but then i read something that REALLY made me feel a lot better. anent (to quote b.smiles): my friend nic, who has been a republican as long as we've cared to have a party affiliation, and one of the most well-read and well-educated people that i personally know that care to spew forth politics (more so than many of my liberal friends, but since i side with them, they receive the benefit of the doubt.. i know, i know), had this to say this morning on the esteemed west wash blog:
After much thought and review of this past election, I'm truly thinking about joining the Democratic Party. I know you may think I'm being insincere, but I'm really sincere.
Several things brought me to this conclusion:
1) I was talking to one of my best friends Zakiyya about the election last night and I came to realize that I have lost perspective on the how my religion is co-opted in politics by religious fundamentalists. The discussion was actually brought about by our equal displeasure with the gay marriage amendments and how we both felt that it showed Christianity as a message of hate.
2) I then read this column by Thomas Friedman with this insightful quote:
The Democrats have ceded to Republicans a monopoly on the moral and spiritual sources of American politics," noted the Harvard University political theorist Michael J. Sandel. "They will not recover as a party until they again have candidates who can speak to those moral and spiritual yearnings - but turn them to progressive purposes in domestic policy and foreign affairs."
3) I then read another good article about how the question of "religion and politics" has been narrowed into abortion and gay marriage and the issues of social justice and poverty have been ignored. (The reading of this article was prompted by the sojourners ad campaign God is not a Republican. Or a Democrat)
Now I'm really politically confused. I don't have the hatred that many have for George W. that many have, but the slide to the right by the Republican Party is really starting to concern me.
even a sweeping victory across the land won't fool everyone. and this is what's really important. yes, it's funny to joke about moving to canada (not that any of us could any time soon, since articles are reporting that there's at least a year-long wait for immigration to our liberal (read: ideal) neighbors to the north), but what's really needed is for the educated left to educate those willing to listen on the right. not all of the right is bad (take nic, for example). or the waitress mentioned in the mcsweeney's excerpt in an earlier post. and then there are those that ARE bad. those that vote blindly, religiously, and will never be swayed. leave them alone. you'll never convince them of the truth. there are others to be swayed. those on the far right fly confederate flags and await the rise of the south. they pass legislation to deny certain classes of citizens their basic rights (they pass legislation to make sure that those classes remain in place). they believe that they are sent by God, have a mandate from God, or are God Herself. (note: to anyone who is religious and votes Republican, please let me know what religion okays killing for ANY REASON. remember your commandments, Religious Right.) they reek of hypocrisy. they advocate persecution. they impose their "family values" on the populace. they are the people that deny evolution happened. and they're living proof that maybe it didn't.
and in much better news, sunday night i will be attending a fine musical performance by blonde redhead (whom i'm never seen live), to cap off my first full weekend off, the ending of my 3rd year pediatrics rotation, and the beginning of my OB/GYN rotation.
this educational lesson brought to you by dr. j around 4:36 PM |
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