Crimes Against Nature: How George W. Bush and His Corporate Pals Are Plundering the Country and Hijacking Our Democracy

Introduction to "Crimes Against Nature"

Published in 2004, “Crimes Against Nature: How George W. Bush and His Corporate Pals Are Plundering the Country and Hijacking Our Democracy” is my urgent appeal to readers to examine the environmental, economic, and political crises facing the United States during the Bush administration. This book is a deeply researched exposé that lays bare the systemic corruption and the tightly knit relationship between big business and the federal government. By unmasking the collusion between corporate interests and government officials, I sought to illustrate how this alliance severely undermines democracy, weakens protections designed for public welfare, and puts the environment at grave risk for generations to come.

As an environmental advocate and lawyer, much of my work has involved holding powerful entities accountable for their disregard of environmental regulations and public trust. "Crimes Against Nature" was born out of a desire to awaken Americans to the manipulation of democratic principles for private gain. This book is not merely a critique of one administration but a call to action for all who care about preserving democracy, protecting our shared environmental heritage, and upholding justice for citizens over corporations.

Detailed Summary of the Book

The book makes a compelling argument that the Bush administration’s environmental policies were crafted with blatant favoritism toward big corporations, often ignoring public health, scientific evidence, and the long-term consequences for America’s natural resources. I highlight numerous cases where policies were intentionally weakened or laws outright violated to benefit polluting industries such as oil, gas, and coal.

I dive deeply into how the administration rolled back protections under the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act, blocked efforts to address climate change, and allowed industries to degrade public lands and ecosystems with little accountability. The narrative also explains how the administration used misleading rhetoric to justify its actions, often cloaking regressive policies in the guise of improving efficiency or reducing bureaucracy.

But "Crimes Against Nature" is not just about environmental degradation. It also examines how this same model of crony capitalism seeps into other arenas, threatening public health, weakening democracy, and tilting the scales of justice away from the average American. The book reveals a dangerous trajectory where government prioritizes short-term profits over the long-term well-being of its people and the planet.

Key Takeaways

• Systemic corruption at the highest levels of government poses a threat to public health and environmental safeguards.
• The fusion of corporate interests and political power undermines democracy by prioritizing profits over the needs of citizens.
• Environmental deregulation benefits a small, wealthy elite at the expense of ordinary Americans and future generations.
• Awareness and civic engagement are critical tools for challenging corporate overreach and protecting democratic institutions.
• The role of independent science and informed public debate is essential in ensuring sustainable and just policymaking.

Famous Quotes from the Book

“America is facing a crisis as momentous as any in its history—an unholy alliance between government and corporations threatening to plunder everything we hold dear, from democracy to the natural systems that support life itself.”

“When government connives with corporations to undermine public health and environmental safeguards, democracy itself is in jeopardy.”

“What we need is not deregulation, but better regulation-- regulation that serves the people, not corporate greed.”

Why This Book Matters

At its core, "Crimes Against Nature" is a rallying call for citizens to reclaim their democracy and demand accountability from their leaders. The book still resonates today as the issues of climate change, corporate influence in politics, and environmental justice remain not only relevant but increasingly urgent.

By examining how specific policies were manipulated during the Bush administration, the book provides readers with a clear framework for identifying similar patterns of corruption in other governments. It also emphasizes the interconnectedness of environmental stewardship and democracy, showing that when we weaken one, the other inevitably suffers.

This book matters because it offers a blueprint for how ordinary people can educate themselves, become advocates for truth, and hold those in power accountable. It reminds us that democracy is not a spectator sport—it requires active participation, vigilance, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths.