"The Great Risk Shift" by Jacob S. Hacker

It's amazing that our President seems unaware of the myriad reasons that Americans are feeling insecure. The current financial industry crisis and the devaluing of our homes is the latest, and most visible, blow to middle class American families, but it's hardly the beginning and not likely to be the end.

In this important book, subtitled, "The New Economic Insecurity and the Decline of th American Dream," Hacker details the swift eroding of many of the underpinnings of the basic security we once worked for, and now can't achieve, from the decline and near disappearance of pensions to the lack of health insurance or underinsurance. He documents the rise of the so-called "Personal Responsibility" crusade for the "ownership society," a crusade and society that can only work for those of wealth. For the rest of us, it is financial brinksmanship, keeping us on the ladder of middle class status only if we are fortunate enough to avoid a major financial disaster . . . which would not likely be of our own making, such as losing a job, or having a health crisis for which we cannot pay (even with insurance).

He makes a strong case that this kind of insecurity costs society greatly, and that there has to be some basic security for opportunity to be real.

Read this important book. Then think about where our country is headed. As he says, get mad. Then do something about it.