The Shifting of the Political Poles and Social Evolution

A short post today and the subject is political philosophy.

A common ploy by the extreme right wing is the howl about the racist roots of democrats.

Now, anyone with any kind of decent education in contemporary history understands how the political poles shifted during the Civil Rights era when the traditional southern democrats flocked to the republican party. This has been dubbed "The Southern Strategy."

As a life-long democrat, I'm willing to own my history. However, we also need to look at social evolution.

Here it is in a nutshell:

Democrats in the 1950s


Democrats in 2015 (you know, this century)


Republicans in the 1950s


Republicans in 2015


When the republican party wants to embrace its roots and return to the principles of Eisenhower, I'll be willing to talk to them. Until then, the tedious never-ending telling of the sordid "gotcha" past of the democratic party label, is just that . . . tedious. And dishonest. 

After all, this is a historical Christian . . .




And this is a modern Christian


Times change. Institutions change. However, whoever you are, whatever you believe, own your history . . .









Comments

Phil Geissler said…
Hi Terry,

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to comment on your blog. I hang out at TKZ and just read your Q&A post. I am a reader of Suspense/Thriller/Mystery novels and thought I would pop over and check your blog out. :-)

I was intrigued by your post, "The Shifting of the Political Poles and Social Evolution," and thought I would share my opinion (don't be scared, lol).

I wanted to disagree with you about your shifting views on Christianity mainly, but also your view on Republicans. I'm not here to convert you just to defend the heart of the matter.

I say heart, because what you mentioned and represented as "Christianity" and "Republicanism" as institutions is true, but it doesn't represent the true heart of Christianity and Republicanism.

The Heart of Christianity: What was done in the name of Christianity in the past is barbaric, but it is not the heart of Christianity. If you want to know the heart of the true Christian religion look no further than the Bible. James 1:27 says, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." The Bible also says that we should love God and love our neighbor as as we would our-self.

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The Heart of Republicanism: The following is taken from Wikipedia on Republicanism...

"It stresses liberty and "unalienable" rights as central values, makes the people as a whole sovereign, rejects aristocracy and inherited political power, expects citizens to be independent in their performance of civic duties, and vilifies corruption"

You may be surprised to know that true Republicanism despises violence and war. Republicans don't get their jollies from going to war or killing things. That is not only anti-republican it is also anti-christian. However, we know that, "Freedom" is not free. My Mom and Dad were WW2 vets. My Dad was in the Navy and was a Pearl Harbor vet. My Mom was one of the first Marine Corps Women's Reserve enlistees in 1943 and became a corporal. They both knew that sometimes you have to fight for something you believe in. War is a last resort and we should do everything we can to avoid war and violence.

So if you are asking me to "own" what people did in the name of Republican, Democrat or Christianity? I would disown all "institutions" and cling to the "heart" of the matter.

Thanks,
Phil
Terri Lynn Coop said…
Thoughtful comments are always welcome and I speak about the institutions. Unfortunately, you can't always separate theory from how leaders of institutions act and that has to be owned and cast out.

Someone can say, "but all republicans/conservative/liberals/democrats/christians/men/women aren't like that," but if you don't look at those who are speaking for you and casting out the extremists, then you are painted with the same brush.

I wear the label of liberal and progressive proudly. These days, that makes me an Eisenhower republican. For the record, I've been banned and thrown out of almost as many liberal forums as conservative. And the institutional church has done, and continues to do horrific things in the name of dogma. Those institutions need to be reclaimed by those of sincere belief.

You are welcome anytime and thank you for dropping by - Terri
Phil Geissler said…
Thank you for your kind response.