Opinion: Leaders or Scoundrels? 2010 Election Could Change Everything

10/27/2010

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who write the law should be subject to the law. No. the peasant citizenry must applaud the Royals new prescription even as the Royals refuse their own medicine.

This year we've seen ordinary Americans assert their right to question and criticize their government officials, doing it peacefully and legally and yet those citizens are regularly caricatured by this arrogant administration as racist, bigoted, dim-witted crazies who are a dangerous threat to the country. Since when is protesting over-taxation and too much government interference a sign of being unhinged? I seem to remember another group of citizens who got tired of being taxed to death by an overbearing government.George, Tom, Sam, John, Ben, Richard, Stephen, Charles, etc. They pledged to each other, "our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

My, how things have changed. It seems the only things sacred today are "tolerance" (meaning everything must be tolerated except the belief that some things are immoral and just plain wrong), political correctness (we mustn't call something what it actually is), "choice" (legal child extermination) and the right to demean Christianity, especially Catholicism.

Give me a man who would rather die than behave dishonorably. Give me a woman who will not degrade herself or spill her own child's blood. Give me a man who is faithful to his wife and family. Give me a woman who prizes true femininity. Give me a leader who elevates our discourse with his speech. Give me a leader who inspires by virtue of his character and actions.

I'll take a man who's made a mistake, acknowledged it honestly, taken responsibility, and worked to correct it any day over one who passes the blame, covers it up or tries to rewrite history. I'll take a man who has failed once or twice over a pompous prince.

Give me a leader who serves. Give me a leader whose strength is his humility and integrity; whose gift is her savvy and wisdom and grace.

Such men and women will be the reward of the citizens who diligently seek them, support them, demand them, and frankly, become them. How long will we punish ourselves with tyrants, thieves and scoundrels? I still believe there are men and women with honor out there and they could be our elected leaders. (I've made my choice for our 45th President!) The question is, will we choose them?

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Jennifer Hartline is a grateful Catholic, a proud Army wife and mother of four precious children (one in Heaven). She is a contributing writer for Catholic Online. She is also a serious chocoholic. Visit her at My Chocolate Heart.
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Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.

Keywords: leadership, candidates, catholic, catholic vote, politics, fidelity, virtue, elections, midterm elections, democrat, republican

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1 - 10 of 45 Comments

Susan
2 years ago
Grimes, the same "predictable positions" come from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The teachings of the Church that Catholics are required to follow do not change. Voting is a required obligation. If you would stop challenging our Pope and complete Magesterium, people would not have to correct you so often on this Catholic web site.
Paul
2 years ago
John Grimes - you are right. You continually write as an adversary to the "Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition". When you do this, you are defying the Pope and the Magesterium of the Church. I hope readers know that all bloggers on this site are not screened for being real Catholics, and you can tell by their statements contrary to the REQUIRED teachings in the "CCC 2nd Ed".
Anne
2 years ago
John G., the Catholic teaching needs no clarification. It is very clear. Apparently you are not Catholic or you would know what the "CCC 2nd Ed" says, and you would not write so many "Catholic" falsehoods - there is a section in the CCC regarding use of media and truth. However, voting the lessor of the evils (when necessary) is appropriate for Catholics, but Catholics must vote. Please do not try to encourage real Catholics away from Catholic teaching. Why are you so afraid of Catholics voting?
Rob
2 years ago
I merely want to understand. I guess I would have an easier time accepting this "mandate" if politicans were held to the same standard and our Church was teaching as if abortion was the primary issue. But honestly, in this last year I have heard more about the economy, stewardship and immigration than I've heard about abortion. I know there are those organizations that focus it on this issue 100% of the time, and thank God for them, but that isn't the whole church. I just need to understand because I'm starting to feel like I'll receive a completed absentee ballot in the mail and just turn it in.
vance
2 years ago
Grimes, "Why are we required to vote". I believe you've heard the saying that "it is your civic duty". Your communist china analogy doesn't hold up because you are comparing China to the US- apples and oranges. So far we are a free country to vote for our candidates in primaries. This is where Pro-Lifers can run as Democrats. BUT George Soros has complete control over this process. SO you can opt to vote for a person who agrees to not take more from your paycheck, agrees not to up your property tax, not to up your sales tax, and who believes Roe vs Wade should be over turned. Sounds like a moral individual to me.
John Grimes
2 years ago
Anne: This discussion is actually quite boring, the same predictable positions from the same predictable people. But something you said caught my eye: "By the way Rob you are required to VOTE if you are Catholic." If that is so, would I fulfill this requirement if I showed up at the polling place and marked my ballot ' Mickey Mouse' or 'myself'? Or does this rule also command me to vote only for certain approved candidates? Is there no place for principled abstention? What about following the dictates of one's well-formed conscience? Or will a well-formed conscience always make one choose one of the officially approved candidates? Are Catholics in, say, Communist China also obliged to participate in the rigged elections that may be arranged in their country? If not -- and if he is not jailed for not participating -- just how would the Chinese Catholic know where this obligation ceases to have force for him? This is an area of Catholic teaching that, I think you'll agree, demands some clarification.
Rob
2 years ago
Vance, I hear what you are saying. But it just seems that no real burden is placed on our politicians. They are permitted to analyze the political lanscape and defer action on life, but we the voters are not. I am not permitted to consider the other social justice issues of the day because my primary task is to elect prolife politicians. There is some patent unfairness to this process. Or maybe just an expectations gap. I know the house republicans will work hard to make a symbolic attempt to repeal healthcare. But for the reasons you stated, they will not be successful. I guess I would like to see the same efforts made for pro-life issues.
vance
2 years ago
Rob, you are right about politicians not getting a pass if they don't deliver. You need to look at the full picture. The Republicans may have had control of congress for 10 years BUT there was no super majority to pass anti-abortion bills. There were the east coast Republican Liberals who got in the way and sided with the Democrat Party. It's been a tough fight against Democrat and Republican Liberals. We now have a new Republican majority that is very Pro-Life BUT they are up against a Harry Reid Senate majority and Obama. They can push Pro-Life legislation but you and I know well that it isn't going anywhere passed Harry Reid and Obama. Rob, don't shoot your friends on the conservative side rather shoot yours and my enemies on the Liberal Left side.
Rob
2 years ago
Vance, I will give you that. My mistake for forgetting about that. But why only go half way? Of the percentage of abortions does yearly, how many are partial births? 15 years is a long time and a lot of lives. But I do realize that we should be happy with any pro-life victory. I'm sorry if I've developed a what have you done lately. We voters aren't given a 15 year pass on voting for whomever we want, I don't think our pro-life politicians should get a pass. Shouldn't they be held to the same standard. I have to prove my pro-life stance every election, shouldn't they every legislative session?
osbert
2 years ago
Everyone seeks for the best.But who gives the best is always the problem any where in the world.I believe in your write up and sincerity.We must not loose hope.Even if we do not get the leaders in the world we have them in our families.And they emerge when the cry of God's people gets to Him.

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