Perhaps a more appropriate title for author Mark Leibovich’s new book, “This Town,” would be “Mad Money,” as it makes it clear that our nation’s capital is about money and power and little else. While the rest of the country suffered from the recession, Washington’s unemployment rate was one of the lowest in the country and the city became a money-generating engine for its residents, which is unusual for a city without any industry. important (apart from politics and industry). press). Leibovich is the chief national correspondent for “The New York Times Magazine.” Although at first I was suspicious of the author’s intentions, he has actually done the country a great service by explaining what is wrong with politics in the capital.

From a journalist’s perspective, Leibovich reveals the true culture of DC, where an incestuous relationship exists between the government, journalists, and lobbyists. They all scratch each other’s back to climb their respective totem polls and grab as much money as possible along the way. Paint an unadulterated collusion picture. Make it clear that Washington exists not to solve the country’s problems, but to line the pockets of the residents there. From this perspective, we should be surprised by no more than the extent of the problem. Whether you’re a government official, a lobbyist, or a member of the press, it’s all about making money and controlling the system. All three parties require love to caress their ego, a lot, and they see themselves as celebrities on the same level as Hollywood (or higher), which explains why they get along so well. They are so consumed with climbing the tree of power that they have lost sight of why they were sent to Washington.

Advertising and the press play a vital role in Washington, not so much in representing the interests of the nation but those of government officials who spend more time reelection than managing or governing. It is not so important to report on what is being accomplished in Washington, but rather who said what about whom, which, of course, is indicative of an irresponsible tabloid press. Instead of a 24-hour news cycle, journalists today make active use of social media (eg, Twitter, blogs, Facebook, etc.) to instantly report anything insignificant. Through Leibovich, we began to see how the media perceives itself as elitist and the American public as cattle. They are above everything. They are megalomaniacal, conceited, in love with their brilliance, and therein lies their Achilles heel. They don’t have a true perception of reality, they have no ethics, just how resourceful and politically correct they can be and who they can build or tear down in Washington. If this isn’t “Rearranging the Titanic Chairs,” I don’t know what is.

In pleasing the media, politicians do the same and focus on the front, not the substance. They focus only on those issues that are food for the press, not those issues that could help the American public, such as balancing the federal budget. Fully aware of its power, a bully feeling has emerged in the press. Leibovich himself often refers to the press as “The Mafia” and to journalists as “Wise Guys.” Understand this, most of the political rhetoric that is being produced from Washington, particularly during the 2012 presidential campaign, is by Millennials trying to make a name for themselves, not by veteran journalists.

Before his 2008 election, Barack Obama promised to become the most transparent president of all time, where lobbyists would have no influence and the administration would present all the relevant news, facts and figures. Even Leibovich admits that this did not happen exactly, but that the influence of pressure groups continued to grow unabated and the administration became more reserved with the press. It also reveals that both political parties have secret “Opposition Files” that are used to smear politicians, reminiscent of those owned by J. Edgar Hoover.

Through the book, Leibovich slides in and reveals the Democratic bias of the press. Regardless of President Obama’s troubles, he can do nothing wrong in the eyes of the mainstream media. In their eyes, the president is innocent of everything and truly the most brilliant president ever. This is second only to the media’s love affair with the Clintons. For some unknown reason, they are totally in awe of both Hillary and her husband. Through the book it becomes quite obvious who the press will be working for in 2016.

On the other hand, Republicans are looked down upon and portrayed as foolish fools, particularly by Leibovich. Sarah Palin and the Tea Party are favorite targets, probably because the press feels more threatened by them. Conservatives are dismissed without hearing their version of events. During the 2012 presidential election, Leibovich constantly refers to the “Romney-bots,” which means that Romney supporters are thoughtless and have no idea how the country works. Once again, we see how the press “knows more” than the public. Throughout the campaign, the press focused on what Governor Romney said, as opposed to the president’s record.

Leibovich is also a shameless junkie, thus providing a “Who’s Who” of Washington, DC, and in doing so reveals the identities of the liberal left in the media, particularly within NBC and its affiliate MSNBC. Notably mentioned are: Andrea Mitchell, David Gregory, Tom Brokaw, Savannah Guthrie, Chris Matthews, and many others. The book begins with the funeral of Tim Russert, the designated “mayor” of “This Town.” Surprisingly, Leibovich has little to say about Fox News and conservative radio.

If the book teaches us anything, it is that the system is broken and needs a major repair. The only way to fix it is to somehow stop the flow of money. This can be done in a number of ways, such as term limits for politicians, prohibiting politicians and their aides from joining lobbyists, limiting campaign spending, or requiring a 50/50 split of all campaign spending among the media. communication and charities, or the payment of federal debt. .

This is an important book that everyone should read, not necessarily for its entertainment value, but as confirmation of the mess we find ourselves in. As you read Leibovich’s book, you may not like what he has to say or how he says it, but he has actually performed an important public service: confirming our belief in what is wrong in Washington, DC.