"Right Angles and Other Obstinate Truths" is a fascinating collection of commentaries on current issues, famous and infamous individuals, passing fads, Baby Boomer memories and personal experiences. The more than 70 short essays by Michael M. Bates are provocative and may strike some as controversial. They all appeared in his regular column in the southwest suburban "Chicago Reporter Newspapers." There aren't many books that run the gamut from Adams (John) to Zorro. This one does, and includes observations on topics as disparate as the IRS, Banned Books Week, pet psychics, the Chicago Cubs, Wal-Mart and eternity. You may find the author's views extreme, repugnant, wildly illogical, disgracefully partisan, inconsistent or narrow minded. They are never boring. ******** "When the United States began, the federal government was responsible for a handful of things. The idea was the smaller the size of government, the less likely citizens would be oppressed. "Now we've matured as a country. Now we've come to expect almost everything from Washington. Welfare, retirement plans, health care, education, roads, entertainment...you name it and the Big Brother in DC is paying for it, taxing it or regulating it." From "Right Angles and Other Obstinate Truths"