Saturday, February 16, 2008

For the Record

OK! Enough Already! Let's set the record straight. First of all, let me say that I certainly support everybody's right to choose a political candidate or party that they want to support...and they can choose to support that candidate or party for whatever stupid reason that they want. But please don't judge me or try to convince me to follow along in the same blind manner that you do. I prefer to do a little fact finding on my own instead of leaving that to those would ignore reality and live in their little fantasy world.

You might be wondering, "Geez, what got John all fired up this morning?"

Really the article itself is not a bad one. More like the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back. Anyways, it's as I recently pointed out to a fellow pro-lifer (yes, I am pro-life--I just don't base my political decisions on it), politicians lie to you! That's right, politicians say what you want to hear so that you'll vote for them. Now a whole party (Republicans) has convinced most of America that if you are a good Christian, you must be against abortion and therefore must be a Republican! (For the record: I am a registered republican.)

I'd like to think that the motives of all of those voters has been a good one: to support candidates with like views so that they can correct injustice and make the world a better place. Unfortunately, the politicians have conned you out of your votes and produced no changes. It's time to wake up and smell the coffee!

Here is the truth:

During the first six years of the Bush (W) Administration, the political powers in Washington DC were ALL controlled by one party, Republicans. The House of Representatives had a Republican majority. The Senate had a Republican majority and there was a Republican in the White House. There was also a majority of Supreme Court Justices appointed by Republican Presidents. With everything in their favor, what did the Republican Party do that would demonstrate that your pro-life voted counted for something? I'll give you a clue...NOTHING!

The Republicans are NOT a pro-life party. They are, however, the party that gets the pro-life vote. If you want to choose your candidate based on what they believe in...by all means, do. But if you want to choose your candidate on what they will do...you need to find out--What will they do? Eight years ago, if you would have asked W, "So you're pro-life. If elected, what do you plan to do about it?"

Truthfully, he would have had to answer, "Nothing." I know that he would have lied.

The thing is...nobody ever asks that question. No politicians are accountable for doing something that they never said they were going to do. Jerry Falwell, James Dobson and others have created a vast movement of voters that blindly follow their lead. Falwell was a great preacher. Dobson is, no doubt, a fine family psychologist. But they both stink as political analysts. I wouldn't go to Dobson for political advice anymore than I would seek out Obama on a question of raising kids. (I doubt I'd go to Dobson on the raising kids thing either! But you get the idea.)

So pick your party, pick your candidate, pick your nose for all I care. Just don't expect that they are going to follow up on their pro-life stance. The record shows that they lie.

John

6 comments:

Kevin Gilmore said...

Where is my prolife democrat? I'm one of those who is feeling somewhat used by the republican party for the prolife vote I bring it.

Bush has placed two conservatives on the Supreme Court and I'm thankful for that. My appreciation for this administration ends there.

My wife and I are seriously considering a write-in vote this coming election...most likely Huckabee. We know it's futile but we're not keen on the direction the republican party is headed. It's the best we can do.

These last two presidential elections were as close as it gets. Had there been a prolife democrat for me and so many others to choose from I'm quite certain there would've been a democrat in the WH the last 4 to 8 years.

I could be wrong.

Anonymous said...

Interesting article. I guess that a "values voter" is limited to those who are anti-abortion. Um, so, running up a massive deficit by giving enormous tax cuts to the mega mega rich and modest ones to the rest of us, and leaving that pesky debt to our kids to worry about--I guess that "values voters" don't care about that. Or, say, the lie(s) that we were all told to sell us on war. Those aren't reflective of any values we care about either. And failing to do anything about climate change--people who care about our world aren't "values voters?"

John Edwards anti-poverty platform, or Sen. Clinton's efforts to extend health care access to everyone, or the wind of inspiration that one feels when Sen. Obama speaks--nothing there for "values voters" I guess.

Sheesh. Way to take one issue and ignore absolutely everything else--even those other things that one values.

NathanRyder said...

As a UK voter, you know what's interesting? I can't remember any time within the last ten to fifteen years that any politician in the UK has stood on a pro-life/pro-choice platform, or had either side of the debate be a big consideration of their politics.

It's not that people in the UK don't talk about it, but for some reason it isn't a big political issue.

Mike said...

"That's right, politicians say what you want to hear so that you'll vote for them."

This can't be true John! It just can't be!! NO NO NO!!!

Anonymous said...

Hrm, good point.

Anonymous said...

I think I liked the "pick your nose" comment the best.

Great Blog!

CW