Size Matters: How Big Government Puts the Squeeze on America's Families, Finances, and Freedom

Average customer rating:

Preston C. Wright is a corporate tool

More corporatist propaganda

Essential Reading!

A great read

Clear and on target

Size Matters: How Big Government Puts the Squeeze on America's Families, Finances, and Freedom
Joel Miller
Manufacturer: Thomas Nelson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Economic Policy & Development | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
U.S. | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1595550372

Book Description

Your right to pursue happiness has been revoked by Big Government.

Thousands of pages of regulations, millions of employees, and trillions of tax dollars . . . Big Government is bigger than ever, and as this bloated behemoth continues to fatten up and stretch out, it squeezes America's entrepreneurs, workers, and families - cutting our choices, limiting our opportunities, and squelching our right to pursue happiness.

Every year, taxes increase, regulations pile higher, the cost of living goes up - and our quality of life suffers. So with everyone obsessing about the obesity problem in America, isn't it time we looked at the fat, flabby, overstretched, and overbloated behemoth that is American government?

Size Matters shows through facts, figures, and head-spinning stories that as government increases in quantity, we all suffer a loss in life quality. Miller reveals the damning details of Big Government's impact on the lives of ordinary Americans. How it . . .

reduces family income
drives up the cost of housing, healthcare, and most every other consumer product or service
hurts employment
misdirects entrepreneurial efforts
stifles vital marketplace creativity and innovation

Bristling with drama and data, Size Matters reveals the real daily drawbacks of Big Government. It comes down to this . . .

Big Government = Huge Problem. Size really does matter.

"Miller explains how government overregulation and porkbarrelling are costing Americans money and freedom while politicians and special interests line their pockets. This book should be a political call to arms."
-Glenn Reynolds, Instapundit.com; author of An Army of Davids

"Great sport! Imagine Thomas Frank if he actually told the truth. Accessible, entertaining, informative, and relevant in the best sense of the word. Read this book and you'll never lose an argument to a liberal again."
-Jack Cashill, author of Hoodwinked and Sucker Punch

"Miller will make you excited about the potential of America-and spitting mad that Big Government keeps tripping us up."
-Star Parker, author of Uncle Sam's Plantation

"Who knew that reading about rapacious government growth could be so delectable?"
-Nick Gillespie, editor-in-chief, Reason

Customer Reviews:

Preston C. Wright is a corporate tool.......2007-04-09

Apparently Preston C. Wright hasn't heard about the fact that the antitrust legislation of Theodore Roosevelt was practically supported by businesses, or about how the Meatpacking Inspections were supported by the big meatpackers in order to put the squeeze on their smaller competitors in local communities (something that Upton Sinclair noted). This book is chalk full of various government regulations that primarily stamp out, oppress and destroy small businesses, which is what allows big corporations to grow so big, by stamping out their competition, thus creating shortages and raising prices. If you love or even just have your curiousity piqued by this book, then you should read Gabriel Kolko's "The Triumph of Conservatism", "In Restraint of Trade: The Business Campaign Against Competition, 1918-1938" by Butler Shaffer, "Wall Street, Banks, and Foreign Policy" by Murray N. Rothbard, "The Suicidal Corporation" by Paul H. Weaver, and best of all, "The Big Ripoff: How Big Big Business and Big Government Steal Your Money" by Timothy P. Carney

More corporatist propaganda.......2006-05-04

Size does matter, and since corporations have grown to be enormous and transnational, controlling their predations requires a large institution. Government is failing the US population in many ways, primarily because it's been seized by an army of industry lobbyists and corporate lawyers; but, at least in theory, government provides opportunities for public participation, oversight, and protection from the excesses of Big Business. To read figures like Joel Miller, one would think he'd never heard of Teddy Roosevelt who is well-known for his critique of corporate power. In April of 1906, Roosevelt said, "Behind the ostensible government sits enthroned an invisible government owing no allegiance and acknowledging no responsibility to the people. To destroy this invisible government, to befoul the unholy alliance between corrupt business and corrupt politics is the first task of statesmanship of the day." Unlike today's right-wing "free" marketeers, Roosevelt understood the harm caused by plutocracy.
And before Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson said, "I hope we shall crush in its birth the aristocracy of our monied corporations, which dare already to challenge our government to a trial of strength and bid defiance to the laws of our country."

The way out of corporate tyranny is to regain our government from the plutocrats. DVDs like "The Corporation" provide plenty of the background people need on the real threat to this country. Although, since about 20% of this country benefits from the existing corporatocracy, they avoid uncomfortable realities and prefer to be deceived by business PR hacks like Miller.
I'd also recommend the radio program and books of Thom Hartmann.

Essential Reading!.......2006-03-31

I want to buy 535 more copies of this book. One for every member of Congress. Rep. Feeney and Sen. Coburn can send their copies back signed if they wish. Santorum and every Democrat need to read and submit to me a 5-page book report, self-written, on their reaction to how they are slowly poisoning this country. If only I had $8,362.05. Joel Miller's "Size Matters" is essential reading for taxpayers.

First, for a book called "Size Matters," it is a small volume. However, within its 200+ pages, it manages to go beyond the traditional arguments against Big Government, and explain how exactly how it affects the average American everyday. He roots it all to the Pursuit of Happiness, the most oft-neglected segment of Jefferson's "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." While the Happiness was written off as 'property' in my high school history classes, but Miller looks at it as a specific freedom. If your pursuit of happiness is infringed upon by the government, via regulation, taxes, and red-tape, what can we do? We can choose to fight, or we can simply accept it. Acceptance seems to be the current mentality.

Miller, however, does not prescribe an easy solution. Since markets push back, and people are inclined to pursue happiness whether the government infringes upon it or not, not to mention the power lobbies in Washington, immediate, quick reform is unlikely. The best way to fight back, then, I imagine, is through extra-government sources. Private retirement plans. Wal-Mart. VOIP (not as regulated as regular phone service). Abandon the need for bureaucracy.

Highly recommended.

A great read.......2005-12-29

Joel Miller puts in plain, fun language what many of us have believed for a long, long time but have been unable to articulate ourselves: There is an inverse relationship between the size and scope of government and our God-given right to the pursuit of happiness.

Clear and on target.......2005-12-29

Joel Miller has done it again! A razormouthy, easy to read - yet not dumbed down - treatise against the ever-increasing size of government. Joel makes each chapter enjoyable by offering interesting examples and anecdotes to make each point. A real page-turner, this is the best book on government available today.

Book Description

One morning Hen wakes up and finds a gigantic egg in her nest. Whose ege can it be? Here's a hint, Hen--it doesn't belong to that wily Fox!

Customer Reviews:

Well done.......2006-04-16

This is a marvelous book. Get on the hunt and find the golden egg.

My 2 year old daughter loves this book!.......2002-03-24

As I am typing this review my two year old daughter is looking at the picture of the "Big Egg" book and saying "Big Egg!" Each night we read many books together. She picks them out as we go. I can always tell which books she prefers based on the order in which they are picked. "Big Egg" is always one of the first books to be read. She loves the simple language and colorful pictures and I enjoy reading it to her repeatedly. It's fun to "act" out the different animal voices the Hen encounters on her search for the parent of the "Big Egg."

Sweet story that makes young readers laugh.......2001-12-06

Easy and fun to read, with nice values. The illustrations help make it funny also. A family favorite.

Favorite Book.......2000-05-27

Great book to start your child reading with. Big Egg is my 4 year old daughter's favorite book. The pictures and story are funny and interesting. I like it as well! This book gets my daughter's HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!

Great Beginning Reader.......1998-03-28

This was the first book that my daughter read on her own, and what joy she had on her face when she read the last page! A wonderful use of simple words and repitition makes this a great book for children just starting out to read. I wish there were more books like this one! Catherine, mom to Caroline

Average customer rating:

The Cuckoo Child
The Kid and the Bird
The Odd Bird
An on the farm kinda bird!

Cuckoo Child, The
Dick King-smith
Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Action & Adventure | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

The Water Horse

ASIN: 0786813512

Customer Reviews:

The Cuckoo Child.......2001-07-29

I thaught this book would be good because it had a funny name. It was good too. The cuckoo child is about a boy who loves birds of any kind. He lives with his Mom, Dad, and sister. his name is Jack Daw. In the begining Jack sees some chickens hatch. Then he ascked his father when he could have some birds of his own. His father said when he was 5. On his 5th he got budgerigars. For his 6th he got bantams. For his 7th, ducks. Then his 8th birthday came and he got geese. He named them Lidia and Wilfred. The next day Jack was going on a field trip with his class to the Wildlife Park. When they got there, there were more birds than he had expected. And then he saw it; the great male ostrich. It was amazing. His teacher came back for him and they cept going. Then they came to a sign that siad:Ostriches->. His teacher read the signthat told about ostriches. Jack asked his teacher if they would see any eggs. A man "ansered you will see lots". It was a park ranger. He showed them some eggs. After the park ranger showed them the eggs Jack sneaks an egg into his back. What happens to the egg? Read this book and find out!

The Kid and the Bird.......2001-07-19

I read this book because it was my second choice, and because everyone else was reading it.

Jack Daw loves birds, any types of birds. One day Jack and his class went a field trip to the local zoo. He finds himself looking straight at a nine foot tall, 345 pound ostrich! Then Jack comes up with a plan. Jack steals an extra ostrich egg that's about to be fed to a snake! Then he brings the ostrich egg back home to his family's farm.

If you want to find out what happens to the ostrich egg, and you like birds, read this book! It's very interesting!

The Odd Bird.......2001-06-13

I read this book because our teacher said that if we put a book review on Amazon.com we could keep the book. So why not? Before I read the book I thought it was about a child that was crazy about something,I didn't even think that it was about birds. The main characters in this story are Jack,Oliver,Lydia,and Wilfred. Jack has a way with birds and he is always with them he loves them so much that he gets them for birthday presents. One day his class goes on a field trip and he gets something if you what to find out read this book. This book is very interesting i think it is a very good book for all ages it is only a 127 page book too! This is one of those books that you take time out of your day to read it!

An on the farm kinda bird!.......1998-10-02

This book is very interesting if you like birds. A boy takes an egg and hatches it. Its an ostrich. he raises the bird. Then the bird gets to big for the farm. What will happen to the bird? Read this book to find out!

The Lonely Lioness and the Ostrich Chicks

Average customer rating:

Beautiful

The Lonely Lioness and the Ostrich Chicks
Verna Aardema
Manufacturer: Knopf Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Picture Books | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Who's in Rabbit's House? (Picture Puffins)

ASIN: 0679869344
Release Date: 1996-09-09

Book Description

Illustrated in full color. Beloved storyteller Verna Aardema is at her finest in this African animal tale, weaving charm and suspense with a delightfully satisfying resolution. Peering down from her treetop perch, a lonely lioness admires the noisily cheeping clan of Mother Ostrich and thinks, "I would be happy to have just one child." So she leaps down, gurum! and steals all four ostrich chicks. Accepting the lioness as their mother, the chicks follow right behind he. Mother Ostrich is frantic! As she chases after the lioness, she enlists the help of gazelle, hyena, jackal, and mongoose. But which one can help her to get her chicks back? With art by Yumi Heo that blends primitive, African, and folk styles, The Lonely Lioness and the Ostrich Chicks is a captivating picture book destined to be a classic.

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful.......2000-06-01

I brought this book on a recent visit to my nieces and they loved it. We reread it many times during my visit, enjoying the beautiful illustrations of african animals.

Husbandry and Medical Management of Ostriches Emus and Rheas

Average customer rating:

Husbandry and Medical Management of Ostriches Emus and Rheas
James H. Johnson , and Stanley T. Weiner
Manufacturer: Wildlife & Exotic Animal
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Veterinary Medicine | Medicine | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0962606987

The Birds of Africa, Volume I: Ostriches and to Birds of Prey (Birds of Africa)

Average customer rating:

Good

The Birds of Africa, Volume I: Ostriches and to Birds of Prey (Birds of Africa)
Leslie H. Brown , Emil K. Urban , and Kenneth Newman
Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Africa | History | Subjects | Books

General | Birdwatching | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0121373010

Book Description

This volume is the first of a set of seven which, when complete, will cover the entire avifauna of Africa, one of the most varied and interesting in the world. While many regional guides to African birds exist, this will be the first comprehensive guide to the bird life of the continent as a whole, including North Africa.

The entire set covers all species of birds found in Africa, including migrants from the Palearctic and vagrants. Resident birds are described in full detail, with sections on their range and status, description, field characters, voice, general behaviour, food and breeding biology. Visitors are also given extensive coverage, with emphasis on their status and behaviour within Africa.

These volumes are sure to be acclaimed as the authority on the avifauna of Africa for many years to come. The quality of the text and the beauty of the plates will assure them pride of place on the shelves of ornithologists and bird-watchers everywhere. Indeed, anyone with an interest in natural history or ecology will find here a source of much interest and enjoyment.

Customer Reviews:

Good.......1999-11-17

Your price on this book ~ The Birds of Africa (Vol 5) ~ is no better than buying it anyplace else including from the publisher.

Customer Reviews:

OVER-RATED.......2004-02-17

This book contains a wide variety of topics on emus, but does not give enough useful detailed information. It is too generalized and seems afraid to mention actual brand names of feed and equipment.This is not a book for those looking for a step-by-step, detailed "how-to" reference guide.

The EMU Farmer's Handbook, Volume 2, Maria Minnaar.......2000-05-28

This is a thorough treatment on a hard-to-find subject. The book covers all aspects of raising emus, including: housing, health, breeding, incubation, raising chicks, and marketing emu products. The author, Maria Minnaar, has been raising emus commercially since the mid-1980s. This book is aimed at the commercial emu farmer, with detailed information on veterinary care, breeding, meat cuts and emu oil processing. The author provides one chapter on raising Ostrich and Rhea, highlighting the differences between these birds and emus. There is an interesting section covering other ratites, the Cassowary, Kiwi, Moa and Elephant Bird, and a good bibliography of ratite information sources. The drawings and photographs are high-quality.

Average customer rating:

An enchanting tool

Sniffles (Serendipity)
Stephen Cosgrove
Manufacturer: Price Stern Sloan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Issues | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0843138270

Customer Reviews:

An enchanting tool.......2000-06-26

This book is a wonderful way to teach children the dangers of exaggerating while also teaching that not every little thing is the end of the world, following the adventures of a young ostrich as she wanders through the savannah, stirring up trouble. Adults will enjoy the illustrations above all, as is prevalant in the entire Serendipity series.

Average customer rating:

Charming and Uplifting!
Heart warming

Why Can't I Fly?
Ken Brown
Manufacturer: Doubleday Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Baby-3 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0385412088
Release Date: 1990-05-01

Customer Reviews:

Charming and Uplifting!.......2000-09-29

Ostrich is always asking sparrow "Why can't I fly?" Sparrow's answers of; your neck is too long, your legs are too long, and your wings are too small are refuted by ostrich with examples of other birds with those traits that have no trouble flying. When sparrow suggests that ostrich doesn't try hard enough,ostrich sets out to prove to sparrow and himself that he CAN fly! A series of disastrous attempts at building flying machines leave him emmbarrassed in front of his friends. His final try is a whole different story and gives new meaning to the word friendship! My daughter and I cheered as ostrich finally realizes his life-long dream! Ken Brown hits a home run with his debut book!

Heart warming.......2000-03-30

This is a heartwarming story about being able to always depend on your friends. Ken Brown's ability with watercolors give his brightly colored characters expressions that will tug on your heart.

ESV Compact Bible, Trutone, Black/Ostrich, Portfolio Design, Red Letter Text

Average customer rating:

Great translation, but there is a price for size

ESV Compact Bible, Trutone, Black/Ostrich, Portfolio Design, Red Letter Text

Manufacturer: Crossway Bibles
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound

General | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Bible & Other Sacred Texts | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1581347790

Customer Reviews:

Great translation, but there is a price for size.......2006-12-18

This is my favorite bible translation. It is a very small and compact bible as advertised. Because of this, the text is VERY small. It is fine for most circumstances, but can be a pain in low light or those with poor eyesight.

Average customer rating:

This is an endearing story in rhyme.
This is my absolute favorite children's book!

Zella, Zack and Zodiac
Bill Peet
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Humorous | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0395522072

Book Description

Zella the zebra helps Zack the ostrich when he is young and helpless. When he grows up Zack returns the favor by saving Zella's young offspring from a lion.

Customer Reviews:

This is an endearing story in rhyme........1998-12-01

This book has a great flow, similar to Dr. Seuss stories. The tale is a sweet story of a baby ostrich who is adopted into a herd of zebra. The illustrations and exciting words are great fun!!! Great read aloud! ! ! The rhyme and story line are fast paced. As a substitute teacher, I've read this to several age levels and it always keeps the kids interested. My own children ask to hear it again and again! You have to read it. All of Bill Peet's work in rhyme is fun!

This is my absolute favorite children's book!.......1998-08-29

No matter how many times my children ask me to read this book, and they ask alot, I never mind reading it again. It has a powerful "do the right thing and it will be returned to you" message.

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