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Author Archives: politicaloptic
Pope Francis’ Views on a Favorite Target of Culture Warriors: Secularism
Pope Francis’ recent statements urging restraint by the Catholic Church on hot-button issues is a hopeful sign that he may be looking to modify the Church’s behavior in the political sphere. His words are likely a reaction to the hierarchy’s … Continue reading
The “Pro-Family Election Disaster”
For the Christian Right, there is no hiding from the drubbing it received on November 6. Unable to spin it away, movement leaders have taken to gnashing their teeth in recent days. Mike Huckabee described the election as a “humiliating … Continue reading
Ballot Box Vigilantes
One thing to be ready for on Election Tuesday is the invasion of the ballot box vigilantes. These guardians of the vote will be out at polling places around the country to challenge any suspicious-looking voters. By all accounts, they … Continue reading
Florida’s Amendment 8 Sounds a Lot Like Religion on the Dole
Amendment 8 on this November’s Florida ballot is labeled by its authors the Religious Freedom Amendment. The amendment, which would reverse key language of the Florida constitution on the separation of church and state, has the full-throated support of the … Continue reading
Lessons to be Drawn from Denver Debate
Democratic supporters of President Obama were looking for a forceful case for his reelection at Wednesday’s debate. Instead they saw the president withdrawn and in rambling mode, woefully unprepared to answer his opponent’s programmed assault. Having spent weeks rehearsing his lines, Romney overwhelmed Obama … Continue reading
Posted in framing, political rhetoric, political strategy
Tagged Obama, presidential debate, Romney
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The “Dependent” Ones
On the basis of Mitt Romney’s comments on the 47%, it seems obvious that he believes being “dependent on government” in any form is a condition worse than sin. His view that almost half of us fit into that category … Continue reading
Posted in economic policy, political rhetoric
Tagged 47%, dependency on government, dependent, entitlements, Mitt Romney, sloth, TANF, tax entitlements, welfare
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Romney: Rights Come from God
In some of his recent speeches, Mitt Romney has come out with the claim that our rights come from God. His rhetoric may be nothing more than garden-variety pandering to a key constituency, in this case the Christian Right. Nonetheless, … Continue reading
Posted in framing, revisionist history
Tagged Christian Nation, Founders, Mitt Romney, rights
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Paul Ryan, Son of John Galt
Paul Ryan has downplayed his Ayn Rand associations lately in deference to Christian sensibilities. Rand, the popular priestess of über-individualism, was a militant atheist and no friend of the Christian religion. Still, while Ryan dismisses Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism, he in no way … Continue reading
Paul Ryan and the Fusion of Fiscal and Social Conservatism
Paul Ryan needs no introduction as a fiscal conservative. The chairman of the Budget Committee in the House and the author of several controversial budget plans, Ryan has long been a guiding light for government-allergic libertarians. Less well known but … Continue reading
The Occupy Movement: Success and Limitations
No one on the progressive side of the ledger can deny the positive impact of Occupy Wall Street (OWS). After two years of angry verbiage from anti-government tea partiers, the occupiers of Zuccotti Park finally provided a blast of fresh air. By refocusing … Continue reading
Posted in framing, political strategy, progressivism
Tagged E. J. Dionne, Occupy Wall Street, OWS, populism, Tea Party
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Political Optic 