While the “new elite” in America undeniably reflects a notable Jewish influence, certain seemingly non-Jewish families also warrant attention, particularly for the political—if not financial—power they have amassed.
The terms “philandering,” “bootlegging,” and “wheeling and dealing” are often tied to the legacy of Ambassador Joseph E. Kennedy and his sons, Jack, Bobby, and Ted.
However, a seasoned American author suggests that phrases like “arms deals,” “clandestine operations,” “money laundering banks,” and “cover-up” are equally fitting descriptors for another influential political dynasty—the Bush family.
Unveiling Generations of Power and Corruption in the Bush Dynasty
In his bold and unflinching expose, American Dynasty (Viking/Penguin, 2004), prolific author and commentator Kevin Phillips uncovers the deep-seated intrigues and corruption surrounding President George W. Bush, his brothers, their father, and even earlier generations of the family.
Previously, in our blog posts, we explored Phillips’ other significant writings on the American plutocracy, all of which are highly recommended for further reading.
With the subtitle “Aristocracy, Fortune, and the Politics of Deceit in the House of Bush,” American Dynasty offers an engrossing 397-page account of the Bush family’s history.
In many ways, it doubles as a chronicle of some of the most significant political and financial scandals that have shaped America over the past century.
Unveiling the Bush Legacy: A Global Threat Beyond the Kennedy Scandals
Drawing from a diverse range of sources and perspectives, Phillips highlights a compelling comparison: while the Kennedys often revealed in indulgence, sometimes at the cost of moral standards and legal boundaries, the Bush family exhibited similarly questionable behavior.
Yet, their actions, Phillips argues, were far more expansive and posed even greater risks on a global scale.
From Wealth to Power: How the Bush Dynasty Shaped America’s Political Landscape
Unlike the Adams family, known for its legacy of public service through figures like Presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams, as well as philosopher Henry Adams and diplomat Charles Francis Adams, the Bush dynasty has followed a different trajectory.
From the outset, the Bushes have been primarily focused on financial gain, leveraging the political arena to enhance their wealth and that of their elite allies.
Kevin Phillips reveals that this approach has not only enriched the family but has also inflicted significant damage on the American political system.
Their actions have led to upheavals that jeopardize the nation’s Constitutional foundations and its standing in the world.
The Bush Family’s Role in Shaping America’s Political and Global Landscape
Despite their claims—whether real or imagined—of being tied to the British royal family, the Bushes are often considered “America’s not-quite royal family.”
Over four vice-presidential and presidential terms, coupled with two major wars in Iraq and numerous covert operations, the family’s actions, missteps, financial connections, and commitments have deeply influenced the United States’ position on the world stage, impacting global diplomacy and religious fervor.
This may be a mouthful, but it is undeniably true.
Independent Media’s Focus on the Bush Family’s Hidden History
Over the years, there have been occasional reports in mainstream media hinting at the Bush family’s pattern of misbehavior.
However, it is independent outlets like American Free Press that have been willing to give sustained attention to this “hidden history” of the Bush dynasty.
While reading American Dynasty, you might find yourself thinking, “This sounds familiar, like what I’ve already read in American Free Press,” (which, by the way, you should be reading).
And indeed, if you’re a regular reader, you’ve likely encountered these revelations before—and much more.
While Phillips’ account of the Bush family’s antics is not exhaustive, it compiles much of the information in one definitive work.
Unveiling the Truth: The Bush Family’s Widespread Corruption
It’s no coincidence that nearly a decade ago, some of AFP’s editors were behind publishing a candid and insightful piece in the now-defunct Spotlight that asked the controversial question, “Is Your President a Crook?”
Phillips’ book answers that question definitively and goes further, proving that such corrupt tendencies run deep and span multiple generations within the Bush family.
The Bush Family’s Involvement in Global Scandals
Over the years, several global scandals have directly involved the Bush family, including the BCCI scandal, the secret arming of Iraq, the corrupt Panamanian dictatorship under CIA-backed Manuel Noriega, and the Iran-Contra arms smuggling and money-laundering debacle.
These incidents reveal the Bush family’s deep entanglement in the world of intelligence and underworld activities, a world that intersects with the predatory practices of international banking and oil elites—a network the Bush family has been part of since the early 20th century.
Enron, Halliburton, and the Tip of the Iceberg
The modern-day scandals surrounding Enron and Halliburton during the “Dubya” Bush administration were just the tip of the iceberg, pointing to a clear pattern of corruption.
Phillips highlights those economic policies under both Bush Sr. and Jr. benefited “the small rich group of rich Americans”
at the expense of the broader American populace.
Notably, Phillips is not just a conventional critic but also the architect of the GOP’s Southern Strategy that brought Ronald Reagan to power.
As Phillips observed, the GOP’s policies, despite their populist rhetoric, have enriched an ever-shrinking elite at the cost of the majority.
A Call for Populist Rebellion Against the Plutocracy
In his earlier works, Phillips had predicted the rise of a populist rebellion against the wealth-driven plutocracy.
His critiques of the Bush family focus on their influence within the Republican Party’s political machinery, and his warnings about the growing divide between the wealthy elite and the general public seem increasingly prescient.
George W. Bush’s Ties to Religious Fundamentalism and Israel
Phillips also explores George W. Bush’s embrace of a Christian fundamentalist worldview, particularly one that places Israel’s security at the core of U.S. foreign policy.
Under the guidance of Bush’s chief speechwriter, Mark Gerson, the president’s speeches were tailored to serve dual purposes: one message for secular audiences and another for the religious right.
This religious undercurrent of Bush’s policy was echoed by Republican figures like Gary Bauer, who recognized Bush as the leader of America’s Christian fundamentalist right.
This perspective heavily influenced Bush’s approach to U.S. policies in the Middle East.
Documenting the Bush Family’s Dark History
In American Dynasty, Phillips lays out the Bush family’s extensive misdeeds, offering a carefully documented narrative that reveals the family’s long-standing entanglements in America’s political and financial scandals.
However, it is crucial to separate fact from the widespread misinformation circulating about the Bush family.
Debunking the Myth of the Bush-Hitler Connection
There is a pervasive myth on the Internet that the Bush family helped bring Adolf Hitler to power, a claim that Phillips debunks in his book.
While the Bush family, like many American investors in the 1930s, had connections to German corporations, these relationships were largely financial and peripheral in nature.
Contrary to conspiracy theories, the Bush family did not play a direct role in enabling Hitler’s rise to power, as Phillips explains in detail.
This myth, like many others about the Bush family, has gained traction in the public sphere but is ultimately a distortion of the historical record.
Phillips provides clarity on these rumors and places them in the proper context within his book, American Dynasty.
The Bush Dynasty’s Enduring Influence and Legacy
American Dynasty by Kevin Phillips offers a comprehensive examination of the Bush family’s history, revealing their deep ties to corruption, intelligence networks, and international financial elites.
Through a critical look at the family’s political influence over several generations, Phillips paints a picture of a dynasty that has shaped not only the course of American politics but also its foreign policy, particularly in the Middle East.
The family’s role in major global scandals and the enrichment of a small elite at the expense of the general populace underscores the systemic issues that Phillips has long warned about in his work.
While Phillips’ book sheds light on these uncomfortable truths, it also calls for a greater awareness of the patterns of power that have long dominated American politics.
The Bush family, much like other political dynasties, exemplifies the dangers of wealth and influence concentrated in the hands of a few.
As the book makes clear, understanding this history is essential for recognizing the forces that continue to shape the nation’s political and economic landscape.