Summary of Thom Hartmann's The Hidden History of American Oligarchy

By IRB Media

Please note: This is a companion version & not the original book. Book Preview:

#1 The economic crisis caused by COVID-19 was used by Trump and the GOP to push a new, $3 trillion corporate tax giveaway. Meanwhile, Trump worked to limit the media and instill distrust in fact-based news.

#2 The Trump administration, well stocked with people who were alumni of Koch-funded groups or regular visitors to Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News channel, did nothing to help the situation. They believed in the magic of the free market, and if there was a shortage of test kits, it would eventually drive up their price and generate money.

#3 The first billionaire president, Ronald Reagan, was supported by America’s oligarchs. They have used this rationale to hamstring government at the state level since the collapse of Reconstruction, and have impoverished the rest of America since 1981.

#4 Oligarchy is the result of a takeover of Congress, the presidency, and the courts by the wealthy. It is defended by total police powers of the government, which are used to prosecute and defend those challenging the oligarchy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Apr 23, 2022
• ISBN: 9781669393719

IRB Media

With IRB books, you can get the key takeaways and analysis of a book in 15 minutes. We read every chapter, identify the key takeaways and analyze them for your convenience.

Book preview

Insights on Thom Hartmann's The Hidden History of American Oligarchy

Contents

Insights from Chapter 1

Insights from Chapter 2

Insights from Chapter 3

Insights from Chapter 4

Insights from Chapter 5

Insights from Chapter 6

Insights from Chapter 1

#1

The economic crisis caused by COVID-19 was used by Trump and the GOP to push a new, $3 trillion corporate tax giveaway. Meanwhile, Trump worked to limit the media and instill distrust in fact-based news.

#2

The Trump administration, well stocked with people who were alumni of Koch-funded groups or regular visitors to Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News channel, did nothing to help the situation. They believed in the magic of the free market, and if there was a shortage of test kits, it would eventually drive up their price and generate money.

#3

The first billionaire president, Ronald Reagan, was supported by America’s oligarchs. They have used this rationale to hamstring government at the state level since the collapse of Reconstruction, and