Tag: election 2010

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Election 2010 Reactions

The Capitol

Many Christians, including myself, have been praying specifically for these elections.  We have been concerned with the moral and spiritual direction of our country as well as the economic one.   Today I am praising God for the election of many more conservative candidates because the causes of sanctity of life, sanctity of marriage and religious freedom will be strengthened.   Here are some further election observations.

  1.  Moral values are still very important to our electorate.  One commentator said that in California, Whitman’s dealings with her domestic worker probably cost her many votes.   While early reports indicate that economics were the main driver at the polls this time, there is no doubt in my mind that efforts of Pelosi and crew to dismantle Don’t Ask Don’t Tell over military leaders’ objections created more problems for her and her party.   Influential teachers like Jim Garlow make clear that moral and economic issues are tied inextricably together.    I also teach that abortion is an economic as well as a moral issue.
  2. The Tea Party was far more effective as a movement than it would have been as a third party.  That stance allowed it to stay on message as opposed to big government yet enfold some diversity in its ranks.  It definitely influenced this election and will be a force to be reckoned with in 2012.
  3. I believe that the Supreme Court is on the right track in saying that entities should not be cut off from influencing elections simply because they are corporations or PACs or unions and I would include churches in that.   However, I and many Americans were very uncomfortable at how much money was spent on this election; on how much money came from outside the districts involved; and about how many times the sources of the money were completely hidden.   The flow of money must be public and amounts from outside election districts restricted by law, all without disenfranchising groups who have a legitimate right to influence an election.
  4. As we become more and more a media society we must find ways to use the media to educate about real qualifications.    We are more and more getting candidates who are a media byte but do not have what it takes.    We are also influenced by negative campaigning that in some cases is plain slander.   I found myself during this campaign hungry for real news about issues.  One could hardly find the candidates talking about real issues.  They are taught to stay on their political sound bite, stay away from controversial things, and above all look good on camera.  What do those three things have to do with governing?
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Carl Paladino may be mad but he’s not crazy!

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/tomtoles/2010/10/carl_paladino_unhinged.html

http://blog.syracuse.com/opinion/2010/10/paladino_vs_brainwashing.html

Commentators, especially liberal ones, have had a ball with Carl Paladino’s recent comments.  I quote one version of the supposedly offending lines. “Appearing before a group of Orthodox rabbis in Brooklyn on Sunday, Paladino declared that he didn’t want children “brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid and successful option — it isn’t.” Then, in trying on the “Today” show on Monday to make things better, he made them worse. He spoke of how “disgusting” he had found a gay pride march he had seen, in which marchers “wear these little Speedos, and they grind against each other.”” (From  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/13/AR2010101305533.html ) 

My contention is that Carl Paladino is not bigoted as the cartoonist suggests, but rather represents accurately two contentions of the majority of Americans, both of which are completely lost on the modern-day media and, of course, on the gay-rights lobby as well.

The first constitutional contention he represents accurately is that it is the right of people of faith, whether evangelical Christian, Muslim, Catholic, Jewish, Amish, Orthodox or Mormon who believe that homosexual behavior is wrong, to teach their children the same and not to have their children taught otherwise by whomever.  This is fundamental to the free exercise of religion.  Schools exist primarily to work for parents, and only secondarily to serve the interests of the state.  Carl understands this right. 

Second, Carl’s comments about Speedos and grinding in a gay rights parade describe an immodest display.  Such behavior would be immodest if it were by a woman and a man too.  It would also be inappropriate for children then as well.   Good parents still teach children modesty.   But contemporary culture considers the concept of modesty archaic.   Media moguls argue that freedom of expression rules.   Consider the argument currently raging concerning the GQ pics by Glee stars (http://blog.syracuse.com/entertainment/2010/10/steamy_glee_gq_pics_have_many.html).  How dare parents bring up the idea that stars might want to be a good example of something old-fashioned like modesty because their show caters to preteens.  And the stars themselves are clueless.  As far as Hollywood and the fashion industry are concerned, about the only ones who cover up are the Amish, Muslims and very old women.   Carl is right that children should not be taught that immodest displays are proper, whichever sex they involve.  They indeed, don’t need to see them.

Carl’s candidacy may have issues, but the way he thinks about gays grinding in Speedos and politically correct police pushing gay rights on other peoples’ kids is not one of them.  His mistake was in apologizing instead of explaining.  Quite a few of us are just a little mad that simply thinking thoughts like I am writing will get us labeled as bigots.   But having traditional morality is not the same as being a bigot, despite such verbal bullying!