California recall: Does one man hold key? [McClintock]

Christian Science Monitor ^ | 9-25 | Christian Science Monitor

[EternalVigilance]

And this is where politics becomes useless. This devotion that Reagan valued will not be won in elections, and regretting its lack in politicians is pointless.

Where are the tithes, the legacies, the contributions to expand, for instance, private religious schools ? Where are the vocations to the priesthood, to service, to ministry ? Reclaiming California will take sacrifice, personal sacrifice. No election will give you this.

How very true and well said!...at least except for the 'regretting its lack in politicians is pointless' part.

We still need true leaders in public life...nature abhors a vacuum, and if we don't have the best, we will have the worst.

It's not an either/or kind of thing. America's ultimate hope, you are correct, is not to be found in her politicians, but in her people. But nonetheless, our government was designed to be of the people. We need personal renewal always, but we need a renewal of reverence for God, respect for life, and love of liberty in our political leaders too. That's why we call them 'leaders'.

[EternalVigilance]

I meant stubborn in defense of fundamental principles.

[Spiff]

I'm just saying that it is possible to believe deeply in other aspects of the GOP platform even if someone is still "misguided" or "un-Christian" enough to be pro-choice.

Believing in other aspects of the GOP platform makes it all better if you believe that killing babies is perfectly OK!!? Is that all the mass slaughter of innocent children means to you - that it is simply something in a plank of the GOP party platform that is negotiable and potentially unnecessary!??

Opposing abortion is not simply a convenient position or a political football. It is the defining issue of our day. Either you're for killing children or you are against it. There is no middle ground.

[EternalVigilance]

Just thought it would be worth the effort to try if he got into office.

It's always worth trying.

But lobbying is always so much more expensive in terms of time, energy and treasure than just getting someone elected that doesn't need to be lobbied to do the right thing in the first place. And it very rarely works.

[Texasforever]

Believing in other aspects of the GOP platform makes it all better if you believe that killing babies is perfectly OK!!?

The why wasn't McClintock shouting that to the rafters? I have yet to hear any issues beyond financial being discussed in this campaign. Has McClintock signed a "no abortion in California" pledge yet and if not why not?

[EternalVigilance]

Get Arnold to sign one, and I'm sure we'll have no problem getting Tom to.

[Texasforever]

Get Arnold to sign one, and I'm sure we'll have no problem getting Tom to.

Why should "we have to get him to sign one"? Hell I thought he would have already done so. Maybe he is not so pro-life afterall.

[strela]

Get Arnold to sign one, and I'm sure we'll have no problem getting Tom to.

Uhhhh, that was a trick question. And as usual you booted it. The governor's opinion on abortion is immaterial and carries only as much weight as any other citizen's does, as it is not a matter legislated at the state level.

[EternalVigilance]

There is no question of Tom's pro-life stance or record.

And there is no doubt of Arnold's pro-abortion-on-demand stance, either.

[buwaya]

My point is that insisting on the "perfect man" in politics for the sake of reversing cultural decline is hopeless. Elect the best of a bad lot, and do not permit the worst to win. Do not let "the best" be the enemy of "good enough".

True cultural renewal is not to be found in politics.

[Tamzee]

You're missing my point.

Have a nice evening.

[EternalVigilance]

The governor's opinion on abortion is immaterial and carries only as much weight as any other citizen's does, as it is not a matter legislated at the state level.

That's simply not true.

[Tamzee]

Yes, I agree...


eeek.....did I just say that?!?!?

[EternalVigilance]

So, you're arguing that we need to clean up our act as a people, but that it doesn't really matter that we do so inside our government...

Sorry, I don't buy your 'logic'.

[Texasforever]

here is no question of Tom's pro-life stance or record.

Really? Then why is he not saying anything about it on the campaign trail? I would think this paragon of conservative "real republican" values would make that one of his major campaign issues.

[EternalVigilance]

Yes, I agree... eeek.....did I just say that?!?!?

Hope you don't get hives, or something. ;-)

[buwaya]

I am as anti-abortion as any.

If you want to stop abortions, politics is a hopeless avenue. By this point, in this culture, we are howling at the moon.

You must change the culture first. Quibbling over politicians positions is futile. If the people change, the politicians will follow.

[EternalVigilance]

Really? Then why is he not saying anything about it on the campaign trail?

Guess you didn't listen to the closing statements in the debate.

[Texasforever]

Guess you didn't listen to the closing statements in the debate.

Oh did he pledge no abortions in California?

[EternalVigilance]

Oh, that's your game, huh..

Whatever. I don't want to play.