Title: Voodoo economics
First published: 1993
Description: ‘Voodoo Economics in One Easy Lesson’ is a short, sweet, much to the point, primer on what is happening to America (circa 1993). It was intended to be a serious wake-up call to even the heavy sleepers. Combining truth and simple common sense with a touch of humor, this publication in the name of a ‘Natural Association for the Advancement of All People’ (NAAAP), was calculated to get the attention of both awakening patriots and those disposed to sleep on! It failed in its mission, of course.

To quote from its sales circular, “Why are we beginning to wake up to find ourselves aliens in our own land? Are Democrat and Republican leaders really on the same team selling us down the river? Who are we, (do we even know?) and where are we headed? What can we do about it? What is the New World Order, (is it really a new Tower of Babel?) and what will it mean for our future? Can we change course, or is it too late? Was George Orwell's ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’ in fact a preview of what is in store for us, perhaps in 1996 or 2004?

“Is Voodoo Economics the state of the arts… in today's emerging new global economy? William G. Camden has some startlingly politically incorrect insights in easy to read text (with some) crystal clear illustrations. This ‘lesson’ includes an attractive ‘Brevis Synopsis,’ (B.S.) Degree certificate suitable for framing – a real eye-catcher and conversation piece, and a great gift for those hard-to-awaken friends, relatives, and associates.”

Some might have dismissed ‘Voodoo Economics’ out of hand – either for its simple stapled format, or because it appeared to be the work of a “paranoid conspiracy theorist.” It was, of course, an early example of grass-roots desktop publishing, and chances are that only a few were printed.

Among other salient questions, the author asked, “Will Voodoo Economics save the day? What about tomorrow?” Well, this is tomorrow folks, and our economy and fiscal situation seem to be totally out of control. The author suggested that continuing to apply Voodoo Economics to our growing fiscal problems would eventually end in calamity. In his tongue-in-cheek style, he predicted that continued application of “Voodoo Doodoo” would eventually deliver up the big “Voodoo Doodoo Booboo.” It seems he hit the nail on the head there.

Today, (2011) we would have to conclude that few got the message or the diploma. The events since the turn of the millennium, and particularly since 9/11 and the economic meltdown starting in 2007-8, lend considerable credence to what the author was warning of and what else might still be in store. Too bad the book is not available to read on line. I’ve been hoping the author would issue an updated edition. It isn’t conspiracy theory any more, it’s right here in our faces!
Subjects: economics, voodoo economics, conspiracy theory, social commentary, political commentary
Time periods: Late twentieth century America
LC classification: MLCM 96/14360 (H)