Review of Randy Gage's "Why You're Dumb Sick and Broke"

This book captivated me from the very beginning. Actually, this book captivated me before I even bought the book. Amazon.com had put the book on my recommended list and the title, “Why You’re Dumb, Sick and Broke” really grabbed me. Then, I read some of the excerpts from the book. I really couldn’t believe someone was making statements like Randy Gage was making. For example, in regard to the late Pope John Paul II, Randy Gage states, “Like most religious leaders, his actions actually worked to keep his followers dumb, sick, and broke. He leaves behind a legacy of poverty, ignorance, and despair.” How could Randy Gage make such a statement. I mean hadn’t the media proclaimed that Pope John Paul II was one of the greatest leaders of the past 100 years at least, religious and otherwise? I knew than that I had to read this book.

From the very beginning, this book will pull you in and make you think. For example, at the very beginning of the book, Mr. Gage describes how he was shot and almost killed in an attempted robbery. This is a shocking enough event in itself, but then, Mr. Gage goes on to say that he had subconsciously wished this event on himself. What? How could anyone subconsciously attract an event like this into his or her life?

What this book does from the very beginning is hit you over the head and make you start thinking, or, engaging in critical thinking as Mr. Gage calls it. This book will prod you to take a critical look at your life, particularly your beliefs that shape what you do in all areas of your life, financial, health, and spiritual. This book will make you realize that we accept many of our beliefs without questioning their truth. These days, many of our beliefs now are planted in our brains by the media. The media, from movies to popular songs to TV shows to news, programs us to believe that it is noble to be poor, the rich are immoral, and that money is evil. For example, the 1997 movie, Titanic, panders extensively to this belief. So, subconsciously, one may stay or become poor to act out this belief if one doesn’t realize that this belief is being programmed into him and then reprogram oneself with a much more useful, realistic, and positive belief.

Obviously, Randy Gage writes about many controversial issues. It doesn’t matter whether you agree with him or not. He isn’t trying to convert the reader to his point of view. The point is to engage in critical thinking for yourself. If you don’t, you are then likely to end up “dumb, sick, and broke.” I very strongly recommend this book.