What ever happened to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness"?

[olde_fashioned]

I feel compelled, by recent replies to my other posts of a political nature, to warn anyone of Democratic, liberal, or otherwise left-leaning politics that I'm posting this because at the moment I feel like expressing myself on my own blog, (even though I'm sure some comments will make me regret it later), not to offend anyone intentionally but to voice my own feelings on a subject which is surely foremost in the majority of minds in this country, if not the world. So this is a warning that few populi will like what I'm about to say, so don't both clicking the cut line if you're not able to read opposing viewpoints and comment like a sensible adult. Everyone is welcome to comment, only refrain from giving me the broadside, please.



Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. What does that even mean any more? It means "a woman's right to choose, tolerance of all things immoral, and the separation of church and state." Perhaps we should just strike out the "life" part and replace it with "choice," remove the "liberty," trade it for "tolerance," eliminate the "happiness," swapping it for "all about me" and have done with it.

What happened to a human being's "inalienable rights"? It seems they go out the window when that being becomes an unwanted burden, or a "threat" to a woman's life. We can have liberty, and freedom of speech, so long as we don't exercise that freedom proclaiming our beliefs if they happen to be in opposition to what is politically correct. We can't have any Christianity in our government, but the government wants to tell us what we can and can't preach in those religions. The likes of Rosie O'Donnell can talk about how horrible Christians are, and Evolutionists can curse those who believe in Creation, but heaven forbid a Christian should speak out against homosexuality or the idea that we evolved from apes.

What is wrong with this picture?

Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1809, "The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of good government."

Oh, how much can change in two hundred years. In 2009, the object of our government (and a saddeningly large portion of American citizens) seems to be to deny helpless human beings their right to life and happiness, by destroying them under the blessing of the very lawmakers that are supposed to protect them.

This is the same Thomas Jefferson, by the way, that ended his oft-quoted "separation of church and state" letter with, I reciprocate your kind prayers for the protection and blessing of the common Father and creator of man." So very interesting, isn't it? That the man whose words have been used for decades as an excuse to rid this country of it's godly foundations was also a fervent Christian himself.

I often wonder, how different would our Founding Fathers have designed our Declaration of Independence, how differently would they have worded our Constitution, and how much would they lament the turn this country has taken, if they could see us now?

I am very glad, that they cannot see us now, for I think we would break their hearts.

I think it would break their hearts, as it breaks mine, that we are on the verge of electing the most liberal senator who has a record worse than the likes of Hillary Clinton and Ted Kennedy (!!) into the highest office in the land. That we might very well have a Muslim as our next president, who is not even man enough or faithful enough to admit that he was born and raised in that religion, who is ashamed of America, has promised to sign into law the Freedom of Choice Act which will once again make partial-birth abortions legal, who wants to deny babies who have already been born basic human rights, and who wants to have tea parties with our international enemies who would probably take very great pleasure out of nuking us off the face of the planet.

I wish the liberals that had vowed to flee the country when Bush was elected had left, then perhaps we would not have to worry about the fate of our country.

I hope God saves this country from herself.

Comments

[littleflower518.livejournal.com]

Very well said! Especially for a young woman in her twenties!
Look at it this way...if Mr. Obama does win, at least we can vent to each other!
UGH!

Love,
Lindy

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much Lindy! :-D

Yeah, really. O.o Although let's pray I don't have to take you up on your offer!!!

[victoria-tonks.livejournal.com]

As a non-American, I don't want to comment on some strictly US issues; but I just need to say that again - I share your beliefs and you have my full moral support.

I do admire your courage to post your thoughts openly.

[ceallaighgirl.livejournal.com]

I don't see anything particularly wrong with a non-American commenting on US issues, as long as you're well-informed! :-) (Now, if you wanted to donate money to a campaign, then I'd have my objections, heh, even if it was the campaign I support!)

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

I echo what ceallaighgirl said! I have no problem whatsoever with a person in another country having opinions on our politics, so long as they know what they're talking about. Actually you know, you probably know a whole lot more than half the kids who are going to be voting tomorrow, deciding our country's fate!! O.o

[watching-ships.livejournal.com]

You have said everything that I am feeling and I want to thank you for being so open and honest about it.

Praying about tomorrow and all the days that follow.

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Well, you're welcome, and thank you for the nice comment. :-)

Isn't that the truth...

[zaely.livejournal.com]

I must say I agree. I fear that the Founding Fathers would cry if they could see us now. However, I do have faith in God and that He will take care of this country. Just pray - God will answer. :) Also, remember to get out there and vote! I'll be driving back to my hometown just to do so. :)

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

I have faith in God, but I'm not sure which side He is going to give us. We don't know everything, so the side that we want might not be the side that God wants us to have, if you know what I mean.

Pretty icon. :-) Reminds me of Fragonard's paintings!

[marianneevans.livejournal.com]

OF, your comments were very well stated, thoughtful and insightful. Freedom of speech is alive and well on this board! Well done! Edited to add this question: are you really in your twenties, you ole sage you!??? LOL

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much! That was very kind of you to say. :-)

LOL, and yes, I'm 22 as of a few months ago. ;-)

[shabby-chick.livejournal.com]

It just breaks my hear to see the country like this...but it makes me proud to read and hear things like this, also.

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Wow, thank you very much! :-D You flatter me!

[ceallaighgirl.livejournal.com]

remove the "liberty," trade it for "tolerance,"

This reminds me of a book that recently came out called "Tyranny of Nice". I haven't read it yet (I plan on it though!), but I read one of the co-authors' blog every day, and I think you might find that to be a really good book.

I'd be careful about calling Obama a Muslim though, I think it kind of hurts our cause a bit. I'm not convinced that he is (though I'm not convinced that he's a Christian either), I don't think there's really any practical evidence that he's a Muslim anyway (my suspicion is that he had to be listed as "Muslim" to be placed in the school in which he was placed since that country is so heavily Muslim) . . . and really, the fact that he's a Marxist and essentially pro-abortion is argument against him enough.

[victoria-tonks.livejournal.com]

he fact that he's a Marxist and essentially pro-abortion is argument against him enough.

I knew about his pro-abortion views (which are scaring the living daylights out of me, thruth be told) but a Marxist?? Oh my word. I come from a post-communist country where we had the bad luck to test the Marxist/Leninist theories on our backs, so to say, for 44 years (and 19 years after 1989, we're still struggling with the remnants of socialism) so the mere thought that someone - a prominent politician! - can still stick to this system, is beyond scary. Gah, I can't believe it. :(((

[airehen.livejournal.com]

I just like to mention what our pastor said this past Sunday.

That as Christians we should vote for the candidate whose views most close agree with scripture because our Christian walk should be a part of every area of our lives including "rendering unto Caesar".

And yes, it bothers me too, how it's such a well liked modern pasttime to people to misquote our founding fathers just to fit their own agenda.

[victoria-tonks.livejournal.com]

as Christians we should vote for the candidate whose views most close agree with scripture

I agree. That's my stance on voting all the way.

[nuranar.livejournal.com]

I almost left it to be unsaid that I agree with just about everything you said!

The cruelest irony of Jefferson's letter is how the "separation of church and state" has been taken completely out of context. The Baptist (?) ministers were simply concerned that the government would establish a single denomination as the National Church. Jefferson was reassuring them that Government and Church would never become a monolith similar to certain other European (or dare I say, Middle Eastern) countries. That has absolutely nothing to do with keeping so-called religious principles out of government.

I'm just praying that God will give us the leader we need, not the leader we deserve.

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

LOL! That's okay -- I'm just happy if I don't get flamed on a post like this, lol. ;-)

YES exactly!!!!

Amen to that.

[florentinescot.livejournal.com]

Wow. Very well put!

ETA: And I *LOVE* that icon!

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much! :-D

Thank you again! It's from my 9/11 and patriotic batch a few months back. I've always loved that painting.

[librarianofdoom.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid that I'm going to be a dissenting voice (again), but I hope that I can do it in a mature, inoffensive sort of way.

I was on the fence regarding abortion for a very long time. I tend to think that if a girl is stupid enough to get knocked up when birth control is so readily available, she should have to face the consequences. I'm not against sex before marriage, but I am very much against casual sex. (For example, I'm not married, but have been with exactly one partner, and we will have been in a relationship for ten years this Christmas.) But then, after seeing my friends who have been raised by young single moms, and the fact that they are, in some cases, seriously messed up, or have had abusive fathers, or after seeing parents in the store yelling at their kids just for acting like children, I came to the decision that motherhood should not be a punishment. If a woman can't take responsibility for her own body, then she definitely shouldn't be taking responsibility for another human's life; and the state simply doesn't do an adequate job of providing for adopted/foster children. I hope to god that I never get pregnant myself, but if I do, I honestly don't know what I would choose, but I know that I want to be able to make that choice, not have the government make it for me.

As for Obama's record, I haven't done any research, but what I understood is that he refused to sign some piece of legislation that would outlaw partial birth abortions because it did not include some provision for the life and health of the mother, and because partial-birth abortions were already illegal in that state. Can you point me toward some information about Obama's plans to legalize partial-birth abortions?

As for his being a Muslim, even if he was raised that way, why should that count against him? Not all Muslims are terrorists; only the extremist groups (kind of like not all Christians are bigots--only a few fundamentalist groups, and not all liberals are godless heathens--only a few extremist groups.)

I have more to say, but I have to go to a class now. This election year, I think that both sides are really, deeply afraid of what will happen if the other party wins. (I know I am.) When did this country become SO ideologically divided, and why?

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

I don't mind dissenting voices at all so long as they are polite. The tone of your comment was more than polite, so thank you for that. :-)

If a woman can't take responsibility for her own body, then she definitely shouldn't be taking responsibility for another human's life

But the fact is that if a woman is already pregnant, then she is already responsible for another life. And choosing to end that life forever is worse than any bad parenting.

Read these links HERE (http://obamawtf.blogspot.com/2008/04/obama-blocked-law-to-prevent-babies-who.html), HERE (http://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/viewarticle.php?selectedarticle=2008.10.14_George_Robert_Obama%27s%20Abortion%20Extremism_.xml) and HERE (http://obamawtf.blogspot.com/search?q=partial+birth).

Not all Muslims are terrorists, correct, but what do you call someone who rubs elbows with them? HERE (http://obamawtf.blogspot.com/2008/04/obamas-friendship-with-pro-plo-advocate.html)

[modernmorland.livejournal.com]

While I agree with your stance on the issues here, I have one quibble. I don't think Thomas Jefferson could be described as a fervent Christian by any stretch of the imagination. He called himself a Christian "in the only sense in which [Jesus] wished anyone to be: sincerely attached to his doctrines in preference to all others, ascribing to himself every human excellence, and believing he never claimed any other." John Adams criticized Jefferson for some of his beliefs, as I recall, but Adams and his family attended a Unitarian church in Massachusetts, which is also of questionable doctrine by modern Christian standards.

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Well don't Unitarians consider themselves to be Christian? Even if I didn't think they were myself, that's rather like trying to tell a Catholic that they're not Christian because they pray to Mary. And plus I wasn't writing about Jefferson's religious views. ;-P

[artekka.livejournal.com]

Jefferson was actually a deist, which is rather different (tho your point about him ending the letter with a religious statement still stands regardless) and I've never gotten the impression that Obama is at all Muslim. Other than that, I agree with you wholeheartedly.

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

I know a lot of people argue that the Founding Fathers (and not just Jefferson) weren't Christian but were rather deists. I disagree, but that's not really my point.

I've never gotten the impression that Obama is at all Muslim.

Well would you expect him to start quoting the Koran on the campaign trail? That'd go over real well. Read this. (http://obamawtf.blogspot.com/2008/07/new-torker-cover-portrays-obama-as.html)

[marillion.livejournal.com]

I completely disagree with you in every way regarding the political things you've posted here, but I very much respect the kind, thoughtful way you expressed yourself and I find it useful and interesting to hear the viewpoints of others whose opinions are different from mine. So, thank you. =)

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

:-) Thank you. I have no issues with a person who holds different views from mine, but rather the way some people choose to express those views. Thank you for being kind about it! :-)

[augustine.livejournal.com]

"Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help...Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God" (Psalm 146:3,5)

Actually, I am a Christian, and indeed a Roman Catholic, so that I do not expect 'history' to be anything but a 'long defeat'

-J.R.R. Tolkien

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

I like that Bible verse, but I'm not exactly sure what it is you're trying to say.... :-)

[madame-faust.livejournal.com]

Another dissenting voice, but hopefully a polite one!

I don't think Obama is/was a Muslim - even if he was, I don't think that should effect how people vote. After all, one wouldn't want any Jewish voters refusing to vote for Christians because of the Spanish Inquisition, right? In addition to attending local schools in Indonesia, but he also attended Catholic school for three years and he isn't Catholic either. Again though, I don't see why Obama's religious faith should be an issue that would concern the voters and I'm not sure why the possibility of a Muslim president seems to bother you so much. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject though, so do share!

As for the abortion issue...it's a tricky one for everyone on both sides of the fence, for moral, religious and personal reasons. Politically, I am pro-choice. I feel that it is safer for the women involved if abortion is kept legal, especially where the issue of maternal health is raised. In cases of rape, sexual abuse or incest or in a circumstance where a woman's life would be at risk if she went through with a pregnancy, I believe that abortion should be a legal option. I do oppose partial-birth abortion, but I am not a one-issue voter and it doesn't really bother me if Obama voted in favor of it in one instance. The thing about Congress is the fact that by the time a bill is voted on, there's so much extra fluff associated with it, often people cannot vote as they would choose.

Personally...I like the idea that he is willing to actually talk to other nations rather than simply drop bombs first, ask questions later. Yes, perhaps he is a little naive, but I feel more comfortable with the idea that diplomacy might be a theme of his administration. War for the sake of war, without planning, without any sort of strategy makes me very uncomfortable and makes me feel very unsafe. Truly, McCain and Palin's obsession with "winning" the war in Iraq makes me nervous. I do not see how there can be a winner there, we are not trying to expand the American empire any longer and that country will never be a thriving democracy, it simply isn't suited for that style of government. I want to see the fighting end and the soldiers come home.

You know, I'm really not completely satisfied with either candidate. I like Obama more than I ever liked Kerry, but I'm not actively excited for his being elected, but as a poster a bit further up from me said, I am terrified of what might happen if McCain is elected. I really wish that to succeed at politics people didn't have to be inherently dishonest, because when it comes to presidential elections, if you're a major contender at that level, you have to be able to play the game. I think if the Founding Fathers were here today, they would probably be shocked at how corrupt the system has become. Not to say that there wasn't corruption in the 1700s, there was, but it's at a ridiculous level in national politics today and I'm sick of the division and the lies. It's times like this I wish that we'd never thrown off the monarchy, at least you knew what you were getting with patrilineal succession ;-)

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

A candidate's personal beliefs and values (or lack thereof) is very important to me, as I think it should be for all votes. I'm not saying that everyone has to hold the same views on those values as I do, just that I feel it's a bad idea to entirely ignore a person's religion, because unless that person is not truly religious, but rather paying "lip service" because they deem it politically expedient, one's religion should be a large part of who they are and what they believe in.

I care that Obama is a Muslim just as I would care if he was a Hindu or a Buddhist. As a Christian, I cannot conscientiously contribute to putting a person into office if they stand for things that go against what I believe. The same holds true for a Christian candidate, as well.

Everyone seems to use the rights, needs, and physical risks of the mother as the sole factor of concern when speaking of abortion. There are two lives at stake in a pregnancy, two lives in danger, two bodies, and two human beings with supposedly inalienable rights in question. It's not just a question of a woman's right to choose. What about the baby's right to live? And if it is to be decided that a baby has no right to live, then at what point does an unborn child become viable? At birth? Half-way through pregnancy? Or at conception?

You're entirely right about bills with other things "snuck" into them, but Obama's voting record on abortion is a lot more than a couple "one instance" votes on a couple "sneaky" bills.

Who says that not being willing to meet unconditionally with our enemies means a person is for "dropping bombs first, asking questions later"? I don't think McCain is trigger-happy, if that's what you mean. Are you against pre-emptive strikes? I don't think any country (and that includes America) should intentionally run around starting wars where diplomacy could prevent them, but I don't know that everyone realizes that not all problems can be resolved with words. That kind of diplomacy relies on both parties being willing to cooperate and compromise, and when you're dealing with the likes of Iran and North Korea (and now an increasingly belligerent Russia) you have to able and willing to back up your words with actions.

Iraq is a touchy issue for everyone, but I think it's a huge mistake to let the choices of one president, whether or not you agree with them, taint one's methods of dealing with other enemies and other wars. There are so many people in this world filled with hatred towards Christians, Jews, Americans, and even each other, who are not rational beings and who will never understand anything peaceful.

What is it about McCain that terrifies you so? I never said I was a fan of his, either; so far I've only said how I feel about Obama. But unless you're thinking that McCain = Bush here, I don't understand why anyone would be actually afraid of him. Perhaps you can enlighten me on this. :-)

A monarchy would be worse! Can you imagine getting a bad king and being stuck with them for the entire duration of their life, rather than a maximum of eight years???? O.o I'll take democracy, thank you very much!!

[anodiel.livejournal.com]

I like what you wrote. That speaks my heart, actually. Haha, you were able to put "pen to paper" what I've felt.

I went to our church's prayer service last night, you might like what he said. You can listen to it or download the outline. I'd love to hear what you think: http://www.fbcvidalia.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=42

It's the sermon, titled "Bible Basics On Praying for Our Nation" I suggest listening if you can.

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Thank you! :-D

Okay, great, thanks! Hopefully I'll have the time to look into it, although considering the outcome of tomorrow, I'm not sure I'll be in the mood for much of anything. :-/

[winterlillies.livejournal.com]

I'm just popping my head in here and tomorrow will be a sad day if he becomes president. I think the media is highly to blame for making him out to be some type of sought after "rock star." I cringe at the thought of Nancy Pelosi having any more power.

BTW: I hope you don't mind I've added you to my friends list.

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

I feel exactly the same way, and don't even get me started on Pelosi. Ugh.

Wow, I usually don't make friends with posts like this, lol, so I'm delighted! And of course I don't mind! :-D I'm adding you back!

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Thank you for that. :-)

I believe the use of the phrase "separation of church and state" has come to have two different meanings, depending on which side of the aisle you stand. For most conservatives, and for me, when I use it, I mean that I do not at all think we should have a state-sanctioned form of worship, or any sort of "default" religion endorsed by the government. I think we should be free to choose who what when where and how we worship for ourselves, without any interference from anyone. That's one of the principles our country was founded on, and I think it's a Biblical one, too, as nowhere in the Bible does it tell us to enforce conversion to Christianity at the point of a sword.

However I think that when most liberals use the phrase, they take it to mean that any sort of public worship allowed by the government is offensive, particularly if it happens to be Christian. We're allowed to preach sermons from the Bible, but if that sermon touches on homosexuality being a sin then it's branded "hateful" and the preacher becomes guilty of a hate crime. Somehow no one manages to complain if a person were to say "in Buddha's name we pray," or, "in Allah's name we pray," but if someone decided to pray "in the name of Jesus Christ," all of a sudden you have public outcry and indignation. It's interesting, isn't it, how so many are seemingly almost afraid of any reference to the God of Christianity and Judaism?

I care if Obama is a Muslim just as I would care if he was a Hindu or a Buddhist. As a Christian, I cannot conscientiously contribute to putting a person into office if they stand for things that go against what I believe, and the same holds true for any Christian candidate, also. A candidate's personal beliefs and values (or lack thereof) is very important to me, as I think it should be for all voters. I'm not saying that everyone has to hold the same views on those values as I do, just that I feel it's a bad idea to entirely ignore a person's religion, because unless that person is not truly religious, but rather paying "lip service" because they deem it politically expedient, one's religion should be a large part of who they are and what they believe in. (and as for CNN, MSNBC, the LA Times, and Newsweek, please convince me that they're not the liberal rags everyone knows them to be! I'd be willing to bet that they're all endorsing Obama, so that's rather a moot point I think).

Read this. (http://obamawtf.blogspot.com/2008/04/obama-delegates-overwhelingly-vote-down.html)

Diplomacy and "no preconditions" don't have to be opposite sides of the coin. I just think it's a bad idea and a dangerous one to treat rogue nations like Iran as equals on the same level of communication as other countries, say, the UK. Iran is not our friend, and they shouldn't be treated as such.

I am not a fan of Palin. However Obama doesn't have a whole lot of experience, either, except in the shiny speech department.

So do you think that eight years ago this country was a lot better off with Clinton in office? I don't think it should be a prerequisite of qualification that you have to be 100% opposite of Bush. Don't get me wrong -- I'm far from being a fan of his, either, but I'm just saying that I don't think if Bush says "Red!" we should automatically jump to "Blue!"

[angelofmusic189.livejournal.com]

I couldn't agree more with your post :) Well said! ::applause::

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Aww, thank you. :-)

[sabrinafair2.livejournal.com]

I think I mentioned this before, but I still don't really like our Founding Fathers and would hate for them to be ruling the government today, because of the way they viewed anyone who wasn't white, Protestant, and male. Jefferson himself wrote about all men being equal and yet held slaves. While I don't think they were evil men they certainly had far different views due to their time and culture and I know they wouldn't have been too keen on me voting since I'm a non-white female.

While I think looking into Obama's relationship to Rev. Wright is something valid I think your comment about "Muslim president" was a bit uncalled for. Simply because first foremost who cares if their president is Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish or whatever as long as s/he makes a good president. It's very offensive to me because I have several friends who are Muslim and are great people and certainly don't promote terrorism. And isn't that supposed to be the great thing about America that anyone no matter their religion, race, financial circumstances, gender can become whatever they want? But evidently we all know that's not true because if Obama was a Muslim he certainly would have been thrown out of the race at the beginning. Also although Obama's father and step-father were Muslim, both had fallen away from their faith and even if they were strong in that religion doesn't necessarily mean Obama is a Muslim. I, myself, was raised in a Catholic household, but certainly don't consider myself one. Not to mention the fact the since he was ten he was raised by his grandparents who were both Christian.

I hope I didn't offend you in my comment, but I just can't stand the continual lies about Obama's past as a "Muslim". Nor the discrimination against these people just because a small percentage of them are terrorists. Just as there are a small percentage of Christians who belong to the KKK and other terrorist groups.