I agree with you that kids get left out. They probably deserve better parents who think before they vote. But for the parents, they do get the government they deserve.

What I’m noticing is that it’s not just the religious right that wants the pound of flesh on religiosity, left wing religious people want it too. (And actually I know many wealthy Unitarians who have guns for protection.) When I wrote this I was thinking about what you have said before; “that we get the govt. we deserve”. I don’t entirely agree with that statement because, for example, children don’t deserve to starve, be homeless and have crappy education because adults voted for candidates who won’t address these problems. But I do agree with it in other ways, and this is one of them. Why are we asking so many irrelevant (or marginally relevant) questions and going all out about them while ignoring those issues that will absolutely make a difference in our lives? I’m even for asking the really dumb-ass questions as long as the other ones get at least equal time/attention (and I would hope, more). But if we do keep concentrating on chicken poop then we are going to keep ending up with really crappy candidates.

Jill
P.S. I don’t mean we shouldn’t poke fun of candidates when they do really ridiculous things, we should! !

Like you I am very distressed by this idea prevalent among the some in the Christian right that they are somehow under cultural assault by the rest of us. This fascination with guns and secrecy is clear-cut paranoia, and serves only to dehumanize the “infidels” defined, of course, as those who do not accept their theology-based world view. Of course, this is reminiscent of our Muslim brothers who also feel put upon by both Christianity and the perceived evils of the modern world. I know that a common enemy bands the tribe together, but isn’t it incumbent on the tribal leadership to be sure the outside force really is an enemy and not merely those who disagree with them? If not,I suspect there is something more sinister afoot than mere self-defense.

However, I am worried about the increasing demands for candidates to show their religiosity in this election. I do want to know the connection each candidate feels between their faith and their actions. But why are we demanding so much religiosity from these candidates? Both religiosity and gun skills have not shown themselves to be an excellent test for competency in high office, as the current occupants of the whitehouse have made abundantly clear.

Our only chance to elevate JT to the high court is to have Obama in the WH. Hillary will not forgive this!

Jill