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Filthy Rich Politicians: The Swamp Creatures, Latte Liberals, and Ruling-Class Elites Cashing in on America Hardcover – July 18, 2023

by Matt Lewis (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 92 ratings
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From one of America's sharpest political journalists is this searing, thought-provoking and hilarious takedown of the ruling class running amok in Washington.

These are your elected officials. Some are slyly taking advantage of the system. They are hoping no one is savvy enough to notice. But Matt Lewis has. And this is what he’s learned.

Today’s politicians are an unsavory lot—a hybrid of plutocrats and hypocrites. And it’s worse (and more laughable) than you can imagine. Lewis will introduce you to a crop of latte liberals, ivy league populists, insider traders, trust-fund babies, and swamp creatures as he exposes how truly ludicrous money in politics has gotten.

In Filthy Rich Politicians, Lewis embarks on an investigative deep dive into the ridiculous state of modern American democracy—a system where the rich get elected and the elected get rich. One of the brightest conservative writers of his generation, Lewis doesn’t just complain: he articulates how Americans can achieve accountability from their elected leaders through radically commonsense reforms. But many of these ruling-class elites have a vested financial interest in rejecting the reforms so desperately needed to rebuild Americans’ trust in the institutions that once made our nation great.

This is not an “eat the rich” kind of book, and it is not for those who want to stoke class warfare, topple the whole regime, and burn it all to the ground. This is a must-read book for thoughtful readers who yearn for transparency and will commit to holding their elected leaders accountable to those they are supposed to represent—we the people.

The reforms spelled out in this book would incentivize good behavior in our leaders, stymie corruption, and prevent politicians from using the system (and our taxpayer dollars) to feather their filthy rich nests.

It is only by taking these steps to reform the system that we can rebuild trust in our institutions and preserve American democracy for future generations. There really is no richer inheritance we could leave them.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    256 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Center Street
  4. Publication date
    July 18, 2023
  5. Dimensions
    6.35 x 0.88 x 9.4 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1546004416
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1546004417
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

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A Note from Author Matt K. Lewis

Did you know that more than 50% of Congress are millionaires? How about the fact that the median net worth of a member of Congress is about twelve times greater than the net worth of the median American household?

My name is Matt Lewis. For the last two-and-a-half years, I've been obsessed with something: How the rich get elected and the elected get rich.

As a Reagan conservative, I've dedicated my life to conserving our Founding Fathers' vision for America. Unfortunately, many good Americans are losing faith in this great experiment that has brought unparalleled peace and prosperity.

For this great republic to endure, average citizens must retain faith in the system. I'm not into class warfare, victimhood, or doom-and-gloom. That's why FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS doesn’t just diagnose the problem, it proposes serious, commonsense reforms that will demand transparency and accountability—and restore faith in the American system.

Who Is This Book For?

In truth, Filthy Rich Politicians is for anyone who is tired of watching the leaders of this country further separate themselves from the people they represent. That includes:

  • Center-Right Americans who disdain the politics of class warfare, victimhood, and doom-and-gloom—but also realize that today's political elites help foster the sense that the “game is rigged.”
  • Right Populists who are watching Nancy Pelosi’s alleged insider trading, Ilhan Omar directing millions to her husband's consulting firm, or an AOC-affiliated-PAC directing thousands to her live-in boyfriend.
  • Left Populists who know that affluent parents (and grandparents), marrying rich, inside info on the stock market, and (yes) car dealerships are often part of the story.

You don't have to be a genius to see how the roulette wheel is rigged for the rich, the connected, and yes, the elected. Americans both on the left and the right know there’s a problem.

Filthy Rich Politicians will introduce you to a crop of latte liberals, insider traders, and swamp creatures guaranteed to expose this corrupt system.

endorsement from andrew ferguson

endorsement from batya ungar-sargon

endorsement from ramesh ponnuru

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Political books aren’t supposed to be funny. Funny books aren’t supposed to be political. How Matt Lewis has managed to write a book about politics that’s both funny and wise is a puzzle that can only be solved by reading it—which you should do, preferably before next election day."―Andrew Ferguson, contributing writer at The Atlantic and author of Crazy U: One Dad's Crash Course in Getting His Kid into College

"Matt is one of the few people who could have told this story in a way that anyone can hear it. While he is relentless in exposing how politics has become both fueled by and an engine for extreme wealth, he is never bitter, angry, or cruel."―Batya Ungar-Sargon, author of Bad News: How Woke Media Is Undermining Democracy

"How our class of politicians got so rich, and what should be done about it, are questions that have long deserved the thoughtful attention Matt Lewis gives them. You’ll howl—but you’ll also learn."―Ramesh Ponnuru, editor of National Review

"The most important crisis in American political life is the massive breach between the country's tiny ruling class and everyone else. In Filthy Rich Politicians, Matt Lewis adeptly unites his personal experiences, user-friendly prose and ample data to provide an indispensable diagnosis of how and why this happened, along with solutions which are both provocative and thought-provoking."―Glenn Greenwald, journalist, author, host of System Update, and cofounder of The Intercept

"Matt Lewis takes no prisoners in this powerful book exposing politicos on both sides of the aisle. A must read."―Peter Schweizer, bestselling author of Throw Them All Out and Clinton Cash

"With his new book, [Lewis] performs a valued public service, shining a searing light on the gap between the elites of both parties and the citizenry in whose name they claim to govern...Lewis's book is breezy and readable. Better yet, it strafes them all. The Bidens and Clintons, the Trumps and Kushners, right and left – all get savaged."―The Guardian

About the Author

Matt K. Lewis is a senior columnist at The Daily Beast and the author of Too Dumb to Fail: How the GOP Betrayed the Reagan Revolution to Win Elections (And How It Can Reclaim Its Conservative Roots). A frequent guest on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” and a former CNN political contributor (from 2016-2020), Matt has provided political commentary on HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher,” CBS News’ “Face the Nation,” C-SPAN, PBS NewsHour, and ABC’s “Nightline,” to name a few. Matt’s writing has appeared in outlets such as The Wall Street Journal,GQ,The Washington Post, The Week, Roll Call, Politico, The Telegraph, The Independent, and The Guardian—and he has been quoted or cited by major media outlets including New York Magazine, The Washington Post, The New York Times, the New York Post, and the Associated Press.

Matt previously served as senior contributor for The Daily Caller and, before that, as a columnist for AOL’s Politics Daily. Matt currently hosts his own podcast and YouTube show, “Matt Lewis & The News,” which features interviews with some of America’s top thinkers, authors, and newsmakers. He also co-hosts The DMZ show on Bloggingheads.TV. Matt grew up in Frederick County, Maryland, and graduated from Shepherd College (now Shepherd University) in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. He lives with his family in Charles Town, West Virginia.  

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Center Street (July 18, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1546004416
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1546004417
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.35 x 0.88 x 9.4 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 92 ratings

About the author

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Matt Lewis

Matt Lewis

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Matt K. Lewis is a columnist at The Daily Beast and the author of “Too Dumb to Fail: How the GOP Betrayed the Reagan Revolution to Win Elections (and How It Can Reclaim Its Conservative Roots)” (Hachette Books, 2016).

His work has also appeared in such outlets as GQ, Politico, The Wall Street Journal, The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, and The Washington Post. RightWingNews named Mr. Lewis one of the “50 Best Conservative Columnists” in 2013, 2014, and 2015. The American Conservative Union designated him the 2012 CPAC Blogger of the Year, and Business Insider named him one of the 50 “Pundits You Need to Pay Attention to Between Now and the Election” in 2011. The Young Conservatives Coalition also selected Mr. Lewis as a recipient of their second annual “Buckley Award” in 2011.

He graduated from Shepherd College (now University) in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
92 global ratings
Not worth it for the argument as a whole.
4 Stars
Not worth it for the argument as a whole.
Recommendation: Worth it if you have the time, should you be interested in insider stuff and factoids about politicians. Not worth it for the argument as a whole.ProsIsolates the nature of the issue, and suggests a concrete goal: Ban Insider Trading in Congress, Possibly Get Rid of the Former Presidents ActGives good stats presenting the severity of the income splitWritten in a witty, savvy, feel-good toneFull of personal anecdotes that humanize both narrator and textLots of accounts of famous politicians to give insight and history, as well as factoids and statisticsConsAdds fuel to the populist ire, splits world into haves/have-notsSeems naive about the nature of moneyMisses the pointSquanders OpportunitiesCreates unnecessary ill will via ad hominem jabs (ie Kerry the windsurfer)Bogs text down with too many unnecessary facts that either don’t advance his argument, or reiterate things we already knowStylistic pros are soured and curdle when read with consciousness of author’s motives and agendaRecommendation: Worth it if you have the time, should you be interested in insider stuff and factoids about politicians. Not worth it for the argument as a whole.
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Top reviews from the United States

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2023
Verified Purchase
This book was fascinating but also fun. Easy to read and important. Lewis holds a mirror up to the political establishment in ways that are not an attack, but an an honest and factual reflection of how money can shape their world view. This is not a book for just political wonks or financial followers. This is a book for anyone and everyone interested in making the system a little more honest. Highly recommend.
6 people found this helpful
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Susan Lilly Gerock
5.0 out of 5 stars Want to understand Washington? Read this book!
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2023
Verified Purchase
Matt Lewis gives us a truthful look at our political class in this insightful book that looks at both sides of the aisle. Great reading, especially as we prepare for another election cycle.
7 people found this helpful
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Aaron McNally
4.0 out of 5 stars Not worth it for the argument as a whole.
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2023
Verified Purchase
Recommendation: Worth it if you have the time, should you be interested in insider stuff and factoids about politicians. Not worth it for the argument as a whole.

Pros

Isolates the nature of the issue, and suggests a concrete goal: Ban Insider Trading in Congress, Possibly Get Rid of the Former Presidents Act

Gives good stats presenting the severity of the income split

Written in a witty, savvy, feel-good tone

Full of personal anecdotes that humanize both narrator and text

Lots of accounts of famous politicians to give insight and history, as well as factoids and statistics

Cons

Adds fuel to the populist ire, splits world into haves/have-nots

Seems naive about the nature of money

Misses the point

Squanders Opportunities

Creates unnecessary ill will via ad hominem jabs (ie Kerry the windsurfer)

Bogs text down with too many unnecessary facts that either don’t advance his argument, or reiterate things we already know

Stylistic pros are soured and curdle when read with consciousness of author’s motives and agenda

Recommendation: Worth it if you have the time, should you be interested in insider stuff and factoids about politicians. Not worth it for the argument as a whole.
Customer image
Aaron McNally
4.0 out of 5 stars Not worth it for the argument as a whole.
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2023
Recommendation: Worth it if you have the time, should you be interested in insider stuff and factoids about politicians. Not worth it for the argument as a whole.

Pros

Isolates the nature of the issue, and suggests a concrete goal: Ban Insider Trading in Congress, Possibly Get Rid of the Former Presidents Act

Gives good stats presenting the severity of the income split

Written in a witty, savvy, feel-good tone

Full of personal anecdotes that humanize both narrator and text

Lots of accounts of famous politicians to give insight and history, as well as factoids and statistics

Cons

Adds fuel to the populist ire, splits world into haves/have-nots

Seems naive about the nature of money

Misses the point

Squanders Opportunities

Creates unnecessary ill will via ad hominem jabs (ie Kerry the windsurfer)

Bogs text down with too many unnecessary facts that either don’t advance his argument, or reiterate things we already know

Stylistic pros are soured and curdle when read with consciousness of author’s motives and agenda

Recommendation: Worth it if you have the time, should you be interested in insider stuff and factoids about politicians. Not worth it for the argument as a whole.
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6 people found this helpful
Helpful
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Rob
5.0 out of 5 stars What a great book!
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2023
Verified Purchase
I see there is only one previous review of this book, which trashes it. Now, so far I have only read the forward, but I'm sure the other reviewer did not even read that far.
I do love the premise, as I know how politicians earn good salaries, but these cannot possibly account for their increases in net worth.
So I am sure I will enjoy the rest of the book. Hence my 5 star review. Note to Trump lovers; that's tongue in cheek,
If after reading this book I change my mind, I will edit my review.
11 people found this helpful
Helpful
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SueM
3.0 out of 5 stars Not what I hoped for
Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2023
Verified Purchase
Right wing…not my style
3 people found this helpful
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Joel Miller
5.0 out of 5 stars Evenhanded and carefully reported by a top-notch journalist
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2023
Verified Purchase
One thing I’ve always loved about Matt Lewis: He tells you where he stands and uses that position to analyze, critique, and suggest remedies. As a journalist, that gives his reporting and commentary a refreshing authenticity. If politics is an insincerity engine that drives personal agendas and gain, Lewis throws sand in those gears.

Importantly, however, this isn’t sideline criticism. As a journalist, Lewis has a deeply informed and well researched grasp of the problem he identifies. So many people rant and rail about what peeves them in politics, yet they don’t understand the challenges and they don’t present solutions. Lewis does. He takes his readers on a journey of discovery and lays out his responses. And because of his evenhanded approach, you sense the only agenda he’s pushing is an honest reckoning for all involved.

Lewis wants the country’s political system to thrive because he loves the country. And the surest way for both the country and political system to suffer is to let the abuses Lewis documents to persist.
5 people found this helpful
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Mark R. Yzaguirre
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book about wealth and political influence
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2023
Verified Purchase
Many books written by professional political commentators come off as quickly-composed books written to meet a deadline, or as collections of essays thrown together as a single piece. This isn't one of those books. Matt Lewis casts a sharp eye on how wealth and politics are intertwined in DC, both in terms of the affluence of those entering politics, and the money made when people leave office. One may not agree with every opinion and proposal in this book, but it is one worth reading.
8 people found this helpful
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Ryan Steusloff
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2023
Verified Purchase
Funny and insightful, definitely worth the time.
2 people found this helpful
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