cover image The Compassionate Community: Ten Values to Unite America

The Compassionate Community: Ten Values to Unite America

Jonathan Miller, . . Palgrave, $24.95 (243pp) ISBN 978-1-4039-7408-2

For too long, we've seen the pitfalls of mixing religion and politics. Miller, state treasurer of Kentucky and an active leader of such groups as the Democratic Leadership Council and the United Jewish Communities, manages to gently merge the two into a less-than-gentle plea for American compassion in virtually all corners of our country. Each chapter begins with a concept highlighted by a Hebrew Bible hero and then quickly turns to politics. For example, through Moses and his representation of freedom, Miller lays out a 10-point plan for giving our military and their families the respect, help and benefits he believes they deserve. Jacob's story provides the backdrop for a particularly intriguing chapter on finance, covering everything from predatory credit card companies to identity theft and a call for national financial education. Tempered with anecdotes from his own experiences, political and otherwise, Miller provides extensive examples of successful state programs across the country that he thinks can and should be implemented at the national level. He takes care to consider not just the followers of the Abrahamic religions but Eastern faiths as well as no particular faith at all, making this a must-read for all Americans concerned about the future of their country. (Oct.)