In response to a post by an acquaintance blaming President Obama for the state of our economy plus other aspects of his administration that has not been superlative, I responded as follows:
What an amazing litany of
empty-headed inglorious BS! So it's Obama's fault now? Now that we're
better off than when the "stuff" ended its slide downhill into a
quasi-depression in mid-2009?
Do you really believe it was
Obama's Recovery Act that caused those eight million-odd job losses and
drove up the unemployment figures to 10%? Get over it. The Recovery Act
slowed then stopped the bleeding. To believe otherwise is just plain
ignorant.
My mind just cannot fathom the depths of despair this
country would be in now if McCain had won in 2008. Think about it, how
would he have stopped the 600,000 job losses per month, repaired the
bursting housing bubble, and contained the financial markets and banks
so our country wouldn't become a piddling worthless entity? Sure, blame
Obama for getting our troops out of Iraq, blame him for doing what Bush
reneged on--killing OBL, blame him for the stock market doubling in
three years. And, for good measure, blame him for not getting a budget
out of Congress for three years(?) when the 'Publicans (better
"Publi-cannots") filibustered and would not permit cloture on every part
and parcel of the budget. I say blame the 'Publi-cannots for not
allowing final votes on a budget.
Just say'n......
Constitutional-Religious Issues
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There
is an agenda to redefine marriage, an institution of at least 4,000
years that has always been a husband and a wife ( or wives in some
societies). There is clearly an agenda by some in the left to change the
definition, although the recent vote by the citizens of NC show that
Democrats are as supportive of this measure as ate Republicans. Clearly
Prop 8 would have passed except for the historic amount of black church
going voters that voted for Obama and against gay marriage. That being
said I could care less if gays marry, legalize marijuana, or any other
intrusive laws the government passed are overturned. Give me $2.50
gallon has and a 4% unemployment rate and you can make Elton John
Secretary of State.
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Constitutional-Religious Issues
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Tom: Let me give you a few examples.
1. In 31 states, people without a belief in a monotheism are disqualified from holding public office. 2. The Ten Commandments are posted in courtrooms 3. The State provides a religious book for people to swear on before giving testimony 4. We have monotheistic messages engraved on our money, in our national pledge, and in our national anthem 5. There continue to be "blue laws" (sabbath laws) prohibiting specific activities on Sunday in most states 6. Blasphemy is still a crime punishable by fines and incarceration in a handful of states 7. Prayers are given in the chambers of our congress 8. The bible is cited as justification for opposition against everything from gay marriage to wars against Muslim countries Note that the above examples are codified by law. When you say that other philosophies like those advocated by "militant gays, Muslims and feminists" are "forced" on people, what you really mean is that popular culture today is starting to tolerate them in the national dialogue, and people like you can no longer shut out all such messages from your lives. That's very different than disqualifying straights from public office, or posting passages from Queen songs on our public buildings, or prohibiting the sale of food in daylight hours during Ramadan. You have the freedom to reject all of these people's messages without the threat of interference. You can also speak out against them from a moral standpoint. As you said, you find these ideals to be important building blocks for society, and you're free to encourage anyone and anyone to agree with you - but not everyone will, and they have the freedom to build their lives with their own blocks, just like you do. In North Carolina or Minnesota (or most other states), though, a non-believer can't simply "ignore" the issues. They can be recalled from office simply for not professing belief in God. They still have to use money that promotes monotheistic ideals. Gays still can't share power of attorney, hospital visitation, inheritance, or benefits rights like straight couples can. These are truly, genuinely "forced" on them by laws voted on by people who justify those votes with a holy book, despite the VERY clear specification of the freedom of religion, and the establishment clause prohibiting laws respecting establishments of religion. You've had a 236-year monopoly in having your own religious symbols prominently displayed and advocated by our government in courts, money, mottos, schools, and pledges. Why is it such a problem to get the government OUT of religion, and let it operate as a free market like other services and non-profits? Layne: Nobody is forcing you to believe in same-sex marriage. It may very well be a sin. But in America, we're supposed to be free to sin. Allowing gays to marry doesn't "force" their definition on you any more than the legalization of alcohol "forces" you to condone drinking. You can choose your own definition of marriage, just like you can choose your own beverage. Anyone who follows this board knows that on MOST issues, I align to the right. I want small government. I don't want government regulating our healthcare, our housing, our food, our transportation, our financial institutions, our employment, or our carbon. In a stunning display of consistency, I ALSO resist government regulating marriages, substances, airports, air travel, free speech, religious belief, and media. I want small government in ALL areas of my life. And if we can't even keep government out of our bedrooms and our personal relationships, how can we expect to keep it out of our healthcare, our vehicles, or our banks? I adhere STRONGLY to the "Don't Tread On Me" doctrine - let all be free, just don't hurt me. I don't smoke, I don't hire prostitutes, I don't do drugs, I don't commit adultery, and I don't hunt for sport. I find all of these activities to be extremely immoral, in fact. But if someone else wants to do them, go right ahead. I don't own you. But you don't own me, either, and I'd like to know that I can disbelieve in God AND run for office. Right now I can't, not because of a 2000-year-old book, but because hordes of people take that book with them into the voting booths to make laws for people who don't believe the same way as they do. Sorry for the long rant. |
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