Presidential Politics on Parade

 
         Last week I listed several areas where I believe Mitt Romney, the GOP presumptive candidate for the presidency, will be attacked within the Mainstream Media (MSM).

It is routinely touted that a candidate’s family, particularly their children, are off limits for personal attack in order to score political points. This memo obviously did not get to the MSM. They have been relentless in their attack on Ann Romney, Mitt’s wife of forty-three years. The first of two stories most recently splashed across the headline news in a clear attempt to sensationalize, is the horrifying truth that Ann Romney is a (gasp!) homemaker. You read that right. What prompted this critique of Mrs. Romney? CNN contributor Hilary Rosen declared that Ann Romney was “unqualified” to serve as her husband’s chief adviser on women’s issues because she had “never worked a day in her life.” The liberal interpretation is that Mrs. Romney has wasted her life by not working outside the home. Never mind that she and Mitt have raised five sons, and she was the First Lady of Massachusetts during her husband’s term as governor in that most liberal of states. She also earned her bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University. In establishing priorities in life, she and Mitt believed it was more important to establish a solid home life, to which I say, Bravo!

The second bit of news hysteria and the attempt at character assassination regarding Ann Romney is that she is an elitist. This is laughable. That she comes from wealth is no secret. Recently she was asked to write an article for USA Today, “The Three Seasons of Motherhood,” espousing the merits and glories of being a mother. It was the final lines of her article that has some in the liberal press in such a lather. “Cherish your mothers. The ones who wiped your tears, who were at every ball game or ballet recital. The ones who believed in you, even when nobody else did, even when maybe you didn't believe in yourself. Women wear many hats in their lives. Daughter, sister, student, breadwinner. But no matter where we are or what we're doing, one hat that moms never take off is the crown of motherhood. There is no crown more glorious.” Michelle Goldberg, an author and senior contributing writer for the Daily Beast, a news website, said she found Ann Romney’s comments about Motherhood, “as 'creepy' because she had talked about the 'crown of motherhood'. On a weekend talk show, Ms Goldberg, who has written a book on female reproduction and is regularly featured as a political commentator, told viewers that the phrase (crown of motherhood) used by Mrs. Romney reminded her of Hitler and Stalin's regimes. Ms Goldberg said: 'It's authoritarian societies that give out like a Cross of Motherhood. They give out awards for big families... You know, Stalin did it, Hitler did it.'” Amazing! I would remind Ms Goldberg what God has to say about this in the Book of Proverbs, chapter 17, verse, 6, “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.”

You don’t have to like a person’s political, philosophical, or theological points of view, but to feel the need to denigrate them as being evil is way out of bounds. If you only like those who agree with your position and views, then your life will be shallow to the degree that you will have missed out on the richness that resides in diversity. There are many acquaintances of mine who are Mormon, Catholic, Jewish and so forth that I have serious differences with over theological doctrines, yet we can sit and enjoy one another’s company. Yes, we are friends. Sadly, it would appear that our society seems to have devolved into the absurd thinking that if you and I don’t agree then you are my enemy. I categorically reject this foolishness!

Another matter that Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, will no doubt face is the former Mormon position regarding blacks. It was taught for nearly a century and a half that those of the black race were basically inferior. The whole business of blacks and the LDS teachings, starting with founder Joseph Smith up until the LDS Church’s revised position on black’s in 1978, is confusing at best. But it could easily become a hot button in this election since Mitt and his dad, George, have each held significant positions of responsibility within the Mormon Church. Romney to date has wisely chosen not to go after President Obama concerning his own questionable religious beliefs.

Another topic that may find its way into the debate over the presidency is that of Mitt’s family history. His father, George, was born in one of the twelve settlements in northern Mexico where Mormon’s migrated in the 1880s. The United States government was ardently opposed to polygamy, a practice engaged in by most Mormons at the time. Many of these transplanted Mormons returned to the United States about 1915 to avoid the dangers of a growing Mexican rebellion and the marauding bands with a decidedly anti-American sentiment roaming through northern Mexico. The question will no doubt be raised whether Romney holds to the LDS Church’s former practice of marrying more than one wife and thereby producing lots of children.

This presidential campaign season should prove to be quite entertaining!