Democrats

Yesterday I received an email with a "grassroots video" from the Associate Director of Parish Outreach & Training for the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry at the Archdiocese of Newark. I watched the video which focused solely on abortion and gay marriage. It also glorified war and America's "economic power". (more after the jump)

An author I've come to find very interesting over the past couple of years is Jonathan Haidt, a moral psychologist at University of Virginia. His research examines the basis of human morality from a psychological perspective. He recently posted an article titled 'What Makes People Vote Republican' on the popular science website Edge.org in which he discusses the psychological basis for the apparent advantage Republicans have with voters when appealing to them on a visceral/gut level. Republicans have been able to appeal convincingly to a large number of people despite the articulate and reasoned arguments made by Democrats and liberals for their own policies or against Republican policies. His article offers insights into why candidates such as Sarah Palin and George Bush are so successful at convincing voters that they deserve to be in office despite their lack of substance. He also offers suggestions for how Democrats might successfully use similar strategies while communicating and maintaining their core values. While he is but one psychologist conducting work that is relevant to understanding the political mind, within my circle of contacts (many of whom are conservative evangelicals) Haidt's findings seem to hold true (at least anecdotally).

After four days of watching and waiting, I did not hear much, if anything, about a major issue; our nation's food supply, its suppliers and its safety. I heard virtually nothing about the plight of our farmers, especially the family farmer, the loss of this lifestyle and its meaning for our culture.

Additonally, living near the Chesapeake Bay I am also very aware of the challenges facing our watermen and their livelihood. Pollution, run off from farm fields, urban areas and industry are creating huge dead zones in not only the Chesapeake Bay but the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere.

As my wife teaches high school biology and with my long background as environmentalist, both professionally and as a citizen activist, I am acutely aware of the impact humans have on the natural world and its impact on ours. This awareness was what I taught students in 3 colleges in southern California.

In light of the recent food contamination scandals from sources in China, Mexico and elsewhere, we have all because very aware of the food safety issue.

Yet even Al Gore didn't really address this most fundamental issue, our food supply and the interactions of the human and natural world. We shouldn't have to worry if the food we eat, the air we breath and the water we drink is safe and healthy.

Kucinich Withdraws From Presidential Race
Nancy Detweiler

Wake up, Americans! We, the people just lost the One True Voice we had in the 2008 presidential race. Why? Because the efforts to silence him were overwhelming. Much needed monies and time were spent requiring a recount in New Hampshire (for the peoples’ good, not his own) and going to court to gain the right to debate with the other Democratic candidates. As his enemies knew, it is impossible to win delegates when the news media blacks out your name and distorts the news it does publish.

Wake up, Americans! Why did we allow the news media, political pundits, and bloggers to make fun of the only presidential candidate who dared admit he has seen a UFO? The Galactic Federation of Light awaits the moment they can openly assist us in overcoming the myriad problems on Earth. We suffer while they wait. The fact that we are not alone in the solar system, galaxy, and cosmos is common knowledge among the leaders of our country. In fact, the United States Air Force has standing orders to shoot down any UFO they see. Our leaders strive to keep the knowledge from Americans in order to better enslave us with lie after lie after lie. You can view original documents relating to efforts to convince our political leaders to share knowledge of our galactic family with the public. Go to:

Here's a timely report on Christian politics from The Barna Group, an evangelical research and resources group. I've found their research to be interesting and useful, although I don't share their theological views. I do share their goal of seeking spiritual transformation in our country but I suspect it's a somewhat different transformation. -- Bill

Born Again Voters No Longer Favor Republican Candidates

One of the most reliable constituencies of the Republican Party in recent years has been born again Christians. Our latest national survey of likely voters, however, shows that the Republican Party has lost the allegiance of many born again voters. The November election is truly up for grabs - and if the election were held today, most born again voters would select the Democratic Party nominee for president, whoever that might be. The study also looks at the preferences of evangelicals, the role of "values voters," and people’s beliefs about whether Mormons are Christians.

read the full story

Note on their definitions:

http://www2.arkansasonline.com/news/2008/jan/30/democrat-edwards-ends-pr...

I didn't expect to hear this today. It seems to me likely that this news plays in Barack's favor. What do you all think?

By Dr. Linda Seger, author
Jesus Rode a Donkey: Why the Republicans Don’t Have a Corner on Christ

Something new seems to be happening in the world of politics. After seven years of fear, cynicism, divisiveness, and some despair, hope and excitement and a sense of possibilities and vision seems to be returning.

Author, Jesus Rode a Donkey: Why the Republicans Don’t Have a Corner on Christ

During the various Democratic Party Candidate debates, the Democrats have sounded remarkably uniform in terms of the over-all issues, and, perhaps even more importantly, remarkably respectful of each other. It has not been unusual to hear one candidate say of another, “I agree with what _____ has said, but I would add…” Or, “credit needs to be given to ______ for the work he’s done on this issue.” Or, “We all agree on the basic issues, although we may have different approaches to solving them.” Most of the candidates have been able to deal with issues, without moving into personal attacks. Now that Mike Gravel is gone, the one candidate with an attitude of condescension and arrogance has been eliminated.