Michael Rizzo Libri

Special interests dominate Washington. Through their political spending and lobbying they can usually achieve the policies they want even if they conflict with public opinion.While most Americans viscerally sense the corruption in government, they are not sure how it operates. In this basic guide, you will learn the nuts and bolts of this legalized money laundering scheme that has reached such heights it is now destabilizing our democracy.Moreover, you will see real life examples of how it profoundly impacts your life—from annual tax returns to online privacy rights, from the size of airplane seats to the degradation of the environment.Most importantly, an argument for structurally reforming the political system through publicly financed election campaigns will be made as critical to preserving our republic.

Stories abound about legendary New York City gangsters like "Lucky" Luciano, but Buffalo has housed its fair share of thugs and mobsters too. While many were nothing more than common criminals or bank robbers, a powerful crime family headed by local boss Stefano Magaddino emerged in the 1920s. Close to Canada, Niagara Falls and Buffalo were perfect avenues through which to transport booze, and Magaddino and his Mafiosi maintained a stranglehold on the city until his death in 1974. Local mob expert Michael Rizzo takes a tour of Buffalo's mafia exploits everything from these brutal gangsters' favorite hangouts to secret underground tunnels to murder.