Healing America: Values and Vision for the 21st Century

Equality, restraint, optimism: these are among the values that former senator Simon sees as characteristic of America at its finest. And he optimistically--perhaps idealistically--believes that renewing our commitment to these values can""help bring more stability, peace, and harmony to our world."" In this primer on America's""best values,"" Simon, now founding director of the Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, examines these virtues' history and impact. And he doesn't neglect to look at America's failures to act on these values, such as equality, which for so long did not apply to African Americans and women, among other groups. America is a religious nation, Simon avers, and his thought-provoking primer explores religion's potential both for good and for intolerance.