Senator Strom Thurmond -1968 Viewpoint Press 185 pages

Reviewed by Pete Godbey

Have you ever picked up a book with the preamble of the US Constitution on the cover written by Senator Strom Thurmond in 1968 and thought this book must be worth reading? I found The Faith We Have Not Kept and wish to write you a summary of a book that that has not lost its original conservative luster. The book begins with a concise summary of the achievements of Senator Thurmond. It is amazing that one human could accomplish so much and we in hindsight know he had near 40 additional years of national service.

The central theme of this little book was that of personal liberty, free enterprise and return to the constitutional principles in national and local governments. Written in the disorder of the late 1960's, Viet Nam, multiple assassinations, racial riots and much more, The Senator addresses many arguments contemporary to our present national resolve. His conversations concerning race based hate, judicial attack on the U S Constitution, expansion of national debt ($352 billion in 1968), growth of the federal government and weakened national defense remain news headlines to date.

The warning of one of the most gifted public servants in our nation's history continues to haunt US Americans. What I believe to most important are the last few chapters that give recommendations as to what governments must do to regain it respect and investment of citizens: 1) Federal Government must reform itself 2) States must insist on the rights afforded to them by our constitution 3) citizens must be free to choose and not become wards of entitlement programs. Citizens must NOT: take the law in their own hands, rely on welfare or allow the central government to take control. Citizens should: study our history and commit to seek our ambitions, deny materialism, return to family values and virtues. These warning by Senator Thurmond over 40 years ago was not to put your hope in any person or thing, but in your relationship with you family, church and nation. "Citizens stay alert.put no promise in any politician. above all else remember that all Americans no matter what race, color or creed have an investment in the future in the success of our nation. The alternative to not returning to the vision of our historical leaders and current citizens is that our children and grandchildren will suffer because of The Faith We Have Not Kept" Makes you think?

Thank God we can still read books by such patriots as Strom Thurmond, "the Senator", forever our senator.

Pete Godbey is a former Beaufort County Election Commissioner, Region II Director for the Beaufort County Republican Party, Precinct Chairman of Mossy Oaks 1B and member of the Beaufort Federation of Republican Men. Retired Naval Officer, master gardener and church elder at Central Christian (DOC), he edits the Daily Conservative View and two health support group newsletters. He is married to Mary for 36 years and has 2 children; a son is an active duty Army Officer. In his spare time, he likes to do Christ-like works, read, fish, sing Barbershop with Beaufort Harbormasters. Godbey Services is his independently owned and operated home inspection/repair business. Please contact Pete at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are interested in obtaining the Daily Conservative View or comment on the book review.