REVIEW BY W.J. RAYMENT

James J. Winter spent 23 years in Africa as a missionary for the United Church of Christ. In P.J. O'Rourke's book, "The Enemies List" it is pointed out that any church whose name includes "United" is, by definition, liberal. The UCC may well be a liberal organization, but at least one of its missionaries was not.

Mr. Winter's absence from this country during America's radical transformation from a socially conservative nation to one that is arguably tending further and further to decadence gives the man a unique perspective. Think of his book, "We're from the Government and We're Here to Help You", as a visit from Uncle James. He hasn't seen baby America for several years. We who have watched the baby grow are not as aware of the changes, because we have seen the young fellow on a daily basis. However, to Uncle James, the changes are stark and even extreme.

Mr. Winter deliver's an opinion on everything from lying President's (and our acceptance of them) to prejudice, to teen rebellion, to the place of religion in society. His style is colloquial and easy to understand. His ideas are well-researched, and well-thought out. Yet somehow the work falls short of its promise. While the notions presented are solid, they do not always give new insight. For example, a chapter on "The Conservative Identity" begins with an interesting thought: "...every human being, bar none, has some conservative ideas and philosophies that serve as guidelines for living. Now political far left liberals may not agree, but challenge them to explore every avenue of their lifestyle and you can be sure some conservative ideas and values will surface." Unfortunately, Mr. Winter never develops this intriguing notion further. I wanted to read about how he had grilled a neighbor or some visiting liberal politician and found their core of conservatism. I wanted to read about how this notion could be used as a tool in discussions with friends and family to sway them on a particular issue. I wanted to find out how a general application of conservatism to practical living proves its value in the political realm. Instead, Mr. Winter does a fairly good job describing conservatism (which was, after all, the objective of this chapter in the first place).

Mr. Winter is at his best when he deals with racism. He applies his experience as a missionary and a soldier to our current racial and cultural dilemmas and articulately argues that a racial spoils system and political demagoguery are not the solution. Having spent so much time in Africa, he had plenty of opportunity to experience minority status. He also has been able to sample other cultures and evaluate them on a practical level. He does not shy away from discussion of the drawbacks and advantages of certain cultures for economic advancement or social well-being. Though the PC police may squawk, one must remember that culture is a choice, while race is a card that is dealt (and truly is not a factor in judging an individual).

Dealing with religion is always a touchy matter. Mr. Winter seems to have a firm grasp on spiritual issues and even quotes and makes clear the enigmatic figure of Soren Kierkegaard. His thesis is that America has lost its moral grounding and is drifting ever more toward chaos as a result. At bottom, the book is pessimistic regarding the future of our society. He is indeed correct in his assumption that moral decadence has become prevalent, and points at some of the root causes. He discusses the role of parents in education. He states, "They've been conned into thinking that the world really is different these days and that the time-tested standards for moral behavior no longer apply." The media has made this happen by popularizing Margaret Meade, the Kinsey Report, and fawning on anyone who dares to defy convention.

In discussing freedom in America James Winter takes an interesting peek inside the liberal mind: "They want their individual selfish freedoms without taking any responsibility for the consequences, and at the same time, they want security from the government. It would be one thing if a society could get away with such behavior and continue to remain a stable society. The fact is, it isn't possible." It is not possible because whenever we ask government to give us security, at the same time we become dependent on that security and less free. There is a tension in this country between freedom and responsibility on one hand and government insured comfort and security on the other. Unfortunately, those who have opted for the second choice will in the end find that the government's insurance policy not only will place them in chains but will not even provide the comfort and security. For it is well understood that a government which attempts to provide for the greater part of the material well-being of a people must at the same time tax those people. A disincentive to create wealth is the result. This declining production will, in the end, cause a breakdown of the government and the society.

As right as Mr. Winter is on some issues, he has been proven to be wrong on at least one. "So far we can only talk about a balanced budget "agenda". Politicians are really not serious about this one. The agenda of a balanced budget "by 2002" is a joke. How naive can you be?" His assumption that politicians were generally not serious about a balanced budget "agenda" is likely true. Yet his assumption that the budget would never be balanced was not. The balanced budget occurred as a by-product of capital gains tax reduction. No intended restraint was imposed by either the President or Congress. We might give Mr. Winter credit, though, and extend the political lack of seriousness to the elimination of the federal debt. (This is now being touted but is far less likely to occur.)

"We're From the Government and We're Here to Help You!" is broken up into 17 chapters on a variety of subjects. It is filled with sometimes random (sometimes ordered) notions, thoughts and ideas of a conservative who has a basis in experience and reality. James J. Winter is a good man and an intelligent man. His perspectives on the issues are worth knowing and reading.

Order We're From the Government and We're Here to Help You!, by James J. Winter.