Religion and the Candidates

[ShiftyDevil]

I went out to dinner with my mom and brother yesterday and one of the topics we talked about were the coming elections. My mom asked a good question, one I hadn't considered much. It was centered around Clinton's recent remarks that she always carried her bible around with her (note this is not a direct quote but you can find it, she has a mini book of psalms and such in her purse).

Clinton made this statement obviously to try to garner more votes. The question is however, why does this matter?

Why do people automatically assume you must practice religion (Christianity being vastly largest) in order to appeal to some sense of morality? It seems today that the media has equated a candidate's faith practice to that of their moral compass. My question is why does this matter? Why must every candidate (specifically the majors, sorry to the Mike Gravels of the world) speak of their chosen faith?

In a country founded by deists, why do we, after decades of "progress", still view religion as a necessity in our leaders? Why is belonging to an organized religion the litmus test we use to judge our candidate's sense of right and wrong, shouldn't their past decisions make that clear?

[cpnichol]

I've noticed this too and find it concerning. There seems to be a growing opinion, particularly in the US, that unless you subscribe to a religion and go to church, you have no morals. Since politicians don't want people to think that they have no morals, they make a big deal about how religious they are.

It also allows voters to easily associate a politician with a set viewpoint and world outlook, without having to actually look at their policies. And it allows the voters to think they are voting for good religious reasons, rather than just because they fancy paying a bit less tax.

When people do question the candidates on whether their faith is incompatible with their policies, you get some er... "interesting" answers.

For example, Mike Huckabee when pressed on what Jesus would think of the death penalty replied "Jesus was too smart to ever run for public office". This totally avoids the question, so a fairly typical politicians answer.

The truth is that neither Democrat nor Republican policies are exactly compatible with the specifics of Christianity. This is a good thing, otherwise the US would be a theocracy.

Whether the politicians are genuinely religious or not, they use their faith as a flag of convenience in an attempt to persuade voters that everything they do, or will do, will be guided something that the voters view as pure and good. Then they carry on with the usual business of protecting and promoting the interests of those that voted for them or gave them money.

I always think you should vote according to who you think has the best policies and is capable of delivering them.

[Tracer]

I think having a president with genuine Christian Values could not be any worse then what your past Presidents have given your citizens .Your Country was founded on those values and "In God We Trust" should be more than something written on a dollar bill . All your laws and statutes are based on Christian morality , yet you don't allow the Lord's Prayer in your schools . I honestly believe God has blessed America in the past . But , becasue your society has turned away from God , those blessings no longer are given and things will only get worse for the United States . War , earthquakes , failing economy , violence in your streets are daily news topics . Murdering 5 million babies by abortion is not what I would say having a society based on God's laws and principals would be and such a nation should not expect God's protection or His blessings. Either you are "One Nation under God or your not" .

Until the rich stock holders are prevented from buying politicians with lobbiest from their companies the American Government will never honestly represent its people. Watching your candidates buy votes in my opinion while mothers are denied healthcare for their children in the richest country in the world is disgraceful .
Take $20 billion Dollars waisted on a non winable war each month and supply health care to every breathing American , build a huge border fence to secure your border with Mexico , leave things as they are with Canada so maybe you guys will get high and mellow out a bit and stop shooting people on your city streets by the thousands .Put all the greedy health Insurance companies out of business . They deny your claim anyway on technicalities written into their aggreements that only a Philidelphia lawyer would spot when signing it . While your at it , stop selling your assets like ports to foreign governments and stop giving the Chinese all your jobs .Free trade is destroying your economy because the Japanese and Chinese wouln't be caught dead driving a Ford.

Also the way politicians get elected in the U.S. is so sad. It seems the ones who make the most promises to the big companies get the most donations for their campaigns . This seems to carry over to the acceptance of lobbiest supplying plane trips and other goodies to the politicians once they are elected.

The blatant promises of $600.00 from one candidate and $650.00 from another seems to me that these people running for office can simply promise checks and buy votes .I'm looking for a candidate to promise $2,000.00 checks and guaranteeing them of becomming your next president.You sit and watch your infrastructure deteriate , your schools crumble along with your bridges and roads and accept it.

Whats so different this election ? Nothing -huge donations from corporations for the campaigns will guarrantee another self serving , lying and dishonest politician becomes presisdent .

$20 Billion Dollars that are spent each month in Iraq is outright disgraceful while American citizens without health coverage are sent home from hospitals and told to curl up and die because they can't pay.It seems Universal Health Care would be the very first thing the ex-richest country in the world would have done decades ago for its citizens . Every road , bridge and sewer system in the U. S. could have been repaired . Poverty would have been eliminated and returning soldiers given a place to sleep other then under a bridge . If Saddam had have been removed from power as was the reason given for going had been kept and the Iraqi people allowed to choose their own destiny as the Americans were with your civil war then all these wonderful things could have been implemented for your citizens.

Also , the actual security of the U.S being used as a reason to be in Iraq seems outright silly . Mexicans can enter the country in the south as easily as wading accross a river.If they can cross your borders so easily , whats preventing a terrorist with an atomic weapon supplied by "Russia" from doing the same .
If you really wonder why your in Iraq , ask Dick Chenny how much Haliburton oil has made along with ExxonMobile by sending troops their .

I fail to understand why Americans do not look north and wonder why they can't have a caring government that is actually concerned about the welfare of its citizens and where rich companies to not buy politicians as easily as going to the corner store .

Bottom line - The good old USA has gotten itself into one heck of a mess and I will be surprised if it can get itself out .When looking at the debt per capita of your citizens , it is easy to see why your economy is crumbling .I truly hope Americans will finally stand up and be heard and bring about a government for the people and not just for the rich as it has now . Having millionairs pay less taxes then someone earning $90, 000.00 is outright rediculous to me and something I would expext from millionair congressman who pass the tax laws....lol

[weaver]

Tracer... MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAA

So sorry. I can't even respond to the funny comments.

[Tracer]

I try to voice my ouitspoken opinions in a comedic fashion . This way nobody takes me seriously ....