A couple of posts ago, I explained why I feel that it is time for the Democrats to reconsider the possible support of the religious right. Now I would like to take a moment to give a few strategies for how this could be done.
1. Defang the leadership of the religious right. While nothing beats a good sex scandal for this, there are (perfectly legal) steps that can be taken to reach the same ends. A little law could be incorporated into a large bill that no Congressperson will take the time to read that requires any non-profit group with more than 1000 members to send annual financial statements, including the salaries of the leadership, to every contributing member on the roles. I know for a fact that some of the pastors of the “megachurches” make high-six-figure incomes. If the rank and file knows this, some of them will realize that they are being fleeced in the name of God. This also opens the door for accounting scandals as well, as some of these unethical bastards will try to cook the books.
2. Play up compromises on non-essential issues. There are some issues, like abortion rights and gay rights, that no self-respecting Democrat can use to pander to the religious right. However, there are issues where not every Democrat agrees, and this can be a big advantage. For example, if the Democrats run an anti gun control candidate in a key race and make sure that the media is there to see him or her telling outdoorsmen’s groups that they support their right to bring down dinner or telling a women’s group that they support their right to carry a gun for their protection and the protection of their children, this will speak volumes to those in the religious right who have always heard that Democrats want to take everyone’s guns away. They will think that if they can agree on this issue, maybe they can see eye to eye on other issues.
3. Reword the key issues. For the issues where Democrats can’t (and shouldn’t) back down, a lot can be accomplished in the way things are worded. While most members of the religious right fear the idea of “a woman’s right to choose,” some will agree with the fact that women will still have abortions illegally if we overturn Roe v. Wade and that it is better to save the lives of these women by keeping abortion legal. Not everyone will see things this way, but some of the potentially more intelligent ones will.
Of course, there are no guarantees that these strategies would work even if the Democrats could be convinced to try them. However, if the Democrats decide to get serious about putting this vocal minority in their corner, these ideas would be a decent place to start.
I can think of no more effective proposal to
raze the democratic party to the ground than embracing the moral minority.
Havent they done enough damage to the Republican party’s credibility?
I for one will register independent if I get any notion that the DNC is cozying up to the likes of the Torture for Jesus moonbats,
25 years of their bullshit and now its time to make nice? I dont think so!
Fuck Them!
Comment by Rainlander — September 21, 2007 @ 4:28 pm
I’m not saying that we have to like them (or even respect them very much for that matter). I’m just saying that they’re annoyingly vocal and easily led. Maybe the Democrats could find a use for a group like this. Also, if the Democrats take the religious right away from the Republicans, all that will be left for them are rich people, and we all know that there aren’t very many of those! Thank you for reading and commmenting. I appreciate it.
Comment by idealistferret — September 21, 2007 @ 4:55 pm
Idealist,
I’m not intentionally bringing any hate for You,
it’s just a lousy idea.
But it is an idea,which is more than I have.
I do know that the problem with the Democrats now is that they are taking money from the same lobbyist who call the shots for the Republicans.
Thats why they sit by and let laws and individual’s rights get ground to dust under the wheels of the terror chariot.
My fear is that once they have allied themselves
the corruption will set in just as it has with every government since the holy roman empire.
Maybe ridicule for these flatworlders is the best use as they try to return mankind to the dark ages.
Keep after the idea’s my friend,i know you’ll have some good ones.
Comment by Rainlander — September 22, 2007 @ 12:54 pm
Thanks for your response! I know that it may not be the best idea in the world (and that it’s highly unlikely to happen), but at this point I’m throwing some ideas out there. Admittedly, I’m new to political blogging and will probably make some bad suggestions and step on some toes, but I think I’ll get the hang of this!
Comment by idealistferret — September 22, 2007 @ 8:13 pm