Pigs at the Trough: How Corporate Greed and Political Corruption Are Undermining America

I had heard of this book, and 'on a lark' bought it. Reading this was a real educational event. EVERY AMERICAN should read this.Mrs. Huffington, gives names of CEO's that have been convicted, ones investigated, outlines what they did to amass their fortunes. Mrs. Huffington (who is a Rhodes Scholar), explains corrupt methods, used by many of these CEO's, in a such plain terms, anyone should be able to understand.How did you lose your 401K, you pension, why did your job go overseas? Let me quote from the excellent book:[quote] "Since the beginning of the new century [2000], over 570 public companies--including most famously Enron, Global Crossing, Adelphia, WorldCom and Kmart--have declared bankruptcy." "Nearly $9 trillion in market value has been lost on Wall Street. But while the average American has suffered staggering losses in 401(k) and pension value, and many have struggled to stay afloat, the average CEO has added millions to his personal wealth. In corporate America, apparently, nothing succeeds like utter failure." "At Enron, after tens of billions of dollars vanished--including over $1 billion in employees' pension funds---and over 4,000 employees had been laid off, Enron's "Kenny Boy" Lay strolled out the door with over $100 million." " In his last three years at Tyco, Dennis Kozolwski received $466.7 million in salary, bonuses, and perks. He did such a bang-up job that since the summer of 2001, Tyco has closed or consolidated 300 plants and laid off 11,000 workers." "When Bernie Ebbers resigned from WorldCom--claiming he didn't understand that WorldCom was defrauding investors of $7 billion--and received over $44 million in pay; His severance package promised him $1.5 million a year for the rest of his life, and the use of the WorldCom jet for 30 hours a year. And medical benefits. And life insurance. And a desktop computer." Source-"Pigs At The Trough"-Arianna Huffington;copyright-2003; ISBN 1-4000-4771-4;-page-38-9Do you wonder why the price of prescription drugs remain high?[quote] "The pharmaceutical industry spent a whopping $177 million on lobbying in just the last two years. And of their 623 registered lobbyists, more than half are former members of Congress or former government employees. Which is nice, because if you're a young politician selling off your vote and your integrity, it's easier if there's a seasoned veteran involved who was once in your shoes." "Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was formerly CEO of drug giant G.D. Searle, and White House Budget Director Mitch Daniels was a senior vice president at Eli Lilly." Source-"Pigs At The Trough"-Arianna Huffington;copyright-2003; ISBN 1-4000-4771-4;Page-139Everyone should read this book.

I just read "Pigs" on a cross country flight. I thought it was an excellent analysis of how the U.S. government no longer functions as a democracy. It works like a radio station payola scheme. Inbred corporate directors steal money from investors and workers by giving each other outrageous amounts of money despite poor performance. Some politicians try to pass laws against these abuses, but these corporate govenors fund election campaigns making it impossible to change the system. Huffington lays out the issues that need to be addressed in order to correct these problems and gives out information on groups working to fix these issues. I find the attack of this being a communist book to be [silly]. Huffington shows ways to make us back into a democracy where our vote counts and competition is fair. Corporate welfare is a form of communism if you ask me. In regard to the cliches. Huffington uses the same wit that you could see on the Daily Show, or Politically Incorrect. This isn't a masterpiece, but it is a very accessible and useable guide to how our government currently works.

With exemplary credentials, Ms. Huffington amply documents an American ruling establishment out of control in its self-serving purpose and stifling greed. Her stunning allegations are made all the more horrific by her careful, irrefutable documentation of facts. This book powerfully calls out for a response: our great democracy is at risk. Are we willing to take the actions necessary to salvage it?

The prosecutors trying the corporate crooks should follow this book for their pitch to the juries. This books gives the best clear explanation of how extreme corporte greed along with political corruption has damaged our country worse than its enemies could. Everyone should read it and then vote angry!

Ms. Huffington is a God-send to a stunned, manipulated and often apathetic nation. Like maverick Senator John McCain she is trying valiantly to warn us to come to our senses before it is too late. I've heard she plans a college tour: PLEASE GO! Perhaps this next generation will do what the latest has so badly failed to do: clean up the corruption in Washington and on Wall Street, so that the rest of us get a fair shake. This woman deserves admiration and support for sharing what she has seen first hand. I admire her.