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shirleytupperfreeman's review
We read this for the all-church book read. Published 3-4 years ago, it felt slightly dated. Wallis critiques American culture and the American economic system and concludes we are too greedy, consumerist, short-sighted and focused on 'me' rather than the 'common good.' It's hard to argue with that assessment. He refers to our system as a three-legged stool that is out of balance. One leg is government, one is the market and the third is made up of churches, mosques, synagogues and all the voluntary associations where we come together with others to focus on the common good. There are plenty of examples in the world where the stool became unbalanced in favor of powerful government. He feels that our country is an example of the stool becoming unbalanced in favor of a powerful market. Wallis calls for discussion and action on the part of that third leg to rein in the other two forces and maintain cultural and economic balance. I didn't always agree with some of his specific prescriptions but he does provide food for thought.
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