Mystery of Government Summary and Analysis

Parliament of Whores is a critical look not only at American government, but at the concept of government itself. O'Rourke argues that the U.S. government is irreparably broken, benefiting the undeserving at the expense of the American taxpayer. In O'Rourke's view, a functional society lies in the hopes and dreams of individuals, as facilitated by a self-correcting free market. O'Rourke holds that when government interferes in economics, people are stifled and freedoms are compromised.

O'Rourke characterizes government as stupid, greedy and controlling. Government remains unchecked, he explains, because the people are disengaged from a boring, impenetrable political process which ultimately fails to address their needs. O'Rourke refutes the notion that Americans don't understand their rightful place in the operation of a democracy. Instead, he suggests that government doesn't understand its rightful place in the operation of...