Theocrats' Ball: Thoughts about the GOP 2012 Race

The battle over religion in politics looks like a topic that may be pretty up-front in the GOP primary for 2012--sadly, it looks like almost all of the contenders are for it. That isn't too unusual for the Republican party; after all, social conservative wedge issues seem to be a big part of their GOTV strategery.  But most of that business has been on the dog-whistle level--they're signifying for the religious right, but they weren't explicitly stating "Hey, vote for me, I'm very Christian."

This year, it feels like there's been a change, and I feel conflicted about it. On one hand, as a person with secular, feminist, social justice values, I hope this sort of "Who can be more intolerant of (women, gays, other religions, science)?"posturing will simply be alienating to too many people. On the other hand, I recognize that I might be actually underestimating the number of people who will lie awake nights worrying that if they don't vote for the GOP candidate, the secular humanist atheist Islamic extremists will win. (I've noticed a number of bloggers twitting Gingrich about this absurdity--but they forget too easily that we have a radical Islamist secular humanist Marxist anti-colonial socialist in the White House right now! ZOMG! Eleventy!!!1111)

Among the things that bother me is pandering to the homophobes. More than a couple of the prospective candidates have visited Bryan Fischer's radio show--and Bryan Fischer is....how do I put this? A sublimated Fred Phelps. And what do our 2012 White House hopefuls talk about with Bryan Fischer?  Reinstating DADT. I think this is because the AFA audience is generally persuaded that gays and lesbians are both very dangerous, and yet no match for America's real threats, like Indians and bears. And "creeping sharia", because just like atheists, gays love Islamic extremism. Or something.

Also, some of the dramatis personae are more than a little over-signifying for their religiousity. My former senator, Rick Santorum, has already called JFK "radical" for thinking separation of church and state was a real thing, and has said nice things about the role of Christians during the Crusades, as in, they weren't the aggressors.  (LOL, whut? Like, the battles totally took place in the Holy Land. So dudes with, like, armor and chainmail and shit marched and rode horses forever-ty to get down to where...um, the Islamics were starting it?  Hello, former Senator Rick Santorum--the fail is you.) 

And of course, Michele Bachmann, Sarah Palin, and Mike Huckabee?  All pretty much theocrats, and then there was Roy Moore. That would be the Ten Commandments fetishist from several years back who probably thinks he's got juice because he helped get some conservative justices elected in, of all places, Iowa. Because he's, obvs. anti-tehgay. And Bible, Bible, Bible, Bible. Did I mention, state's rights? Because, if you were wondering, the head of the country of the United States isn't either more important than a governor according to Roy Moore's thinking if you think state's rights are more important than Federalism, which is what his whole original beef with the Constitutional First Amendment was about--but no one in Alabama wanted him to be governor, so...he'll try this instead of concern-trolling. I guess. Which is really weird, since he would have to then, as president, be sworn in to protect and defend the Constitution, in which he doesn't actually believe. How odd. Would he bear false witness and make an oath to protect an instrument he despises? On a Bible he loves? Or is he just a self-important douche looking for some column space--hellooo--this is my column, You, Roy Moore, have space in it. You're welcome.

Anywhoo, as always, I stress that there should be no religious litmus test for being elected or appointed to any office--I'm looking at Mitt Romney and Herman Cain, now. (Both said they'd look askance at hiring Muslims for their cabinet, and either could have flip-flopped by now.) I'd mention Tim Pawlenty in all of this, but he did hang with Bryan Fischer and signify about DADT, but he's just not as cool as his ironic videos make him out to be (yay--thinking about running! whoa--edgy!)

Anyway--I see Theocrats, and I just don't want theocracy for America. I like our church and state separation and I think that really is how the Founders intended things. I don't like how this issue is being flouted by the very people who think they want to swear to defend and protect the Constitution--by violating the very First Amendment? That is very disappointing to me, and I hope Americans don't stand for it.