JFK's Centrist Political Views Would Unite U.S. Today

May 23, 2020. AUTHOR NOTE: Coming in late summer 2020: Keepsake Edition of JFK 50: A Memorial.

This year marks the 57th anniversary of John Kennedy’s assassination. Over the years many books and articles have been published concerning JFK, his life, his murder, etc. Today most of JFK's political views (especially his patriotism) are shared by conservatives.  Indeed, in my opinion, Kennedy would disagree with many if not most of the "Progressive Democrat," or "Democrat Socialist" views popular today. I believe Kennedy was a heroic figure whose centrist views spanned the political spectrum. 

Kennedy stood firmly for civil rights -- his dramatic call to Coretta King during the 1960 campaign, his use of federal marshals and national guard troops to ensure the safety of James Meredith at Ole Miss, and his famous TV address on civil rights, all reveal him to be a strong advocate for human rights. In addition to that, JFK was active in pursuing another goal -- nuclear disarmament. He persuaded a reluctant public and Senate to support a cautious and limited nuclear test ban treaty with the Soviets.

Kennedy's approach to fiscal matters (he believed that across the board tax cuts would benefit all Americans), his distrust of government bureaucracy, his attitude toward the individual's relationship to the government ("ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country"), his disdain for communist ideology, and his support for a strong military buildup, would all be popular with conservatives today.

The late summer 2020 release of this special Keepsake Edition of JFK 50: A Memorial in Drama, Poetry, and Song is a dramatic narrative that recalls the fear and grief that the assassination led to  and suggests that Kennedy should be included in the pantheon of national heroes. It's not a history, an opinion piece, or a novelization of the assassination. It's a memorial, a souvenir, and a keepsake of JFK and his times. It will be available in both ebook and print forms on Amazon.

The memorial book also includes the lyrics to seven original folk songs commemorating Kennedy. A previously released companion CD/MP3 album of these songs is still available on Amazon ($0.99). Nashville producer J. Aaron Brown, a two time Grammy winner, calls the concept album "a folksy blend of songs and narrations that will touch the hearts of all who experienced that tragic day in 1963."

I've always admired JFK and he was my first political hero. I was a young, twenty-three year old college instructor when he was assassinated. Like most everyone else on that tragic weekend in November of 1963, I was devastated. I tried to recreate some of that emotion in JFK 50: A Memorial in Drama, Poetry, and Song."  Whether you are old enough to remember those dark days or  a younger person who's interested in JFK, I think you will enjoy this book and album.

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