From Amy Wellborn’s open book: Just about had it:
Yeah, some in either party are tortured souls, but most live their political lives in the midst of a simple calculus, ‘If I endorse X, Group Y won’t give me money, I will be presented by the media as Z, and my chances of support from the national party for my future political life will be less than zero.’
Reminds me of a bible quote: “All these I shall give to you, if you will prostrate yourself and worship me.” (Mt 4:9)
I like visiting Amy’s site for her even handed (and faithful) take on issues. The quote above is from an article she published about politicians and the Eucharist. It got me wondering about a tangent - whether there is a fatal flaw in our two party political system. I think that there are no faithful Catholics who would say that either party reflects how a state should be justly run. Fair?
But we have Catholic politicians on both sides who adopt positions that are not in line with what they actually believe in order to make it in their respective party.
Can you imagine a pro-life Democratic presidential candidate? How about someone willing to back the sanctity of marriage? Or stand against Euthanasia? Or birth control? Or allow prayer in school?
On the other side, can you imagine a Republican presidential candidate who is against the death penalty? How about one who thinks we should moderate the undesirable effects of capitalism or argues for preferential treatment for the poor?
Does this mean that to be a politician one must make a deal with the devil? John Kennedy’s compromise was wrong - you cannot be a private Catholic and public agnostic. Remember, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other.” (Mt 6:24)
It seems that giving up and going home is not the answer. Tilting at windmills without hope of victory is not ideal either. But perhaps this is the only way to go. Perhaps a clear, consistent and uncompromising Catholic voice would make a change in one of the parties in the long run (my bet would be Republican). I guess, America is still not ready for its first faithful Catholic president - maybe it never will be.
