How to please your base without doing anything
President Bush is a master of pleasing his base of social-conservative Christians without actually doing anything. Just days after passing reckless legislation that give away the farm to corporate donors of the GOP and ensure our continued energy addiction to Middle East oil, President Bush declared that Intelligent Design should be taught in schools. Public Theologian has a good take on this false science.My thoughts turn to the politics of President Bush's comments. This was politically brilliant! The President convinces Christians that he is "one of them" while having no power to do anything about it because the federal government has virtually no say over the curriculum taught in the states. Education is left to each state and within that each school district to decide what should be taught. The explains how Odessa, Texas has added a Bible Study Class to their high school curriculum.
So the President makes a virtually meaningless statement and many social conservatives will go goo-goo ga-ga over him. Not unlike when President Bush declared that Jesus was his favorite political philosopher because he changes your heart, yet they don't question that he doesn't go to church.
In areas where President Bush has power, he consistently sells out social-conservative Christians for other interets. Faith-based Initiatives? Underfunded annually. Doing something about Darfur? Call it genocide, but do nothing. Overturn Roe v. Wade? Nominate an intentionally ambigious judge.
When will social-conservative Christians wake up and realize they are being played for fools?
posted by Expat Teacher @ 1:42 PM
