Does this logo or message make you angry? Does it make you uncomfortable? Do you understand the message? I know a racist when I see one because I was one. Growing up in the South in the 70's gave me a warped perception of color and prejudice. One event that changed my life was when I said the "N" word in public at a grocery store. We didn't have much diversity in the area and when I saw an African American lady and her child leaving the store, I naturally and excitedly blurted out what I had heard behind closed doors, at church and at every other place that was considered a safe white area. I will never forget the hurt on the Women's face as she swept her child away. I also remember the scolding that Grandpa gave me afterward and the fact that he never used that ugly word again. Even though I had learned my lesson, I would fall back into my bigoted ways during early school years. It was almost encouraged on every level. You're white, you're a dude and you're superior in every way to others. The soft shoe dance that happened whenever a leader told an off color joke and even a group of men, including the pastor of the church who did a full black face version of Shirley Caesar's Hold My Mule as the crowd went wild.

In the 80's, there was a massive change in tone and an expectation of Christians to become republicans and to support such slanted idiots as Rush Limbaugh and Jerry Fallwell / the Moral Majority. I hadn't really chosen a side until then but as I walked out of a Sunday School class, the teacher followed me to argue about me rolling my eyes at her praising of Ronald Reagan. She said that I was a Christian, so clearly I was a Republican and supported Reagan. I told her that My grandfather was a Democrat, my Father is a Democrat and I guess from now on, I will be an outspoken one. She got a case of the vapors and we never discussed again. In school, I went toe to toe with the Reagan heads and it seemed as though the world was against me. It also became glowingly obvious that these same folks tended to also be on the wrong side of racial issues and they'd often speak of welfare, people of color and women in horrible terms. Dog whistles and coded words were constant. Around this same time, I had a friend named Stanley (God rest his soul) who I became fast friends with. He was my first African American friend and an awesome person. He showed me a glimpse of the real world. We discussed struggles and shared more than a few malt liquors including my first which was hilarious because he told me it was a black version of beer.

As I evolved more and more, the typical people I had always hung out with became less and less accepting of my views and opinions. The church remained a constant and being Pentecostal made it even worse. In my lifetime, this church believed that women shouldn't cut their hair or wear makeup or even wear pants. We even had to wear our shorts over sweatpants in a basketball game because it was also a sin for men to wear shorts. We also were just over the time period of soda's being sinful. Til this day, women are treated as second class citizens and although technically, they aren't openly racist, you can bet your life that they privately remain so. Over the years, I have hardened my resolve and I know where I stand on pretty much every issue. This is also why I left the church. I will qualify that remark by saying that there are some churches who aren't guilty and are much more progressive and liberal minded. There is one in particular that I have attended since that never speaks political garbage during services and that's as it should be. The church used to be controlled by segregation and hate, then gender inequality, then abortion, then their stance on marriage equality and now, back to racism. It's entirely odd to watch religion change their stance on slavery and the KKK even though slavery is supported more than 100 times in the bible. The subjugation of Women remains a sore spot but the church changed their stances even though they believe biblical passages still apply that tell Women to submit to men  and to remain quiet. Now, there needs to be a change because homosexuality is mentioned far less than the others. In fact there are only a few verses and hardly any in the new testament that even broach the subject and there are zero mentions of trans people. Can you see that we stand on shaky ground in our condemnation of others? As a result of the marriage of church and state...Republicanism, Nationalism, Christianity and right wing extremism, we find ourselves right back where we started, racist by default.

In many ways, racism never left it was just swept under the rug. There was plenty of company there including the Native American slaughter and the witches burned at the stake just to name a few. Let's get straight on point. A bunch of your are way to quick to jump on the back the blue band wagon and it's sadly predictable. Because of the societal pressure you've soaked in, you can't detach yourself for even a moment from your white privilege. When the hell did the white poor and working class become so chummy with the police anyway? I know I've had my fair share of run ins with them. See, I'm mot the guy who immediately says thank you for your service to anyone for any reason because some are assholes. Now before you start flipping out, I have plenty of friends and family who served in military, law enforcement and all walks of voluntary service and I know plenty who are deserving of respect but I also have been involved with many that suck. Take for instance my first traffic stop. I was cruising home in a 1963 Chevy II Nova that had been restored by my brother. I was oblivious to anyone else in the world being around me as I breezed though stop signs and exceeded the speed limit. By the time I hit 3rd gear (3 on the tree) I could barely make out some sort of lights far behind me. I made a right turn and sure enough, there was a patrol car that jetted by where I had come from. I turned around in a subdivision and by the time I got back to the main road, there were 3 patrol cars waiting. As I got out of the car, there were several young cops, some that I had even attended school with. They started in on me with the yelling and asking why I was running and did I have drugs? One even through in the ever popular "boy" after each accusation. The original officer told them to pipe down and grabbed my arm telling me to get in his car. He was the only African American on the force in our town and he proceeded to break it down for me. He said they could throw me in jail and call my Father but instead, he was going to let me go with a reckless driving ticket and 6 points. My Dad was not happy with any of it and was ready to go to war but I told him that thanks to officer Barney, nothing worse happened. Yes, you always should act calm and as respectful as possible but in my case, it wouldn't have mattered if the younger asshole cops had been allowed to continue with me. Good Cops, I love you and thank you but ya'll need to speak up and be willing to expose the bad apples. No more excuses. The blue wall of silence is over.

All lives matter? Yes, we know and you can stop yelling that now. All lives aren't being hunted down in the street and shot in broad daylight. All lives aren't being chocked to death for no reason. All lives don't have to have the talk with their children. All lives aren't worried each time they drive home or walk the street. No, Black Lives matter and should have always. Colin Kaepernick tried to tell us but we didn't listen. White America turned it's wrath toward him and the President called him a Son of a Bitch, very classy by the way. They turned their anger against him and burned jerseys because they were told to by their leaders and churches and political gods. Great job idiots. We can't have peaceful or silent protest that make us feel uncomfortable so now, we have actual protest. Make up your mind please. We are so deceived as a people and so blinded by our own beliefs that we can't even reason together. Where am I at? I'm with Black Lives Matter, I'm with Marriage equality, I'm with equal rights and the right for a women to control her own body. I'm for equality on all fronts. I'm for progression and forward thinking. Can I also ask one more question? Why in the hell would any African American allow the right wing and Republican Party to ever state that they are still being kept on the plantation by the Democratic Party. Get this one straight my friend. The Party of Lincoln died in the 60's. The Dixiecrats walked out of the Democratic convention over the issue of civil rights and joined the Republican Party which welcomed them with open arms. Since that time, one Party has stood up for civil and equal rights and the working man while the other has remained a safe harbor for the bigot and the corporations. Both parties are not the same and never have been. Are there still a few nasty racist holdovers in the Democratic Party? Sure but I have no problem denouncing them and telling them to kick bricks all day. 

It's no longer acceptable to just remain quiet and not be racist. It's time to take a stand and to speak up for others. I once coached a basketball team. We had 1 African American and he was an instant All Star. The other team members and their Dads called a meeting to set me straight. They revolted and complained about the Black kid being a ball hog. They threw the word "colored" around and then asked me what I was going to do about it. I thought for a second and then I unloaded. I remarked that rest assured if I could find 4 more Black athletes, none of them would ever play again. I walked out of the room and we never discussed again but they got the point. I could continue to share story after story but in closing, you will eventually have to make a stand and choose a side. Make sure you aren't on the wrong side of history and that you always stand up for justice. I am so thoroughly blessed that my kids are now participating in Democracy and being politically active in the correct ways. The youth are smarter and more dedicated and that's why the Democratic Party will one day reclaim the South for Liberty and Fairness. The Southern Strategy of racism and bigotry by the Republican Party will end in our lifetimes. 

Black Lives Matter
The Southern Donkey Blog

IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!!

This is an open letter to all of those holding onto the slim hope that they can make a difference from within. Over the years, I have spoken to many people who have no business being in the GOP. They often realize that the Republican Party has left them but they deny it and cling to what they've been taught or inherited as a birthright. The old party of Lincoln hasn't existed in decades and never truly lived up to the hype. The list includes Women, anyone on the LGBTQ spectrum, pro choice individuals, proponents of equality, voting rights supporters and those who truly aren't racist. "But I can change it." This is the ringing statement I have heard but you have the same odds of changing the now Party of Trump as an abused wife has of changing her horrible lover or spouse. In simple terms, it ain't going to happen!

I watch as Log Cabin Republicans try to speak freely and claim a position in the party and I listen as a Trans Woman holds a protest sign at Cpac and feels encouraged because a handful of people don't scoff or yell at her. I hear folks saying that their Grandparents were Conservative so they refuse to turn their party over to extremist but in fact by staying with them, you only provide cover for their extremist behavior. "I can't be homophobic because I have a gay friend who is a Conservative," "I can't be racist because I know the token Black GOP candidates in the GOP." I really feel what you're saying because my Grandfather was a Democrat and so is my father but I'd like to believe that if I realized that the party was on the wrong side of history and currently favored Russia and North Korea over the general good of the Country and anyone from the other party, I'd change in a skinny minute. 

It's time to come out of hiding. It's time to change it or leave it. It's time to stop being used as a pawn. It's time to stop being gullible. It's time to express yourself and to be listened to for who you are and no berated for what you are. It's time to believe the Republican Party when they say horrible things about you and when they Govern in horrible and hateful ways. It's time to realize that you will probably never be in the 1%. It's time to stop supporting policies that affect the real you in a negative way. It's time to stop discriminating against others. It's time to stop chanting lock her up and build the wall. It's time to speak up and voice opposition to a policy that allows children to be being taken from their parents. Yes, it blows my mind when African American's hate Hispanic's and when Hispanic's fear African American's. It's insane when you realize that there are Gay people who hate African Americans, when Gay people oppose Transgender rights, when Bisexual folks are rejected by others in the LGBTQ community and when religious people live a life that is hidden in the shadows supporting all sorts of legal and theological discrimination. Yes, it's time to come out from the place that doesn't want you and doesn't care about you and it's time to come home to the political side that accepts you as you are. Time to belong to a Party that values your opinion and requires nothing from you but desires everything that you have to offer. It's time to realize that both parties have issues but one is extremely worse than the other. It's also time to realize that you can't keep the Republican Party from driving off a cliff but you can leave and let the 20-30% of the population have zero power in the political process. Leave them to their own devices and watch as is crashes and burns. In the word's of my Grandfather, "it's time to poop or get off the pot."

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to talk about an old subject. For 5 decades, I have been told to resist Peer Pressure. Coming from a religious, evangelical and Pentecostal back ground, we were always warned about the dangers of giving into the temptations of this world. Typically, this was meant to say never hang out with people who drink, smoke, curse, look different or acted differently than you'd been taught. It's funny how a constant threat of eternal hell will often ensure obedience in a guilty soul. As I grew and learned that other people could actually be a good influence and that everyone else wasn't headed for hell, I found myself questioning almost everything. There was no ill intent on the part of my parents and they were simply doing what they thought best. I have given into peer pressure and I've influenced others along the way and I've made lots of good and poor decisions thus far. Everyone has to choose their own path and direction comes from knowledge. 

These observations bring me to my point. I have fought and struggled for many years with the concept church and politics mixing. I remember when Ronald Reagan was running against Jimmy Carter. My Sunday school teacher made a point to state that Jimmy Carter was evil and Ronald Reagan was a great man. I spoke to her after class and asked how she had arrived at this conclusion? She said that all Democrats were sinners and all Republicans were good because they were anti-abortion. Yes, that's correct, they used to be called anti-abortion instead of pro-life but through market research, they had a name change. I told her that my Grandfather was a Democrat, my parents were Democrats and I was. I went further and asked her if that made us evil? She shrugged off the question and reiterated how Christians needed to vote Republican. Shortly after this episode, our new pastor began to echo the same lines from the pulpit. I meet with him and turns out, he listened to Rush Limbaugh everyday and took Rush's words for truth. I gave Rush a few listens as well as another radio guy named James Dobson. At the time, Dobson was portraying himself to be just an evangelical outreach but it quickly became evident that he was a Rush homer as well. He would often reference that he understood if listeners wanted to turn away to a "certain" other radio host. I also often heard Rush state that his audience didn't need to have their own opinions, he'd tell them what to think. Between Rush, Dobson, Jerry Falwell and the rise of fox news, there has been a relentless war against Liberalism for at least 40 years. It's ingrained in the church, it's indoctrinated in the South and has lead to untold violence and extremism. Every Sunday, we would eat at Grandmother's house and Jerry Falwell would be pimping his hit piece video tapes against Bill Clinton. This single action lead to the militia movement and the Oklahoma City bombing. These vile actors have also encouraged the killing of Doctors who provide abortion services and the bombing of clinics. It's the reason why people hate planned parenthood, it's the reason why so many believe the lies about Babies being cut into pieces and sold, it's the reason why the right wing is home to the racist majority in America and it's a huge reason why Donald Trump was elected by those who consider themselves to be about family values. Is this right wing / conservative movement not a great example of peer pressure? Allowing yourself to be so distracted by lies and fear that you condemn entire groups is not a Christian value. Sowing hate and discord is not a Godly virtue. Discrimination against other races, religions or sexual orientations is evil incarnate. Isn't it funny how people claim that we can't change our doctrines or documents when in reality, we have always done both? Remember when slavery was accepted as a Christian practice, when it was bible sanctioned to discriminate, support segregation and to oppose mixed marriages? I sure as hell do. I've often said that in order to remain relevant, the church will have to change and accept others including same sex marriage because how is this issue any different from the past change regarding racism? They also must change in their sexist ways and in how they view women as a collective. The current Republican, Conservative church is so eager to cry that they are being persecuted but I say to you, how can you be a majority and be persecuted? How can you complain simply because you can't influence and control others? Can you even say the word persecution after reflecting upon the plight of the Jewish people in Germany or the Native Americans who we decimated as a culture in this Country? I think it's time that we practice what we have preached and we resist the peer pressure to do wrong, to be evil and to treat others poorly. Stop putting your faith in man and start putting it in your fellow man. Stop building kingdoms of gold on earth and start directly helping those who are in need. We all participate in ancient human behaviors and being your brothers keeper and evolving into a better human race are perhaps the greatest practices. Can we stop being political fodder and start forming our own opinions? Perhaps throw the entire algorithm into default by not being a predictable clone and a useful idiot. 

The Southern Donkey

In the 90's, I became the Broker in Charge for a small Real Estate firm in South Carolina. The owner was a small, petty but very rich man. The company had the word American in it and I attempted a ton of marketing strategies revolving around the American flag, the colors of the American flag and all manner of lapel pins, car signs, etc. I even found it necessary to wage a war with the local newspaper over the use of the American flag in advertising. We eventually prevailed because we had the word American in our name. To say the least, I have a degree from the school of red, white and blue. I eventually left the company and forged a path to my own company. 

I find it extremely ironic that while I used American affects during my time at the above mentioned Real Estate Company, there were no shortage of good ole boys, hunters and basic redneck folks who would poke fun at me for wearing the colors of the USA and yet these same folks became the biggest "Patriots" in the world after 9-11 and even more so after the election of Barack Obama. True Patriotism is easy to prove. Were you eligible to serve your Country and did you do so? No reasonable person could argue with the Patriotic intents of folks who willingly defend the Country. The problem is, there seems to be an unlimited supply of militia inspired, chicken hawk cowards who choose to wrap themselves in an American flag in an attempt to display their pride for the Country. This was prevalent during the Bill Clinton years and it's become an epidemic during the Obama Presidency. During the Bush years, these same folks would consider any criticism of the President as an attack on our troops even though Bush took the troops into a war based on lies and even shut down the Government office dedicated to bringing Osama Bin Laden to justice. 

At some point, the gun crazy, anti government, fear mongering has to come to a head and stop. Never has this been more true than the after effects of the attacks on 9-11. We seem to have forgotten that instead of keeping us safe, Bush actually resided over the attacks of that day. Instead of being smart, Bush bought into the mindset that Bin Laden desired by spending ourselves into oblivion and declaring war on a tactic of war and by invading a Country that had nothing to do with the attacks of 9-11. 

We were all in unison after 9-11 but some of the patterns that have remained are actually disturbing. Firefighters in New York as well as all First Responders were rightfully supported and honored but in my opinion, some have abused the power and influence that they found after that day. Who could blame a Fireman, Policeman or Soldier for basking in the glow of Patriotism and especially attention by the opposite sex simply for being in a certain job position? 

The problem is, that many have now merged the love of Country, hatred of Government and false Patriotism into a hybrid energy that is doing us a lot more harm than good. My best example would be the case of a local police officer who was killed on the job. Don't get me wrong, this is an awful situation and any time an officer dies, it's a sad thing but being a police officer isn't nearly as dangerous as we make it out to be. In fact, a policeman is far more likely to commit suicide than to be killed by a criminal. That being said, there are police officers who die on the job and in the case mentioned above, we aren't even sure of the exact details yet (although the claim is that he was killed while chasing a drug dealer who also is dead). For some reason, this particular death was an epic reflection of police lives matter. My entire hometown was shutdown while hundreds of policeman...some from other states that made a procession to his burial spot. There were also hundreds of people who lined the freeway and roads waving American flags and saluting as the procession came through. Fire stations were also present and flying giant American flags from their trucks over the roads in a display of support. My question isn't to wonder why an officer would receive support but why has this sentiment peaked at this moment? Could it have to do with a white backlash against the Black Lives Matter movement? Could it be false patriotism by people who want to prove how patriotic they are? I think it's a sad combination of all of the above and why has this officer received so much attention while others before were an afterthought?  Please realize that I'm not being critical of the police or the good cops that are in it for the right reasons. I had this very conversation with a cousin. She was actually being pretty ugly and racist in relation to unarmed people being shot and killed by police. When I spoke up, she reminded me that her son was a police officer. I told her that I loved her and her son but that that doesn't change the fact that there are bad cops and that there is a need to call them out in order to preserve the honor of the good cops like her son. There's nothing as honorable as an honest peace officer but there's nothing as rotten as a crooked one. If you're a true Patriot, you'll support the good, the honest, the decent (regardless of skin color) and those who truly protect and serve but you'll also stop using the American flag or your since of pride to cover your racism, sexism and discriminating ways. When it comes to the USA, we are not Northerners, Southerners, Liberals or Conservatives when it comes to our freedoms or threats from terrorism but we are all Americans. Can we start to behave as such?

The Bible and Sin

The bible and sin. Let's first of all talk about what sin is. Sin is not a list of do's and don'ts. Sin is basically doing anything that you feel is against God's will. It is a personal conviction and not necessarily constant from person to person. Also, God would be the ultimate judge of mankind and would have no need of a militant enforcement group to do his bidding in a hateful and mean spirited way. I have located 11 verses in the bible that supposedly reference homosexuality. 7 of these verses are located in the old testament and anyone who understands anything biblical would have to admit that the old testament is basically the wild west of religion and if you believe in Jesus, you would further understand that the new testament and the messiah being born cancels and voids the old testament and the contract written in it. It is not really possible to cling to a single point or cluster of verses without embracing them all. That would include clinging to a required way of living that no man could ever live up to. The new testament verses are the following...Romans 1:18-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Timothy 1:8-10 and Jude 7. I have not included any translations because you might want to do your own research as well. What I observe in these is that these scriptures group together behaviors for the most part. There seems to have been some liberties taken with the translations from the original language with a particular mindset or outcome in mind. There can also be a case made that there is no big sin or little sin and that hypocrisy is very prevalent when the people who worry about homosexual behavior are themselves guilty of the other sins mentioned...enslavers, liars, perjurers,unholy and profane, those who strike their fathers and mothers, murderers, the sexually immoral,who worship idols, or commit adultery,or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or that cheat people. The religious right wing of politics is filled with people who are guilty and would be condemned by the same list. I would also offer another old testament verse for all who insist on using it to bash people. Psalms 82:3- Defend the weak, the poor, and the fatherless. Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. In the case of the Duck people, can you please tell me who the weak or poor or oppressed is? I can assure you that it's not the wealthy family of television stars who use the bully pulpit to extract fame and fortune from their followers. Let's just be very careful before we condemn others and use any religion to further hatred or bigotry. The same excuses were made originally for slavery. There are at least 100 bible verses that deal with slavery and as just 1 example consider Titus 2:9-10- Slaves are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. In the same way that the church had to change on the issue of slavery and racism, it may also find itself at a similar crossroads with homosexuality. Only the future will tell.

The Southern Donkey 2013

The Clingers

46 years on this earth have taught me many life lessons. They have also allowed me to learn a great deal about myself as well as others. In many ways, I have transitioned from defending what I was taught religiously above the State, The Nation and the world to being open minded enough to realize that I'm incapable of having all of the answers. Politically, I made a sincere effort for some of my life to remain a neutral or independent observer but it simply became impossible to not choose a side when religion decided to incorporate with the republican party in the 80's. I found myself more and more often at odds with church people who agreed with Limbaugh, Jerry Falwell and everything the conservative political agenda had to offer. 

I have heard of religion or Christianity being referred to as a crutch and until recently, I really never fully got my mind wrapped around that analogy. During the 2008 Presidential campaign, Barack Obama endured lots of criticism after he mentioned how people in the rural and suburban areas find themselves frustrated and bitter with the political process and cling to their religion or guns as a result.To those who already hated that fact that a Black Man would dare run for the presidency, this was an obvious target to pin him as a secret Muslim who hated America and our "official" religion and God. It also feed the tenacious gun lobby and their mindless minions who wanted to believe that all Democrats would take away your guns. As I've pondered this statement for 5 years, I believe I have arrived at the true meaning of it...at least in my own mind.

Religion seems to be man's way of reaching up to God. Most religions are very similar in that each claims to have exclusive access to God, forgiveness of sins and access to a Heaven or afterlife. Each tries to encourage behavior that is moral and beneficial to our fellow human. Most also tend to offer a punishment for not observing the rules. Reflecting back on the crutch reference, I can't help but think of many Christians that I know and have come in contact with over the years. There are those who find it necessary to believe every word that proceeds from the lips of a pastor or what they have been told is in the bible. It's not so much a true belief system but rather an obedience out of fear and motivation. It appears that there are moral people in this world and people who struggle with these issues. Many are able to retain a moral structure only when there is a threat of eternal damnation hanging over their heads. Religion and morality are not synonymous and there are plenty of moral people who have absolutely no religion. I realize that this runs contrary to everything we have been taught but do you really believe that a Nation could be formed and grow without organization or rules or laws regardless of any religious institutions? The clingers are those who are unable to function on their own and be moral. It is the fear of a deity or punishment that binds them with fellow clingers and keeps them in check in their own lives and in the way that they treat others. It is this clinging mentality that is counted on and exploited by many churches and religious establishments. The clinging mentality enables church to become a business in which people are willing to do whatever they are told, pay whatever the dues should be and to take the leaders word as the gospel without even reading it for themselves. It's a self fulfilling prophecy and a system of guilt and greed. There is nothing wrong with having a belief system. There is no shame in loving a God figure and living your life in a moral way while helping others but when you can only function as a robot being programmed or out of a guilt complex, there are severe issues and they are found within yourself. We have been told about free will and the dangers of it but we are not encouraged to be free thinkers. True religion that is not corrupted by greed has nothing to fear from competition from science and institutions of higher learning. If the product is worthy, it will stand on it's own. Clinging to guns has taken on a life of it's own. The gun lobby and manufacturers of weapons as well as ammo have enjoyed never before seen prosperity on the strength of inducing fear. Fear that the President is going to outlaw guns and send thugs to our doors to collect them. The President doesn't make laws but he makes for a great Boogeyman because high society and racist people already despise him. There are many who know full well how afraid some are and have in many ways set up a new religion...the church of the gun brotherhood. New and bigger gun shops open daily and it's almost impossible to keep ammo on the shelves. Gun prices have never been higher. Here again, there's nothing wrong with having guns for protection or even hunting but when will you wake up and realize that you are being used for greed and profit? Hatred and fear are strong emotions and bind many together because nothing unites people like a common enemy. The things that you cling to will own your soul. Wouldn't it be better to be owned by your family or your desire to help others? A strong work ethic is also to be desired but if you gain an empty wallet and a feeling of moral superiority, what have you gained in the end? 

Think for yourself and be moral for yourself and stop being a puppet for others. Spend your money and time on the things that prophet your soul and not you fears. Believe in yourself and others and cling to your family and friends and not the things that make others wealthy. 

The Southern Donkey 

Choosing Sides

Dear Republicans,

Every day you are choosing sides and in almost every instance, you're making the wrong choice. Do you realize that when you support and implement strict anti abortion laws that you're choosing the side of the rapist and the incestuous family member over the victims of these violent acts? No matter how convinced you are on a personal level about abortion being wrong, it's never in God's plan to be raped or sexually assaulted. As a single issue voter, you have also fallen into the mindless mass of sheep that the Republican powers count on to do their bidding. The anti abortion laws are also in direct conflict with the law of the land. If you find yourself an "issues" voter, perhaps a quick visit to Romans 13 would be in order. Do you further realize what a complete farce it is to call yourself pro life and yet support war and the killing of thousands of innocent civilians? Pro life and pro war are competing and opposite agendas no matter how hard you want to believe the contrary. When your chosen leaders run on moderation and then do the complete opposite they become nothing more than deceitful liars. How can you support people who you can't trust and how can you trust people who are incapable of telling the truth? 

Immigration is another area that is being used and manipulated by the rich and powerful. Do you realize that as Christians, you are obligated to protect the stranger in our land?  Leviticus 19:33-34 as well as the other linked verses should make any religious person utterly ashamed for their hate and racism cloaked in what they have been told is patriotism. When you choose to be anti immigrant, you have sided with major corporations over the human rights of those who are used and abused in the name of cheap labor. Do you not also realize that supporting massive tax breaks for the wealthiest is in turn supporting the exportation of manufacturing from the US and into the hands of foreign Countries and inhumane labor policies and wages? Patriotism is supporting a living wage for Americans and making corporations pay more to send work abroad than to keep the goods and services in this Country. Patriotism is never using the force of the military to expand capitalism in the name of freedom. 

Finally, do you not understand that when you repeal and restrict the rights of others to vote that you choosing the side of the bully in the fight? In much the same way that people want to force Christianity into our politics and to force us to have a State sponsored religion, they also only want people voting who feel exactly the same as they do. Do you understand that allowing a State sponsored religion could some day mean that the National forced religion could change to a Jewish, Mormon, Muslim, Buddhist or other type belief system that you would not support? Do you not realize that others might someday restrict your right to vote for the same reasons? Fairness means not always getting what you want and Democracy demands doing the will of the majority of the people and not just the wishes of the most elite or blessed among us. Health care reform is already working and will only improve the lives of the majority of Americans. When you speak of repealing, defunding or shutting down the Government to stop the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, you are choosing the side of big Pharma and the Giant Insurance Lords over the health and safety of your fellow Citizen. Smart choices always begin with being fully informed and not just doing what you are told. Make up your mind and exercise free will but do the due diligence required before jumping to conclusions or following blindly. 

The Southern Donkey Blog