable moments of No, They Can't?

John's repeated demonstation of what govenment does and what they should not do - legally.

What does John Stossel bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

emotion - having the auther read is great

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

There are lots of tidbits and that is why I have not earase the book - must listen to again

I stand corrected...

Any additional comments?

I stand corrected...common sense is NOT dead, as I feared. John Stossel for President! He is more cognitively analytical than both of the Presidential candidates combined.

The case for a small government

Stossel's book successfully argues that our government (1) uses its power to force us to live according to the ideas of Washington Bureaucrats, (2) it takes on many jobs that the private sector does more efficiently and (3) does things, we can do ourselves. He backs his findings with great examples.

The most outrageous example is the FDA not allowing terminally ill patients to try new medications, because of possible side effects.

excellent read/or listen.

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

learning what is really happening in the government and all of their regulations.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

learning how the average American really thinks. it is hard to believe how many people ( what a large %)really think that government is the one to solve all our problems.

Have you listened to any of John Stossel’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no. But he did a good job.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

the whole book keep my ear glued to the speakers.

Any additional comments?

i think every American should listen to or read this book it is very interesting. Not sure I agree with every thing Mr. Stossel believes but pretty damn close.We just need government to protect our borders and police our cities. We don't need them in our schools and such.

Makes you rethink what you thought you knew

I am biased. I like John Stossel's news stories and his presentation. I don't always agree with his conclusions, but he is provacative and never boring. When I purchased this audio book, I bought it more fore entertainment than to be educated. I thought I already had a pretty good handle on the problems of government. However, Mr. Stossel raised a lot of points and issues I simply was not aware of. I still find it difficult to agree with his position on drugs because of the death and destruction it has caused, but he makes a lot of good points. Whether you are pro big-government or anti big-government, this audio book is sure to entertain, educate, and make you think. Two thumbs up.

Makes Free Market Economics Simple!

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

Stossel takes a complicated subject (economics) and simplifies it to a point that even a left wing Democrat can understand.
Warning: If you read this book, it will turn you into a believer in Free Markets and entrepreneurship.

Know both sides

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this to anyone who wants to know both sides of a situation facing our country today.

What was one of the most memorable moments of No, They Can't?

I like the way that John lays out both sides of an event and leaves it up to us to decide.

Which scene was your favorite?

The best part of this is how he relates his personal takes on events and situations that have occurred and how things are perceived by most people...and then what reality is!

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

I did not want to listen to it all in one sitting because it was so intriguing that I ended up taking a few notes...lol.

Any additional comments?

I recommend this book to anyone who wants to filter thru all the political bias and find out facts in a very entertaining and relaxing manner. John is not in your face or force any opinions; he simply lays out facts and has the reader make more informed decisions in their lives.

The best supported arguments on limited government

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

Stossel's book is a treasure trove of data and examples on the failings of government. He does this while remaining fairly apolitical. (Disclaimer - I would say that I'm libertarian. Hardcore conservatives or liberals might not agree with this claim.) It would be hard to argue with his data and logic on many of the topics. He is definitely not a shill for either political party.

I learned so much from this book. One of the things that I love about a book that covers historical moments is the ability to communicate the context of the time. I think Stossel does a pretty good job of setting the stage for what was commonly thought at the times that the different legislation was passed or public outcry was being expressed.

This is the best book on politics that I have read in a while. I think it bleeds over into Economics as well if you are interested in that subject. This subject matter is something that many Americans need to be thinking about as we continue down the rabbit hole of constant warfare, growing deficits, and expanding government.

Excellent book!

Stossel is one of the best at explaining the concepts of liberty in simple terms. Love him!!!