Big ups to my new Archbishop Sean O'Malley for standing up for the unborn and the Gospel of Life in his first homily, as the two Butchers of Boston, Kerry and Kennedy, listened in attendance--awkwardly amused, I'm sure.
What a surprise coming from Shields, who is generally liberal in my view. I will say that I am boggled by (though do not dispute at all) the fact that Catholics are more liberal than Protestants on social welfare type matters. Why do we want to cede to government, that also has some ability to control Catholic organizations through funding conditions, areas of charity and societal welfare where we--our organizations--are so successful and valued? Are our hearts just too darn big for our own good? Or is it that we are lazy and want government to fund it (through us and fellow taxpayers) and get it done for us? Don't bother us in the pews on Sundays, we've paid taxes to take care of this? Sometimes I do have that latter thought, frankly. But I am happy to give to various Catholic charity and missionary groups. Sorry, I have now evolved into rambling.
Mark Shields makes a very good point. In fact I noticed that in my local Knight's of Columbus council almost everyone over the age of 55 is a Democrat. Almost everyone under 55 is a Republican. The same holds true in the Newman center at my college. Almost all (~90%) of the active Catholics who volunteer their time doing various charitable actives are serious townhall.com type conservatives. Our most important issue? Abortion. I've found that because I can't bear to listen to Dems at all because of their immmoral abortion position I listen and have become very sypathetic to the Republican party. Contrary to Fr. Greeley nowadays I encounter a lot of priests who say (slightly jokingly) that voting Democrat would be a sin.
Did anyone see the NRO article today about judicial nominations and "Catholics need not apply" that the Democrats are suggesting? It was a fascinating read. Unfortunately, the Democrats' fixation on abortion isn causing them to violate the Constitution's prohibiton on religious tests for service. But they're not just doing it to Catholics - they're doing it to Christians of all kinds. They're not just anti-Catholic specifically, but anti-Christian.
Here's the link. Byron York wrote it.
http://www.nationalreview.com/yo.../
york073003.asp
Yikes.. my prior post should read: The Democrats' fixation on abortion IS causing them to violate the Constitution's prohibiton on religious tests for service.
I know for a lot of Catholic Dems its the old "personally opposed, but" position. After thinking about it, I've come to realize they are lying, even the sincere ones. They are not in the least bit "personally opposed" to abortion, they support it. What they really mean to say (and what they say throught their votes) is that I support the idea of abortion, I think it is right to kill another human being for convenience, but I personally would not do that.
Funny how the Personally Opposed crowd doesn't wan't to force their morality on others when it comes to this issue, but when it comes to welfare, giving unequal opportunity to all of the right skin color/gender/surname, etc. they have no problem foisting their morality on others.
Its also funny that the article mentions Buffalo and Catholicism. Being born both in Buffalo and Catholic, I never recall ever being indoctrinated by the Dems or even particularly liking them. Of course, this was post JFK.
Mark Shields is great. I don't always agree with him, but when he's right, he's absolutely right!
As far as an apology from the Dems is concerned... don't hold your breath.
In addition to the well-deserved criticism of pro-abort Catholic Dems in Congress, we should also encourage those who are pro-life and act it. This is especially true when you hear stories of people like Dennis Kucinich (Al Gore, Dick Gephart, Jesse Jackson) who have had magical conversions to the dark side when seeking higher office.
Rep. Jim Oberstar, the Catholic Democrat from my district, is pro-life and cosponsored the amendment the UNFPA funding bill, the only Dem with the courage to do so. He has been in that seat for, oh, a century or so. Guess why he's not sitting in a Senate seat.
FYI.
The reason why the Democrats are a minority in congress now is because the Catholic vote shifted from being 2-1 Democratic as it was in elections other than presidential elections to being 50-50. The Democrats have worked very hard to alienate as many Catholics as they have, it took a generation of social liberalism(since 6
untill Catholics finally started to move away from the Democrats in any large number.
That said, the active Catholics I know and my own views have not been fully converted to limbaugh style economic conservatism, nor will they be. Go on FreeRepublic.com, and you will notice a large number of Catholic posters who realise there is more to conservatism than just dollars and cents, and that big business can be a threat to values as much as the govrenmnet can be.
Ugh, I hate unplanned emotes, I meant to say since 68. The old Democratic party died after 68, and as a side note, it is ironic that before 68, it was the GOP that held more liberal views on abortion, and Democratic presidential canidate Hubert Humphrey was pro life.
Both the Democratic and Republican parties are betraying our country. Its time for the two-party system to die. A new good third party beyond socialist Green party and others is NEEDED! I used to be a Democrat, God forgive me and they have become such the abortion party I dont know how any Christian can belong!
The GOPs problem is too many of the power brokers who pull the strings in the GOP are what one can term "Savage Capitalists", they are dogmatic free traders, they are dogmatic free marketers and dont care what is done as long as their wallets are fatter. On Free Republic, a term for people who have these views are "Limbots". I myself have a hard time getting any desire at all to vote, and I am not one who tells people to vote, I think the system is that rotten. A country that gave Clinton 70% approval ratings the week of his impeachment is a country that has no hope.
You know, its funny. A lot of Catholic "Union Democrats" (eg, distrust of "ownership" and "management", favor employee vs. employer - whether or not actually part of a union) also tend to be rather socially liberal (at least the ones I know) and constantly chastize those who vote "Republican" for voting with their pocket-book instead of being concerned about the greater good. But, when you think about it, these Union Democrats also vote with their pocket book - that is they vote for those who will protect their jobs at the expense of a more vibrant and efficient economy, and even look the other way on such distasteful issues as abortion. So, whose the greedy sob now?
Apparently Shields' column finally got to the DNC. Their site now lists three additional Catholic sites, Call to Action, America magazine and a site that appears to be in fact Catholic. I say, don't let up til they throw off the death grip the abortionists have on the party.
Just so everyone knows, the Catholic League (Catholicleague.com) has been writing about this issue since last year. I think they have written to every Democrat Senator and Representative along with Terry McCaulif (sp?) to have this changed and get an apology. Go to their web site to find out more about their efforts. You would think they (The DNC) might at least have a link to the Vatican or EWTN, right? Nope. I'm out.
When Margaret Steinfels wants to hold her nose when she votes Democratic, you know that a major tectonic shift in the political landscape is slowly underway.
I am a registered Democrat who votes prolife. I live in a very Democrat area--coal mining country and unions--and no other party really has a toehold. Kentucky has closed primaries. I keep thinking about updating my voter registration to independent, but I *MUST* participate in primary voting and try to have some influence. They're typically small-n voting days, and really determine where things are going.
Other than that, I wish those (D) "Personally Opposed Butts" would sit down and shut up and vote pro life.
I have become a single issue voter. The voting booth is a confessional. God is watching.
Someone above mentioned that the Repubicans are for the rich businesses. However, I've been looking around and seeing that Some of the big companies like Citicorp, Channel Crossing (or something Crossing)etc. who are embroiled in some of the worst offenses (even Martha Stewart) happen to be Democrat strongholds. The Dems would like us to think that they are clean that way. I have decided that our culture is rife with selfishness regardless of our affiliations. But the killing of our own progeny is an extermination of ourselves because of the lack of hope in a God who cares. And that would be the worst sin.
'Global Crossing'. And yes, lots of those corporations give money to the Democrats; more than to the Republicans, that is. Democrats, after all, are likely to erect barriers to the entry of competition.
I don't think one need be an automaton or "Limbot" to be a conservative capitalist. Further, not all capitalists are evil, nor is capitalism is not inherently evil. We who are blessed and able to work have moral responsibility to help the less fortunate. I'd rather it not be done by government fiat, but by private charity and good works. I am trained in economics and generally see a role for government as a "referee," as needed, but otherwise fairly unfettered markets can work for the good of all, if we are moral individuals. I am no fan of large corporations as workplaces. They are too inhumane and dull--government is not too different. Small business is very great to work in. Milton Friedman's "Capitalism and Freedom" from 1960 is a great primer on the proper role of government, from an economic and constitutional point of view, with citizens' freedom in mind. Liberalism used to mean less government also in commerce, not social welfare programs that we have today. The FDR reaction to the 29 crash brought us to where we are today. [I know it's rather summarily stated, but that'll have to do for a comments box.]
My view is the New Deal programs are what helped American achieve record levels of prosperity between the end of WWII and 1970. If there ever was a time a country that came close to the principles of Rerum Novarum, it was this period. But the Great Society programs took away too much in the way of ones personal responsibility, and that is where most of todays problems can be traced to.
What I have seen is all too many Conservatives are gung ho on job outsorucing, it it seems they care more about the bottom line than about their fellow Americans. Unrestricted free market economics are not in line with church teachings.
Correction:
"nor is capitalism NOT..." extra negative there. I mean that capitalism is NOT inherently evil in my view.
RE: Dems' v. GOP on business relationships and contributions. Neither is entirely "business-friendly" or "anti-business" while both take contributions from various industries or industry segments. For example, in telecom, the Bells are considered "Republican companies" and their competitors, ATT, MCI and new smaller firms, are "Democrat companies." That's just how it lined up. On the other hand one firm I know thinks Dems are better for it in one state, while the GOP is better for it in another state. It's about relationships and lobbying and figuring out which side agrees (more) with your interests. There are genuine commitments to certain economic or industrial positions on the part of politicians that cause them to align with particular industries/segments, it is true. Some of the relationships do not seem logical otherwise, except that sides are taken and each party goes with one based on principal or contributions (if you believe McCain on the latter). It depends...
So, my point is that we should not be so quick to presume the GOP is the fat cat, evil corporate gian party. In fact, they get more small donations from tons of individuals, while the Dems get few very large donations from millionaires and Hollywood-ites.
Rsponding to John re: New Deal.
I will grant that government review and enforcement of "honesty" in accounting and financial reports is reasonable, as are efforts to combat unethical monopolization of markets, or honesty in dealing w/customers or in other business contracts. I don't see no need for further government intervention in areas of wages or employment conditions, though unions handled these issues well but are now corrupt organizations. Individuals have a responsibility to choose jobs/careers that enable them to meet their obligations to husbands/wives and children. Businesses are generally not despotic, but have a right to expect employees to meet the firms' (reasonable) needs. These matters should only require case-by-case intervention if some harm is indeed done.
I have work to do. These thoughts may not necessarily be considered exhaustive.
A Report on 2002 political contributions to Dems and GOP:
http://216.239.51.104/search?q=c...pensecrets.org/
pressreleases/DonorDemographics02.asp
+political+contributions+by+
individuals,+GOP&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
[cut and paste the URL into your browser bar. hope it does not come out badly on the screen. sorry in advance. but do check it out.]
People know when they're being treated like units of production.
I have been turned into a government cog. Our offices are small, and my colleagues and I have decided that even if we're treated like units of production, we will be subversive resisters and continue to believe and behave like human beings and treat other people with kindness and respect. --Something that doesn't happen (much) at other campuses in our district. Those government cogs have been treated like units of production and have come to believe it, so they treat students like units and not persons.
Students will drive *past* the other campuses to come do their business at our campus, because they like us. So, our minimal staff gets to work extra hard because we treat people like people!
Thanks for listening to my rant. I have worked two weeks in the past week and needed to vent some of the pressure. I had to take comp time today just to avoid ending up in the nuthouse.
...and one more thing. I don't like being treated like a unit of consumption, either. I am tuning out all advertising, spam, junk mail, etc.
I am more than homo economicus!
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