Description

Every society has its ideals, and its myths. In Naked America, author Michael A. Smith examines many of the nation's original ideals, and presents compelling information indicating most of them have been transformed into myths. For example, many regularly describe the United States as the land of economic opportunity, yet 20 percent of American households earn half of all income, and own more than half of all the nation's assets. Education is touted as the road to success, although only one-third of high school graduates achieve a postsecondary education degree. Two-thirds of future jobs in what has become essentially a service economy are projected to be low- or very low-paying. In the world's self-proclaimed "greatest democracy," pessimism about government is widespread and only 35 percent of registered voters vote regularly. Although more than 80 percent of Americans profess to be practicing Christians, New Testament ethics appear overwhelmed by mindless materialism, pervasive marketplace fraud, a high crime rate, constant ideological bickering, and cultural kitsch. To rectify this situation and turn America's ideals into reality, the author proposes many wide-ranging social, economic, and political reforms.