Huckotry

The old adage has been proven correct. No one will stand up for you if you don’t stand up for yourself. And Mitt Romney’s most excellent speech, extensive and complete, proof of his understanding of what this nation represents. Lauded by most on the right as near genius and an awakening of the founding spirit, it is difficult to refute his passion for our nation. Some on the right criticizing his lack of recognition of atheists and agnostics and on the left the idea that “freedom requires religion” fail to recognize the faith and age from which our nation was born. An age where reason, the self proclaimed foundations for atheists and social engineers, was dominant. An era that gave birth to the scientific process.

Mitt Romney’s speech illustrates what makes the United States a truly Christian nation, unique in the world. A nation exalting “piety and good character", or love of God and neighbor. A nation intellectually grounded in sound reason, in the real world, and not a world where a correct doctrine determined ones value. A world honoring strength of will and acknowledging the temptations all good men, regardless of their particular faith, conquer to do what’s right. Where raising good strong families meant something. Not today’s secular world, the La-la Land of relativism, where self-justification trumps ones responsibility to his fellow man or the larger society.

Yet are any immune to the passions of intolerance? Mitt Romney perfectly placed his speech between Mike Huckabee’s miraculous surge and the backlash against his liberal policies. Christians blind to his record frequent radio talk shows proclaiming ‘Tax Hike Mike’ a true conservative. All likely cut from the same clothe as the 28% who claim they would never vote for a Mormon for President because they believe the Latter Day Saints to be a cult. Unfortunately few completely grasp what has made the United States a truly Christian nation.

There are convincing claims against the Sam Brownback campaign for a whisper campaign against Mitt Romney in Iowa. The whisper campaign against Sam Brownback by Huckabee supporters much more shadowy. In the fervor of political ones-upmanship Huckabee dropped an unsolicited misrepresentation of Mormon beliefs saying; “don’t Mormons believe Jesus and the devil are brothers?” Mike Huckabee apologized for his comments to Mitt Romney and claimed no responsibility for comments demeaning the Brownback campaign. Will he apologize to another perceived enemy, Rush Limbaugh, for remarks attributed to his campaign? If he is elected President, perhaps Huckabee need schedule a monthly press conference to apologize for offensive statements to world political or religious leaders.

When I first heard of the Huckabee campaign I was intrigued and hopeful. Soon disillusioned by his ethical shortcomings and lack of conservative positions. The Bible clearly spells out that a busybody and gossip is unqualified for Christian ministry, which may be why Huckabee went into politics. While many are eager to credit Romney for his understanding of our founding fathers, few are willing to point out bigotry, covert or otherwise. Perhaps we need a more palatable word to describe the dynamic.

And I just want to say Merry Christmas.