Compassionate Conservatism: What it is, What it Does, and How it Can Transform America

Compassionate conservatism is not a platitude but a distinct social program. It aims to help the poor without compromising conservative principles ? very conservative principles, very religious conservative principles. Marvin Olasky, one of its spokesman and advisor to George Bush when he was governor of Texas, has written an overview for the general reader. Actually, it?s for the general conservative reader, but liberals should take note.Much of the book is a collection of essays recounting the author?s visits to various antipoverty programs across the country, mostly privately run. The traditional programs (run by churches and charities) provide counseling, education, job training, and placement ? the usual mix. The dropout rate is substantial, and most of those who graduate and get a job fail and return to poverty. I can?t quarrel with this result. But only a minority of alcoholics, drug addicts, and the obese succeed in solving their problems, too. These are tough problems.. It?s with greater pleasure that he relates encounters with compassionate conservatism antipoverty programs ?all privately run, generally by born-again Christians and their churches. These offer the same benefits plus a heavy dose of moral uplift, discipline, and abstinence. Anyone can enter, but once in the program they must toe the line. Use of alcohol and drugs means instant expulsion; so does irresponsibility, poor attendance, and laziness. There are no second chances. So far none of this is objectionable or even particularly conservative. However, the author adds one feature he considers essential: religion. The programs he admires stress an aggressive, proselytizing, strictly moralistic fundamentalism. Many otherwise commendable leaders become unpleasantly self-righteous on the subject of God. Because the government refuses to fund sectarian charities, they look upon bureaucrats with the contempt they reserve for the ACLU and Planned Parenthood. Olasky approves and quotes them at length. He also maintains that graduates of these programs do better. I haven?t the expertise to dispute this, and it seems reasonable that a despairing member of the underclass who accepts Jesus will become a more solid citizen. It works with alcoholics.Nonfundamentalists will find this book irritating because the author makes no attempt to win them over. Yet wouldn?t it be wonderful if Republicans took a genuine interest in fighting poverty? Democrats aren?t giving it more than lip service. Americans today don?t place a high priority on correcting social injustice. They would oppose any Federal effort that involves spending tax money. As a result, the only political movement making a big noise about helping the poor are the compassionate conservatives. Why not give them a chance? Thoughtful readers should hold their noses and persist to the end.

The Sixties gave us many things. One thing it took away was the willingness and ability of Americans as individuals to take responsibility for themselves and to be accountabe for their actions. Compassionate conservatism is a way to return responsibility and accountability to individuals and, in so doing, freeing them from poverty, addictions, and other negative behaviors. Many people attack compassionate conservatism as some religious trend but if all religious elements are stripped from it, what remains is the same idea of taking responsibility for one's own actions that mental health professionals try to get their clients to develop. If you have never worked with any of the populations Olasky describes, then you are not qualified to judge what he has written about them and whether compassionate conservatism offers a way out of their depressing lifestyles. I have been a member of some of those populations and I have worked with them since "recovering". There may be other ways to achieve success but compassionate conservatism offers something sure-fire. It works when other methods don't. Marvin Olasky does write with the pedantism of the academic. If you get past that, however, the message is compelling. The book is a quick read.

I found this book to be very thought provoking. It doesn't matter if the reader agrees or disagrees with the author's point of view. The book gives the reader a great deal to think about with regard to our nations current welfare situation and the roll of "faith-based" organitions in the fight against poverty. While in the author's examples, I saw many positive example of successful help to the impoverished of America, I felt the author did fail to explain one thing. Mr. Olasky's held the belief that our government should help partially fund private groups that combat poverty because he sites them as being more influential. However, if funding goes to private as well as public programs, I simply see that as more spending. That is simply my opinion as a person with no political connections at all. Read the book. I think it is worth the few hours it takes to read.

Marvin Olasky writes about a subject very close to his heart: Welfare Reform. After his 1992 book "The Tragedy of American Compassion" which was endorsed famously by Newt Gingrich, Olasky comes back with Compassionate Conservatism, a book based on the Bush Campaign slogan. Olasky makes excellent points in this book about the failure of government and government look-alikes to help reduce the welfare rolls. Instead, Olasky advocates faith-based organizations. Olasky paints a convincing picture. With his stories of traveling to various faith based organizations with his 14 year old son, Olasky show how they work, and why they should be given equal treatment by the government. Well written and convincing, Compassionate Conservatism is a powerful book, which is a godsend for conservatives, and a well needed slap in the face to big government liberals.

I find it laughable to hear Left-wingers whine, complain, grumble and attack the author and mock the ideas without giving them full weight. . . such an approach lacks gravitas.Olasky has written a well thought out perspective on defining what Compassionate Conservatism is (his breakthrough work "The Tragedy of American Compassion" served as the groundwork for the faith based approached that has inspired Gov. George W. Bush), and explains how it is the people of this great nation that will make a difference, not some government program.It is the people who interact with the needy, not some nameless, faceless bureaucrat. It is a movement based on love, not some welfare caseworker doing it for the money. And because it's from the heart, it is far more effective.Naysayers, well, they still support the failed policies of the last forty years that have created the disgrace of the inner cities that we have today. Thank you, Liberal Naysayers, everywhere.Kudos to Marvin Olasky.