From Power to Purpose:
A Remarkable Journey of Faith and Compassion, by Sam Brownback


(Click for Amazon book review)

BOOK REVIEW by OnTheIssues.org:

In this book, Senator Brownback attempts to tie every important issue into a unifying theme of the "culture of life." That unifying theme allows for his opposition to abortion to be the basis for a presidential run:

"Those of us who take the pro-life position need to understand that we are defenders of human life in all its forms and all its stages. The life of the unborn is a vital concern, but being pro-life doesn't end there. Our culture must be strong, but it also must be compassionate, and our character must be based on the pursuit of what is just and right for all our people." (p. 92)

• Katrina relief: Katrina relief also celebrates the "culture of life" because of the heroism on the Gulf Coast to save lives.
• Health care: Sure, the culture of life applies to some aspects of health policy, like opposing the "right to die" (p. 205) and giving pharmaceuticals to poor countries (p. 190). But I don't see how that connects to a preference for market mechanisms over a nationalized system (p. 195)
• Foreign Policy: Brownback's policies embody the evangelical Christian support for Israel (p. 30) and funding for African relief (p. 144). But Brownback assumes that pro-evangelical stances follows from the "culture of life," without demonstrating any reason for the connection. In practice, the two stances are certainly associated, but Brownback implies a causal relationship.
• Budget issues: Brownback calls himself a "Kemp-Bennett Republican" -- Bennett exemplifies cultural conservatism to Brownback, which connects to the "culture of life." But Kemp exemplifies economic conservatism focused on pro-growth policies -- which really doesn't connect to any "culture of life" at all.
• Gay marriage: This is Brownback's biggest stretch. One must conflate the "culture of life" with marriage to make the connection between a pro-life stance and an anti-gay marriage stance. The connection, according to Brownback, is that gay marriage fosters out-of-wedlock heterosexual births.

-- by Jesse Gordon, jesse@OnTheIssues.org, November 2007

OnTheIssues.org excerpts:  (click on issues for details)

Abortion     Scriptures are very clear: God sanctifies us in the womb.     Embryonic stem cell research uses humans as guinea pigs.     No cloning; no fetal farming.

Budget & Economy     Growing the economy will balance 80% of budget.

Civil Rights     Same-sex unions DO hurt traditional marriages.     Native American Apology Bill was to reconcile, not repay.

Crime     As governor, first faith-based prison rehabilitation program.     Faith-based rehabilitation better than throwing away the key.

Drugs     Supports faith-based groups dealing with teen addictions.

Energy & Oil     Harvest grass on conservation land for ethanol production.

Families & Children     Adoption is a blessing that re-centers entire family.     1960s: Opposed Pres. Johnson by speaking on cultural issues.     Supports "culture czar" to expose kids to national values.     Drive pornography out via action on community standards.     Mail-order brides are a form of human sex trafficking.

Foreign Policy     Many Christians care deeply about what happens to Israel.     20 million AIDS orphans in Africa, & more orphans worldwide.     Passed the Sudan Peace Act to end civil war and slavery.     Aid to Africa needs accountability or people don't get help.     Steered Silk Road Strategy Act through Congress.

Government Reform     Without reforming manners, US will fall from peerless power.     Reduce, Reform & Return: smaller & less-intrusive government.     Supports 12-year term limit for Congress and judges.

Health Care     Eliminate death by cancer in 10 years.     Offset Third World drug costs by extending US patents.     Supports competitive marketplace with price transparency.     Supports Health Savings Accounts, not government control.     Tragedy to make "right to die" legitimate.

Homeland Security     Speaking out on USSR's human rights undermined that regime.     North Korea & Iran work together on missiles.

Immigration     Balance principles: nation of laws vs. compassionate society.     Catch criminals at borders; plus comprehensive reform.

Jobs     Served as Kansas Secretary of Agriculture during farm crisis.

Principles & Values     1994: First elected, but didn't sign Contract With America.     Considers "constituency of one"--God--in every decision.     A Kemp-Bennett Republican: pro-growth & pro-cultural renewal.     Embrace faith; don't run it out of the public square.

Tax Reform     Kill tax code with a dull ax.

Technology     Pushed FTC study of inappropriateness of kids’ music.     Internet porn destroys the minds and souls of many.

Welfare & Poverty     1996 reform about work incentive; next is marriage incentive.

Click for quotations from other sources by: George W. Bush Pat Moynihan Ronald Reagan Sam Brownback