Stupidparty: Math V. Myth
Unmasking the Destructive Forces Eroding American Democracy
With wit and cynicism, Andendall turns a critical eye on the Republican Party, contributing important insight to an ongoing political debate.
Stupidparty: Math V. Myth: Unmasking the Destructive Forces Eroding American Democracy, from its title to its format, is a curious experience. Patrick M. Andendall, author of this colorful, well-designed, and fun e-book, has assembled a coherent fact-filled guide to how he believes the Republican Party became the “Stupid Party” and how this has dire consequences for politics in this country.
Andendall says up front that the book is meant to be read as an e-book, although it is also available in print format. He has included, along with numerous graphs, pictures, and drawings, nearly fifteen hundred color-coded hyperlinks: blue for attribution of material, olive green to allow readers to more thoroughly investigate material, and rusty red that flags items included to add humor to otherwise dreadfully serious material.
The writer, by his own declaration, is a conservative who is appalled at what has happened to what he sees as the once responsible Republican Party. He has written this book not to destroy the party but to save it. He says that one-third of the party is still intelligent and capable of critical thinking. He appeals to this minority to step in and thwart what he sees as the destructive tendencies of the majority who now deny facts, science, and conventional wisdom. He says: “I have long since decided to avoid using the term ‘Republican Party’—because today’s Republican Party is an insult to the very essence of what the Republican Party should be.”
In nearly every facet of this book, Andendall’s capable wit is front and center. Beginning with chapter 2, “Thoughts of the Founding Fathers,” the writer offers quotes not from Jefferson, Madison, or Monroe, but founders of the “Stupid Party.” Thus, there are quotes from people like Rush Limbaugh on feminism: “Feminism was established so as to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream of society.” Or, Ronald Reagan on economic history: “Fascism was really the basis for the New Deal.” A similar approach is given to such topics as gun control, Fox News, abortion, and religion in politics.
Throughout Stupidparty, the graphics, illustrations, and cartoons are outstanding, colorful, and make it so much easier to digest the often complex information.
Andendall should be applauded for his attempt to make a serious point: the American political system needs functioning political parties, and, with the way the Republican Party is currently operating, America does not have that. Important decisions need to be made for both the welfare of the people of this country and for the people of the rest of the world. The author argues for strong, vital political debate of these important issues, a debate that will be made possible by abandoning the “Stupid Party” and returning to a party capable of adult behavior: “Only then can we all come together and engage in intelligent debate—yes, plenty of different ideas but ideas based upon Math, Science, Justice, and Knowledge.” In his own style, Andendall has made a significant contribution to beginning that debate.
Reviewed by
John Senger
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the publisher will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
