Outlines the differences between Republicans and Democrats, and argues the reasons why, in the author's view, Democratic policies are better for America

Uses a mother's relationship with her child to explain the principles of the Democratic Party.

In this thoughtful, deeply personal work, one of the nation's best-loved voices takes the plunge into politics and comes up with a book that has had all of America talking. Here, with great heart, supple wit, and a dash of anger, Garrison Keillor describes the simple democratic values-the Golden Rule, the obligation to defend the weak against the powerful, and others- that define his hard-working Midwestern neighbors and that today's Republicans seem determined to subvert. A reminiscence, a political tract, and a humorous meditation, Homegrown Democrat is an entertaining, refreshing addition to today's rancorous political debate. * A New York Times bestseller * Updated and revised with a new introduction for the 2006 midterm elections * A Featured Alternate Selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club

A call to arms by the former presidential candidate that combines personal anecdotes and cultural critiques to remind liberals of their ideological compass and restore confidence. George McGovern has been a leading figure of the Democratic Party for more than fifty years. From this true liberal comes a thoughtful examination of what being a Democrat really means. McGovern admonishes current Democratic politicians for losing sight of their ideals as they subscribe to an increasingly centrist policy agenda. Applying his wide- ranging knowledge and expertise on issues ranging from military spending to same-sex marriage to educational reform, he stresses the importance of creating policies we can be proud of. Finally, with 2012 looming, McGovern's What It Means to Be a Democrat offers a vision of the Party's future in which ideological coherence and courage rule.

Why I'm Not A Democrat explains the author's political philosophy. He argues that many policies of the Democratic Party are at odds with the values most people associate with the Democrats. He contends that an honest appraisal of Democratic politicians and leaders would make most Americans reject the Democratic Party.

“An urgent and engaging look at how American politics have become the founding fathers’ worst nightmare” (The Daily Beast). America’s political system is dysfunctional. We know it, yet the problem seems intractable—after every election, voters discover yet again that political “leaders” are simply quarreling in a never-ending battle between the two warring tribes. As a former congressman, Mickey Edwards witnessed firsthand how important legislative battles can devolve into struggles not over principle but over party advantage. He offers graphic examples of how this problem has intensified and reveals how political battles have become nothing more than conflicts between party machines. In this critically important book, he identifies exactly how our political and governing systems reward intransigence, discourage compromise, and undermine our democracy—and describes exactly what must be done to banish the negative effects of partisan warfare from our political system and renew American democracy. “Overcoming tribalism and knee-jerk partisanship is the central challenge of our time. Mickey Edwards shows why and how in this fascinating book filled with sensible suggestions.” —Walter Isaacson, New York Times–bestselling author of Leonardo da Vinci “Many Americans, whether Democrats, Republicans, independent or otherwise, would welcome a few more like [Edwards] in office.” —The Boston Globe

Since the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980, conservatives have sought to impose an ideology upon the American people that has not intentionally, but inherently oppressed the middle class. As Newton proposed For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, while conservative political initiatives have uplifted the so called job creators, they have naturally stepped on the middle class in order to do so. Jesus Was a Democrat illustrates how American businesses have outsourced manufacturing jobs to third-world countries, and how the destruction of privatesector collective bargaining has forced middle-class workers to accept lower wages and loss of benefi ts, creating a buyers market for todays employers. Jesus Was a Democrat shows how Republicans ignorance of the past has led to economic, military and political failure today. Dan DeFreest has crafted a book that examines how Republicans have failed to understand their own moral dichotomies and connects the dots between their oppressive ideology and todays income and wealth disparity. Using a historical perspective, he shows how conservatives have stolen the future from our middle class and brought this country to the brink of political revolution.