The argument of the book might be logically presented as the following propositions: (1) Americans are highly critical of contemporary politics, cynically seeing the political parties and elected officials such as members of Congress as corrupt, ineffective, and unprincipled. (2) This popular view is accurate, because special interests control Congress, particularly through the campaign contributions of political action committees (PACs). We "have permitted ourselves to be lulled into complacency while our own officeholders accomplish what communism and fascism failed to achieve" (p. 57). (3) As a result, Congress fails to represent public opinion in its legislation. In particular, Congress disregards the public's desire for a balanced federal budget, a principle of "American democratic theory" (p. 60). (4) The victimized public cannot punish the corrupt Congress because of the absence of effective competition, reinforced by PAC contributions to incumbents. The media, "closely tied to the existing political parties and officeholders" (p. 162), share in this corruption. (5) However, discontented voters are showing increasing independence and are ready to support a new political party, representing the "radical moderates." United in its basic policies, this new party would have sufficient bargaining power in Congress to force the adoption of consensual legislation for the common good in such areas as health care, education, and welfare.