Public Discourse And the Unholy Alliance
The decline in discourse in this country began with Ronald Reagan, due in large part to Lee Atwater. This also marked the beginning of the unholy alliance of conservative Christians and the far-right Republicans. For thirty years, the Left has tried to remain civil, while we’ve been accused of being communists, atheists, un-American, bleeding hearts, tree-huggers — you name it, and what has it gotten us? Al Gore and John Kerry tried to take the high road in their campaigns and as a result were smeared with lies and distortions, assuming that the public would see through it, costing them elections. Now, we have a moderate Democrat in office who has received the same treatment, hobbling his Administration. We finally get a little relief from eight years of some of the greatest stupidity every perpetrated on our behalf and Obama is the Anti-Christ?
For what purpose was Christ martyred? Conservative Christians would apparently have us believe it was for unfettered capitalism, jingoism, and irrational, unscientific indoctrination. Did Christ die for torture and secret prisons? Did Christ die so that a “God-fearing” nation can kill millions and displace millions more? Did He die so we can turn the mentally ill into the homeless? Did he die for Enron, Exxon, Blue Cross, and Morgan Stanley? Was His suffering so that we may be cold-hearted, selfish, and insatiable greedy?
Let’s look at the issue of gay rights through three anecdotes from my own experience. When my friend was dying of AIDS and his conservative Christian parents refused to allow his partner into ICU and seized all of their jointly-owned assets, should we “turn the other cheek?” When my friend divorced her abusive husband and realized she was a lesbian, conservative Christians rallied to his cause, trying to separate her from her wonderful daughters–was that in line with the Golden Rule? Last year, when my friend was tortured and murdered because of his sexual orientation, was it a proper Biblical interpretation for conservative Christians to oppose hate crimes legislation and equal rights for everyone? These are just illustrations from my limited experience. Imagine the uncounted stories there are out there. Should we just accept that conservative Christians have a right to their beliefs and not confront them openly and passionately?
Trillions of dollars and millions of lives have been thrown away in endless, questionable wars, yet when center-right health care legislation is proposed to help millions, conservative Christians finally find their voice of protest. Where are they when the missiles drop on wedding parties, or when the military contractors rape and murder innocent people? Who, in their right mind, can’t be incensed at these kinds of hypocrisies?
Love is the central theme of Christ’s teachings and I take that to heart, but I am also reminded of the story of grabbing a whip and chasing the money-changers from the temple. In that instance, a greater love was overriding. And there is no doubt the money-changers are in the temple today. I am also reminded of the Pharisees. Much of what passes for Christianity today bears striking similarities. And, like Christ, I say, “Woe unto the Pharisees.”
There is a place for conservatism, I have no doubt. The less intrusive government can be the better. And cycle after cycle of frivolous spending is counterproductive. In many ways, I am conservative. My manner of dress and many of my lifestyle choices are conservative. I oppose gambling and I no longer drink because of a conservative impulse. I chose to remain childless, chose to be an environmentalist and chose vegetarianism partly due to conservative aspects of my nature. It is when conservatism is your overarching concern, that it becomes pathological. There is some scientific evidence that the truly conservative mind is a diseased mind with symptoms including cognitive dissonance and paranoia. Consequently, I can’t truly hate most conservatives, rather feeling pity for the faulty constructs of their consciousness. It is only when innocent people are truly and directly harmed by the repetitive hatred and venom of their beliefs that I am truly given to loathing. Glenn Beck is a good example of this type of person. I feel that level of arch-conservatism is a real threat and those of that ilk are next to irredeemable.
I also don’t expect people to just blindly accept everything that Obama proposes. I even have my own problems with him. I’m am very disappointed with his policies concerning Guantanamo, extraordinary rendition, withdrawal from Iraq, the emphases of his stimulus packages and several other issues. But compared to Bush, and for that matter, McCain, he is a breath of fresh air. Thoughtful consideration and reasoned debate of his policies are sorely needed, as with any President. But to attack him daily with invective, lies, distortion, and flat-out childish stonewalling are unforgivable. Those who vote for and support Republicans are complicit in this, regardless of whatever reason they joined the conservative movement.
This country has been all but run into the ground–economically, politically, and morally. The Left didn’t do it. And yet we all have equal responsibility for the current base level of discourse? I’m not buying it.