There is a growing realization in America that where as the Democratic Party seems to have rolled over and played dead, the Republican Party has been hijacked and taken from the core Conservative ideas. Author Kevin Phillips has a rather distinguished pettigree as a Republican. I have not had a chance to read it myself yet, but the New York Times Article high-lites several points that I find quite interesting.

In his book, "The Emerging Republican Majority" published in 1969, he presented thoughts on how post Vietnam, the two major parties would evolve. His ideas have been bourne out to a large degree since then. In his new book, "American Theocracy", he presents a less positive view of the Republican party. There are three main areas he focuses on;
The Role of Oil in defining American Foreign and Domestic policy.
The intrusion of Radical Christianity into Politics and Government.
The Levels of Debt, both of the Government and the American people.

The cries of 'Spreading Democracy' ring hollow when we consider how many non-oil producing countries lie under the heavy hand of dictatorship. North Korea is in my estimates, much more of a Tyranny than Iraq was. China, though changing, still keeps it's people under an Iron fist. How many African nations are ruled under Tyranny and ignorance runs wild. There are many countries where our forces of 'Democracy' would be welcomed as true liberators. Where there is no infrastructure that has to be destroyed then rebuilt. There are not masses who already hate us. If we truly wanted to create 'Oil spots' of Democracy, let us go to the undeveloped countries of Africa. Instead, we go into a country where the primary goals from the begining was 'Protect the Oil Pipelines'.

The hi-jacking of Government by Fundimentalist Christians is the second point. When Preachers get better briefings on potential Supreme Court nomines than Senators do, you have to worry. A rather scary idea that is being pushed is that the 'Seperation of Church and State" is a myth or erronious understanding of what our Founding Fathers wanted. I think a few quotes well support the 'Truth' of that idea:

"If I could conceive that the general government might ever be so administered as to render the liberty of conscience insecure, I beg you will be persuaded, that no one would be more zealous than myself to establish effectual barriers against the horrors of spiritual tyranny, and every species of religious persecution." - George Washington, letter to the United Baptist Chamber of Virginia, May 1789.

"I have examined all the known superstitions of the word, and I do not find in our particular superstition of Christianity one redeeming feature. They are all alike founded on fables and mythology. Millions of innocent men, women and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined and imprisoned. What has been the effect of this coercion? To make one half the world fools and the other half hypocrites; to support roguery and error all over the earth." - Thomas Jefferson, letter to William Short, 1801.

"The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason." – Benjamin Franklin.

That the 'Father of Our Country and the two men most responsible for our founding documents expressed such opposition to Religion in Government, religion at all for the most part, says much.

Finally, on the matter of Debt. When individuals go into debt, it is a matter of Choice. Thanks to the policies of the current Administration, the national debt has swelled to nearly $9 trillion That equates to about $30,000 for every man, woman and child in the United States. I was given no say on this Debt dropped upon mre. But I shall be paying my portion through taxes as well as 'Budgeting" through loss of programs such as Education, Health Care and Social Security.

It is my hope, that both Democrats and Republicans can clearly see the disasterous state that we are being reduced to. As a Democrat, I want to support programs that help those who cannot help themselves. Soon however, unless things can radically change, no programs, including things such as Military Spending, will be supportable. Every Tax Dollar will be required to pay off the huge debt we has been thrust upon us.

In eight years, we have had destroyed so much of Americas strength. I hope that the Evangelicals are right in part, because God help us, if this continues.

posted by Anonymous @ 10:25 PM
 
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