Synopsis
REASON is a passionate and urgent statement about liberalism: what it is, the measure of its importance for America, and how it can return to the forefront of American politics. Reich sees the radical conservatism that has taken over the public agenda---the desire to fight unilateral "preemptive" wars, to stifle dissent and restrict civil liberties, to shower the rich with tax breaks and cut social services---as dangerous for both America and the world. He argues convincingly that the tenets of the liberal tradition must be a part of our national governance. He makes clear that radical conservatives have ascended in part because of an efficient infrastructure and a political organization driven by big money, and shock troops of mediagenic personalities. He explains how liberals can begin to reascend the political ladder by reclaiming the courage of their convictions, and finding powerfully effective ways to minimize the abuse of wealth and power in our political system.
The New York Times - Ted Widmer
Mr. Reich explodes a number of fallacies on the left (that manufacturing jobs can be saved) and the right (that tax cuts and trickle-down economics reach poor people). Beyond his political acumen, he is a gifted moralist, and some of his best sections argue against the double standard of conservatives who voice exaggerated moral outrage over selective issues like gay marriage but never speak out on corporate corruption, insane C.E.O. salaries and the politics of personal destruction.