The time is now

I have finished reading Esther Kaplan’s book, With God on Their Side. It is a truly fine book but not very easy to read. It is not easy to read because it is thorough, detailed, well researched, and has to discuss far too many Christian Fundamentalist organizations – because there are far too many of these organizations these days. And they have far too much influence. Although I was aware of the fact that such groups were gaining in influence I had no idea of just how much they have infiltrated all levels of our government. It is truly frightening to realize how much of the Administration is being controlled by the most intolerant and ignorant among us. Kaplan discusses how they have affected foreign policy, creationism in the public parks, science, Roe vs Wade, Gays, Aids, the media, and the whole issue of “family values.” It is not the kind of book that is likely to make the best seller list, which is too bad, because everyone ought to read it. For me, the single most disturbing aspect of their insidious campaign is the assault on science and the fact that Bush has repeatedly replaced scientists in very important places with these lunatic true believers. This is not something to be taken lightly.

Now that the holiday season is over perhaps the world can come back to life. I guess most people enjoy the time off, the holidays, the hustling and bustling and buying and returning and all that. Frankly, I don’t. I don’t like crowds, commercialism, carols, traffic, eggnog, and false claims that all is well with the world. I don’t like it when the banks are closed, the market is closed, the Post Office is closed, and, according to the major media, nothing is happening in the entire world (the tsunami actually made them report on something other than Janet Jackson’s itty bitty titty). Anyway, tomorrow may bring about something. There is supposed to be some kind of demonstration in Ohio which, hopefully, will set the stage for more to come. And we should learn within the next couple of days whether any Senator is going to actually stand up and be counted (don’t hold your breath). If, as in 2000, no Senator is willing to sign on to the challenge, you can kiss your democracy goodby.

I have been a Democrat all my life. I have never once voted for a Republican. Never. But I can tell you that if the Democrats don’t now stand up for our Democracy, don’t challenge the obvious, incredible and flagrant violations of our elections by the Bush/Cheney Administration, I will no longer consider myself a Democrat, and I will seriously support any third party no matter how much time it takes to make a difference. Our Democracy is dangerously at risk. Fascism is on the rise. Corporations are taking over the world with the support of the Christian Right, too stupid to realize how they are being exploited, and too much under the influcnce of the “Good Book” to even try to understand. The entire world is laughing at us and hating us at the same time – and for good reason. The time to stake a stand is NOW!