Defining the True Conservative

Reviewed By Stuart Nachbar

“Year after year freedom, diversity, and individual, local, and state responsibility have given way to regimentation, conformity, and subservience to central power.” 

This quote comes from which political party platform: 

A)     The Republican Party in 1936

B)      The Republican Party in 1948

C)      The Democratic Party in 1960

D)      The Republican Party in 1964

        E)       The Democratic Party in 1984 

Defining the True Conservative

Edwards, a former eight-term Congressman from Oklahoma and a former founding trustee of the Heritage Foundation, among other accolades, is as strong an authority on conservatism as you will find. He chaired the House Republican Policy Committee at the beginning of the Reagan Administration, and no one will ever say that President Reagan was not a true conservative. 

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Lauren Smith: Joel, tell us about your book. 

Joel Blackwell: I used to be a newspaper editor at the Charlotte Observer and Miami Herald. I know that the coverage of politics is negative and inadequate. You don't see the stories about ordinary people making a difference or politicians with integrity trying to make things work (the vast majority). So I set out to correct people's impressions by interviewing volunteer advocates, politicians, their staff and lobbyists -- people actively making the system work. It is a reporter's approach. You can see some of the interviews in print and video on my web site. 

Keep on Voting After the Election

Joel Blackwell: No one took anyone's power away. People drop out through nonparticipation. All they do is whine. The people who feel they can't make a difference are usually people who haven't talked, written or phoned a politician. Ask all your friends if they have written or phoned a politician. Most have bought the media presentation that all is hopeless. Most people who get engaged and stay with it will tell you they have made a difference, that politicians want to hear from them, that politicians do respond and care. After all, they want to get elected or re-elected. 

Lauren Smith: What are some things people can do to exercise their political power?

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Lauren Smith: Tell us what your book is about?

California Healthy

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Lauren Smith: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? 

Hot and Bothered By It

Lauren Smith: What inspired you to write this book?

Phyllis Johnson: One day my husband joked with me about how in a few years he was going to be thrilled to get a senior discount on drinks, etc. I looked at him and said, well when that time comes, you can go ahead and tell them what your age is and I'll be standing back here... One poem came from that conversation and soon found myself writing enough to fill a book.

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