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

What a waste of money our government has become!

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

THe truth , but it really hurts to hear how bad our country has become.

What did you like best about this story?

Real life examples.

What about John Stossel’s performance did you like?

He's a great speaker, as is known by many from his tv performances.

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

Just upset about the realities of how corrupt our government has become.

Any additional comments?

No

Excellent work from a man I greatly admire

Would you consider the audio edition of No, They Can't to be better than the print version?

Normally I think books are better when read and not listened to, and I only use audiobooks because it's something to do while driving the car. But in this case yes, I completely reccomend listening to it because John Stossel narrates it himself, and he has a great style of speaking and emphasis that I think is unmatched in anywhere in network television today.

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

The part where he brought up the interesting statistic where 95% of workers in America today are paid above the minimum wage, emphasizing the uselessness of such job killing regulations.

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

Actually no. Even though I should be furious in rage at what the federal government is doing to this country, John has a peaceful and open minded approach to all of the issues he brings up, and it has a way of comforting you to know that the truth will win in the end.

Any additional comments?

I can't reccomend this enough. Five stars, if you're reading this review then buy this one now.

Makes sense

As a person who never took an economics class, this book really puts everything into perspective. It was a great introduction to economics. The book peaked my interest in economics, and now I’ve continue to research the subject.

Interesting Libertarian view of the country

John Stossel may or may not be your favorite TV personality but this book is thought provoking. The book is written around a simple formula "common sense says...." but "experience has told me".

Good Listen

Anti fear

If you want to stay afraid and paranoid don't read this book. If you're tired of hoaxes and being lied to you'll be very happy.

Love his honesty

Stossel is a great narrorator, he is great to listen & learn from. I appreciate his honesty when he clearly states when he does & doesn't know something, and when he identifies his own limitations. If only more broadcasters would be so honest.

Wow..

I really liked how he explained everything so cut and dry. His arguments are interesting and factual.

Informative and makes good sense

A great Libertarian read! Everyone who has an open mind for true solutions in making a better world to live in will find an intellectual home in this book.

I Love Stossel

I may be a bit biased, I certainly appreciate Stossel's perspective as I agree with it.
However I think that he explains his positions well. Che concepts that both major parties both fight to grow government and restrict people in different ways.

Super!

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

Stossel is great. He professes to be a stutterer! He's one of the best readers out there! The content and the quality of the delivery can't be beat!

What did you like best about this story?

It's dead on. I wish everyone would read this book!

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

I have not chosen any of Stossel's other audio titles, but I shall shortly remedy that.