November 9, 2006, 9:38 pm
A rather enormous amount of digital “ink” has been spilled over the last couple of days analyzing the election. I
can’t imagine there is any discernable trend—Catholic or otherwise—that
hasn’t been thoroughly analyzed by smarter people than me.
After the election I felt the same way that I felt after my gall
bladder surgery: relieved that something unhealthy had been removed,
but not exactly ready to jump for joy. I think I need a few days in bed with some Vicodin to recover.
By “unhealthy,” I don’t mean that the Republican Party itself is a font of contagion. But 12 years in power is a long time. The system of checks and balances had clearly broken down. Control of one branch of government corrupts and control of two branches corrupts absolutely. For all kinds of reasons, it was time for a change.
Will the Democrats be any better? For a time, it may be so. Certainly there are aspects of the common good that might be better served by a Democratic Congress. But
there are also issues where Catholics and the mainstream of the party
have often been at odds. Those of us inclined to be pleased at last
Tuesday’s result have a special obligation not to mute our prophetic
voice simply because our political allies now hold the reins of power.
Let me close with two final points. The first is we need to take a hard look at the way that politics is affecting how we relate to one another within the Church. There are practicing Catholics active in both of the major political parties, and that is a good thing. But there are dangers here too. One
danger is that our partisan affiliation becomes more predictive of our
stands on certain issues than the fact that we are members of the Body
of Christ. The second danger—one well
highlighted by Cathy below—is when we import into the Church the kind
of bitter, partisan discourse that has become all too common in our
political campaigns. Our bishops, in particular, need to provide leadership in these areas.
My last point is that we need to place politics in its proper place within the apostolic life to which we are called. I
believe deeply that Catholics are called to collaborate with all men
and women of good will to achieve a more just and well-ordered society. But
I don’t believe that the fundamental transformation of society to which
Christians are called is something that is primarily accomplished
through the coercive power of the state. Our
primary focus must be Christian formation rather than political
mobilization, trusting that well-formed Christians will have the
virtues necessary to contribute effectively to the common good.
Having said these things, I hope you will join me praying for our elected officials.
_______________
mp
Thursday, November 9, 2006
In Newsweek, former Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson lays out the agenda for the "new evangelicals" and the problems they pose for the GOP (not to mention the Dems). You should read the whole thing, but here's a taste:
Republicans will find it increasingly difficult to appeal to the new evangelicals with tired symbols like school prayer or the posting of the Ten Commandments. And candidates like Senator McCain will need to be more creative in their outreach than an uncomfortable speech at the Liberty University commencement. These activists will expect serious proposals on an expanded moral agenda—as President Bush has delivered on human trafficking and global AIDS. And they will not respond to a crude libertarianism that elevates the severe pleasures of cutting food stamps or foreign aid over the pursuit of the common good.
Joe Knippenberg is encouraged, but skeptical, hoping that "Republicans and conservatives can find a way to converse with these folks, providing some of the soundly practical ballast that Democrats and liberals who can appeal to their decency and moral energy can’t necessarily provide."
"Soundly practical ballast" is needed from the same party that has brought us trickle-down economics and a "mission accomplished" in Iraq? As for me, I see the new evangelicals as just what we might need to make our Seamless Garment Party a reality.
Rob
Not that they can nearly compete with Rumsfeld's exit, the election results, or "Culture of Life/Death vs. Deus caritas est," but I thought I'd at least mention that I have just posted two new papers. "The Decreasing Ontological Density of the State in Catholic Social Doctrine," a sexy title if ever there were one, benefited from the incisive comments of fellow-MOJers Rob Vischer and Rick Garnett and Mark Sargent. The other, "Harmonizing Plural Societies," engages some of Rick's and Rob's ideas as they bear on "school choice." Comments will be gratefully received.
