Values Voting
Submitted by Faith in Action on October 15, 2006 - 12:35am.
Democratic politics | Faith in Action
Values Voting
The Faith in Action Team
One of the more interesting and disturbing realities of the 2004 election was that one party – the Republicans – somehow asserted that it was the party of religion, morality and values. Democrats, according to this view, were by turns portrayed as morally bankrupt, inept, and floundering, without a clear sense of vision or core values that would resonate with the American voter.
This assertion seems somewhat laughable, given that Representative Ney has just, as I write this, pleaded guilty to bribery. Historically, the Republican Party has had a strong sense of values, doubtless shared by well-meaning, upstanding Republicans today (and they are out there!). However, to assert that Democrats, either historically or today, have no values is as unfair as asserting that all Republicans believe in repudiating the Geneva Conventions or running up a record-breaking deficit.
The following are a list of Democratic core values:
Democrats value care and preservation of the earth.
Whether through funding the Apollo project, creating movie documentaries about global warming, or preventing drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Democrats believe that environmental protection is a priority. With the current administration’s withdrawal from the Kyoto Accords, slashing of funding to the EPA, or passage of the “Clear Skies Act” that actually weakens the environment, Republicans do not apparently support having a clean, safe environment to pass on to future generations.
Democrats believe in caring for the less-fortunate members of society
Providing food and shelter to those who have the least is a core value of the Democratic Party, one that is shared by many of the world’s major religions. Whether through the New Deal, Head Start, AmeriCorps or funding foreign aid, Democrats believe that all people are worthy of help and support. Given that these programs have been cut yet again under the current administration to help fund yet another tax cut for the wealthy, Republicans obviously believe that the government should uphold those who are the most privileged and ignore (at best) those who are the least. Whether the issue is affirmative action, education, worker safety or poverty, the current incarnation of the Republican Party does not support it – a sad comedown from the party of Abraham Lincoln.
Democrats believe in war only as a last resort
Under President Clinton, genocide was averted in Kosovo, thanks to General Clark’s leadership. Peace was negotiated in the Middle East, and North Korea’s nuclear threat was contained.
Former President Jimmy Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize. While previous Republican presidents have been thoughtful individuals, who understood the horrors and burdens of war, the current leadership seems to view the horrific suffering and deaths of over 600,000 Iraqis as a trivial statistic. Refusing to negotiate with other nations who are willing to come to the table is flagrantly irresponsible. Elective warfare is beyond that.
Democrats believe in self-determination and intellectual freedom
Traditionally, the Republicans have been viewed as the party that celebrates individual self-determination. However, one party has consistently taken stands to interfere with private medical decisions and the distribution of medicine; impose specific religious beliefs in publicly funded schools, and curtail free speech – and it isn’t the Democrats. Democrats believe that individuals should be empowered to make their own decisions and that free speech is essential to a free society.
Democrats believe in accountability
Two recent Congressional scandals recently surfaced in Washington: one Democrat, one Republican. They could not have been handled more differently. The House Minority Leader denounced the offending member of her party and stripped him of his committee assignments as soon as she learned of the scandal. The leadership of the other party – the party long associated with moral values – has engaged in a prolonged game of finger-pointing and scapegoating. No one has stepped forward. No one has taken responsibility. This is especially troubling, as the conduct in question relates to the abuse of minors.
The lack of accountability extends beyond Congress. How many military funerals has the president attended? What kind of personal responsibility has he shown for any of his actions, or the actions of his administration?
This November, I’m voting in accordance my moral values. I’m voting Democrat.
“I am tired of being categorized as immoral and unpatriotic because I am a democrat and because I oppose this war. Why is liberal a bad word? It comes from the word liberty--a concept we used to cherish. Family values include loving and embracing all genders, sexual orientations, races, religions, physical and economic conditions, etc. As a Christian, and more specifically, a Catholic, that is my understanding of what Christ teaches. Battling for separation of church and state is one thing. Now, we also have to battle for the separation of church and hate. Family values and morals include making certain that a parent or parents can support their children, provide them with a home, food, education, medical care, etc.”
--General Wesley Clark
Care of the Earth
"Environmentally, it means that we must do more to protect our natural resources, enabling us to extend their economic value indefinitely through wise natural resource extraction policies that protect the beauty and diversity of our American ecosystems -- our seacoasts, mountains, wetlands, rain forests, alpine meadows, original timberlands and open prairies. We must balance carefully the short-term needs for commercial exploitation with longer-term respect for the natural gifts our country has received."
- Wes Clark's 100 Year Vision
In addition to voting for "green" candidates in November - let's explore some ways to act as environmental stewards.
From Grist online magazine -
"It's because I'm a religious person that I'm an environmentalist," says Gary Gardner, director of research at the Worldwatch Institute. An expert on nuclear proliferation, population, and world hunger, Gardner returns to a subject close to his heart with his latest book: Inspiring Progress: Religions' Contributions to Sustainable Development.
New York Times magazine - what can the average person do to reduce consumption and decrease their carbon footprint?
Bill Moyers series on PBS - Is God Green?
"Just after the 2004 election, in his 70th year, legendary journalist Bill Moyers retired from full-time television, giving up the reins of his beloved PBS show Now. But Moyers has not left behind his vocation or his network. This month, PBS will air a new three-part special, Moyers on America.
The second part -- Is God Green?, airing Oct. 11 -- traces the growing environmental consciousness of conservative evangelical Christians."
http://www.grist.org/news/maindish/2006/10/05/moyers/index.html
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/moyersonamerica/green/index.html
Other Resources
The Green Guide - http://thegreenguide.com/
Grist Magazine - http://www.grist.org/
The Sierra Club - conservation tips
http://www.sierraclub.org/globalwarming/cleanenergy/conservation/index.asp
From today's NYT - how churches are fighting global warming.
"WYANDOTTE, Mich. — To find St. Elizabeth Roman Catholic Church in this working class suburb south of Detroit, look toward the roofline, for the windmill. Not a big windmill, it is a spare steel structure maybe nine feet high, perched atop the rectory of the church and facing northeast into the winds that come off Lake Erie.
Yet the windmill, two solar panels on the roof, another atop the front porch and a solar water heating system above the garage are the pride of the Rev. Charles Morris, St. Elizabeth’s priest."
"It takes two to speak the truth - one to speak and one to hear." - Henry David Thoreau
Bravo!
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
BE THE CHANGE you wish to see in the world.
If not us, WHO? If not now, WHEN?
It's that simple. We are the party that understands you have to "pay it forward." The age of greed has gotten us into a pile of deep doo doo.(domestic policy). Ted Turner said on C-Span just now that,"you make more friends building schools in countries than bombing them. That tends to make enemies." (foreign policy) We are the party of results, not bait and switch, "just trust me," con-artists making out like bandits.
As an Evangelical, and a Pastor, many evangelicals who voted for Bush are wondering why ? I have spent the last 2 years educating many Evangelicals about the real values party. Many who I speek to, I direct to this web site and Wes. The Republicans think they have values, I say no. I will debate anyone any time, on why they are not the party of values.
Perhaps we can get you to write someone for the Faith in Action series in the future?
"It takes two to speak the truth - one to speak and one to hear." - Henry David Thoreau
I would love to write for this section. Just let me know when and what you would like me to take on.
Email me at adehoff at comcast dot net
We'll get you included in our email conversations.
"It takes two to speak the truth - one to speak and one to hear." - Henry David Thoreau
Not being able to be online much these days, I was cleaning out obsolete files on my computer.
I came across this piece by Bill Moyers dated January 30, 2005 called There Is No Tomorrow. Found it archieved at TruthOut.
Many of you may remember it. I thought it was fitting for this blog.
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia
Hi jen,
Thanks for the link to Bill Moyers' essay. My Catholic background includes a charming expression that I often use: "So Heavenly minded he's no earthly good." That rather aptly captures the problems with Dominionism, which is the term for the religious movement Moyers was discussing. In their focus on "preparing the way" for the Second Coming and their rapture into heaven ... they're creating a hell right here on earth.
Cris Brown
Thank you - from all of us.
It just absolutely frosts me to see the Republicans claiming to be the "moral" party - and people actually believing it!
Unfortunately, Christian evangelicals and Catholics have been broadly perceived as allies for the GOPs' campaign wedge issues, particularly on science. Oftentimes, it's the manipulation of truth by the GOP that is often structured around their faith values.
However, I did want to share that there exists a very real 'fact-based' movement among their 'faithful'. As some here may know, my brother is a Catholic priest. I guess that he and his order would be labelled 'progressives' within the Church. He was an associate pastor at St Philip Neri in Oregon, but they recently hosted a pro-Environment event called the "Muddy Boot Organic Festival" which featured Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, as their keynote speaker. The festivals' aim was to raise awareness of living 'green' in spirit; and focussed on organic foods, conservation and the environment.
As you can read below from the pastor, the event was a great success. To me this demonstrates how our religious leaders should reach out, in faith and truth, towards their community of parishioners, citizens and civil leaders to raise values, as Christians in particular. Below is an excerpt of an email that I recieved from him and which I wanted to share, ...
Excerpts:
Dear Brothers,
To say the Muddy Boot Organic Festival was a success is an understatement. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. gave his keynote address, “Our Environmental Destiny,” to a packed church – some 670 people in attendance. After the address and time for Q&A, there was a book signing (of RFK.Jr’s book on St. Francis) and reception in Carvlin Hall. The packed church reminded me of photographs I’ve seen of St. Paul the Apostle Church in NYC – packed to the max to hear some of our finest mission preachers. It is gratifying to know churches can still be packed. What impressed me the most were the number of non-parishioners, far outnumbering parishioners, many of whom told me they were inactive Catholics. This was true not only of the Friday night keynote address but of the some 4,000 who spent time at the Festival on Saturday and Sunday. Fr. Rich spoke to one agnostic who said she was so impressed that the church would be so involved in organic and environmental issues, she might give our church a second look.
...//...
All day there were live bands, a truly impressive lineup of local talent — and food galore. Vendors included some of the top names in environmental building, restoration, gardening and backyard farming were on hand.
Pictures of the event are on our parish website: www.stphilipneripdx.org ..."
Fraternally, Michael
=============
"Debate, Dialogue, Discussion, Disagreement - that's not wrong -that's not unpatriotic, that's one of the highest forms of patriotism and love of country, and we need to say it!" - Gen. Wesley Clark (Ret.)
for this encouraging and beautiful message!
Once in a while you get shown the light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right. - Hunter/Garcia
Your brother isn't a progressive. He's a true Catholic.
The Catechism specifically charges us to protect the environment for it is God's creation. We must neither abuse it nor destroy it, but instead care for it.
Furthermore, the Catholic Church (as did many Protestant churches) called the war in Iraq "unjust" and offered to support any Catholic military member who refused to go.
The problem is that many people have been misled as to the the real tenets of Christianity. And frankly, the whole idea of pushing this planet to some brink of catastrophe in order to speed the Second Coming strikes me not only a gross arrogance, but as something far more likely to anger God than please him/her.
For what it's worth.
I did not know your brother's a Catholic priest...Interesting....
I have been fortunate to know a number of progressive or liberal priests in my lifetime....One of them gave a wonderful argument for voting for Kerry over Bush right before the election last year, without stepping over the boundary of preaching politics from the pulpit or endorsing anyone...It was truly masterful and I hope it gave some of the people there something to think about....
Thanks so much for another great entry...
I am finally getting around to reading Jim Wallis' "God's Politics" which deals with a lot of these issues....
How on earth did the Republicans come to be seen as the party that "owns" God anyway?
Basically, the Republicans were tired of being out of power and the evangelicals wanted political power to impose their agenda. So, in the 1980s, they joined forces.
(A huge oversimplification, but that's largely what happened).
One day Rush called us "God haters." It is way past time to start talking back when things like this are said. Our leadership needs to demand these sort of outrages be stopped. Turning the other cheek doesn't apply in certain cases.
General Clark's values speech that he gave while campaigning was a perfect frame for who we are, and what it means to hold strong beliefs.
Thanks for a great addition to your series.
You have not converted a man because you have silenced him.--J. V. Marley