It's rare that a single book encapsulates an entire misbegotten mindset, but What's the Matter With Kansas? How Conservatives Won the Heart of America by Thomas Frank manages the trick. Frank, a journalist and native Kansan who has written articles for Harper's and The Nation, and whom the Los Angeles Times has called "one of our most insightful social observers," argues that hardworking blue collar Kansans have been duped into voting against "their fundamental interests" -- as evidenced by their consistent support of Republican candidates. According to Frank, the poor deluded hicks fail to realize that Democrats are their true...