I Forgot, Honey, Why Are We Democrats? [Paperback]

Kenneth R. Libbey (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1998

The author, currently a candidate for the state senate in Oregon, brings together his research, his 30 years working for Democratic candidates, and his experience evaluating government programs for the U.S. General Accounting Office. The book reviews the differences between the Democratic and Republican parties in historical perspective, and assesses the relevance of Democratic traditions to contemporary issues. It argues that the Democratic Party cannot reverse its long-run decline by emulating the rhetoric of the Republicans. It must clarify its public image and its fundamental difference from the Republican Party.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

This book may have a humorous title, but it is a serious book. I believe it is the single best place to find a concise review of the history of U.S. political parties and the differences between them. I also invite readers to visit the Amazon page for my novel of World War II, entitled Vantage Points. You will find it a very entertaining way to absorb history.

From the Back Cover

Since its high point in 1964, the Democratic Party has steadily lost ground in voter registration, public identification with the party, percent of the voting population supporting its congressional candidates, and control of state legislatures. The author argues that much of the problem stems from the unwillingness of many Democrats to defend their party traditions and take the offensive against the Republicans. He says that creative response to changing conditions is a Democratic tradition dating back to Thomas Jefferson, but it should not be done on simply an ad hoc basis. Democrats need to understand their history and its relevance to contemporary problems. They need to confront the Republicans directly on both economic and social issues and put these issues in context for the public.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 189 pages
• Publisher: MacLean and Clark Publishers; 1 edition (April 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966220609
• ISBN-13: 978-0966220605
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,744,828 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty good "pep talk" to true Democrats, August 12, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Forgot, Honey, Why Are We Democrats? (Paperback)

I will not mince words with the reader -- I am a proud Democrat. I have pictures of FDR, Harry Truman, JFK, Robert Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Hubert Humphrey and even Jimmy Carter on my wall. I am a proud supporter of labor unions, such civil rights groups as the SCLC and the NAACP and a proud Americans for Democratic Action member. I believe in a world for justice, a God of justice and a spirit of justice for the world. This goes hand in hand with my Democratic leaning.

Thus, when I saw this book, I had to buy it. What I found was a very good pep talk to true blue Democrats. The great thing is that this book spoke to all Democrats - conservative Democrats, "Blue Dog" Democrats, Reagan Democrats(come home!), moderate Southern Democrats, New Democrats, Libertarian Democrats, liberal Democrats, labor and New Deal Democrats, left liberal Democrats and...well, the list goes on(alas - we are a diverse party!) This book left no group out on most issues(abortion, sadly, being the only one on which the author seems to want a litmus test).

To the author's credit - he seemed to unite Democrats on the one issue we all care about - the American community and the government's moral responsbility to it. The American people deserve not "small" government, which caters to the rich indirectly, but responsible government.

Personally, I am a die-hard New Deal Democrat who believes that every family deserves the right to good health care, education, a good job with a living wage, time with the family, equal rights and opportunity and dignity on the job. This is not a "lost dream" for any Democrat. This book specifies this dream well.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wake up message for Democrats, November 18, 2002

By 

M Byer (Seattle) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Forgot, Honey, Why Are We Democrats? (Paperback)

I highly recommend this book to any serious student of American politics, as well as to Democratic activists. I came away from it feeling I had a firm understanding of political competition in the U.S. and the driving forces behind the two parties. I also found myself in strong agreement with the aurthor on need for Democrats to communicate their message clearly and aggressively. If they do not, the Republicans will do it for them, as they have done successfully since the Vietnam war, and as perfectly illustrated in the recent mid-term elections.

The most remarkable thing about this book is its almost eriee accuracy in predicting the current economic situation from the vantage point of 1997. It shows what I have long suspected: that the Federal Reserve is essentially a negative influence in the economy, and that Republican Administrations mean stagnation, and perhaps even deflation. Libbey assembles some impressive statistics and graphics to demonstrate this, and lays out the economic logic to go with them. The message for a successful election campaign is plainly evident. Sadly, though, nobody seems to be listening.

5.0 out of 5 stars Title says it all, March 9, 2005

By 

G. Hunley "MO Proud" (Clay County MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Forgot, Honey, Why Are We Democrats? (Paperback)

Too often voters declare a political party without any knowledge of what the fundamental beliefs of that party are. I highly recommend this book to all groups and individuals who want a concise, easy-to-understand primer on the Democrat Party. The author comprehends his topic and delivers solid information to the reader. This book should be a staple in every voter's home.