Mafia Democracy: How Our Republic Became a Mob Racket

My proofreader, who introduced me to Mr. Franzese’s books some years ago, insisted I include this part of my more formal book review, that I edited out. If it convinces folks to invest a few dollars and take a little time to learn something by reading the book, then space well worth it. If not, then my apologies for cluttering up the place.The deleted part is as follows:An Important Book for an election cycle where groups from both sides are decrying the end of civilization as we know it by howling: if that OPPOSITION wins! Ask which OPPOSITION is that? You are liable to get back – YOU know! THAT – OPPOSITION, which apparently clarifies the entirety of the policy debate for everyone in the conversation. And gives you, reading this, the most pertinent answer to your question – RUN! RUN FAST, RUN NOW! don’t look back! if you have gram crackers, or fruit cups on you throw them to the side like flares in a Top Gun movie, and hope the political rhetoric aficionado is distracted while you make your escape back to reality. Michael Franzese’s newest book released in this political climate is a dash too reality. Especially in a world of political rhetoric that can be characterized liken to those reverberating claims of another time of Noah and his impending flood. Imagine their surprise if we all get back a word from Noah on high - that’s not water y’all are being inundated with - get a shovel.Michael Franzese. Mafia Democracy: How our Republic Became a Mob Racket. Lioncrest Publishing. 2022An important book, written and released going into a contentious election cycle. Though the readers may find the book more useful after the election cycle. Mr. Franzese’s book is not political rhetoric, thankfully. Instead this book teaches its readers what is important to look for ahead of the election, and more importantly how to take the measure of a newly elected officials after their election. If you are a Left, Right, Center, or even unconcerned with how your life is regulated by government, the book Mafia Democracy offers lessons in politics, policy, and corruption, it does this by largely avoiding becoming a political manifesto. Instead Mr. Franzese uses Machiavelli, his extensive experience in the operations of the Society of Silence, and, most dangerous of all, verified facts to warn the public of what bad governance is.The main themes broadly follow three juxtapositions. The first is organized crime’s history, and how that history describes the rise of criminal organizations through loyalty, merit, and effectiveness. He then tells how this history culminates in Crime’s Institutions disintegrating as their societys’ members lost their dedication to their constitution (the social contract of the streets), their laws, their traditions, and their brotherhood. As greed, loyalty to self, and the personal betrayals of loyalty to their brotherhood overtook its members devastating criminal organizations. Mr. Franzese and his colleagues on their You Tube Channels describe these events in more detail, but in his book, he presents how the disintegration of American unity and community similarly succumbs to the same corrupting forces of greed, selfishness, and personal betrayals of what America is; turning the population of the United States against itself.He follows his historical descriptions with two juxtapositions. They are the core of his message and wrap around the historical narrative to draw the reader into lessons with the undeniable conclusions: politicians’ misdeeds are becoming dangerous to all of us. Mr. Franzese punctuates each lesson with the Machiavellian truism that underscores his examples. Like a Master Preceptor, he begins surveying examples of politicians’ corruption from both sides of the political spectrum. Then he surveys how organized crime uses the exact same criminal methods corrupt politicians write for themselves into law, regulation, and rules. He does this for several issues including money laundering and subverting public safety officials.Mr. Franzese continues to illustrate his lessons on how to best examine politicians to discern the good from the bad before voting. He concludes with a few regulatory suggestions and policy recommendations. His recommendations culminate the individual lessons throughout the book to reveal to the reader how the synchronized corruption functions, and how a change in laws, regulations, and regulatory organizations can disrupt the systemic mechanisms that allows for corruption.The book will help the reader identify which elected officials help build America by avoiding corrupt practices and which betray the American people. Most important and valuable, once Mr. Franzese’s lessons make the reader aware of how the corruption comes into being, the reader can create standards they can apply in the future to assess how that first time electee develops over a career, or whether a veteran politician with years or decades of mileage on them has become more a canker than Statesman.Reading this book is quick and easy. It is written in a fluid and conversational style communicating information effectively by describing the Gordian knot of money making, power grabbing, and corruption from both sides of the law and political spectrum. If it is much like receiving a college course lecture in how corruption works.

The Mafia Democracy is an eye opening book on how criminal many of our elected officials are. It doesn't matter what party many are abusing the work and taxes of hard working Americans. Micheal Franzese brings facts to the light on how our government is being ran like they are a bunch of Mobsters. We the people need to open our eyes and vote like our lives as We know it depend on it. Steps to reign in this out of control start at the ballot box....if we can find some honest politicians that want to serve our country.

You know that this book is a straight ahead, no nonsense, information first text, when you see the Forward is written by Rudolph Giuliani, a man who stared at the Author in a courtroom, as he announced he would be sending him to prison for 100 years. The very well detailed premise of the book is that the United States Government today functions much like the Mafia of the 1950s, 60s and 70s United States. Let me tell you what it isn’t. It isn’t a memoir of ‘remember that time we threw that guy in the woodchipper?’ story. It is an analytical comparison of The Mafia at it’s height vs Government Corruption at its worst.Mr. Franzese takes us back to Italy and gives us a history of how the Mafia was born, and then, eventually, moved to NYC and most of the urban areas of the USA. He references a noted historical character, Machiavelli, and his work, The Prince. One particular quote from that work is referenced several times in Mafia Democracy: “The promise given was a necessity of the past. The word broken is a necessity of the present”. Franzese utilizes this quote as he takes the hierarchy of the Mafia as a template and carefully lays it over the Congress of the United States in the 21st century.This isn’t a casual opinion piece. It isn’t an Oh, My God! Look at the waste of money, or a simple Wow! He made money on that vote! Franzese names names! Both Politicians and Lobbyists! And shows how easily those positions enhance the other’s career paths. He takes you deep in to the crevices of criminal behavior, that isn’t illegal! It is a book verified by 20 pages of footnotes. It is generously seasoned with quotes from notable people: Founding Fathers, Authors, Philosophers etc. that continue to reflect the idea that good guys can become bad guys.After reading this book, you may look back to the beginning, to Franzese’ re-counting of the early days of the Mafia, and its well-structured hierarchy. You might find yourself thinking ‘Gee, I’d rather have those guys in charge. They know how to get things done’! Then think of this quote from the book, the next time you see a politician mumbling and stumbling to answer a question:“I never lie to any man because I don’t fear anyone. The only time you lie is when you are afraid.” – John Gotti

The amount of detail and documentation are very impressive. Despite the detail the book was very readable. It is frustrating to realize how difficult it will be to change the system.

I have not finished the book as yet. But Michael goes back in history to show how our government has been corrupt. Nothing new.

The book is very specific written aboutOur government and how the people in charge of our government get away with the laws to escape the jail time and favoring themselves instead of serving the American peoples. Also in the book is mentioned how our officials elected doubled and tripled their wealth since they got elected instead Ordinarily Americans strongly every day to pay their bills. THANK YOU TO THE WRITER OF THIS BOOK STRONGLY RECOMMENDED TO EVERYONE

I’m glad it came on time and intact.

Great book, I'm about 1/4 into it. I've noticed a few mistakes like Gotti's date of death wrong. It's 2002 instead of 1992. It should've been caught before publishing

Enjoyed the book. I am on the opposite side of the political spectrum to Michael Franzese, but do believe that his observations of the modern day issues are valid and top level solutions correct and acceptable for anyone who has democracy, transparency and fairness at heart.However, two issues within the text have taken away one star.1. In the ‘Foreword’ by controversial Rudy Giuliani Eastern Europeans are singled out as those who run concentration camps. As a Pole whose grandparents were imprisoned and tortured by nazis in those camps this is deeply hurting. Concentration camps were run by Germans, period. Were there collaborators with nazis who were willing to help with persecution of Jews, people seen as inferior (most of the slavic nations and Roma people, left wing politicians, academics, artists, homosexuals etc.)? Yes, there were, all across the Europe, from one corner to another. Nazis didn’t invent it, history shows us that long before World War II these sentiments were present in many countries of the old continent.2. Michael Franzese shows his admiration to certain aspects of living and having a business in The UK. I must say that it isn’t as easy as he writes, no more of ‘Cool Britannia’ after 12 years of conservative governments. We have observed shocking rise in the number of food banks, ever progressing isolation on the global stage, poverty and decline of the small and medium enterprise due to trade barriers and post-pandemic recovery. Nothing that can be compared to early 2000’s, which were indeed golden years. The biggest positive, still, is the fact of the tax payer funded medical care - NHS.

Enjoyable book. A good understanding of the American political system would be an advantage I had to look up several aspects with which I was unfamiliar.After watching a few you tube videos I thought I'd give it a go and was glad I did.His arguments seem valid and well researched through referencesThere is also in the back of your mind a little niggle "Is this man the ultimate born again good guy or Machiavelli reborn" Either way he is entertaining has led a fascinating life which he has documented in his previous books . Worth the money.

I submitted this a few minutes ago, but it was removed for apparently profanity. I don't see how the word repetitive is profanity...Good book though, lots of resources, data and references but feels like the main point is pointlessly repetitive.Great points though on how to avoid certain political holes such as corruption.

Already read this and bought for a friend for Christmas this really is a must-read if you have any interest in politics, the history of the mafia or both. A very keen and unrivaled insight from Michael Franzese in this book and he makes some very good parallel points and it will definitely make you look at the way not just your own government works but those from around the world. It is a game changer. Highly recommend only wish there was a nice hardcover version but still it is a 5 out of 5 from me. I cannot wait for his next book.

As Mr Francese has pointed out the government has jailed the mob and hijacked its methods of earning, but neglected to discipline the streets. Surely we don’t need criminals to police the criminals but maybe the riots etc wouldn’t have happened under their tenure?