How would C.S. Lewis vote in this election?

11/5/2012 | newheart

[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.

[Cyber Liberty]

"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."

I have that quote prominently displayed above my desk at work for all to see.

[newheart]

Thanks.

[newheart]

“I have that quote prominently displayed above my desk at work for all to see”

Outstanding!

[svcw]

Born on November 29, 1898 in Belfast Ireland,

[Nifster]

Agreed. and certainly the Screwtape Letters and even That Hideous Strength has enough about the nature of a man centered government to let everyone know the dangers of a government big enough to take everything you have.

I read Lewis often and have for years and years. His works are some of my favorite reads.

[sinsofsolarempirefan]

He certainly considered himself an Irishman and proud of it, but he was also an Ulster Unionist and proud to consider himself a British subject. He was not a citizen of the Republic of Ireland, thus he was an Irishman but not an ‘Irish Citizen’...

[svcw]

Got it