The Republicans Be Damned, and I 'Spect They Will Be

Jim Wallis has a book out called God's Politics:Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It. I haven't read it, but I did just see Jim Wallis on The Daily Show.

This rather mixed Slate review tells more about the book.

It appears the book's thesis line can be summed up by this excerpt: "Since when did believing in God and having moral values make you pro-war, pro-rich, and pro-Republican?" To which I say a resounding, yet reverential "Hell, yeah!"

This is one of the great big thorns-in-my-side about Republicans. Many of them fight tooth-n-nail to keep you from getting an abortion, because they're fighting for the rights of the unborn, which can't fight for its own rights.

But once that baby gets born, few Republicans show up to adopt that unwanted child. Since they (supposedly) believe in small government, they don't want their tax dollars going to help provide health care or food to children born in poverty. They tend not want tax monies going toward single moms' day care costs, which is a great big incentive to not get off welfare.

Lost in the shuffle is that unborn baby. It's as though Republicans think that the womb, being a God-created mystical locale, allows the baby a certain set of concerns. But once that baby has drawn air and known a diaper, they've been corrupted and are beyond Republican concern. The hypocrisy inherent in that logic--and in their inactions--is shameful.

And so after the November elections, many shallow pundits concluded Democrats just don't get why "those who have morals" voted Republican. I have a far different take on this. I'd maintain that Republicans hijacked the verbiage of Christianity and manipulate a sizeable percentage of people who are scared and looking for traditional answers from a traditional place. I think they're bruised and battered and confused in this fast-changing world and, since they're Christians, hope that the politicians who speak like the good people in church do are doing God's will.

Many of these folks are hoodwinked into thinking Mr. Bush is an honorable man, and that there is a spiritual connection between him and God which embues him with an innate ability to steer this country using a moral compass.

Try as I might, I really can't not say this: That is one heaping, steaming load of crap.

George Bush is sure to look out for corporations, for the rich, and for those who support him. But traditional Christian targets of generosity--the poor, the sick, the disenfranchised--need look elsewhere for kindly thoughts and works. They won't be finding refuge in the House of Bush, or with Republicans.