The Christian Right

[shazeep]

yes, and i doubt that the fact that i rail against these, and it is not my home or my choice, will exonerate me much. But you make the point that "true believers" are drawn into these, and go along by choice, even when it seems there are no other choices; there are, but they are simply so outside our world-view that they are rendered as being not a choice. So i become a hypocrite, @ "not my choice," in the interests of peaceful coexistence with...the world, essentially, my family, those whose roof i live under.

[shazeep]

Originally Posted by Aquila

In my opinion, unless something endangers another's life, liberty, or property.... the government should leave it alone.

I don't think it is the government's business what we do in our bedrooms or with whom we do it.

I don't think it is the government's business to tell us who we can or cannot marry.

While I think abortion is a tragedy, I don't trust the government to make the most difficult decisions regarding life or death as it relates to reproductive health.

In my opinion, the government should be a neutral party, working for the general welfare of all citizens regardless of race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.

Here's what I'd like to see as far as a political agenda:

1.) End unjustified wars and occupation.
2.) Universal healthcare.
3.) Social justice for the poor, vulnerable, and working class.
4.) Curtail corporate power in politics.
5.) Address climate change and support environmental protection & conservation to create a better and cleaner world.
6.) End voter suppression.
7.) Create jobs by rebuilding America.
8.) Strengthen American labor.
9.) Affirm both civil rights and human rights.
10.) End mass criminalization.

it might be useful to contrast this with what God tells us a king will do for us:

10Samuel told all the LORD’s words to the people who were asking him for a king. 11He said, “These are the rights of the king who will rule over you: He will take your sons and put them to his use in his chariots, on his horses, or running in front of his chariots. 12He can appoint them for his use as commanders of thousands or commanders of fifties, i to plow his ground or reap his harvest, or to make his weapons of war or the equipment for his chariots. 13He can take your daughters to become perfumers, cooks, and bakers. 14He can take your best fields, vineyards, and olive orchards and give them to his servants. j 15He can take a tenth of your grain and your vineyards and give them to his officials and servants. 16He can take your male servants, your female servants, your best young men, k and your donkeys and use them for his work. 17He can take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves can become his servants. 18When that day comes, you will cry out because of the king you’ve chosen for yourselves, l but the LORD won’t answer you on that day.” 

[Jito463]

Originally Posted by Aquila

In my opinion, unless something endangers another's life, liberty, or property.... the government should leave it alone.

You say this, then go on to contradict yourself.

Originally Posted by Aquila

Here's what I'd like to see as far as a political agenda:

1.) End unjustified wars and occupation.
2.) Universal healthcare.
3.) Social justice for the poor, vulnerable, and working class.
4.) Curtail corporate power in politics.
5.) Address climate change and support environmental protection & conservation to create a better and cleaner world.
6.) End voter suppression.
7.) Create jobs by rebuilding America.
8.) Strengthen American labor.
9.) Affirm both civil rights and human rights.
10.) End mass criminalization.

Universal healthcare? When has anything the government's done been done well?

Social justice? See above.

Corporate power? So corporations, which are just a group of individuals, shouldn't have any say in government policies?

Address climate change? Oh, brother. Do I really need to cover why this is such a sham?

End voter suppression? Where is this happening? Unless you count the New Black Panthers as the enforcement arm of the Dem party. States are already trying to implement voter ID laws, to ensure only legitimate citizens can vote, but they're being blocked at the federal level (Obama and his minions).

Create jobs? The government does not and cannot create jobs. At best, they can make a business friendly environment that allows for job creation.

Strengthen American labor? I really have no idea what you mean by this, but I'll just reference back to my first statement, and say that nothing the government does works out for the best.

Affirm civil and human rights? And precisely what rights would those be? I thought your first sentence already addressed our three God-given rights, as per the Declaration of Independence. Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Those rights typically require the government to get out of our way, not "affirm" anything.

End mass criminalization? One again, I have no idea what you mean by this, but we are a nation of laws, and that is one thing the government is compelled to uphold and enforce, per our Constitution.

The only thing you mentioned that didn't involve government overreach, is the first one about unjustified wars, which - ironically - war (and specifically the military) is one of the powers granted to the federal government.