The big con: the true story of how Washington got hoodwinked and hijacked by crackpot economics

A revealing look at how a small group of economic hucksters have taken over the American political system and perverted our nation's policies. American politics has been hijacked, not by "neocons" or "theocons," but by a fringe group of economic extremists obsessed with radical ideas that favor no one but themselves and their business interests. With dark wit, journalist Chait shows how over the last three decades these canny zealots have gamed the political system and the media so that once unthinkable policies--without a shred of academic, expert, or even popular support--now drive the American agenda, regardless of which party is in power. Why have these ideas succeeded? Through vivid portraits of self-interested politicians and pseudo-economists, and in wry analysis of their bogus theories, Chait gives us the tools to understand what's really behind economic policy debates in Washington: a riveting drama of greed and deceit.--From publisher description.