Focus on the Positive

Last updated on: May 9, 2013 at 6:23 am by Faithful Democrats

Focus on the Positive 2013-05-09T06:23:14-06:00 Faithful Democrats

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I know winning is important. But in the grand

scheme of things, I would much rather look back on November 2006 as the year
when the Democrats took back the House and the Senate because Americans trusted
us to change the direction of the country, than the year the Democrats won by
default because the Republicans screwed up.

It’s three
weeks into the semester, and it’s about time I get around to all that
schoolwork I had been putting off in order to study for the LSAT. But before I
get around to cracking open The Root Causes of Sudan’s Civil Wars, there’s
something I’ve got to say. Enough already.

Look, I
understand that what Representative Foley did not only flies in the face of
Christianity but is also morally wrong, not to mention illegal. I also
understand that this is a fantastic opportunity for Democrats to win over swing
voters and even disgruntled Republicans, especially those who are concerned
about “moral values,” for this crucial election, which is occurring
conveniently, less than a month away. And yes, I understand that if this
scandal had occurred on the other side of the aisle, Christian groups on the
right would be eating it up like candy. I even sympathize with the desire to
point out the hypocrisy of a party that prides itself on “family values” and
yet falls far short of its purported ideals. I might even have posted a thing
or two along those lines, if I hadn’t been in LSAT land when the scandal broke
out.

Yet as we
approach the one week mark, I wonder if it’s not time for Democrats to move on.
Call me idealistic, but I see the Democrats as a party of hope, a party that
can bring good news to a country torn by war, poverty and injustice. As we
might have learned on the playground in kindergarten, it’s always easy to unite
around a common enemy, but I would like to see Democrats take the higher ground
and rally around our common goal of lifting up the poor and the helpless,
rather than pointing fingers at those who made mistakes.

I know
winning is important. But in the grand scheme of things, I would much rather look
back on November 2006 as the year when the Democrats took back the House and
the Senate because Americans trusted us to change the direction of the country,
than the year the Democrats won by default because the Republicans screwed up. We’ve
made our statement on Foley. It’s time to start thinking about positive things,
for example, about the possibility that my generation’s emblem of hope – Barack
Obama – might run for president. Now that’s something to get excited about,
before I hit the books.

Featured Writers

Previous Post

October 5, 2006

Wal-Mart's Generic Plan Solves Little

Next Post

October 5, 2006 Stages

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category About Us About Us Action Center Advertise Ask a Theologian Ask a Theologian Blogs Books Campaign Blog Candidate Spotlights Commentary Donate Facebook Featured Writers Fellows Fellows From the Pulpit General Information Hillary Clinton Interfaith Blog Latest Media Center Media Center Media Center MyBlog MyBlog News Newsflash Newsflashes Our Team Reader Blogs RSS Sermon of the Week Shop Social Networking Static Items Support Talking Points Test blogs The Basics Theology Uncategorized YouTube

Select a Month November 2020 October 2020 February 2020 August 2019 July 2018 July 2017 March 2017 February 2017 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 June 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 January 2006 August 2004

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God"?

Select your answer to see how you score.

John Peter Thomas Andrew