Perhaps I have been watching too much CNN lately. Maybe the liberal, elite media has gotten to me. I've heard you discuss everything from your blue-collar roots to contraception to higher education snobbery. I understand and reluctantly accept that you are shouting to your conservative base- those passionate few that care enough to come out to vote in the primaries. While it concerns me that the more moderate i.e. majority of the GOP choose to stay home leaving the choice of their ultimate candidate to the right wing extremists, I accept it as reality.
What I cannot accept is the vitriolic rhetoric claiming that this government, my government has been corrupted by Satan and needs to ascribe to biblical law. While I have no argument that this government has been corrupted by something - greed, arrogance, entitlement, etc. - I cannot say if Satan had a hand in it or if it is just the natural failings of humanity. I tend to believe the latter. Which leads me to my point...
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. -1st Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America
That pesky first amendment, whether by a liberal interpretation or a conservative one, states quite clearly that no laws will be made respecting (or disrespecting, for that matter) any specific religion. It also says that you have the right to believe whatever you want, but that I, too, may believe whatever I want. Even if what I believe isn't in your bible. What I may not do is attempt to alter any laws so that they may follow any specific dogma pertaining to my religion - and neither can you.
So when you come in and start saying that the very idea of the separation of church and state makes you "want to throw up" and that we all must start obeying God's law to save this country from destruction, I get
I find it more than a little ironic that you reference the speech given by John F. Kennedy in 1960 attempting to assuage voters that they should vote for him despite his Catholic faith. That even as a man of faith, the church would have no power over his decisions as president. Flash forward fifty-two years and here you are making stump speeches claiming that the very reason you should be elected is that you are Catholic. The speech that makes you vomit contributed to the fact that you have a political career in the first place.
You say that the current administration has attacked 'the church' time and again. Again I say, which church? Obama hasn't attacked my church, or yours for that matter. He's not allowed to under that pesky first amendment.
You have the right to believe that I am going to hell because I use contraception, believe in a woman's right to choose and think that global climate change is a real threat. You have the right to tell anyone who will listen how your way is the right way, the only way, the true way. You have the right to gather in a group and let lawmakers know that you think they are attacking your church. That pesky first amendment says you do.
What you don't have the right to do is step into the highest office in our land and change laws so they fit with your personal doctrine and that of your church. What you don't have the right to do is take away laws that protect women because your bible says that right is wrong. What you don't have the right to do is take this nation backwards. That pesky first amendment says you don't.
I am kind of in love with that pesky first amendment.
