The Essential America: Our Founders and the Liberal Tradition

Although I first bought and read this book when it was first published in 2004m - after hearing Mr. McGovern speak and having him sign the book - although I enjoyed it, I didn't have cause to give it a great deal of thought until recently, when I read (and reviewed) Barak Obama's second book, "The Audacity of Hope." That read brought me back to this one for a second look. The comparisons are far more obvious that the contrasts - each representing mildly differing perspectives on the meaning of Liberalism in American politics. One, from a senior statesman, long time senior US and past (unsuccessful) candidate for President of the United States - one who has a total of 10 or 11 books by now to his credit: The other by a young (by national political standards at age 45!)first term US Senator with recently declared presidential ambitions. Two expositions on the true meaning of "liberalism" in the context of our democratic republic. While I found myself enthused and excited by Obama, my second reading of Senator McGovern's book reminds me that 1) Liberalism has always been an integral element of the American tradition; 2) That proponents of it have ALWAYS been at odds with more conservative beliefs and interests and, perhaps most importantly, that the things that seem like new ideas to a new generation of voters, by-in-large, are not. They are, rather, democratic populist liberal ideals redressed in today's clothing and reiterated in today's idiom. In no way to I intend this comment to be misconstrued as criticism of Mr. Obama and his writing or expressed beliefs. Rather, it is to remind all of us - as it reminded me - that Liberalism is not a new concept. It may, understandably, seem that way to some young people who have spent the greater part of their adult lives dealing with the realities of Conservative government - sometimes encompassing all three 'separate but equal' branches of the Federal government. McGovern's writing style (and the organization of this book) is a lot like the man himself. It is brief, concise and honest in a way young ambitious politicians seemed to eschew for some years. As with all of his writings, the now retired Senator, organizes the book to be first grounded carefully in history. A simple listing of the 6 chapters conveys the heart of this idea. They are: 1. Faith of Our Fathers 2. The Spoils of War and the Fruits of Peace 3. Liberalism and Conservatism: The American Condition and How We Got Here 4. The Changing Character of the Liberal-Conservative Equation 5. The Sources of Security and National Greatness, and 6. Come Home, America As a senior statesman whose Will Roger's-like quiet innuendo and humorous suggestions are punctuated with deeply direct and judgmental observations (after all, he no longer worries about needing to be elected!) I would recommend taking a look at this book today - The wisdom and experience of the past is incredibly relevant to an understanding of both the issues of today and the WAY t

The 167 pages are easy and enjoyable reading. Buy several copies as gifts for all your friends and neighbors, especially young people. The elder statesman explains how the search for the just society and a moral foreign policy based on reason and enlightened self-interest has been an essential part of the American quest from the beginning. Recognizing that both conservatism and liberalism are essential elements of the American tradition, he invites the reader to apply the principles of our nation's founding fathers to such issues as diverse as the Israel-Palestinian conflict, health care in America and hunger throughout the world. The counsel of history helps inspire his opposition to never ending unwinnable wars that only prolong and worsen human agony producing uncontrollable results that frequently inflame whole regions to catastrophe; isolate America, weaken our own security and undermine our national interests as well as our values. In spite of his crushing 1972 defeat (38% of the popular vote) at the hands of the Nixon campaign which was routed in a criminal conspiracy and more recently; the rise to dominance of the radical right and their dangerous policies, this old historian's optimism is infectious. He reminds the reader that ideological blindness will not dominate forever. He predicts that liberalism will play a far greater role in the next 25 years than it did in the past 25 years. Perhaps genuine conservatism will also make a come-back. This great man's compassion finds inspiration in the Methodism of John Wesley as well as the Christian social gospel which considers the search for social justice a natural expression of personal salvation. One is struck by his bottomless well of charity and kindness even to his political adversaries. He even makes a point to praise Richard Nixon for launching the Environmental Protection Agency, supporting civil rights and opening the door to China. (May I also recommend his 1978 autobiography, "Grassroots"?) In the U.S. Senate, George McGovern was a brilliant bipartisan visionary who joined forces with his good friend and senatorial colleague, Robert Dole in skillfully crafting, maneuvering, legislating and implementing the most massive assault on malnutrition in American history. He stresses that liberalism needs conservatives to point out its weaknesses and minimize its excesses. Both political philosophies have been with our Republic since John Adams and Thomas Jefferson bitterly battled with each other in an ideologically divided young nation. Both philosophies have redefined themselves numerous times as history developed. Both are as American as can be. Certain snobbish and mean-spirited know-it-alls have twisted and spun and rewritten reality in a desperate and pathetic effort to make the good name of George McGovern synonymous with 1960's counterculture chaos and confusion and to blame monstrous results of monstrously misguided and long discredited policies on voices of reason a

George McGovern has always been a voice of reason and it's good to see he's still around and speaking out about things that are great about America and things at which cause us concern as a nation. You won't find many neocons reading "The Essential America" because they've "written" their own book on this country...and gotten us into a lot of trouble because of it. McGovern points out that so much of America's spending is in non-productive areas....much of it in defense that has produced us with little tangible results over the past fifty years. He rightly concludes that the current president and his ilk in Washington have not made the United States any safer in the world, but more vulnerable, given the needless foray into Iraq and the even larger question of the uneven tilt toward Israel. We'll be paying the price for those mistakes for ages to come. Senator McGovern speaks of his war service in this book but does so humbly and with many references about what patriotism should be. He reminds us of the hollow phrase, "America...love it or leave it" and echoes his own words from 1972...."let us change America, so we can love it the more." I hope this is a fitting prelude to the defeat of George Bush in November...or to put it more liberally...erasing America's mistake. "The Essential America" provides a ringing endorsement of the liberal tradition in this country and it is a book that is definitely worth the read.

The term "liberal" has been a dirty word ever since Ronald Reagan referred to it as the "L" word. In this timely book by former Senator and 1972 Democratic nominee for president, George McGovern, a cogent defense of this much maligned philosophy is offered. Liberalism, not conservatism, is the true compassionate political philosophy, and McGovern defends it masterfully. In my opinion the best quote in the book comes from chapter 3 where McGovern points out the obvious difference between the liberal and conservative view on the role of government: "I challenge my conservative friends to name a single federal program now generally approved by both of our major parties that was not first pushed by liberals over the opposition of conservatives." McGovern cites Social Security and Medicare as two of the best known examples, but I can think of a number of others such as the FDIC, the SEC, Head Start, just to name a few. But perhaps the most important message in this book is that America should return to those ideals that once made it the most respected and envied country in the world: compassion, decency, and respect for the opinions of mankind. By doing this the United States could begin to win the war on terror and recapture its position as the most respected and admired nation in the world. Such a scenario would produce the cooperation and goodwill necessary to defeat the menace of terrorism. This message is needed now more than ever. I highly recommend this wonderful little book.

George McGovern's, The Essential America, is a candid, refreshingly-honest discussion of American liberalism, today's "most maligned political philosophy." This great American statesman tackles the criticisms of liberalism head-on, and clearly demonstrates how both the liberal and conservative traditions have evolved and eroded politically. George McGovern remains ever-faithful to the "social gospel," teachings instilled in him at any early age by his father, a devoted follower of John Wesley. Moreover, McGovern's political beliefs are soundly and squarely rooted in the U.S. Constitution. McGovern remains unafraid to espouse liberalism--whether it be Jefferson's, Lincoln's, or his own. In so doing, he demonstrates how far America has strayed from the brilliant guidance of our founding fathers. He addresses all of the toughest issues of our day, including the war in Iraq, world hunger, and, of course, international terrorism. This is a book only George McGovern could have written--specific, thoughtful, provocative-- a blueprint for a wiser, stronger American future in a more peaceful world.