Vote with our Pocketbooks or our Consciences?

Since the onset of this financial crisis, we have been told by the mainstream media - and opinion polls have corroborated - that Americans will be voting with their pocketbooks. It's "kitchen table politics". The important thing is economics, jobs, health insurance. In short, we are told that Americans will be voting for that politician who they think will put more money in their pocket. Voting for money. Indeed, if this holds, America is worshipping mammon. The dollar bill replacing the cross as the most popular symbol of faith in this country.

I use the term "popular" carefully here. Hasn't mainstream religion in America become little more than a popularity contest? More on that thought in a future post.

As Catholic parents, and as followers of the Little Way, should we not vote the way we attempt, so imperfectly, to live? We must vote by the guiding light of love of neighbor. We must vote keeping in mind Christ's maxim, "whatever you do for the littlest of these...".

With 4000 babies being killed every day, with our children being taught sex education at age 5, with broadcast decency standards so low that the only good tv is an unplugged tv, should we not be ashamed to consider voting for the candidate promising the biggest handout?

Most people aren't ashamed. Most people want the handout. Most people worship the mammon.

We have to be different. We have to speak out. We have to be examples and agents of change.