Image via WikipediaThis is not a decision about "Republican" or "Democrat." It is more accurately described as a choice between a conservative world view and a progressive world view. Here are just a few aspects and issues you might want to consider today and going forward into the future of our country.
Love Thine Enemies -OR- Punish Thine Enemies? You Choose.
In 2004 Barack Obama (then a candidate for Senate) gave a powerful speech. In this speech he "challenged the Country to shatter the idea that we are a divided people." He went on to say that we are "not a Black America, or an Hispanic America, or a white America, we are ONE AMERICA." (emphasis mine)
On October 25th he gave a spoke to the Hispanic community in a Univision radio broadcast he said: "If Latinos sit out the election, instead of saying we're going to punish our enemies and we're going to reward our friends who stand with us on issues that are important to us; if they don't see that kind of upsurge in voting in this election then I think it's going to be harder...."
Punish our enemies? What happen to ONE AMERICA? And, who are the enemies? Why is it the aim to "reward" anyone? Why is it not framed in respect to what is best for this country and it's citizens? You might also ask yourself: "Exactly what does he mean when he says "immigration reform?" I believe it has become code for "keep the borders porous and grant amnesty to a block of people, many of whom have no idea that they are being used for political purposes."
As stated in the sub- title link article, it is inconceivable to think that Hispanics could even think about disagreeing or doubting the merits of a progressive agenda. You will recall that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) declared, "I don't know how anyone of Hispanic heritage could be a Republican." This clearly follows the road map of "dividing and controlling." He "walked this statement back" after some backlash from the Hispanic community. In the Huffington Post article his "clarification" did everything but accuse Republicans of mugging old ladies and stealing candy from children. In other words, "they are the enemy" of just about everything; employing teachers, food on the table, and clean air, and small business just because they disagree that government is the answer.
Understanding the Progressive View of Oppression
This link takes you to an article titled: "The Truth About Oppression." It suggests an interpretation of a conservative vs progressive view as to the source of oppression. The author sets forth that conservatives fear oppression by the government and progressives fear oppression from everywhere else and rely on government to protect them. That is, without a doubt, the most succinct manner of summarizing the difference. And you can read it in way less than four minutes!
For a progressive the bigger the government the better. They believe that all injustices can only be set right if the government is large enough and unbridled power is given to the elites in charge.
The article also states that conservatives have a world view that is consistent with the reality that oppression comes from governments; always has and always will.
It is interesting to note at this point something I read in Eric Weiner's The Geography of Bliss. The author visited the World Database of Happiness in The Netherlands and talked with Ruut Veenhoven, Professor of Happiness Studies. One of the professors findings made him very unpopular with his fellow sociologists. He found that income distribution does not predict happiness. Countries with wide gaps between the rich and poor are no less happy than where the wealth is distributed more equally. Sometimes they are happier.
Veehoven is quoted as saying in response to this is: "My colleagues are not amused. Inequality is big business here in the sociology department. Entire careers have been built on it" (page 16.)
I would add that in our country, entire political careers have been built on it. In particular the progressives' political careers; Democrat AND Republican. The world view of the progressive is based in identification of oppressed groups and seeking "social justice." The progressive concept of social justice has it's roots in liberation theology. There is a website, Liberation Theology resource center and bookstore that may help you develop a better understanding of this movement. It includes essays and chronology of the movement as well as criticisms. During this assessment of this concept of "social justice" as presented via liberation theology I find two major contradictions to my understanding of what the Gospel says. The first is the emphasis on the conditions in this world while putting spiritual and eternal life in the background. The second is the concept frequently expressed by President Obama of "collective salvation. So, if "social justice" sounds good to you it would be a good idea to delve into just exactly what it means in a progressive world view.
Immigration Reform = Social Justice
Finally, I urge you to take a closer look at the battle over Arizona's SB1070. It is more complex than "people looking for a better life" or "they will do jobs Americans won't." There is a two part report you will find useful at wstbv.com: Investigating Border Security Part 1 and Part 2. Who else is crossing our borders is a national security issue.
This was a special "Halloween" video posted by Gov. Jan Brewer in response to a new sign, that replaced an older one, on the Arizona border. I don't know which one would make me feel better....probably neither. Phoenix was called the "kidnapping capital of the US" in February of 2009. Of course, there is an article that criticizes Congressman John Kyle for calling Phoenix the "kidnapping capital of the US" in August of this year. I guess this author missed the 2009 article. I can perhaps understand this as "google" made it difficult for me to find.
Finally, A Brief Comment on Polls
There was a recent poll that Michele Bachmann posted on her FB page asking what issue was most important to voters. The usual things were listed but one choice was not offered; all of the above.
So, I did a "write in vote" and said:
All of the above! It really gets summed up as, "Our government officials are not doing the job we elected them to do. It's "We the people" NOT "You the People, and We the Elite!" We are tired of being treated like idiots! We have awakened, we are doing our homework, and we will not let the Constitution be trampled any longer. It will take longer than this election cycle, but we shall restore the integrity of our Constitutional Republic.
Polls, I suppose, can be useful for our leaders. It gives them an idea about what is important to the people who they are supposed to represent. However, recently I've been somewhat irritated by the constant questioning about what we the people think is important. It seems to me that it does not require a great deal of thought to name the biggies: the national debt, unemployment, and the diminishing of our God-given liberties. Why do they keep asking?! Stop asking and DO something is what I want to say.
Finally, negative, attack campaign ads (if you believe the polls) work! People listen to the sound bites and make decisions based on incomplete information. So, I guess what I'd like to see is less time spent endlessly polling the opinions of voters and an increased use of common sense and basic guiding principles. Along with that, if we the people who vote would spend a bit more time reading and researching in order to make informed decisions at election time we would be well on the road to restoration.
So, you have a decision to make today and tomorrow and every day after that. This is not just about one day.
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