Review of “Rebooting the American Dream: 11 Ways to Rebuild Our Country,” by Thom Hartmann, 2011. San Francisco, CA: Berrett-Koehler Publishers. Paper, 227 pages.
Thom Hartmann is famous for his interesting and usually controversial points on things American and current. This pre-COVID-19 text contains many of his personal views that are typical of his very strong opinions on politics.
Hartmann bases his arguments in this particular book on the 11-point plan developed by Alexander Hamilton, giving a pre-COVID-19 version of policies and programs that should be put in place to rescue the USA from the forces that would destroy it—from within. At the time he wrote this book, the world was different. The pandemic had not yet begun.
(As a side note, we were coming to the end of the Great Recession of 2008. However, Hartmann might not use those exact words to describe what was happening at the time.)
The topics covered here are mainly financial, such as how to adjust taxes, deal with the issue of undocumented workers in our country, and provide free healthcare to all Americans. The second set of topics are automatically policy-related, then, because his is an approach that includes a strong federal response to the majority of the most pressing problems we are currently facing. This federal reliance does seem to hark back to the days of Hamilton, so the connection is indeed clear if one looks at this through a “big government” lens.
This book is important in various ways as a teaching tool—and not just on the topic of the economy.
Teachers of Social Studies, Economics, Civics, History, Political Science, and Current Events can make good use of this book in a variety of ways. First, they can consider on a personal level some of his solutions. Ramifications of changes in how taxes are levied—and against whom—have had some powerful force in our recent history. Questions on what to do about health care costs in this nation are important on an individual basis. Free trade vs. an emphasis on American-produced goods is another important theme to ponder.
As taxpayers, voters, and consumers, teachers have their own ideas about possible solutions to many issues currently.
As teachers, we can start to see how this sort of book can provide some good background we need to be able to develop our own opinions further.
Second, the book makes some good points on how solutions chosen by certain presidents have led to success in some cases, and disaster in others. How to not repeat some of those past sins is an important topic for the Social Studies and History classes. There are also some crucial questions that arise. For example, what do we learn from new policies and spending? How can health care costs be covered by the average working American?
Third, the book is helpful for identifying clearly those key issues that can be debated by students in advanced Civics and other courses. Hartmann’s cast of characters will provide great directions for students researching these topics. Looking for resources on NAFTA, Clinton, Reagan, and Medicare should be facilitated by the way Hartmann introduces these topics and players here. Students will be able to sort through many resources based on the information and opinions here.
I recommend the book to those who would consider another version of how to solve some of the most pressing problems in our nation. Thom Hartmann has strong opinions, but he does draw on some important facts to support them. Like all political perspectives, Hartmann’s show his determination to help. If the reader keeps this idea in mind, the reading may help you see another point of view that should be considered.
It is entertaining—in some ways—to consider Hartmann’s take on the problems of that time. One thing Hartmann is not lacking is opinions.