What It Means to be a Democrat

A former presidential nominee and Congressman, who represented South Dakota for 18 years, McGovern offers his thoughts on what the Democrat party stands for as the 2012 Presidential election approaches. While %E2%80%9Cthere are as many definitions of what it means to be a Democrat as there are Democrats,%E2%80%9D McGovern says the party needs to unite on critical issues: social programs, education, health care, unemployment, immigration, and defense. He addresses each of these topics with continual reminders that these solutions are only his opinions and not a master plan for the party. By cutting back the defense budget and eliminating internal security programs (he suggests dissolving the Department of Homeland Security), there will be more money to fund improvements in childcare, education, and health care. He also proposes ending all overseas military operations and, instead, launching a worldwide food program that will promote international peace. Above all, he argues unemployment should be addressed by reviving job creation programs modeled on FDR's WPA. No matter what solutions the Democrat party chooses, McGovern stresses that presenting a strong, united message will be integral in the upcoming election. Many of these solutions are unlikely to ever be put into practice but overall, this is a thoughtful book by an inspiring American elder statesman. (Nov.)