Plunder: Private Equity's Plan to Pillage America Cover
Podcast Mentions

Plunder Private Equity's Plan to Pillage America

Brendan Ballou

The authoritative exposé of private equity: what it is, how it kills businesses and jobs, how the government helps, and how we stop it Private equity surrounds us. Firms like Blackstone, Carlyle, and KKR are among the largest employers in America and hold assets that rival those of small countries....

Podcasts 1
Quotes 8
Freakonomics Radio

Brendan Ballou's book, "Plunder", argues that private equity firms operate under a business model that encourages them to extract profits from companies they acquire, often at the expense of employees and consumers. The author highlights several examples of this, including Carlisle's acquisition of ManorCare, which led to staffing cuts, health code violations, and ultimately, the death of a resident. Ballou also critiques the industry's lobbying efforts, which he says have enabled them to influence government regulations to their benefit.

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I suppose if I thought that it was good for society, I wouldn't have called the book Plunder.

— Episode: 565. Are Private Equity Firms Plundering...

Episode: 565. Are Private Equity Firms Plundering the U.S....

Brendan Ballou's book, "Plunder", argues that private equity firms operate under a business model that encourages them to extract profits from companies they acquire, often at the expense of employees and consumers. The author highlights several examples of this, including Carlisle's acquisition of ManorCare, which led to staffing cuts, health code violations, and ultimately, the death of a resident. Ballou also critiques the industry's lobbying efforts, which he says have enabled them to influence government regulations to their benefit.

"

I suppose if I thought that it was good for society, I wouldn't have called the book Plunder.

The book is called Plunder, Private Equity's Plan to Pillage America.

I'm hoping that this is a little bit of a blueprint for how we can get people who are really knowledgeable in government to talk publicly about these issues.

I suppose if I thought that it was good for society, I wouldn't have called the book Plunder.

Episode: 565. Are Private Equity Firms Plundering the U.S....

The book argues that private equity firms are taking advantage of lax regulations to buy companies, load them with debt, extract profits, and leave the companies in a worse state.

"

I suppose if I thought that it was good for society, I wouldn't have called the book Plunder.

The book is called Plunder, Private Equity's Plan to Pillage America.

I'm hoping that this is a little bit of a blueprint for how we can get people who are really knowledgeable in government to talk publicly about these issues.

I suppose if I thought that it was good for society, I wouldn't have called the book Plunder.

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