Review by W. J. Rayment / ConservativeBookstore -- Political correctness is the way leftists attempt to stifle political argument that in any way calls into question their agenda. Anyone who questions leftist ideas are labelled and marginalized. The questioner's motivations are called into question. Invective is used to silence dissent. In his book The P.C. Fraud: Political Correctness in American Politics Brian Iannucci, a political scientist in Jacksonville, Florida, explains how this process works, its pernicious effects on life in America, and how to fight it.

There is no question that "The PC Fraud" is written from a conservative perspective. Mr. Iannucci catalogues many incidents of how political correctness has been used to marginalize conservative voices. Especially interesting is his analysis of the manner in which black Republicans are treated by the left. He points out that the left has portrayed itself as the sole protector of the rights of black people. When a black person rejects this notion and subscribes to the traditional work ethic, and market system that has made the United States the foremost economic power on Earth, leftist cannot allow him to stand. Black conservatives are treated with unrestrained vitriol, as if they are sell-outs, or evil, for relying on themselves rather than on the left. This has the effect of repressing black people, creating an artificial glass ceiling that prevents them from participating fully in American society.

The PC/leftist agenda extends to the suppression of the very fundamental idea of competition. Promoting self-esteem as being too fragile to face the fire of actual conflict either on the sports field or in the arena of ideas. The left does not seem to understand that it is in competition that excellence is attained, and that true self-worth can be measured. Yet for the left competition is bad. By fostering self-reliance, it makes the leftist nanny state unnecessary. In order to stifle the competitive nature of people the left reaches out for children at the youngest ages, discouraging competitive games and teaching that competition is bad in the classroom. As Mr. Iannucci states on p. 113:

This entire concept ignores the fact that the real world is all about competition. People compete against one another at work for promotion. Careers are built by winning and are motivated by losing. The lessons from both winning and losing build character and foster growth. By improperly preparing children in schools for the rigors of competition the educators are poorly preparing these same children for the real world they will encounter in their futures.

Besides defining political correctness and giving examples of its effects, "The P.C. Fraud" outlines twelve steps to "Beating Political Correctness". These are practical things any reader can do to help reduce the freedom stifling effects of political correctness. Mr. Iannucci has produced a much needed work, vital reading for anyone engaged in the war of words with the left.