Common Sense Economics: What Everyone Should Know About Wealth and Prosperity Book

I've read several books on economics (outside of college Econ. 101 and 102), or, more specifically, the Fed., the current dominant money system, co-ops and alternatives to current money system, and so forth, but this is one everyone should read. Why? Here's the author to let you in on a secret:

"We are a nation of economic illiterates. As a result, we are easily misled by leaders who tell us of their good intentions--their passion to solve our problems. Our democracy puts voters in charge of choosing our policy makers, so the consequences of economic illiteracy can be disastrous."

Oh, yes, boys and girls we are in the midst of a perfect example of that "disastrous" result of economic illiteracy. The author tells us that if we want to avoid disaster and want this country to be economically prosperous, read on. But there's more. There's a micro to the macro. The author also states that by reading we will be able to make better decisions regarding our "consumption, savings, investments, career alternatives, and many other dimensions of personal decision making."

As an aside, this book falls in line perfectly with a pet peeve or mind about education in general. I bring this up because this book is now being read by many in school and college, and they are learning more about economics than from most the 'text books' they are assigned. Why are we teaching science and math (most of high school curriculum) to 100% of the population when only 5% of jobs are in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, math). The majority of kids can't even master their behavior nor do they have the necessary attitudes to achieve in the work force or the needed success principles amongst other things to not only survive but thrive. So our focus is on material that most don't want or will ever use in their careers? And our 'education' predominantly omits how to build a businesses when this country is founded in entrepreneurship; even its founders were some of the most effect entrepreneurs this country has ever knows (Ben Franklin rich by age 40 via selling his printing franchise to have more time for inventing and statesmanship--fortunately for us). Our kids don't even know how to do research or how to think independently, creatively, intuitively, never mind know the first thing about economics that will help them make informed decisions that will hopefully keep this country out of the crapper. Finally, this book will help them with their individual finances, which is essential when I see the majority of college kids cluelessly racking up debt in loans and credit cards to a future of indentured servitude. Oh, yes, Mr. Gwartney, we certainly do need this book. PeacE!