Why moral issues are a disaster

The key to understanding the political impact of moral issues like gay marriage, abortion, and euthanasia is determining who will decide their vote on those issues and those issues alone. It is also important to consider who would get the votes if those issues were not on the table.

For example, a large number of those opposed to abortion will not vote for someone who favors abortion. They are called single issue voters so despised by the media. But people whose morals are based on Christianity believe they face eternal damnation if they support such acts. Compared to the consequences of voting against the sanctity of human life, economic and other social issues are not significant.

On the other side of the equation, many of those who favor abortion will vote for someone who opposes abortion if there are other issues that more directly effect their daily lives.

That is what makes the anti-abortion voter very powerful. We have not experienced it yet, but I think the same can be said about the sanctity of life issue. Those that believe in the sanctity of life will not vote for someone who believes in the states power to kill the helpless. The sanctity of life issue will for many religious people trump other social or economic issues

What does this all mean? Nothing if the sanctity of life issue does not change any votes. If only Republicans support sanctity of life, then there will be no effect on elections. And if the moral issues are never put on the table, votes are not effected. For years Republicans believed the winning position was pro-abortion and pro-gay rights. If George W. Bush has proved nothing else, he has proved that pro-abortion and pro-gay marriage are issues that hurt Democrats badly.

Some think that only Republicans are pro life and pro conventional marriage. But that is not true. Anyone who has done even a cursory study of the politics of Christians, knows that many of them are Democrats. They have always voted Democratic as did their Moms and Dads. They are Democrats based on economic issues.

Today we see a we see a new phenomenon . Fundamentalist Church Pastors for the first time in memory have started to engage in political activities. There was a time when Fundamentalist Churches were very into politics. The issue was prohibition of alcohol But once prohibition was enacted it became a negative issues and was dropped as an issue.

Today Radio pastors, and even some in Churches have begun to preach on changing our governments attitude toward Christian beliefs. In the last election the issues were abortion and gay marriage. I look for the sanctity of life to be added to the mix.

Sanctity of life is a new issue. It was not even considered in the 2004 election. But it will be considered in the 2006 and 2008 election if those who believe make it an issue. Who would be apt to use the sanctity of life as a defining issue? Christians of course ..... Pastors especially.

To kill the helpless one has to believe in that people are not the children of God. One has to believe that man can kill helpless people, and there are no consequences outside of the law of man.

A good case can be made that a significant number of Christians that believe in the sanctity of life are Democrats. If the Democratic party, as it did in the Senate and House, supports the right to kill the helpless, then it will lose some members. If the Republican candidates make it an issue it will cost the Democratic party several elections.

If the Democratic loss is even 3 percent of the voters., then about 4 million people change sides in political races. If such a shift takes place, Ohio would become a 54 to 46 Republican state. It would go from a state requiring recounts to a solid Republican state. On a national scale over time the Senate would go from a 55 / 45 to a 63 / 37 Republican Senate. It would take a Depression or terrible national disaster on a Republican watch to elect a Democratic President.

More likely, in a few years the Democrats would become as pro life as Republicans.

Now lets look at the other side. How many Republicans would switch from being a Republican to to a Democrat over this issue? The answer... is almost none. If some human life is not important, then it is not important. Other issues would be the deciding issues.

Think about it.. How many of the 60 percent who believe that Terri should die, would vote against a president because he tried to save some one's life? If the economy is booming and we are safe, how many would say.. "I may be in tall cotton, but I can't tolerate those Republicans are trying to save worthless lives. I would rather lose my job and be attacked by terrorists than have a president who won't kill the helpless."

This is a wedge issue that can kill the Democratic party at least until it understands the consequences of its actions and changes its views. Sanctity of life is just not a wedge issue for the left.

On the other hand, the Christian will think, "How do I face judgment day, if I have favored killing the least of His servants?" The atheists really do not think anyone actually believes in God. They do not understand the consequences of their acts here on earth or in the hereafter. Christians do!

One other factor. To have an effect an issue must be before the voters. That is why Democratic consultants advise Democrats to not mention abortion, gay rights or gun control. For many years Republicans were afraid to put moral issues on the table.

Those days are gone.

That is why this issue can change the dynamics of American politics for decades.

Democrats such Howard Dean, Barney Frank or even Hillary Clinton do not understand the political consequences of their position.

It is interesting to note that Jesse Jackson does.