Clearly, it’s time for a third party.
With Tim Pawlenty out of the presidential race, it is now fairly clear that the GOP candidate will either be Mitt Romney or someone who makes George W. Bush look like Tom Paine. Of the three most plausible candidates for the Republican nomination, two are deeply associated with a theocratic strain of Christian fundamentalism known as Dominionism. If you want to understand Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry, understanding Dominionism isn’t optional.
Put simply, Dominionism means that Christians have a God-given right to rule all earthly institutions. Originating among some of America’s most radical theocrats, it’s long had an influence on religious-right education and political organizing. But because it seems so outré, getting ordinary people to take it seriously can be difficult.
[…]
And a recent Texas Observer cover story on Rick Perry examined his relationship with the New Apostolic Reformation, a Dominionist variant of Pentecostalism that coalesced about a decade ago. “[W]hat makes the New Apostolic Reformation movement so potent is its growing fascination with infiltrating politics and government,” wrote Forrest Wilder. Its members “believe Christians—certain Christians—are destined to not just take ‘dominion’ over government, but stealthily climb to the commanding heights of what they term the ‘Seven Mountains’ of society, including the media and the arts and entertainment world.”
[…]
Dominionism derives from a small fringe sect called Christian Reconstructionism, founded by a Calvinist theologian named R. J. Rushdoony in the 1960s. Christian Reconstructionism openly advocates replacing American law with the strictures of the Old Testament, replete with the death penalty for homosexuality, abortion, and even apostasy. The appeal of Christian Reconstructionism is, obviously, limited, and mainstream Christian right figures like Ralph Reed have denounced it.
#23 I agree with you sentiment but not your history.
#44 Think mens room at the airport for republican party sex.
If a third party is good a ten party system is better, right?
So What, that sound you just heard was me throwing up in the back of my throat.
In other words, well done.
#61 Correct me if I’m wrong, Mextli, but Warren Buffett isn’t pouring his money into liberal causes. He’s writing Op Eds. Big difference.
#59 “Who with half a brain thinks that the best guy for the job is the guy that thinks the job is complete bullshit?”
Well said Chris! Another way of saying it is “Republicans claim government doesn’t work, and they get elected and prove it!” 🙂
Vote for Perry, he can make it rain!
Hmmm:
We haven’t heard much from the so-called Tea Party, lately. I suspect they are fizzling out. It’s main purpose was to divert votes away from serious Republican candidates. Palin wasn’t even a part of this party, until after McCain and her lost in 2008. Now she’s their main spokesperson, and hasn’t committed to running for any office. Back in 2004, the Green Party had its last hurrah at diverting Democratic votes away from that year’s presidential candidate. So Bush won. Now, you hear no more about or from Ralph Nader. Critics of the party even said it was a mistake to weaken the vote against the GOP. So trust me, after 2012, we’ll be hearing no more from Palin and her “party”. Because they just the GOP’s answer to having to kick Obama out of office too soon. Before he can be made the scapegoat for not solving all the nation’s economic problems, for another four years. Meanwhile the GOP sits back in Congress, refusing to pass anything Obama thinks up, that might actually work. I mean, what’s the harm in trying? They won’t even TRY ANYTHING!
So at least another four years of doing nothing most pass, before the GOP feels comfortable enough to seriously run for top office. I mean, are they really serious with Rick Perry?! The guy’s a hayseed in a suit. Has he even gotten a decent speech writer yet? Will he ever? Or does he plan to do it “off the cuff”, for the whole campaign? Cause Obama is gonna eat his lunch.
And BTW, this whole thing about his military involvement, versus Obama. Perry got his commission by graduating with a bachelor’s degree in animal science (aka Animal Husbandry). Not exactly what most people thing of as a serious science degree, that qualifies one for the Air Force Academy. But guys have slipped into commissions with that one, before. I knew a terribly inept Air Force commander, who ran our squadron (badly), who had washed out as being a bomber navigator. And he had used the Animal Science degree route to get in. Back to Perry. he apparently flew C-130 cargo planes out of the Middle East and Europe, during the mid 1970s. So it’s doubtful he ever saw any action. And wasn’t in a combat role. So what’s the big deal about having this military background? It didn’t help John Kerry win, over George Bush’s questionable National Guard involvement. And Kerry was actually IN COMBAT.
BTW, Perry reportedly use to prank students in college, by firing off M-80s in the toilets. Wikipedia has more, and its interesting. But he hardly stands out as a young Patton, or anything. Just a post-Vietnam, cargo pilot, in a quieter part of the world (at the time). Since he never opposed any involvement of the US in a wasteful, dragged out wars. He wasn’t dismissed as a war hero and veteran, as Kerry was, by GOP funded armchair vets. Military service only counts, if you don’t make waves against what the military does. So yeah, Perry is probably the Swift Boaters’ hero. Cause he done nuthin to spoil their fun.
This Dominionism must have the atheists rocking and drooling and weeping and that’s enough for me. Where do I sign up?