Posted on 01/27/2016 12:28:09 PM PST by afraidfortherepublic
CV cannot remain on the sidelines any longer.
As Iowans prepare to cast the first votes in the 2016 nomination process, we owe you our thoughts. While we are not officially endorsing a candidate at this time, we believe it is important to share some critical thoughts on the race, or at least on one candidate in particular.
As Catholics, we are called to participate in the democratic process. The Church does not endorse candidates for public office. That job rests with us, the laity. No candidate is perfect, and no simple checklist is sufficient. Prudence is a necessity. Some candidates ought to be disqualified from receiving the support of a Catholic voter. Others must be weighed in light of the moral principles given to us by our Church.
We have asked for your feedback on multiple occasions. Thousands of CV members have written. We've read them all. In addition we follow the daily news, analysis, polling, and have crafted our strategy for 2016.
And so today we begin with the elephant in the room.
Should Catholics support Donald Trump? No.
We have sifted through the most popular arguments in defense of Trump and listed them below along with our own take. Here they are:
1. "Trump is a leader we can trust"
While we share much of the frustration over the failure of the GOP to make significant progress, we are reminded of Republicans' once oft-quoted criticism of President Bill Clinton: character matters.
Donald J. Trump left his first wife and married his mistress, only to leave her a few years later for another mistress. Reportedly he left his second wife by leaking the news to a NY newspaper and left the headline on the bed for his wife to find. In his book, The Art of the Deal, Trump bragged about having sex with many women, including some who were married. He has appeared on the cover of Playboy Magazine with a model wearing only his tuxedo jacket. He has mocked the disability of a NY Times reporter. He belittled John McCain for being a prisoner of war. His casino in Atlantic City was the first in the country to open up a strip club. His Twitter account is a running barrage of insults, lies, and personal attacks on anyone who disagrees with him. And did we mention he famously cheats at golf? Now who does that remind you of?
Now ask yourself: does this man have the character becoming of the President of the United States?
2. "Trump can’t be bought because he is rich!"
Trump is a salesmen, and salesmen don't buy, they sell. So he won’t be "bought." Instead he will sell out everyone and anyone when it benefits him, as he has his entire career. He was a liberal democrat, pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage, pro-universal health care, pro-government bailouts, and a financial backer and friend of Hillary Clinton until he decided to run as a Republican last summer. He is the definition of an opportunist with no guiding principles.
3. "Trump is a leader who will get things done"
Trump markets himself as an effective leader who will get things done simply by making "smart deals." He refuses to explain precisely how he intends to deliver results, and more often than not, promises to use force or work around or outside the law. Such a leader mirrors what we currently see in the White House. It would be incredibly harmful to our system of government, which is limited by our Constitution -- even if we like the policy outcome. We must be a nation of laws. For Trump, it is all about power. For a Christian, the presidency should be about service.
4. "Trump is a successful businessman who will make great deals"
If you believe the headlines, you would assume everything Donald Trump touches turns to gold. Not so. Trump has only demonstrated an ability to make deals that benefit him personally. Four times he bailed on his own casinos to shield himself from their impending bankruptcies. And then there is Trump Magazine, Trump Airlines, Trump Steaks/Steakhouse, Trump Vodka, and most famously Trump University, to name only a few -- all bankrupt or closed, and massive failures. "Losers" as Trump is fond of saying.
He has constantly cozied up to big government to trample the little guy, either by abusing private property rights, or selling out small contractors and vendors, many of whom lost their life savings. Just ask elderly widow Vera Coking, whom Trump attempted to displace via eminent domain laws to make way for a limousine parking lot for his New Jersey casino -- the same casino he put into bankruptcy. Vera stood tall against the politically-connected billionaire Trump for years in court, enduring his practice of belittling personal attacks. She eventually won and called Trump a "maggot, a cockroach, and a crumb."
5. "Trump will end illegal immigration"
Trump has pledged to build a massive wall on our southern border and to make Mexico pay for it. Meanwhile he has promised to deport 11 million+ illegals, without explaining how, then plans to allow them all back in legally according to criteria he has yet to fully explain.
We agree illegal immigration is a problem that must be solved. Trump's solution is delusional, strikes us as xenophobic -- and truthfully, will never happen. If anything, Trump's demagoguery on immigration showcases the emptiness of many of his promises. As President Obama has learned, American presidents don't dictate laws. The Senate and House would have to pass any change of this magnitude, and such a solution has little to no chance of being approved. Border security and immigration enforcement are realistic fixes. Rounding up 11 million+ people and sending them back to Mexico is not practical or realistic, let alone humane. Those who rightfully want to solve the problem of illegal immigration deserve more than crowd pleasing platitudes. And it's certainly worth noting that Donald Trump criticized Mitt Romney for being too harsh on immigration back in 2012. This is just another issue where Donald Trump had a very recent and rather convenient conversion.
Several other presidential candidates have outlined more realistic policies to deal with problem. And that's what real leaders do. They outline solutions and build consensus. Hyperbole and demagoguery are tools of salesmen (see above) out for your money or your vote. Trump's lack of detail reminds us of another famous politician who proclaimed: "we have to pass the bill before you can see what’s in it."
6. "Trump will fight the Establishment!"
This defense of Trump is somewhat rich, given the irony that Trump himself has boasted of playing the game, paying off politicians and enriching himself from the very system he now purports to reform. Case in point: in the past week a growing number of so-called "establishment Republicans" have warmed to supporting Trump, people like Bob Dole and Trent Lott -- including establishment Republicans in Iowa like Gov. Terry Branstad. Why? Because they believe, rightly in our view, that Trump doesn't have any principles at the end of the day. He's someone who will wheel and deal -- and you and I will be stuck with the bill.
Electing Donald Trump would send the pro-life movement back to the 1990s, when the Republican Party wanted to run away from defending the unborn. In fact, Trump recommended his own sister, Maryanne Trump Berry, for the Supreme Court. She's the federal judge who overturned New Jersey's ban on grisly partial-birth abortions. The next President may choose as many as three or more new justices. Trump's suggestion of his pro-abortion sister as an example ought to worry anyone who cares about the Court. And let's not forget he once said Oprah would make a great Vice President. Enough said.
7. "Trump is one of us"
Trump's political conversions have all happened at very convenient times. As recently as 2000, Trump was firmly "pro-choice," even refusing to oppose partial birth abortion! He was in favor of gay civil unions. He is open, even now, to subsidizing abortion giant Planned Parenthood with our tax dollars. He considers gay marriage a settled issue and has offered no plan to protect religious freedom. He is pro-universal health care, supported the stimulus package and government bailouts, supported gun control and a host of radical positions. Trump is like many Democrats we know. He is a political opportunist.
Conclusion
Trump is right about something -- it is time for a change. We do need to shake things up and make America great again. And his awakening of working class voters who are often sidelined by terrible policy and poor leadership is a lesson every Republican must take seriously or they will lose in November.
But the power to change does not require a fear mongering business mogul, appealing to our worst fears instead of our best hopes.
With other good candidates in the race, we encourage our members to look beyond Trump.
This is an historic opportunity to win back the White House with someone we can be proud to have as President.
Iowa, New Hampshire... we're looking to you to lead the way.
One more pro-abort Catholic vote, then. Sad-making, but not shocking any more.
You believe in a strict separation of Religion and Real Life?
If Eminent Domain, bankruptcy, business failure, serial adultery and funding Planned Parenthood are your idea of Order, Trump is definitely your man.
I can’t speak for Pope Benedict (who was the best pope of this century, in my opinion, and whom I miss terribly) -— but I can’t see him beaming in approval over a vote for someone who has promised a jaw-dropping pro-abort Supreme Court pick, and won’t even de-fund Planned Parenthood.
Your opinion, please, on U.S. Court of Appeals (Third Circuit) Judge Maryann Trump Berry and her suitability for U.S. Supreme Court?
I don’t have one. I don’t believe that Trump voted for this individual. In fact, there is no way he could vote for this judge. It would be impossible. But maybe Cruz did.
Some say he's not serious about this: it's just a generous, chivalrous remark about his sister. Generous, he is. I am cognizant of Trump's long history of generous gifts to Democratic candidates and causes. Over the previous two decades of U.S. elections, Trump's top 10 recipients of political contributions were six Democrats and four Republicans.
Trump wrote in 2008 that Hillary Clinton would be a great president. When asked in 2015 which recent president was best, Trump picked Bill Clinton. The Clintons' foundation has received between $100,000 and $250,000 from Trump.
I know plenty of Catholics who like Trump. They did not get the memo. : )
Donald Trump IS pro-life, but with specific exceptions (incest, rape, life of mother) I disagree with those exceptions, as I do not believe that the child should be made to pay for the sins of the father; and, other than an ectopic pregnancy, I do not see a situation where the mother’s life would truly be jeopardized.
However, that stated, I am NOT a single issue voter. If we do not get a handle on the illegal immigration problem - then nothing else will matter b/c we will no longer have a country.
I have to look at who is the best candidate that can actually get elected to the office. The fact is that Senator Cruz does not now, nor will he be able to garner the diverse demographic support to win the presidency. That is the reality which we must accept and deal with. You do not get perfect, no matter how fervently you might wish it otherwise.
“I have no explanation”
So, you never heard about the KGB’s huge effort to infiltrate seminaries around the world? It was an immense program, and immensely successful.
I would prefer Cruz.
So, you are a one issue voter? Good luck with that. The real world is not resolved to one issue, except in the minds of pretenders - which is why they never make any progress towards the goal...
BTW, allow me call you out on the hypocrisy of your position.
Do you pay federal income taxes? Do you file a federal tax return? If you answer yes to those questions, then you have no ground upon which to stand. You and those who do likewise, are THE problem. You continue to feed the beast, while you complain about how the beast spends your money. You want to have a perfect world - but you are unwilling to make the real sacrifices required to bring such reality to fruition. You cannot bear to put your reputation, your worldly possessions, and your very life in real jeopardy by a peaceful civil disobedience. You choose the easy path and expect a miracle in return for your shallow efforts.
Do not preach to me about “pro-life” or “pro-family,” or whatever may be the moral cause you advocate, unless you are FIRST willing to put your money where your self-righteous mouth is, and lay it ALL on the line.
I have done so. I refuse to pay taxes or file a return. That is how you fight the enemy. All the marches and demonstrations and prayer vigils mean absolutely NOTHING if those who desire change are unwilling to take the actions that will force change.
Other possibilities include a national work stoppage.
Failing these peaceful remedies - even if doing them results in you losing all of your possessions and going to prison - the only road left is massive bloodshed ... Civil war.
You have picked the wrong Catholic to preach your one-issue campaign ... Unlike those who pretend, I put my ass on the line in the real world, and with real consequences.
You will never succeed in your cause without first committing to sacrifice. THAT is the reason why your efforts have consistently failed for the last 43 years! If Catholics and others of the cause were truly serious about defending life, then all of you would have committed to a national tax strike and work stoppage immediately following the 1973 Roe v Wade decision. The “sad” truth is that you think you can defeat evil by paying it lip service.
I think the government has gotten involved in moral issues entirely far beyond the intention of the founding fathers-everyone yells hurrah when their party is in power-then howls when the balance changes-look at the defense of marriage act, the patriot act-as well as the trampling of states rights-we should return to the original intent of the constitution-religion and real life are not the same to liberals as they are to you and I, and I don’t care for liberal tyranny-we have let that happen...
I think he would have stayed with church doctrine-and stayed out of politics-wisely.
“He said she would be his pick for U.S. Supreme Court.”
You are out of your mind. The woman is 78 years old. I had to look her up. If you think he is going to put a 78 year old woman on the Supreme Court then you are too far gone to even be realistic. Good grief the woman eventually wants to retire I would imagine.
The answer to your question is the same answer to the question below:
Do you think Catholic laymen do not have the right as citizens to oppose a political candidate that uses God as a pulpit to further his/her political career?
With respect, that response has nothing to do with my reference to Romans 13 (which obviously encompasses godless rulers, unwittingly carrying out God’s will).
If Eminent Domain, bankruptcy, business failure, serial adultery and funding Planned Parenthood are your idea of Order, Trump is definitely your man.I will never vote for a presidential candidate who refuses to say he'd defund Planned Parenthood, and who thinks it's OK to appoint an abortion enthusiast to the Supreme Court.
Do a little research on Maryann Trump Berry, whom he said would be a likely pick:
Yes they did.
Trump. In this case, we need a bulldozer. The land must be cleared and the foundations can be reset. Results, not ideological purity.
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