Welcome, folks, welcome listeners.

This is Rusty Reno, and this is the first of what I hope is a long series of podcasts,

the Editor's Desk series,

and when we look at material in the latest issues of first things

and speak with the authors.

This podcast is being sponsored by the Center for Autism Assertiveness

and Social Skills Counseling

and Coaching Services.

You can get more information at theautismexpert.com.

And I'm delighted to have on the inaugural podcast, Dan Lepensky, to talk about his piece

in the October issue of first things common good

Republicans.

Welcome.

Thank you, Rusty, and it's great to have the honor of being your first guest.

So just to so our listeners know you a little, Catholic, Democrat, Chicago, Congressman.

Somebody once told me that in Chicago, you're born Democrat and baptized Catholic.

Is that true?

That was the way, that certainly was the way that it used to be, at least.

Certainly when I was growing up, that pretty much everyone, pretty much everyone I knew fit

that.

Things have changed to a certain extent since then.

The Democrats still sticks, but baptized Catholic, unfortunately, has really gone down,

...