Political Prose

I have been in a long winded debate with a “Christian Conservative” over abortion, in which I was told that if I support pro-choice that I advocate or condone a person right to choose to murder their unborn child. That somehow if you believe in person’s ability to choose, you automatically support whatever they choose. Not only was I told that I advocated the right to kill, I was told that my support of abortions also condones murder of people based on race if drawn to its logical conclusion. (I know you can’t believe it, but it’s true) Lastly,  that my belief in a person’s right to choice is contradictory to Christianity.

My first thought is why do the “Christian Right” think they have a better understanding of God’s word, than Liberals, or anyone who doesn’t align themselves with the Conservative party. Often times Conservatives attribute their ideology to great thinkers like Thomas Jefferson, by suggesting that he was Christian man who supported the church, and believed in small government. (true)

But have Conservatives actually read the words of  Thomas Jefferson when it comes to religion or do they just believe the slant in which his words were used to persuade? How can Conservatives sift out the more conservative doctrine of Jefferson, and ignore the many liberal philosophies he held, especially on religion?

Let’s examine the actual words of Jefferson, and not the interpretations manipulatively attributed to him:

Certainly, no power to prescribe any religious exercise, or to assume any authority in religious discipline, has been delegated to the General Government. It must then rest with the States, as far as it can be in any human authority.— To REV. SAMUEL MILLER

But if we choose for ourselves, we must allow others to choose also. This establishes religious liberty —NOTES ON RELIGION

Almighty God hath created the mind free, and manifested His supreme will that free it shall remain by making it altogether insusceptible of restraint. All attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or burthens, or by civil mcapacitations, tend only to beget habits of hypocrisy and meanness, and are a departure from the plan of the Holy Author of our religion, who. being Lord both of body and mind, yet chose not to propagate it by coercions on either, as was in his Almighty power to do, but to exalt it by its influence on reason alone.— STATUTE OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

I have ever thought religion a concern purely between our God and our consciences, for which we were accountable to Him, and not to the priests. I never told my own religion, nor scrutinized that of another. 1 never attempted to make a convert nor wished to change another’s creed. I have ever judged of the religion of others by their lives for it is in our lives,and not from our words, that our religion must be read.— To MRS. M. HARHISOX SMITH

Nothing but free argument, raillery & even ridicule will preserve the purity of religion. — NOTES ON RELIGION

No man has power to let another prescribe his faith. Faith is not faith with’ believing. No man can conform his faith to the dictates of another. The life & essence of religion consists in the internal persuasion or belief of the mind. External forms of worship, when against our belief are hypocrisy & impiety.  — NOTES ON RELIGION

I cannot give up my guidance to the magistrates, because he knows no more of the way to heaven than I do, & is less concerned to direct me right than I am to go right. If it be said the magistrate may make use of arguments & so draw the heterodox to truth, I answer, every man has a commission to admonish, exhor’, convince another of error. — NOTES ON RELIGION

I have had many people tell me that liberalism and Christianity are conflict of interests. I find that statement funny since words such as radical once described the Republican party when fighting against slavery, and now the Republican party are calling Obama radical.

I do however, feel like  Christianity and Conservatism are a  conflict of interest because if you’re going to invoke the title you better make sure you represent it well. Any form of hypocrisy in a representing God is a disservice to his name.  The word Christianity should not be affiliate with any political party because there isn’t any political party that represents the Christian platform. After all, Rush Limbaugh claims to be a Conservative Christian, and I know his lifestyle is in conflict with anything Christ like.

Anyway, remember Jeremiah Wright? How can you forget his racially charged rants from the pulpits. In case you forgot, then let me remind you…SMH!

Now, you would expect that from a liberal, right (sarcasm)?   But, let me play you a tape from the Christian Conservative side, presented to you by Pastor Steven Anderson of the Tempe’s Faithful Word Baptist Church in Arizona.

Now both of these messengers are calling the other political party evil. Both are accusing Presidents of killing innocent people with blood on their hands. Both pastors justify their sermon through the bible, and guess what both of their actions were WRONG! You can’t wish Barack Obama to hell for supporting a woman’s right to chose, anymore than you can wish Bush there for starting a war, although it’s never been in American’s history to premeptively strike.

I am a self-proclaimed liberal. I often argue with my conservative counterparts about ideology. This week has been the most amazing because I have constantly been called: ignorant, evil, a troll, a welfare recipient, naive, duped, and stupid, and this is just because I support health care reform. Despite my level of education and my Christian background, I have been the target of these attacks from people who also claim to be Christian because I don’t agree with many of their conservative principles. Mind you I am a traditionalist, and I do share some values with my conservative friends, but during this back and forth it occurred to me that Conservatives are living in a past, or in their glory years. Everything is based on history and their is no vision for the future.  Democrats are generally labeled idealist because we try new things and we have this sometime delusional vision of hope. But, are Conservatives battling with a historical idealism? Are their best days really behind them?

It has been a long time since Lincoln was president. It’s been a long time since the Reconstruction Era when Conservatives were the moral compass of our society. But during 1960’s blacks jumped ship in record numbers due to the Civil Rights Movement. In fact, Lyndon B Johnson in 1964 received the highest percentage of  black votes to date. With 94% of the blacks voting in his favor, LBJ surpasses even Obama. Yet, the mindset amongst Republicans is that blacks are only Democrats because of government handouts. As if we were never capable of thinking, and that the only reason we jumped ship is because of welfare, and not the fact that the once racist Democrats of the South shifted to the Republican party and aligned themselves with Conservatives.

Yes, Lincoln was great. However, the Republican party today is so far away from those Radical Republicans of 1860 that changed the course of America. Where is that Republican party and where is their vision for the future? Everything is grounded in history that they haven’t stopped to look at the  facts:

States Ranked the Lowest in Education: Of the 20 states ranked lowest in education, 16 of them are Republican states which include: (AL, LA, GA, TN, OK, MS, FL, SC, TN, KY, WV, AK, AZ, MO, AR)

States Ranked Lowest in Income: Of the 20 states ranked lowest in income, 17 of them are Republican states which include: (MS, WV, AR, KY, AL, LA, OK, TN, SD, SC, MT, ND, NC, MO, ID, NE)

States Ranked Highest in Crime: 1. SC 2. TN 3. NV 4. FL 5. LA 6. AK  (D.C. is actually ranked #1 in crime, but it’s not a sate)

Now what’s even the most shocking is that when it comes to employment and Christianity, Republican sates are ranked the highest. Now how is it that a state with high employment rates, and self-proclaimed Christian values lead the nation in poverty, illiteracy, and crime. There is major disconnect in the ideology of Conservatism and it’s reality. Are Conservatives stuck so far in the past, that they can’t see how far they are being left behind?

States Ranked Highest in Employment: 1. ND 2. NE 3. SD 4. UT 5. IA, OK, WY

State Ranked Highest in Christianity: 1. MS 2. AL 3. SC 4.TN 5. LA 6. AR 7. GA

I  had to laugh when………  In the words of high school student Katie Smith, 17, who attended the event, “It was better than Springer.”

Here are some quotes from the town hall………

“God save America!” yelled one. “Shut up!” said another. “God save the Constitution!” screamed still another, followed by, “Shut up, you pig!”

Now that I think about it, that is really what all the town hall events have come to.  Everyone screaming and ranting back and forth.   The sad thing is,  people haven’t really thought about who is watching. Some of them are teenagers, seeing adults act like teenagers!!!!!!

UPDATE: Let me put this article in context because some of my Conservative friends think I’m outraged at all Christian Conservatives that listen to Rush Limbaugh. This is a response to what I call Limbaugh worshipers, and it’s directed to a particular group of people who made this claim:

Then you need to read the Bible and listen to good Christians like Rush and watch Fox news because they are Christians. All Republicans are Christians so when you except Jesus you need to become a Republican and stop being a Commy because Commys are godless heathens. Sinners and muslims and atheists and faggits and demoncRats will not inherit the kingdom of Heaven.

Rush Limbaugh is a pathetic excuse for a human being. While the far right conservatives are trying to paint Obama as the Anti-Christ, they may already have one in their midst. Today, instead of putting politics aside, and honoring Ted Kennedy, Limbaugh decides to praise himself for predicting Kennedy’s death as political move for health care reform.

Honestly, how can you call yourself a Christian and listen to such hate on a daily basis, and believe you’re really on the right side of the debate with Limbaugh as your moral compass. If you try to justify it, I will rebuke you. The greatest commandment according to Jesus is love, love God and love for your neighbor. Someone please tell me where in these words is there even an ounce of  love.

Is Abortion Racist?

I have heard many conservatives cite statistics that show that African American women are disproportionately having abortions at a higher rate than whites, and even Hispanic women (fact). Black women make up 35% of all abortions, but only 13% of the population. Since 1973, an estimated 14 million black babies have been aborted. (wow)

Now, the claims from the right is that abortion is racist, and the liberals in Washington are trying to murder African Americans by funding abortion. The only problem I have with this argument, is that racism is real only when it comes to abortion, but somehow fabricated when it comes to the decline of urban cities and the black family. On the blog Conservative Black Woman, the author states that she’s upset with the conditions of black people in this country, and she claims that blacks cling to excuses revolving around racism, slavery, and far right ideology to explain their lack of morality.

I am fed up with what has happening within the black community. Too many of our families are broken, too many of us are morally degenerate and too many of us are willing to blame all of our pathology on slavery, George Bush, the Republican party or anything but our failures as Parents, Husbands, Wives and Christians.

However, on that very same blog, she suggests that blacks are having abortions at a higher rate because of racism and left wing ideology. If racism can’t be used as an excuse for the decline in urban neighborhoods, why does it serve as an excuse for the rate in which black women have abortions. In case we haven’t noticed blacks  are at disproportionately higher rates for almost everything perceived negative in this country: Heart disease, cancer, drug addiction, crimes, drug related crimes, divorce, murder, welfare, abortion, illiteracy, drop-out rates, HIV/AIDS, and unemployment.

Is There A Left Wing Conspiracy To Kill Blacks?

This theory that Democrats are evil people trying to kill black babies is absurd. Case in point, America has the highest rate of  murder by guns. Homicides by gun violence increased 31% amongst black men ages 25 -44 compared to 12% for whites (1999-2005). Where as the left try to regulate the number of guns flooding the market to save lives, the right sees that move as a violation of their constitutional right to bear arms, although there is no way that the founding fathers could have foreseen the number of semi-automatic weapons being manufactured in this country. Now we have a group on the right claiming that limiting guns is violation of their rights, while thousands of men die yearly from these weapons. They argue that regulating how people purchase guns will not deter homicides, however countries that have stronger gun laws than America tend to have lower homicidal rates. Are the conservative right hiding behind the constitutional to promote violence against black men? Is there a right wing conspiracy to kill black men? Sounds absurd for Christian Conservative to justify guns over life, Right?

Why are black women having abortions?

The reason black women are having abortions at an alarming rate is because there is a lack of self-identity within the black community that doesn’t understand our value to this great country. This is simply a legacy of slavery where we still view ourselves as less, or three-fifths of a person. Blacks are battling so many social setbacks (poverty, racism, failing school systems) and the only thing different about us compared to other races in this country is that we were slaves for nearly 400 years. A little education goes along way in dispelling these beliefs and the role poverty plays in our lives. If we understand the value that every black child can bring to this society then we can see a decline in genocidal behaviors. But this stupid cultural warfare (left vs right) does nothing to help women understand the intrinsic value of human life. It has gotten to the point that blacks are caught up in the politics of the arguments, and not the solutions that will help educate young women and to start saving lives.

I am holding my side trying not to laugh. The woman, Orly Taitz, who is not a natural born citizen of the United States, but who is the leader of the “birther” movement, is running for office.  Orly Taitz has gained national attention for claiming Obama was born in Kenya, and is not a legitimate citizen of the United States. Not sure how her followers couldn’t see an ulterior motive in the works, but it may have been unearthed in a recent interview. Where is Saturday Night Live when you need them?

According to The Washing Independent, Orly Taitz may be running for office in a town near you, or at least she’s keeping her options on the table:

In a classic, Americana twist, the matriarch of the birthers has not ruled out her own stint in politics. “You know I never ran for office, but I would not exclude this as a possibility.”

In the video below, a young woman refers to Obama as a Nazi, and instead of tap dancing for votes like most politicians are doing, Barney Franks decides to give her a dose of her own medicine. We need to see more of this, Democratic leaders pushing back against the psycho fringe. You can’t fight outrage with facts, these people don’t want to hear or listen, they just want to scare. So fight back with emotion, let them know how ignorant they look, and that they are the ones acting like Nazis both in unnecessary outrage and in the fact that they support insurance companies who are denying people care based on their income, job, and health.

Obama can’t win on this topic because it’s so polarized, so he needs to do what’s morally right, and let the fringe value money, while he take care of the people. I don’t understand how you can be pro-life before a child is born, and once they enter the world no longer care about the value or quality of  life.  Healthcare is a right in the richest and best country in the world. THE END [PERIOD].

In his own words, Rush Limbaugh says he does not lie, which in fact is a lie, and therefore anything he says shouldn’t be taken at face value. I believe in the freedom of speech, and I’m happy that Rush Limbaugh has found a way to make capitalism work by selling falsehoods and lies. What I do not like is that he’s able to make so much money selling these fears, and I know it’s not just the far right extremist that adore Mr. Limbaugh; it’s your next day neighbor. Rush Limbaugh has nearly 20 million listeners, however he’s never a water cooler topic at work. In comparison, John and Kate had 10 million viewers after the affair broke, and every where you look people were talking. So why aren’t people admitting that they listen to Rush Limbaugh when it’s clear by the numbers that they are following him. Rush Limbaugh is very popular, and he may lie, but his numbers don’ t. People are listening to him, and do they share his lies:

I don’t tell lies on this program, it is not necessary. I don’t have to lie about my beliefs. I don’t have to lie about what liberals want to do. I don’t have to lie about what liberal say…I don’t make up one thing, I do not lie… I haven’t said one lie about what Obama’s plan is. All we’ve done, as you well know, is try to get the word out about it…

[Source]

I know racism when I see it, and all those people trying to act like this is just the President as the joker, or missing a larger subliminal message. This is a play on black-face, and I don’t understand why the outrage is on the right, when the outrage should be amongst people with common sense that don’t believe in racism as the future for America. I am angry, and I am tired of the bull crap that has been leveled at this President because of his race. As a Christian, I do not understand the hate coming from Christian conservatives, and I’m starting to wonder about the spirit driving this movement. This is bigger than Jena 6, and no one is outraged. This is not socialism, this is hate, this is racism and I never thought I would see it at this level during my life time. What are we going to do about it?

Where is the genuine outrage?