This book answers the fundamental conundrum of contemporary politics: Why do poor persons vote republican, thus ensuring that they will NEVER better their economic status? Why do they vote on "moral" values of treading on and oppressing the already oppressed, economically destroying the economically vulnerable and otherwise ending all prospects of economic progress for themselves?If you have ever been to Kansas, you realize how terribly it has been damaged by Republican ideas of "free markets" (no regulation for predatory capitalist thieves) and other insane ideas. I have only finished the first 3rd, and THOROUGHLY recommend it.BTW, anyone who discusses the book as "overly materialistic" has not read it, just the George Will trash.