The Compassionate Community: Ten Values to Unite America

Jonathan Miller was right on target with this insightful book. As a Jewish American who has studied both politics and religion, he has great ideas for helping both the public and private sectors come together to help build a better community and ultimately a better America. It is nice to know that we have politicians out there who understand and recognize the bigger picture. No wonder Mr. Miller and former Vice President Al Gore are friends. Excellent book! A must read... no doubt about it!

Given today was Shabbas, I decided what better to do than read and relax. On Thursday, I recieved my copy of The Compassionate Community written by Kentucky State Treasurer Jonathan Miller. Miller is a Jewish Democrat and a friend. The fact that proceeds are going to charity is another reason to buy this book. There were definitely some moments of comic relief especially when it came to his singing and his love of the Boston Red Sox. But that's not why the book was written. It was written about ten values to unite America. Miller takes teaches from the Tanakh and applies them to modern day political ideas. He looks at Biblical heroes like Noach, Avraham, Ya'akov, Yosef, Moshe, Yehoshu'a, Yehonatan, Deborah, King David, and Queen Esther as he describes the values of opportunity, responsibility, work, family, freedom, faith, justice, peace, respect, and life. We live through his father's final days, of whom the book is dedicated to. We get to see his daughter's grow up. We get a glance at the way he manages the youth softball team he coaches. We live through the trouble of his re-entering the United States after his wedding in Canada and how it almost started a war...okay, not a war but lots of family were calling Washington leadership. He gives us his thoughts on the conflict in Israel. We read as to why he had to give a speech at the last minute at the State Capitol. We read why he represented the Jewish Community at the counter-event to "Justice Sunday." Most importantly, we see his thoughts on politics and what's wrong with the system right now. Just to think, he could have been a rock star or a Rabbi, not that there's anything wrong with that. I've been in the same boat before and I think I have ultimately decided on law and politics but that's a story for another post. All in all, this book is a great read and details policies that should be in effect if they aren't already. I'm sensing a run for different office but that's just my hunch.