I've had a difficult time putting my finger on exactly why Ted Cruz makes me uncomfortable as a contender for the Republican nomination. Then, over the weekend, there was a story posted about Glen Beck fasting for Cruz.....the light bulb went on.....while I want an anti-establishment conservative guy to shake up the status quo in the nation's politics, I also want a guy who doesn't bring another set of problems into the equation...
First of all, I am truly agnostic about someone's religion. I didn't have a problem with Mitt being a Mormon and I don't have a problem with any candidates strong Christian beliefs, that's all personal to them and that's fine. I don't even care that they use their religious beliefs to form their value systems.....good for them. Where it starts to cross the line is when the religious element is the predominant factor of their campaign...like it seemed to be with Rick Santorum and now it seems to be with Ted Cruz....
There are a lot of practical reasons for this. We are a diverse society and anyone identifying strongly with any particular religious segment of that society is bound to cause division and mistrust along religious (and anti-religious) lines. Then there is the tradition of the country that wants to keep religion out of politics and vice versa as a matter of principle.
Cruz, the son of a preacher, exudes an Elmer Gantry vibe to me. (Does the word "fringe lunatic" ring any bells? Think Glen Beck...) Just as Obozo is not perceived to be a President by/for/of all the people and favors certain groups of people over others, that same kind of perception could very easily be attributed to Cruz. (Cruz also seems to be have a little of a "dirty tricks" side to him that doesn't play well when exposed....)
There is little room for compromise and negotiations in the world of a zealot for any cause. We badly need someone with conservative principles to lead the way in breaking the deadlocked world of national politics and get things done.....I can't see Cruz being that guy...we need a better shot at making the country move ahead....you can be a conservative without bringing along this much negative baggage...
As wacko as Trump appears to be on some issues, I think some of his voter appeal comes from the fact that he is viewed as willing to "not just stand there, but do SOMETHING!". ( Also, I think people realize that he needs some co-operation from the Congress to do most of what he's proposing, so there's a check on some of the craziness)...but the very idea that he has flip flopped on issues, and that he as a business guy has had to hold his nose and give the other side things to make a deal get done and the fact that he isn't tied to any particular sub-cultural group (religious, ethnic or other) and sometimes appears to be a bit unpredictable are all positives to the group who want to see actual change and something tried rather than falling into the same old patterns that lead to gridlock...Trump is saying he'll do what a majority of American people want done.....whether it's all PC or not doesn't matter anymore....and people believe he'll do it...
We don't need ideologues now. Candidates tied to religion and political doctrine aren't appealing to anyone outside their narrow group of supporters. We need someone who can get things done..
So, thanks Glen F'n Beck.....I needed that eye opener....could you now start a fast for Bernie and HillDog?
First of all, I am truly agnostic about someone's religion. I didn't have a problem with Mitt being a Mormon and I don't have a problem with any candidates strong Christian beliefs, that's all personal to them and that's fine. I don't even care that they use their religious beliefs to form their value systems.....good for them. Where it starts to cross the line is when the religious element is the predominant factor of their campaign...like it seemed to be with Rick Santorum and now it seems to be with Ted Cruz....
There are a lot of practical reasons for this. We are a diverse society and anyone identifying strongly with any particular religious segment of that society is bound to cause division and mistrust along religious (and anti-religious) lines. Then there is the tradition of the country that wants to keep religion out of politics and vice versa as a matter of principle.
Cruz, the son of a preacher, exudes an Elmer Gantry vibe to me. (Does the word "fringe lunatic" ring any bells? Think Glen Beck...) Just as Obozo is not perceived to be a President by/for/of all the people and favors certain groups of people over others, that same kind of perception could very easily be attributed to Cruz. (Cruz also seems to be have a little of a "dirty tricks" side to him that doesn't play well when exposed....)
There is little room for compromise and negotiations in the world of a zealot for any cause. We badly need someone with conservative principles to lead the way in breaking the deadlocked world of national politics and get things done.....I can't see Cruz being that guy...we need a better shot at making the country move ahead....you can be a conservative without bringing along this much negative baggage...
As wacko as Trump appears to be on some issues, I think some of his voter appeal comes from the fact that he is viewed as willing to "not just stand there, but do SOMETHING!". ( Also, I think people realize that he needs some co-operation from the Congress to do most of what he's proposing, so there's a check on some of the craziness)...but the very idea that he has flip flopped on issues, and that he as a business guy has had to hold his nose and give the other side things to make a deal get done and the fact that he isn't tied to any particular sub-cultural group (religious, ethnic or other) and sometimes appears to be a bit unpredictable are all positives to the group who want to see actual change and something tried rather than falling into the same old patterns that lead to gridlock...Trump is saying he'll do what a majority of American people want done.....whether it's all PC or not doesn't matter anymore....and people believe he'll do it...
We don't need ideologues now. Candidates tied to religion and political doctrine aren't appealing to anyone outside their narrow group of supporters. We need someone who can get things done..
So, thanks Glen F'n Beck.....I needed that eye opener....could you now start a fast for Bernie and HillDog?