Political Insanity
I’ve seen two political articles the past few days that I
have found quite disturbing. The first
was from a disappointed Santorum supporter (which I happen to be) and seemed to
suggest that Catholics should be disappointed enough with a Romney candidacy to
consider sitting this election out. The
second referenced two polls regarding who Catholics are supporting now that the
Republican nomination has been secured.
This is a Catholic blog, not a political blog. However, it is the duty of all Catholics, particularly
the laity, to bring our Faith to bear on public life, and do our best to
“baptize the culture.” This is not
optional; it is a mandate. If we
compartmentalize our Faith or suggest that as Catholics we have no business
making strong political statements, we are being remiss in our duties, both to
God and country.
Our political statements can and must be highly critical of
the actions of public figures that oppose the Law of God. They must be honest, of course, and we must
never wish ill on a person we oppose, or cast spiritual judgment on them. This blog is called “Servant of Charity,” and
I try very hard not to violate the demands of charity, properly understood.
That being said, I have some rather strong feelings about the
articles I recently saw. As a Santorum
supporter I too am disappointed that Romney will be the nominee. I suspect he is a good and decent man, but
his record in Massachusetts causes me to question his commitment to the
principles I would like championed by a President.
That being said, he is running against Barack Obama. Sitting this election out is not an
option.
People say this election will be about the economy, and the
truth is that the economy still stinks. But
the fact of the matter is that the dividing line that demands people come down
on one side or the other is the line that separates the Culture of Life from
the Culture of Death. As long as that
battle rages, we have no business casting our votes based on tax rates or the growth
rate of GDP. We are soldiers for the
armies of the Culture of Life. Mr. Obama
is currently the general of the armies of the Culture of Death. He has expanded abortion with his health care
legislation, his judicial appointments and his HHS mandate. He has refused to defend the Defense of
Marriage Act. He has waged war on
conscience, especially when it comes to life issues. His justice department has persecuted
peaceful sidewalk counselors whose only crime has been to successfully provide
women in crisis pregnancies with options other than abortion. The list goes on. In this war, he is the enemy.
Understand, I do not hate Mr. Obama or judge his soul, or
wish to see him lose his soul. I pray
for him every day by name, but I will do what I can to defeat him. And if the choice is supporting a candidate
I’m not completely enthusiastic about, that is an easy choice to make.
The other article, from the National Catholic Register, cited two polls. The first, from the Pew Research Center,
showed all people identifying themselves as Catholics supporting Romney
50%-45%. A Gallup poll, however, showed
that the only group of Catholics supporting Romney at all were what they called
“very religious,” by a spread of 50%-46%.
Obviously that makes no sense.
The numbers don’t add up, so there is serious error in at least one of
the polls.
The Church will not tell us specifically for whom to
vote. However, she has made clear that
while all social justice issues are of great importance, the right to life is
preeminent. Also, the bishops have
unanimously stood up to the President in defense of religious freedom, which he
is violating, to the point of promising civil disobedience.
With this background, it is impossible that 46% of “very
religious” Catholics, no matter by what doctored criteria one defines the term,
support Mr. Obama.
Cardinal Dolan has said, with regard to the HHS mandate, “We
did not ask for this fight, but we will not run from it.” All Catholics must take that motto for their
own as we approach the November elections.
