TH: This is my first attempt at a "blog." So I will start with something simple: an email I wrote to a friend who has leanings opposite to mine. We had a spirited discussion yesterday that ended a little stiffly. She'd asked me questions that clearly indicated her belief that Conservatives are judgmental perfectionists with no tolerance for Human Foibles--so why did we like Sarah Palin and wasn't she a failure as a mom for having a pregnant teenager? I must admit: my dander went up and I might have lost some of my calm. Just a little...
My dearest Jane (not her real name)~ I read this article this morning and thought of you. First, because it was written by a Cuban-American (and you grew up in a strong C-A community; second, because it came from the Richmond newspaper--and you talk about Richmond a lot; third, because we had such a civil discussion yesterday and I know you are open to all sorts of different vantage points. Anyway, I just thought it was too coincidental to ignore.
Beware Charismatic Men Who Preach 'Change' (http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/search.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-07-07-0033.html)
Editor, (Richmond, VA) Times-Dispatch:
Each year I get to celebrate Independence Day twice. On June 30 I celebrate my independence day and on July 4 I celebrate America's. This year is special, because it marks the 40th anniversary of my independence.
On June 30, 1968, I escaped Communist Cuba and a few months later I was in the United States to stay. That I happened to arrive in Richmond on Thanksgiving Day is just part of the story, but I digress.
I've thought a lot about the anniversary this year. The election-year rhetoric has made me think a lot about Cuba and what transpired there. In the late 1950s, most Cubans thought Cuba needed a change, and they were right. So when a young leader came along, every Cuban was at least receptive.
When the young leader spoke eloquently and passionately and denounced the old system, the press fell in love with him. They never questioned who his friends were or what he really believed in. When he said he would help the farmers and the poor and bring free medical care and education to all, everyone followed. When he said he would bring justice and equality to all, everyone said "Praise the Lord." And when the young leader said, "I will be for change and I'll bring you change," everyone yelled, "Viva Fidel!"
But nobody asked about the change, so by the time the executioner's guns went silent the people's guns had been taken away. By the time everyone was equal, they were equally poor, hungry, and oppressed. By the time everyone received their free education it was worth nothing. By the time the press noticed, it was too late, because they were now working for him. By the time the change was finally implemented Cuba had been knocked down a couple of notches to Third-World status. By the time the change was over more than a million people had taken to boats, rafts, and inner tubes. You can call those who made it ashore anywhere else in the world the most fortunate Cubans. And now I'm back to the beginning of my story.
Luckily, we would never fall in America for a young leader who promised change without asking, what change? How will you carry it out? What will it cost America?
Would we?
Manuel Alvarez Jr. Sandy Hook.
Me, again--I’ll spare you the obvious correlations to 1930’s Germany and the wonderful, charismatic leader the Germans elected (overwhelmingly) for Chancellor.
I will say that there are a lot of people in our country who believe that domination doesn’t have to be at gunpoint, like Castro…it can be achieved by mandatory government sanctioned income seizure, legislated morality and mandated social reforms that take from the Haves to give (without restraint) to the so-called Have-nots. The people who fear this reform are not hateful, judging religious zealots. The vast majority are just hardworking normal folks like me trying to raise fallible families in a culture that continues to veer uncontrollably towards a Socialism that is devoid of personal responsibility and common decency.
You were so right when you said that this election, and our country’s perception, seems to be dominated by the Tabloid Classes. But each of the people who substitute Oprah or The View for an informed mental state has a Vote. They may very well win this election for obama. The so-called “Silent Majority” has been afraid to speak up for so very long. We are not looking for a morally perfect person, with a morally perfect family. As people from a Judeo-Christian background we understand that judgment and forgiveness come from Someone far above our “pay grade.”
You asked me why I like Sarah Palin so much. I like her because she is imperfect, and her family is imperfect. Yet, they persevere. Palin, and conservatives like her, has tried changing what she can, preserving citizen independence and compassion while reducing Big Government in her state. Her having been picked as the VP on McCain’s ticket is a stroke that gives people like me a voice in American politics, again. I don’t identify with the Ivy League, and I don’t believe they are more suited to govern than, say, a Texas Aggie. (smile)
I was sorry our conversation got a little testy at the end. I know I upset you when I referred to Chappaquiddick, and I am sorry for that. Humans tend to get defensive and start that whole “moral equivalence” argument---which never works and always gets everybody mad. I am ashamed that I went that route. Personal choices of our candidates, and their mental/emotional state should really only be considered when they are actively seeking public office. Even then, I think sins committed in one’s misspent youth shouldn’t count at all. I still don’t think the choices of family members should ever be considered. I’d bet even saints had family that made poor choices!
So, I just wanted to say that I VALUE our new friendship and I love to discuss politics—as you know it’s a hobby for me—so keep the questions coming! I learned yesterday that you and Joe(not his real name) love America, too, and want her to succeed. We only differ on the details.