Heroic Conservatism: Why Republicans Need to Embrace America's Ideals (and Why They Deserve to Fail If They Don't)

I'm not a republican (even though I often lean their direction when I vote). I consider myself pro-life, Christian independent. I often find myself in strong disagreement with the republican party, but in his book "Heroic Conservatism", Mr. Gerson presents a view I understand and want to support. I strongly disagree with republicans that claim that government is our problem, and with democrats that believe government is responsible for all the problems. I believe in smart and efficient government that serves his people with care, compassion and respect. For me, this book was stimulating and thought-provoking. Thank you Mr. Gerson!

Sorry, but I'm just finishing the audiobook, and I find this the most bracing, honest, forward-looking view of Conservatism that I've ever read. The word that best comes to mind in describing my reaction to Gerson's ideas is "thrilling." He's a passionate man who acknowledges mistakes during his time in the Bush administration, but who never backs down from compassion and decency. Can compassion and decency - "idealism," in the words of Gerson's book - go horribly wrong when forming policy? Yes. We've seen that on both sides of the aisle, and earlier examples soured me completely on the government's role in doing good to and for others. But in recent years, I've had to rethink that. Government CAN be a force for good, when used appropriately. And that's a Conservative view, involving defense spending, war spending (in some cases), and, of course, spending on more immediate needs here at home, like the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. But it also refuses to turn a blind eye toward a massive humanitarian crisis in Africa, toward Islamic militants, toward regimes based on tyranny. I'm sorry if that sounds like political "rhetoric" to some. To me, it sounds like common decency. The sooner we acknowledge urgent needs here and abroad, the better for BOTH political parties, and the better for our country as a whole.