The encroachment Book

In many ways, this is a significant book with many good ideas. And I agree with most of what the author says.

But I gave the book only three stars, mainly because it seems to contain wishful thinking for the most part. In the ten years since its publication, the nation has moved toward strengthening the corporate aristocracy, not dethroning it.

The kind of revolution Kelly talks about may occur sometime, but probably not during my lifetime (which may be less than twenty years) or even during the lifetime of my children. Maybe my grandchildren will see the changes she calls for. But maybe not.

In spite of my mediocre rating, I recommend the reading of this book. Even if much of what she says about solutions are "pipe dreams," still it is important to consider well Kelly's analysis of the current economic situation in the U.S. (and the rest of the "developed" world).

The whole point of the book is that just as in the past European society eradicated the idea of the divine right of kings, so now we need to get rid of the idea of the divine right of capital.

Further, just as the Western world has moved to political democracy, now there must be a move toward economic democracy.

I certainly would like to see ratification of her proposed constitutional amendment: "Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged on account of race, sex, or wealth" (pp. 168-9).

But, again, the chances of such an amendment being adopted and enforced are slim indeed.