“John Sperling has assembled a smart and sobering analysis of an America in which religious fundamentalism, selfish economic interests, and the misuse of power by those who control the Government are stifling growth and scientific advancement and, more important, undermining our democracy. Thoughtful Americans of every political stripe should read this book.”
—George Soros, Chairman of Soros Fund Management and The Open Society Institute

“If you want a fresh look at America, read this book. It’s full of valuable information about who we are, what we do, and what we value.”
—Bill Bradley, former U.S. Senator

“John Sperling has brilliantly exposed the truth about Retro Republicans using fear to marginalize America’s quest for fairness and social justice. Yet, as the book shows, there is a real Metro progressive majority in the country that can create a ‘more perfect union’. It needs to speak up and take action. It can’t happen soon enough.”
—Arianna Huffington, columnist, political commentator and bestselling author of Pigs at the Trough: How Corporate Greed and Political Corruption are Undermining America

“I like John Sperling’s book because it helps explain why working people in the states he calls Retro so often vote with the Ruling Class in those states, even though they have nothing in common with them. It’s not just religion and cultural values, although those matter. It’s the corporate welfare those states receive-the government subsidies that keep people employed in agriculture, mining and transportation, even as their politicians try to undermine government spending on needed social services everywhere else. Without the huge inflow of federal funds those states get, they’d be bankrupt. It’s a uniquely smart analysis and one that should help the Metro states prevail.”
—Heidi Hartmann, President and CEO of The Institute for Women’s Policy Research

“We could have used John Sperling’s insight in 2000, and it’s even more relevant today. The shifting demographics and the Republicans’ willingness to court the religious right and corporate special interests so aggressively certainly have taken us beyond the stale “red state, blue state” view of the country. This is an important new voice in the continuing dialogue about where we Democrats are, and where the party needs to be.”
—Donna Brazile, author, columnist and political commentator on CNN’s “Inside Politics” and “American Morning”