Ravenwood - 12/16/04 07:00 AM
Since losing the election, Democrats have been whining about needing to find a way to connect with the average American. Peggy Noonan has an idea.
I know something the Democratic Party can do right now that will improve its standing and increase its popularity. It can be done this week. Its impact will be quick and measurable.That is something I would like to see.It is this: Stop the war on religious expression in America. Have Terry McAuliffe come forward and announce that the Democratic Party knows that a small group of radicals continue to try to "scrub" such holidays as Christmas from the public square. They do this while citing the Constitution, but the Constitution does not say it is wrong or impolite to say "Merry Christmas" or illegal to have a creche in the public square. The Constitution says we have freedom of religion, not from religion. Have Terry McAuliffe announce that from here on in the Democratic Party is on the side of those who want religion in the public square, and the Ten Commandments on the courthouse wall for that matter. Then he should put up a big sign that says "Merry Christmas" on the sidewalk in front of the Democratic National Committee Headquarters on South Capitol Street. The Democratic Party should put itself on the side of Christmas, and Hanukkah, and the fact of transcendent faith.
This would be taking a stand on an issue that roils a lot of people, and believe me those people don't think conservatives are scrubbing America of Christmas, they think it's liberals; and they don't think it's Republicans, they think it's Democrats. Confound them, Terry! Come forward with a stand. . .
Do this, Democrats. Announce you will apply pressure to antireligious zealots throughout the country. You have nothing to lose but a silly and culturally unhelpful reputation as the party that is hostile to religious expression. What you could gain is respect and gratitude. Pick up that Christmas tree, Terry, take it outside and put a star on top, stand next to it, yell Merry Christmas and ring a bell.
This will never happen. If there is anything that the modern Democrat Party stands for it is radical Secularism. It is in effect their religion and they are as zealotous as any bible thumper in Kansas to defend it and expand it.
Posted by: Yosemite Sam at December 16, 2004 10:49 AM"The Constitution says we have freedom of religion, not from religion."
"...or the establishment thereof." Amendment 1
I can't agree on this one. While the liberal agenda enforcing Atheism is in violation of the establishment clause as well, I must say that the suggestions in that article would turn me off from a politician very quickly.
The government should stop regulating religion altogether, either for or against, and simply ignore it.
Posted by: Pasty at December 16, 2004 2:19 PMPasty, acknowledging that religion exists and is an important component of the majority of citizens in this nation is not "establisment of a religion" as meant in the First Amendment.
Establishing the Church of England as the religious arm of the government and supporting it with tax dollars is an example of what was proscribed.
Having said all that, I'm reminded (again) of Thomas Sowell's The Vision of the Annointed in which he makes it clear that it is almost a physical impossibility for the Annointed to admit error or defeat.
Peggy's just funnin' 'em. She knows they'll never back off their Vision.
Posted by: Kevin Baker at December 16, 2004 4:58 PM(c) Ravenwood and Associates, 1990 - 2014