Understanding the urgent need for a deeply thoughtful, balanced book to
explain our national political process, Dave Barry has not even come
close. Though he himself has covered many campaigns, run for president
several times, and run for cover at the rainy inauguration of George W.
Bush (the man will spare nothing for his art), Barry has instead outdone
himself.
Below the Beltway includes Barry's stirring account of how the United
States was born, including his version of a properly written Declaration
(When in the course of human events it behooves us, the people, not to
ask "What can our country do for us, anyway?" but rather whether we have
anything to fear except fear itself) and a revised Constitution (Section
II: The House of Representatives shall be composed of people who own at
least two dark suits and have not been indicted recently).
Dave also cracks the income-tax code and explains the growth(s) of
government, congressional hearing difficulties, and the persistent
rumors of the influence of capital in the Capitol. Among other civic
contributions, his tour of Washington D.C. should end school class trips
forever.
