BTW, What's the Matter with Kansas? is a great book. No matter what your political views, it's very well written, and gives an interesting take on the conservative dominance of the Great Plains.
Alot of DEM's read it on another board I frequently go to. They said it was a great book to read regardless of your political affiliation. They also said, it was extremley depressing for Democrats because it accuratley depicts how they are losing America.
Maybe if the Dems had turned into a bunch of socialists they could win more elections?