Living in a Uni-Polar World

I came across a couple of news blips this past week that concerned reactions to the participation in a conference on AIDS, sponsored by a well known evangelical group, by two potential presidential candidates, Sen. Sam Brownback & Sen Barack Obama.

First, I believe that one has to recognize that these appearances were more to benefit the candidates than the issue(s), and thus assign whatever significance is appropriate, but I was surprised at the flack that came up because Sen. Obama was given some recognition. (Democrats, you know, are widely known as wanton baby killers and sodomizers and all that).

One also needs to recognize that this conference was sponsored and hosted by a very solid evangelical association, (evangelical is also spelled R*E*P*U*B*L*I*C*A*N), and the fact that it was protested by other similar groups seems to throw some light on something, but I am unsure of how to enunciate it. The protesters were concerned that Sen. Obama's views and/or assistance were not required or wanted as he is not in agreement with their positions on stem cell research, abortion, and gay rights. The national Clergy Council pronounced it immoral for Christians to work, in any capacity, with people who support abortion rights.

In a similar development, the newly elected president of the Christian Coalition resigned, before his term actually began, because he wanted to expand the agenda of the group beyond the boundaries of abortion and gay marriage, much, apparently, to the displeasure of his constituency.

What is our society coming to when issues and causes are owned by one partisan wing or another. If one of these indignant protestors required an ambulance, or medical care, would they first demand to know the views and voting records of paramedics or surgeons, before they would allow the temple that is them to be examined or worked on in some way? (Ask yourself if the GOP would invalidate a vote for them if it came from a gay or lesbian voter.) Perhaps a constitutional amendment to deny voting rights to liberals, eh, excuse me, non-correct thinking individuals is in order here....

This sort of 'boxing in' is not limited to the political right, or to politics for that matter. In the past month, I have seen this type of attitude at work in my own neighborhood, in the church that I (sometimes) attend, as well as in many facets of the political scene. It is not enough to attack a problem or an issue, it needs to be done with the backing of a broad range of the public, no matter what party or belief that they espouse or affilliate with. Without that element, no change is permanent---there can be no progress that cannot be undone with the stroke of a pen at the ballot box.

So, what can be done? (This is the place where you, the readers, either of you, sprout off).

I am sure that I will have more to say on this, and I may even append this post, but right now, I need some coffee.

Stay focused. Write your (new or used) legislators and tell them what you think. And follow up, frequently.