LIES THE GOVERNMENT TOLD YOU

Myths, Power, and Deception in American History

 

by Judge Andrew P. Napolitano

 

Most us are taught to trust the history books our government schools use in all levels of education.  We tend to forget, To the victor belong the spoils of war. In 17 chapters, covering myriad issues, Libertarian former federal judge Andrew P. Napolitano reveals facts not widely published, exposing the ugly under belly of American history.  Let’s take a couple of samples to see if you or I have been lied to.  In doing this, it is important that the reader be willing to honestly examine his own presuppositions, rather than rest in what is held at truth but not tested.  You may be surprised.

 

Lie #1 is “All Men are Created Equal”.  I pick a nit with the author here (and chapter 2), as this is not a lie, it’s merely a Truth that has been corrupted by humans.  In making the argument that our federal government does not treat all men equal, Napolitano (with plenty of footnotes) documents how many presidents and most laws are structured to favor some people at the expense of others.  President Lincoln is known in our history books as “The Great Emancipator”, yet he freed no slaves under his legal protection and had a long-standing position in favor of slavery as a crutch to keep the union from being fractured.  God created all men equal in value – as He measures it.  Men consistently use some men as pawns to gain power over others.  We do not treat people as they are created.

 

Lie # 17 is “America Has a Free Market”.  The author does a splendid job examining how housing, mail, wages, markets, manufacturing, and railroads have all been manipulated by the government to favor some people at the expensed of others – taxpayers.  The result of so much government “help” in so many areas of the economy is the near complete destruction of personal responsibility.  Why manage your own business if the government will bail you out?

 

Some of Napolitano’s subjects were uncomfortable for me.  Yet I value the provocative examination of many “truths” that we hold to without much thought.  It is good to put your beliefs to the test, to see if they are true.  This book will push you to do that.

 

 

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”