www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Is it a sin to vote for Democrats?

djs,

You are right that Touchstone's analysis is only true of white persons.

Looking at some of their other conclusions, it says less than what appears. 95% of Americans beleive in God. The US is closely divided between Democrats and Republicans. If every last non-theist is a Democrat, then 90% of the Democratic Party believes in God.

That Republicans are more likely to read the Bible is mostly due to the fact that white Protestants tend Republican.

Married people more Republican? Yes. Widows are mostly Democrats.

Among white Protestants, the more they go to Church, the more likely they are to vote Republicans.

Among Catholics and African-Americans, this does not hold. Church attendence does not change party preference.

Michael,

I pretty much agree with your analysis except for this.

"Marginalized groups get more of a voice."

I doubt that this is true. I think the white liberal establishment has its agenda and "by God" the minorities and marginalized better keep in line. Look at the recent hearings on the court nominee. I really doubt that the marginalized have any voice at all in either party.

Perhaps the key is to bring them into the mainstream...a dirty conservative trick, I know...but it has its advantages.

Dan Lauffer

Dear Dan,
Yes, I don't disagree with you. Perhaps I should have said that the marginalized groups get more of a platform to sound off under the liberal umbrella. I did not intend to say that it necessarily translates into any real power or influence. And I wasn't trying to idealize the tower of babel that the Democratic party is.

There is after all, a certain tyranny of the "politically correct".

And Christians see their best intentions co-opted by others: If you oppose abortion you must buy into the avaricious agenda of one group and if you want to feed the poor and protect consumers or the environment you implicitly endorse murder. It sickens me.

I think this nation has to convert it's hard, stony heart. We are a long way from that.

Michael

Shlomo Lkhoolkhoon,
The chief problem as I see it (as someone who has been politically active for 23 years, and served in government) is that many of my fellow citizens do not participate in the basic levels of party politics and government. Less than 2% of us decide who the candidates will be. I am not talking about the primaries and the like, but the meetings and caucuses that take place to get people to run in the primaries. Those of us who do the foot work are the ones who control the process.

Back when I lived in Michigan and Minnesota, I would get my friends and neighbors to go to the caucuses and tell them straight out that when they see my hand go up theirs goes up. I knew of one guy who would rent a bus and have the residents of a retirement home come and vote him in as a delegate.

My point is, if you want a better system then you have to get involved at the ground level. Take your kids with you to teach them civic involvement and responsiblity. Only then will the system change for the better.

Poosh BaShlomo,
Yuhannon

Dear Yuhannon,

Given your last post may I rephrase the topic question to:

Is it a sin not to vote?

Peace,

Paul

Glory to Jesus Christ!

I usually vote Republican for one reason and one reason only: abortion.

As for the balance of the GOP�s agenda � �Blessed be the hedge-fund managers, the CEOs, and the owners of the McMansions, for they shall continue to inherit the earth� � I find it utterly devoid of moral principle. As for the lip service they usually pay to �family values� � I�d like to see them put their money where their mouth is and start helping real families. When have you ever heard a Republican (or a Democrat, for that matter) note that the dramatic increase in two-earner families in this nation has fundamentally altered the arithmetic of the family from the traditional two adults and two jobs (breadwinner and homemaker) to two adults but now three jobs (two paid in the work of work and one unpaid bringing up children, developing community ties, and taking physical care of the home)?

With most posters, I think we desperately need a third political party in the U.S., one that unites moral and cultural conservatism with a more left-leaning view of economic and social responsibility.

I continue to hope that a viable communitarian party will be created in the near future. As a student of political science for many years, I think the data confirm that such a party would do extremely well electorally, if given the chance, i.e. if money were less important in elections than ideas and solutions.

http://www.communitariannetwork.org/platformtext.htm

In Christ,
Theophilos

This topic seems too Pro-Republican

I am not American, but I see that people of good will in many countries are often cheated by political parties and politicians which say "we defend life", We're against abortion" and so on. But this is not the only issue that candidates hold, I can mention this very famous Irish-American ex-presidencial candidate, some would say "oh yes he's good because he's against abortion and he's very Patriotic" but he also holds anti-semitic and racist ideas, etc.

Moreover, the candidates will never do what they say in campaign because when they reach power they'll try to be in the middle. This is the case of the current Mexican President, in campaign he looked very nationalist, a true representative of the right wing who repudiated abortion and inmorality. But then he got the Presidency and he had to reconcile himself with all the opposition including red men and liberals, and he had a reunion with representatives of Protestant sects, an event with gay men, and so on. At least now it seems he's recovering some nationalism.

What I mean is that any candidate you choose will sooner or later have to add himself to the establishment.

Dear Snoopy:

Did indeed Pres. Fox court the vote of the Roman Catholic majority and then turn to the evangelicals and social liberals? From what I vaguely remember from the coverage we got here in the 'States, Fox ran as a reformer tyring to build a broad appeal.

Of course the American press only covered three real stories dealing with Mexico in the past few years: (1) Fox' election; (2) NAFTA; and (3) the World Cup defeat to the Yanks! Probably not a nice way to treat a nieghbor except for the bit about football (y'all deserve that one).

Yours,

kl

My impression from the events is that Fox did court the conservative wing of the Catholic Church (and certainly his National Action Party has long been identifed with conservative Catholicism). Several bishops gave him strong political support seemingly unbothered by a man who had been married in the Church living with his mistress. They only complained after his election when he married her in a civil ceremony. He has implemented pro-abortion and pro-gay policies.

However much he has betrayed his conservative Catholic supporters, he has not done the one unforgivable sin -- he still does the bidding of the rich and corporations.