We The People Are The Problem: How Americans Betrayed America

Peter Magistrale’s book “We the People are the Problem” is an enigmatic, polemical diatribe concerning the lack of civic duty and responsibility on the part of the American people, which he describes as mindless consumers who have failed to adequately educate themselves and take a responsible role in their citizen obligation to maintain and restore the nation. Although most of the informed populace would agree that a large portion of the US population is undereducated, self-obsessed, and lacking civic commitment, many would differ with the reasons for this decline. Although the book is polemical, at times it seems somewhat simplistic and superficial. The book seems non-partisan in that it is sometimes difficult to tell whether the author is on the right or left, as he criticizes both sides of the spectrum.The author seems to place most of the blame on the public schools, which he says have intentionally dumbed down the citizenry to make it easier for elites to control them. I, for one, would disagree with this analysis, at least in part. Although public schools are not geared toward a creative or self-directed learning experience that create graduates capable of thinking independently and questioning the status quo, they are not necessarily hotbeds of conformity and know nothingness. And there are other sources far more destructive to the spirit of independent educational thriving than public schools. Institutions such as Fox News and most conservative media, anti-science religionists, prosperity theology preachers, Q’Anon, oil company executives, and partisan political organizations are far more instrumental in the process of spreading misinformation, lies, and conspiracy theories. While vehemently blaming public schools, the book doesn’t even mention private or religious schools, which are likely to be far more restrictive and doctrinaire than public schools. Magistrale says the elite controls society, and he is right about that, but doesn’t define elite or tell us who this elite actually is. Nevertheless, despite some disagreement with certain points of the book, there is much to be appreciated within. Consider this enlightening kernel of truth and realism: “President Bush and many in the Bush Administration are war criminals empowered by American ignorance and blind patriotism. It is that persistent public ignorance that time and time again enables high crimes.” (Page 40)Consider further these fine points: “A society cannot be free with propaganda in its midst. There is a psychological war going on in which the American psyche is the battlefield, and propaganda is the weapon. Propaganda is the use of deceptive and manipulative communication techniques that utilize extensive psychological knowledge to brainwash an individual. It acts like a Trojan horse on the mind. It is so effective because it bypasses the rational aspect of the human psyche and exploits the irrational aspect, turning people into robots who will obey the commands of their unseen masters.” (Page 41)Still more candid truthfulness: “What good is democracy if a small group of powerful interests can use propaganda to control public opinion, and, therefore public policy?” (Page 44) “There’s a reason why our society works for the sole benefit of the American aristocracy: an oligarchy has conquered America.” (Page 45) “Wealth does not give one the right to rule. We are ruled by the rich, which is a disgrace to the millions who died to stop foreign domination of our nation. Instead, we have succumbed to traitors from within – traitors who embody the ethos of Julius Caesar: wealth over duty.” (page 45) “We must protect our republic from the unenlightened wealthy. We know from the 1953 Congressional investigations by the Reece Committee on tax-exempt foundations that there was evidence that numerous charitable foundations created by wealthy Americans were funding ideas and practices contrary to the U.S. Constitution.” (Page 46) The crimes of the unenlightened wealthy have had extraordinary consequences on their fellow Americans and have led to a palpable decline in the quality of our society.” (Page 65) “If America is to experience an enlightened rebirth the wealthy will need to be held accountable for these crimes and finally adopt a sense of civic duty.” (Page 69)These well-stated passages have relevance for today, especially in light of Trumpism: “The middle class of America and the middle class in Caesar’s day were cut from the same cloth. They weakened their country by seeking entertainment instead of truth and comfort instead of self-improvement. A republic is doomed to die if its people are this debased. The middle class’s profound ignorance on all matters of politics enables the election of corrupt politicians, encouraging the looting by the nation’s wealthy, and empowers criminals to stay in power.” “The combination of destroying critical thinking through public school with propaganda from the mainstream media has created a population of ignorant citizens who have repeatedly shown their inadequacy in judging politicians and public affairs.” (Page 72)“Ignorant citizens do far greater damage to our society than any terrorist. They vote for selfish, corrupt, and ignorant leaders. These leaders then have access to the world’s most powerful military, spying apparatus, and hundreds of billions of dollars in federal tax revenue.” (Page 82) Tyrants rise when the quality of the citizenry drops to a hopeless level. The decay of our society reflects our decay as citizens.” (Page 87)“In the end, the middle class is responsible for electing the criminals that run America, supporting a soulless consumer culture, and betraying the foundational principles of our republic, but all this can change if the middle class adopts a more enlightened value system and lives up to their civic duty.” (Page 103)Will the American people choose a right-wing or left-wing dictator? Magistrale believes the far-right option is most likely because “the far-right fascist offers simple solutions that are often us vs. them, a fictional polarization to garner support for extreme action. This is also natural since people are accustomed to religiously supporting their favorite sports teams and would naturally throw their blind loyalty behind a strong man figure.” (Page 72)There is much to be appreciated in these pages, with many truths, facts, and bits of wisdom to be partaken. All in all, this book is a good read and, with its’ unique perspective, is worth the time and effort.

This book started out with great promise. The author seemed to be taking a middle of the political spectrum approach to advocating for critical thinking and seeking the truth. And while I agree with many of his points throughout the treatise I have to report that he does goes down the familiar rabbit hole with conspiracy theory and the blame game several times. Are we, the citizens, responsible for the mess this country is in. Most definitely yes.Did the government of G W Bush bring down the twin towers and number 7 with demolition bombs? I continued reading despite this conspiracy theory.Are our public schools void of any practical contribution to society? Nothing more than a way for the elite to condition the populist into mindless consumers and easily controlled surfs. Interesting, not to many years ago we had the most educated citizenry in the world, and we used it to develop the computer, conquer many diseases and put men on the moon. If our education system has been a failure since its inceptions how did we develop great Americans like Steve Jobs, Warren Buffit and Ruth Bater Ginsburb to name a few? While there are faults in our education system our country continues to need a standardized system that teaches language, history, math and science. The author suggests that we no longer control our education system. I have seen with my own eyes local school boards being overrun by angry parents whipped into a frenzy by statements like this; demanding that subject matter that is not and has never been taught, not be taught. And it is working. Teachers can no longer teach factual history. Will students be exposed to information that they may never need in their life. Most likely, but what does it hurt if they are exposed to it, even if only for knowing it is not needed in their chosen career? Knowing more than one needs is not unenlightening.I have to say I agree more with the author when it comes to the media, but he doesn’t offer a common sense solution for runaway disinformation, he paints the entire media with the same brush and seems to suggest we stop listening to media altogether. Not a conducive solution for developing an enlightened citizenry. Should we hold media accountable for the misinformation and shut down those that are nothing more than propaganda? Sounds great but we would need SCOTUS to throw out the rest of the 1st amendment.I would recommend this book, if for no other reason than to practice your critical thinking skills. Much of what he has to say is on point once you get past the twin towers and that public education should be scrapped stuff. I agree with his list of important lessons (adding one, question everything) in the Ruler’s Education section. And I especially like his ideas on being taxed on your knowledge of, or lack of, civics, but then we fought hard to eliminate the poll tax and this would be a defacto return to it. We have lost sight of the importance of fact checking, using critical thinking, thinking for ourselves and teaching our children to, standing up to the far extremes of either side and educating ourselves in history, civics, and developing just plain common sense. The education should teach the basics, we as parents and citizens need to teach ourselves and our children what the schools cannot. Sadly, I fear the author is preaching to the choir.

This was a painful look at our reflection in a worldly mirror. We as citizens are not informed on civil discourse, and the author gives great examples (facts) of collapsed societies when the citizens become sheep and fodder. I liked some novel solutions he gave for civics class and taxes but I was a little taken aback by the authors disdain for a school system that is under siege by every privateer in the country.

If you believe in personal responsibility and free-thinking, this might be the book for you. The tough love the modern World might need right now.

I thought this book would deal with the need for greater voter engagement, but it instead spoke of deep conspiracies, especially claiming 9/11 was an inside job. Adolescent writing, pseudo analysis of history and philosophy, sophomoric thought processes gives a pretty appalling book. I want my reading time refunded.

20 odd pages in and I have given up. Great theory about the purpose of the education system but it doesn't hold up. Millions of Americans are now homeschooling their kids and have been for the last twenty years. This should have created a whole generation of free thinkers (they are currently "doing their own research"). There are other countries where the education system consciously attempts to create equality. The French favour maths because it doesn't require middle class parents with rich cultural lives to excel at it.Sorry, don't buy his theory about education and it turned me off reading the rest.

worth a read. useful historical references. i am not in full agreement on his view of how people should live their life (no lazy activities) but he is right on howmpeople should care more about their civic duties and be more educated