Religion In Politics

How I miss the good ole days growing up in the Florida panhandle, a particularly religious section of our country. The folks up there would attend the church of their choice every Sunday, if they chose to avail themselves of the Word Of God, and after a day of preachin' and prayin' these good folks would go on to live the rest of the week by the Golden Rule.

Thinking back on those days I can't recall any occasions where even the holiest of rollers would constantly spew their religiosity from the roof tops on an hourly or daily basis. They would proselytize your ears off if you asked, but other than that most everybody kept their religious beliefs to themselves and went on about their business, content with their own inner peace.

Life was good back then.

Years later that peaceful, contented, inner calm went down the toilet when reformed sinner Saint George the Holy Bush emerged from the bowels of Satan to unleash the Taliban of America. Now you can't get those faux Christian conservatives to just sit down and shut up for a minute. Like religious zealots from the beginning of time, these people are hell bent on cramming their beliefs down the throats of everyone, whether it is welcome or not.

These extremists don't care what you want, or how you believe, or chose to live your life. What is good for you is what they tell you is good for you based upon their interpretation of the Holy Christian Book of Parables. The concept here is not so much The Word of God, but what they think God really meant to say.

I suppose it is naive of me to have thought that this religious zealotry couldn't get any worse, but then along comes the Republican evangelizers from hell who want to replace the Constitution with their version of the Holy Scriptures, abolish women's rights, dictate morals from the White House, banish gay and lesbian Americans to the pits of Hell, and essentially return this country to the glory days of 17th century Puritan (i.e. Santorum) America.

Today, each of these holy people of God claim to have heard the Word personally whispered in their ears from on High that they are God's chosen one; that God has told them that "you" are destined to be the next leader of God's chosen land - America.

What I find most amusing is that God can't seem to make up His mind as to whom He wants assuming this nation's throne. Sunday school for me was many years ago, but I seem to remember being taught that God doesn't make mistakes, He is all seeing and all knowing. So what's the problem here with God, or is there more than one God whispering these sweet nothings? Also, what does God say to our current president, Barack Obama?

Oops, my bad! I forgot that Obama is a Muslim from Kenya and not a God fearing Christian. Well alright then what does Allah have to say to Obama, "Smite those fucking Republicans!"? I eschew all religions, but I am with Allah on that one.

My point in all of this is that I am tired of all the religious blather in politics. I don't give a damn about anyone's religious beliefs. They are not germane to the issue at hand which is who is best qualified to lead this nation. I don't care if the candidates go to church or not. I want to know if they have a brain; common sense; have read the Constitution; have a grasp of American history, economic and legal principles, world history and politics; and maybe, just maybe had at one time or another picked up a world atlas.

I want to know that the candidate for the highest political office in this land can think for himself, or herself and not be a puppet controlled by outside forces. I want to know that the future president is aware of this county's societal issues and will serve all Americans equally, not just the ones with the most money and power. I want a president who will work to ensure all Americans are the healthiest, most prosperous people on the face of the Earth. It would also be mighty nice if that president didn't destroy the Earth in the process.

President Obama has not shown me that he is the one, but he is far superior to the Republican contenders who have no reason to covet the presidency other than getting rid of Obama. That is not a political platform. That is not a plan for American. That is nothing more than a child throwing a tantrum. If there really is a God, my fervent hope is that He or She will bitch-slap some common sense into the Republican party.

We need to re-elect President Obama. He is making progress, no thanks to the Republicans. The economy is improving and the unemployment numbers are going down. Giving Obama another fours years will allow both political parties time to find a candidate who is truly worthy to be the next president of the United States.

And, yes I know I sound like a broken record.

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