Interesting Columnists Today

Today I read three opinion pieces, from different authors, each having its own view of the modern conservative scene.

First is a column by Steve and Cokie Roberts ( http://www.jewishworldreview.com/1208/croberts.php3 ) that suggests the only way for Republicans to get back in the game is to dismiss the culturally conservative. The say that abortion, same sex marriage and issues of the like harm the Republican party because the majority of people are not culturally conservative though they may be fiscally conservative. They also assert it is a matter of demographics, that the population no longer breaks down in favor of an "old white guys" point of view. As with the other two pieces I will review please go and read the article in its entirety.

Second is an article by Andrew C. McCarthy ( http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YjJhYTE2OGI2MjI5ZmE2MGY2YzIwM2Y4MzUyNDdiMTQ= ) in which he has the view that the country has not "lurched left" with the election of Barak Obama. He justifies this position by citing a federal civil case against Chevron that was tried in San Francisco. The ruling ended up favoring Chevron against the international activists that had sued over an incident that had happened in Nigeria. He holds the view that if the traditional rule of law is upheld in San Francisco then the left is not on the march across the country.

The third item is by Star Parker ( http://townhall.com/Columnists/StarParker/2008/12/01/formula_for_gop_recovery_traditional_values_plus_limited_government ). She believes that the way for the Republicans to regain their foot hold is to renew their relationship with culturally conservative people. She hits on points that I have not read other places, for instance the ability or failure of people to self-identify themselves. One paragraph she writes on the statistics of self-identified conservatives, liberals and moderates reads:

"But taking a closer look at what this means leaves you scratching your head. You have to wonder what it means today to think of yourself as conservative."

Anecdotally this is what I have found in "fly over" country. People that I adamantly disagree with on basic issues like abortion, small government, liberty, lower tax burdens claim the conservative title while espousing very liberal views. They can claim the moderate label because the nation has veered so hard to the left that views that were once out of the mainstream are today actualized. Star Parker has written a very good piece.

Steve and Cokie Roberts may be correct in so far as the issue is about winning elections, sell out the culturally conservative because it would be popular and hip. Andrew McCarthy has a slim chance of being correct but basing his theory on one court case, a small sample in a jury pool, is risky. Star Parker hits the correct points. People like to perceive themselves as lovers of liberty and conservative, but when it comes to the issues they vote for self benefit over country. They vote for popular over principled while claiming virtue. Star Parker is also correct that those of us that are culturally conservative should not give up our ideals, we must endure.

If the Republicans take the position of disdaining our views that is their right. We will go on being true to ourselves. We must not support concepts that are anti-thetical to our nature.

In closing there are two Scripture citations I would like to leave you with. I believe they both are speaking about the Church but they seem appropriate for persevering.

In 1 Timothy 1 the New International Version reads:

8We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9We also know that law[a] is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

Also from the New International Version 2 Timothy 4 reads:

1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.


I pray for you that you will endure and carry out your minsitry.