Conventional wisdom says that America needs tighter campaign finance rules to level the political playing field. A recent book suggests the opposite is true. Existing rules give enormous advantages to certain political players, and proposed campaign finance "reforms" would solidify their grip even further.

"Monopoly Politics" (Hoover Press, 1999; 157 pages), by James C. Miller III, describes a system so stacked in favor of congressional incumbents that challengers have little hope of defeating them in the voting booth.

More likely than not, the vast majority of congressional incumbents who run for re-election this year will win, and win big. In 1998, voters re-elected 98.3 percent of all incumbents who sought to remain in the U.S. House of Representatives. Three out of four of these incumbents won re-election with more than 60 percent of the vote. Believe it or not, that was fairly typical for a congressional election. Since 1950, incumbents seeking re-election to the House won 93 percent of the time. Senators fared nearly as well, winning 80 percent of their re-election bids.

In explaining these overwhelming percentages, Miller juxtaposes political markets with commercial markets. In the latter, anti-trust laws exist to prevent businesses from colluding to keep new competitors from entering the marketplace. But in the political marketplace, elected officials routinely engage in monopolistic practices with impunity. After all, Congress writes the election laws.

Miller, who once served as chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, and who was himself a challenger in two Senate primaries, believes incumbents often win re-election because they have access to the formidable resources of their political offices. For instance, incumbents routinely bombard their home districts with mass mailings at taxpayer expense. They have free use of the Capitol's television and radio studios. They use the appropriations process to lavish their districts with pork-barrel spending. They provide "constituent services" to the voters who will ultimately decide their political fates. Few challengers can easily overcome such advantages.

Federal election laws also provide congressional incumbents with a substantial edge. For example, the law allows incumbents to maintain multi-million-dollar "war chests" from one election cycle to the next. These discourage would-be challengers from entering the race. And because incumbents with large war chests are thought more likely to win re-election, many challengers find it difficult to raise money for their underdog campaigns.

Reform-minded readers will enjoy Miller's lengthy discourse on campaign finance reform. Although several reform proposals are competing for Congress' attention, most are based on the assumption that money has corrupted the political marketplace. Predictably, the leading reform proposals would further restrict a candidate's ability to raise or spend campaign money.

Miller advocates an entirely different point of view. He believes the political marketplace is suffering not from too much money, but from too little competition. While incumbents are generally well-known in their home districts, most challengers must spend an inordinate amount of time and money to introduce themselves to the electorate. Further restricting a congressional candidate's ability to raise or spend campaign money would only make it more difficult for challengers to become known in their districts.

"Monopoly Politics" offers 15 specific recommendations for increasing competition in the political marketplace. Among other things, Miller would eliminate the legal ceilings on campaign contributions and require campaigns to disclose their contributions fully. He would impose term limits, eliminate "pork" in the budget, prohibit war chests, and end the free use of Capitol television and radio studios.

Some of Miller's recommendations are more practical than others. (Indeed, fiscal conservatives have tried unsuccessfully for decades to purge wasteful pork projects from the federal budget.) But on the whole, Miller's recommendations would likely inject much-needed competition into the political marketplace. For that reason, expect incumbents to offer fierce resistance.

As interesting as Miller's book is, even more interesting have been the reactions to it. Inside the Washington Beltway, people nod in agreement with Miller's description of how politicians engage in anti-competitive behavior, as though that is the way the system is supposed to work. Outside the Beltway, people have trouble seeing what the controversy is all about. They could care less about competition among politicians. After all, aren't politicians pretty much the same? In fact, politicians aren't all the same. But if we don't change the system, we might never be sure.

(James Carter is an economist with the U.S. Senate. Patrick Chisholm is managing editor at KCI Communications, an investment newsletter publisher.)

Thanks to an advance copy of "Monopoly Politics" I have had a chance to read and review a book that takes a much needed new look at a tired problem. Too many reformers have offered the same explanation and remedies for the ills of the political markets. Namely limit the money, control the money, track the money. But Dr. Miller dives straight into the heart of the problem, the lack of competition in the political markets. Hopefully this book will be the start of a new debate that addresses the real problem, so that effective reform can begin.

As always, getting into a new book is slow going...when I started this book, I didn't think I was going to be able to really "get into it" after the first few pages....WOW was I wrong! This book is so fully of passion, drama, humor...I couldn't put it down. You will fall in love with the characters and hate to see this book end...you MUST buy this and read it!!

This was the best book that I have ever read by Linda Lael Miiler. I simply loved everything about this novel,especially the two characters Reeve McKenna and Maggie Chamberlin. Reeve was simply beautiful with his rugged good looks and charming wit. Everything about him exuded power and sensuality and while I read this book I found myself wishing for a man like him more than once. His beloved,Maggie,is just as wonderful. She was the type of person who refused to let anything get her down. Fiercely independent at heart,she proved to be a perfect match for Reeve who was also very independent. Take my word for it, these two characters will take you,the reader, on a wild adventure of outrageous love and laughter. I promise that you will not be disappointed with this book. So please go to Amazon and buy it. (Please!)

I bought this book new in 1972 and believe that anyone interested in the Glenn Miller Orchestra should have this book in their library. It is a wonderful book and is full of information that can't be found anywhere else. Yes, there are a few errors, but what book doesn't have errors. I highly recommend this book. You should buy it before it becomes unavailable.

No Miller buff should be without this book. Even though it is over 25 years old and has some errors and omissions it's a fine piece of work. If you are interested in knowing who played what and when on Glenn's studio recordings, radio show airchecks, and soundtrack recordings you must get this book. It's a book for all serious Glenn Miller collectors.

This book and it's companion Mountain Directory East are valuable publications to have handy as you travel by RV throughout the USA. They provide the elevation, the % of inclines, the length of the inclline, hidden curves, speed and so much more. Referring to these guides before a mountain pass helps prepare you for the amount of brake usage that will be necessary to reach the bottom safely. Richard has done a great job of researching the varied terrain, referring to the pass information can provide a significant peace of mind to all RV Getaways.

Mountain Directory West was invaluable to me when plotting a course through 17 states from Georgia to Washington State and back again. Another silver haired grandmother and I traveled in my new 31 ft motorhome through mountains of S. Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, the Oregon and California coasts, Arizona and New Mexico. By knowing what was ahead on our route, we were able to cool our engine and brakes before ascending or descending a particular stretch of highway, and never experienced a moment's trouble.

I highly recommend Mountain Directory West for any RV/Motorhome driver who is planning a trip over any US mountain range west of the Mississippi. The companion Mountain Directory East serves the same purpose for those traveling east of the Mississippi.

I received the first Mustard book as a gift, and could not wait until the next two came out so I could add them to my favorites. As I work with women who are going through tough life experiences, such as divorce, I often sit them down and read softly from the mustard books. They help o restore hope to a soul that is tortured. Jessel has captured that soul soothing that happens when you curl up in a down comforter, sipping a cup of hot chocolate, and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the moment. Her mustard books touch the core of the being in reminding one to have strong values, learn from their elders, serve others, and enjoy the goodness of this earth. The illustrations and story support each other in providing a feel good experience.

The story takes place in Napa Valley. It is very inspiring, uplifting, and a joy to read. The book leaves you with a very good feeling about everyday life. The folk art work is gorgeous. This is a wonderful book for all ages.

These books are so cute. There are several of them in the series. They use the lyrics from popular Motown songs with pictures of various happy babies.

The books are heavy cardboard so if you have a child that is just at the point of trying to turn the pages by themselves they won't rip the pages. They are also well sized for little hands.

The babies are a multicultural lot with both mommies and daddies represented so chances are you will find babies, and parents, that look just like you.

And since the words are really song lyrics they are easily sung or spoke in a rhythm that children should like.

Perfect book for both my girls! The baby is biracial and it's so hard to find anything that isn't all blonde hair and blue eyes! These books are cute, fun and we all know the words! Only complaint: HARD TO FIND! Even here, unless you know what you are looking for! But worth the search!

Every once in a while, on a rainy day, I take out My Book House or MY Storybook Treasury and I go back in time. Back to a safe place where all is safe and warm. I remember being sick and reading the books. I remember holding my children and then grandchildren and reading to them. These books have stood the test of time. They work their majic today, just as they did when I was a child. They encourage use of imagination and a closeness between parent and child.

This is a compilation of the first two volumes of the My Bookhouse series which has charmed and educated children (and parents) since 1920. It contains poetry and stories for young children and includes illustrations from the original volumes. A treasure.

Myths, Mysteries, and Legends of Alabama doesn't tell ghost stories, but there's plenty in the book to shiver about, no matter the weather. Picture marshmallows on sticks held over a blazing campfire by wide-eyed children sitting on blankets as you tell them the story of the Civil War soldier who was buried alive. They'll remember the description of claw marks on the casket lid long after they've forgotten the name of the latest teen screen idol, and be clamoring for more. Adults, too, will want to hear about the pecan tree that cried, the Indian Chief who caused an earthquake, and the winter the UFOs buzzed an Alabama town. They'll be puzzled over who, or what, mutilated cows without leaving a trace of blood, and about the beast that prowled an old cemetery. Far-fetched? Not at all. Neither is the idea that the first Europeans to land in America came up Mobile Bay, or the Alabama version of John Henry's duel with the steam drill. Each of the twelve stories impressed me in a different way. Some made me laugh, some made me cry, but all of them made me think. It's worth the ride. And more than worth the price.

Myths, Mysteries, and Legends of Alabama doesn't tell ghost stories, but there's plenty in the book to shiver about, no matter the weather. Picture marshmallows on sticks held over a blazing campfire by wide-eyed children sitting on blankets as you tell them the story of the Civil War soldier who was buried alive. They'll remember the description of claw marks on the casket lid long after they've forgotten the name of the latest teen screen idol, and be clamoring for more. Adults, too, will want to hear about the pecan tree that cried, the Indian Chief who caused an earthquake, or the winter the UFOs buzzed an Alabama town. They'll be puzzled over who, or what, mutilated cows without leaving a trace of blood, and about the beast that prowled an old cemetery. Far-fetched? Not at all. Neither is the idea that the first Europeans to land in America came up Mobile Bay, or the Alabama version of John Henry's duel with the steam drill. Each of the 12 stories impressed me in a different way. Some made me laugh, some made me cry, but all of them made me think. It's worth the ride. And more than worth the price.

The "new age" has gotten a bad rap over the years, and for good reason: there's been a lot of flaky nonsense out there, and a lot of self-delusion. But as reporter Patrick Miller points out, "Many ideas and practices once deemed New Age have never been more influential than they are today." Miller is referring to things like meditation, yoga, and vegetarian diets, but this remarkable book of 25 interviews and essays--culled from an illustrious decades-long career in the "journalism of consciousness"-- covers a much wider gamut than just individual lifestyle choices. Subjects explored here include paths to creativity; therapy for victims of torture; shamanism (homegrown and indigenous varieties); how to do what you love for a living (an extraordinarily comprehensive and well-researched analysis!); "spiritual machines"; how cults exploit--and provide a channel for--the devotional impulse (a thoughtful and most unusual piece, incorporating interviews with a former Moonie and other cult alumni); the relationship between therapy and ecology, altered states of consciousness (of course); and much more.

"Most forms of journalism have a short shelf life of relevance," Miller notes in his introduction. "My aim . . . for this book was to include only information and insights with 'staying power' for years to come." Miller's interviewees include Dean Ornish, Malidoma Some, Theodore Roszak, Ralph Metzner, and Jacob Needleman among others. The pieces in this book were were all published previously in periodicals such as Yoga Journal, The Sun, Intuition, Gnosis, Mother Jones, and Natural Health.

Miller divides the bulk of this book into two "somewhat arbitrary" (he admits) sections: "Changing the Self" and "Changing the World." The first section contains interviews and essays that pertain primarily to "self-work" and personal transformation, while the second section is more concerned with social activism and cultural transformation. There is a third and final section, entitled "Changing Journalism," containing two essays by Miller about the business of news, and his own evolution from a muckraking political journalist in the late '70s to a respectful and open-minded investigator of matters spiritual and unorthodox. Cover to cover, this book is a compelling and--dare I say it?--enlightening tour-de-force!

NEWS OF A NEW HUMAN NATURE is an interesting collection of interviews and articles conducted and written by D. Patrick Miller. Mr. Miller interviews many people in the forefront of the contemporary spiritual movement that was at one time largely known as the "New Age," the roster includes: Charles Tart, Riane Eisler, Malidoma Some, Sobonfu Some, Helen Palmer, Theodore Roszak, Dan Wakefield, Jacob Needleman, to name a few. Miller examines why most interviewed in NEW OF A NEW HUMAN NATURE will not use the term New Age anymore: because it has been cheapened due to poor media representation. New Agers are often thought of as flaky and trend-obsessed rather than serious spiritual seekers. Miller argues that New Agers should be applauded for at least making spiritual awareness a part of contemporary society. Still, that label is going the way of the Dodo. And those interviewed are anything but flaky; they are individuals committed to aiding in creating a spiritual awakening in this society.

The interview with Malidoma Some, which occurs in chapter 16, is my favorite part of NEWS OF A NEW HUMAN NATURE. Malidoma, a spiritual leader from Burkina Faso (West Africa) and author of the book OF WATER AND THE SPIRIT, makes the wise comment that when we speak of saving the environment it is rather backwards that we see it as being something "outside" of our own survival. As Malidoma points out, human existence is only a small blip on the scale of global existence; by destroying the environment we are destroying ourselves. The planet will gladly rebuild once we are gone . . . it's done it before. Malidoma says that when we talk about saving the planet, we need to keep in mind that we are talking about saving our own "[behinds]." Our survival depends on the planet, not the other way around.

Men and machine were combined to form one of the most awesome military operations the world has ever seen. On 6 June 1944, this power was unleashed upon Nazi Germany in such a manner that books, stories and documentaries are still being written as if the battle had just been fought.

This book goes even deeper, using accounts from both sides of the war to portray the feelings of those in battle. Statistics on the projected wounded, killed and missing meant nothing to the men on that day. Their sole purpose was to carry out their orders and survive to someday make it home to their loved ones.

In Mr. Miller's foreword he relates of trying to get those he interviewed to tell of what if felt like to be at Normandy, and what was going through their heads as they approached the beaches.

This book is refereshing in that the author hits his mark and works to portray both sides of the struggle by detailing what the men felt, and not just their reflections on the battle or military strategy. As you progress through the book you will find that the author has done just that and more. It's a "riveting soldier's-eye view of the deadly confusion of battle . . . a significant contribution to military and D-Day literature."

"Nothing Less than Vistory" is quite moving and comes highly recommended to those interested in first hand accounts detailing the leadup and subsequent invasion of Normandy.

This book is one of the most powerful historical accounts I have read relating to D-day. The accounts come from a wide range of sources, from German soldiers manning the bunkers to French civilians caught in the crossfire. This book gives a vivid account of what it was like to be involved in the D-day invasion from all sides. It depicts the boredom pre-invasion to the sheer horror of the invasion itself. I highly reccomend it!!!