A Catholic Democrat for Bush
An interview with Rep Brian Golden of Massachusetts.
Nice.
Yes. Where would we be?
When John Kennedy spoke to people about his religion, he was essentially saying, "I'm a Catholic, but don't hold it against me." John Kerry essentially says, "I'm a Catholic, but don't hold me to it."
Nice.
My Catholicism was a significant factor in my decision to enter public life and it certainly plays a role in the way I approach public policy. The Catholic Church insists that respect for the human person should be at the center of political decision-making. That respect is manifest, first and foremost, in the protection of innocent, vulnerable human life. I take that as a non-negotiable foundation of my political worldview and I build on it.
Where would we be without the strong voice of churches informing our choices? African-American churches, mainstream Protestant denominations, Catholics, and Jewish congregations all changed America for the better during the civil-rights struggle. They play a key role in the development of a just society.
Yes. Where would we be?
posted by David at 9:15 AM
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2 Comments:
Maybe we'd been in a world wherein we didn't go killin folk in Iraq under false premises.
In regard to your comment, "The Catholic Church insists that respect for the human person should be at the center of political decision-making." Actually, I would argue that concern for the common good is at the center. St. Thomas Aquinas clearly defines law as "[1] an ordinance [2] of reason [3] for the common good, [4] made by him [or her] who has care of the community, [5] and promulgated. (Summa Theologica Section I-II, Question 90, Article 4).
It is reasonable conscientious decision making, pursuant to the free-will of all of us voters, to make a decision that we think will benefit the common good on one or many issues even if it goes against a position we hold on some issues.
Another way to say it in terms of one of the issues present in the election is that one can hold in their conscience a belief that abortion is wrong, and yet still vote for a candidate who does not hold that position provided that they are voting for that candidate out of a concern for an issue that can effect more broadly the common good.
For example, consider America as the independent cowboy country that we're becoming in world politics. Say we continue to blow off Europe and ignore China except for those moments when we really must listen to them (such as when they get a hold of one of our spy planes and flight crews invading their airspace) and the world continues to complain about the arrogance of Americans. Also say that we continue to ignore the poverty in Africa and South America, (which, by the way effect hundreds of millions of people annually...compared to the 1 million abortions performed each year), and thus by ignoring the world's concerns we become the richest, fatest, most comfortable place in the world to live. How long do we really expect that the world will sit idly by and wait to live off our scraps?
There is a poverty gap in this country and in this world growing each day that effects billions of people that are here, on this planet, now...today. How can we possibly sit here and think that the abortion issue is the #1 life issue in the world today? That's not rational. Voting solely as though Abortion is the primary issue before all other issues does not show much awareness, concern, or love of neighbor.
If we continue the way we are, the rest of the world is really going to wake up someday and realize the injustice of the situation. If things don't change, we're looking at something far worse than a few islamic fundamentalist terrorists. How long do we believe that the growing poverty gap in America will keep us united as one America (oops...nope, the split has already happened that's why we're in a 50/50 run-off)?
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