Leírás
Michael Moore has gained fame recently for his eye-opening documentary Bowling for Columbine and his attack on the Bush administration, Stupid White Men, but he has a long record of exposing folly and vested interests in the highest places. Downsize This, first published in 1997 is a scathing attack on American government and the fat-cat culture it hothouses. The 'downsizing' refers to the increasing numbers of workers being made redundant by the huge conglomerates. Moore demonstrates that the CEOs of America's top companies earn 212 times that of the average worker and highlights how much of their business success comes from 'downsizing'. His chapters are short and sassy, with titles such as 'Don't Vote - It Only Encourages Them' and 'Harrassing Gays for Extra Credit'. He pulls no punches and leaves no stone unturned, throwing a harsh spotlight on key American politicians such as Clinton, Gore, Gingrich and Dole and showing them and their policies up for what they are. Moore's thirst for truth is obvious and he has done meticulous research, talking to victims of 'downsizing' and hearing their firsthand accounts of its effects, which include poverty, homelessness, alcoholism and suicide. The sexism, racism and homophobia rife in American society is also brought into sharp focus along with certain hypocritical 'religious' value systems that increase rather than alleviate the injustice of modern American society. Moore is not anti-government or anti-establishment he strongly believes in fairness and opportunity for all. Many of his points are controversial but he puts them forward with intelligence, sensitivity and humour in a fluent, functional style that should appeal to everyone with an interest in politics and society in general. (Kirkus UK)
Szerző - Michael Moore