Posted on 11/05/2012 1:53:07 PM PST by newheart
Somehow, I almost always find my way back to C.S. Lewis when trying to understand the big issues—and some of the small ones as well. A friend of mine once said she thought Lewis could be added to the canon of scripture in another thousand years. Her view of scripture wasn't all that high, but if there were any modern writer I would include, he is the one, though I have no doubt he would be appalled.
Here are a couple of quotes of his that I think summarize what is at stake in this election. (From God in the Dock)
"In every age the men who want us under their thumb, if they have any sense, will put forward the particular pretension which the hopes and fears of that age render most potent. They `cash in'. It has been magic, it has been Christianity. Now it will certainly be science."
and
"Let us not be deceived by phrases about `Man taking charge of his own destiny'. All that can really happen is that some men will take charge of the destiny of the others."
The entire mindset of the Left can be described a belief in their superior ability to conduct the lives of others. It is pseudo-scientific (i.e. global warming?), highly moralistic and completely legalistic. It believes it is correct and that anyone who disagrees is both wrong and unenlightened. Therefore their mission in life is to enlighten others—by any means necessary. Certainly there are busybodies on the Right who fall into that trap as well, but the Left does it in the name of diversity, tolerance and "freedom." The reality is that they cannot allow freedom for others; they fight against diversity of thought; and their sense of tolerance is based in a paternalistic belief that their principles are so superior that they will only have to put up with the unenlightened masses until they see the light. Sadly what usually occurs with their agenda is that the masses never really get it and wind up dead. By the millions.
That is the inevitable result of the utopian dream of people like Barack Obama though there is no way in their smug, self-righteousness that they could see that. It is a blindness induced by allowing political ideology to become their religion of preference.
The biggest criticism that the Left seems to be able to make against Mitt Romney is that he is rich. And as they always seek to remind us, unless your name is Kennedy, Kerry, Soros, Beyonce, or Obama, you cannot get rich without stealing from the poor—ironically referred to in the language of this election cycle as "the middle class." So let's assume that is true. Let's stipulate that he is a rich, heartless individual with no core values, who is only concerned with getting richer and making his cronies wealthy, all on the backs of the other "99%." Lewis seems to suggest that if the choice is between the utopian idealist and the robber baron, go with the robber baron.
"Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."
Now I am not accusing Mitt Romney of being a robber baron. Frankly I think the evidence argues persuasively against that. My only real concern about him is that he has a little bit of that nanny-statist streak in him. And for that reason I still believe that the most important goal of this election is to elect a conservative Congress that will keep whoever wins the White House in check. But I know without a doubt, while Romney may have a little nanny in him, Obama is completely open about it, even proud. He can—and will, if given another term—oppress the people of this nation with a clear conscience. And that is why I will vote for Romney, pray that he wins, and pray that his feet are held to the fire.
THe choice is between a guaranteed four years ( or Lord knows how many more )years of a self proclaimed communist and his cronies who have already done much to destroy the last great hope of this earth or if one must holding your nose and voting for Romney and as many conservatives as you can. Then it is up to US to hold their feet to the fire.
The truth is that Lewis did not live in a federated republic. We do. He tended not to speak about politics and I think that is just as well. We are not voting for pastor in chief but commander in chief. I will take Romney any day of the week ( particularly with lots of conservatives in congress and an active electorate) over the yob in the WH now
He probably wouldn’t, he was an Irish citizen.
I’m guessing he’s voting democrat this year. He’s dead now, right?
LOL! Great answer.
True, but when he did speak of politics he was extraordinarily clear. His essay, "Is Progress Possible? Willing Slaves of the Welfare State" (God in the Dock) from which the second quote above is taken, could be written today about the social planers in Obama's regime.
British.
Like this alot. Good reminder that we can show our colors at the voting booth.
LOL.
Exactly what @CSLewisDaily tweeted a couple days ago.
Screwtape is probably racist too!
Good one. On the other hand he may not really be dead I get a couple tweets a day from him @CSLewisDaily.
That’s where I got it.
no way! he was British...
good thread!
I think C.S. Lewis was not a US citizen. That means he would not vote in this election due to not being either a citizen OR a lying, cheating Democrat.
He was actually born in Belfast.
I just read again what you wrote. It was even better the second time around.
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