|
It is not just about choice and gay rights, as Obama said yesterday that he wanted to reach for them (and, by the way, both Clinton and Edwards are church goers, have been even before they entered politics).
It is that evangelicals considered themselves "value voters." As if their values - whatever they are - are worthier than ours. Ours, at least mine, that include respect for everyone's opinion and privacy, putting the care for the poor and the sick ahead of that of multi million CEOs, and using the government to make sure that all of us have a chance for a better life.
When Obama wants to reach out, is he talking about compromise? About meeting them half way, a third of the way? I doubt that they will agree. This is the problem with individuals who claim that their god whispers in their ears. Their is the only absolute truth. There are no questions, or doubt, or even accepting other people's god.
Why is it that the red states are a net acceptors while the blue ones are net givers of federal money? It is because too many people in red states are so consumed by living according to what their pastors tell them that they cannot even support themselves? Is it because tithing 10% or 15% of their meager income is so forcefully demanded of them, even if they cannot feed their families (was a story about that in one of the advise columnist last week)? It is because, as it was during the Middle Ages, their churches choose to keep them ignorant so they don't ask questions and try to break from the yolk?
I am not anti religion. But when I hear of a Democratic leader talking about reaching out to the Evangelicals, but never about them talking about reaching out to us, I have a feeling that I will end up at the short end of the deal.
|