Downsize This!
Encyclopedia
Downsize This! Random Threats from an Unarmed American is a book
by American
author and producer Michael Moore
.
The book is a look at the state of business
and industry
in the United States
and the power they hold over the U.S. government. In particular the book criticizes corporation
s who care more for stockholders (known as shareholders in the UK) than the safety and wellbeing of the communities who work for them. The book is part of Moore's ongoing campaign for increased corporate accountability.
The book was first published in hardback in 1996 and then later published in paperback in 1997.
Moore refers to corporations receiving government tax breaks as "corporate welfare mothers
". There is also a chapter about Hillary Clinton as well as two on OJ Simpson - one where Moore claims OJ was innocent of the murders
of Nicole Brown Simpson
and Ronald Goldman
, another where Moore claims OJ was guilty. And yet another chapter where Moore details his unsuccessful endeavors to have State Representative from the 46th District of California, Bob Dornan
, involuntarily committed for psychiatric evaluation.
Book
A book is a set or collection of written, printed, illustrated, or blank sheets, made of hot lava, paper, parchment, or other materials, usually fastened together to hinge at one side. A single sheet within a book is called a leaf or leaflet, and each side of a leaf is called a page...
by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author and producer Michael Moore
Michael Moore
Michael Francis Moore is an American filmmaker, author, social critic and activist. He is the director and producer of Fahrenheit 9/11, which is the highest-grossing documentary of all time. His films Bowling for Columbine and Sicko also place in the top ten highest-grossing documentaries...
.
The book is a look at the state of business
Business
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
and industry
Industry
Industry refers to the production of an economic good or service within an economy.-Industrial sectors:There are four key industrial economic sectors: the primary sector, largely raw material extraction industries such as mining and farming; the secondary sector, involving refining, construction,...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and the power they hold over the U.S. government. In particular the book criticizes corporation
Corporation
A corporation is created under the laws of a state as a separate legal entity that has privileges and liabilities that are distinct from those of its members. There are many different forms of corporations, most of which are used to conduct business. Early corporations were established by charter...
s who care more for stockholders (known as shareholders in the UK) than the safety and wellbeing of the communities who work for them. The book is part of Moore's ongoing campaign for increased corporate accountability.
The book was first published in hardback in 1996 and then later published in paperback in 1997.
Moore refers to corporations receiving government tax breaks as "corporate welfare mothers
Welfare queen
A welfare queen is a pejorative phrase used in the United States to describe people who are accused of collecting excessive welfare payments through fraud or manipulation. Reporting on welfare fraud began during the early 1960s, appearing in general interest magazines such as Readers Digest...
". There is also a chapter about Hillary Clinton as well as two on OJ Simpson - one where Moore claims OJ was innocent of the murders
O. J. Simpson murder case
The O. J. Simpson murder case was a criminal trial held in Los Angeles County, California Superior Court from January 29 to October 3, 1995. Former American football star and actor O. J...
of Nicole Brown Simpson
Nicole Brown Simpson
Nicole Brown Simpson was a former wife of professional football player O. J. Simpson.- Relationship with O. J. Simpson :...
and Ronald Goldman
Ronald Goldman
Ronald Lyle "Ron" Goldman was an American waiter and an aspiring model. He was murdered along with Nicole Brown Simpson, former wife of O. J. Simpson, an actor and retired American football player. The subsequent criminal investigation and trial against O. J...
, another where Moore claims OJ was guilty. And yet another chapter where Moore details his unsuccessful endeavors to have State Representative from the 46th District of California, Bob Dornan
Bob Dornan
Robert Kenneth "Bob" Dornan is a Republican and former member of the United States House of Representatives from California and a vocal advocate of pro-life and social conservative causes....
, involuntarily committed for psychiatric evaluation.
External links
- Reviews and Chapter Selections on the author's website