Pass the Ammunition
The polarization of a majority of Americans around political parties and ideologies has created a journalistic reality I call “preaching to the choir.” In most cases, my Christian-conservative views are not going to be accepted for publication by a media outlet that serves a liberal audience. Likewise, when I turn on my TV, I usually select Fox instead of one of the alphabet networks.
The truth is that except for the occasional moderate or independent that might be snagged by the message, most journalistic efforts are being received by an audience that already agrees with the journalist.
There is the question: When preaching to the choir, there will not be many converts, so what is the point? Needless to say, I do not think we are wasting our time. I believe it is more than intellectual exercise for both journalist and audience. I believe it is making a difference and serves to help sustain American liberty.
Some will argue that polarization prevents compromise and causes gridlock in government and nothing gets done. My response is that temporary gridlock is sometimes more appealing than caving to efforts to “fundamentally change America.” Many of us do not like the changes. Sometimes, when you are standing on the brink, you cannot give another inch. Compromise is no longer an option.
When you consider the critical issues facing America today, do you want the politicians you chose and the journalists who support your views to compromise their positions or their messages? No, you do not, and neither do I. When “compromise” means surrendering to the continuing degradation of the Constitution and the liberties it protects, I cannot agree with compromise. When the conduct of the federal government is in violation of the Constitution, I do not wish to compromise. When compromise means more policies that spell certain disaster, I say, “no.”
The recent election and other indicators suggest to me that America is equally divided, or polarized along ideological lines. Conservatives and liberals stand opposing each other in nearly equal numbers. But, for many decades progressive Republicans and progressive Democrats have provided our leadership in Washington. Ronald Reagan stands alone as the only true conservative to hold the Oval Office in over seventy years. The progressive movement in Washington has eroded my Constitution and has aided and abetted the move to secularism that has weakened the American ideal that many of us still believe in. No, I do not wish to compromise.
However, let me be clear: I do not wish my state, Ohio, or other states to secede from the union. Many readers have heard about the recent petitions for secession presented by as many as fifty states. It is a true story, but it is also true that the petitions are mostly symbolic. Similar petitions were raised after the 2004 and 2008 elections. However, the vast numbers of signatures demonstrate the extent of the frustration felt by many, many Americans. But no, we do not want another civil war.
This brings me to the chief reason I am willing to “preach to the choir”: The numbers may be equal, but the results in Washington have not reflected that balance for a long time. Ronald Reagan started a conservative revolution and it continues among the people until this day. But in Washington, Republicans and Democrats alike have returned to their old habit of putting on dog and pony shows for the people while passing more and more progressive legislation; legislation that is not wanted by at least half of the people. They have slowly, surely, continued in the progressive-liberal direction. They have not compromised their agenda, so why should I?
Conservative pundits preach to the choir because we hope to inspire the choir to reach more of their family, friends, and neighbors to join the revolution. It is a revolution of the people, by the people, and for the people. We have few revolutionaries on our side in Washington. The record proves the case.
We preach to the choir because America is more than the politicians we have in Washington. We preach to the choir because America is more than the corporations which support our system of capitalism. We preach to the choir because America is more than the unions or union members. We preach to the choir because America is more than those who want their Obama Phones, regardless of the high cost to “liberty and justice for all.” We preach to the choir because America is more than the right to vote for any selfish liar, for any selfish reason. We preach to the choir because we care about the future of our children and grandchildren.
We preach to the choir because it can sing a song that inspires the congregation.
With God’s help, the choir and the congregation can change the hearts and minds of the subjects of the King of Obamaland. With love and patience we can help others see the light. They deserve our efforts. For the most part they have simply fallen prey to masters of deception. The secular progressives have long held the ability to make their false ideal seem to their unwitting prey like the approach of utopia. However, everyone should have known better. Utopia is beyond man’s grasp. Only God has the power to create utopia and it is in His plan to do so, after He cleanses the earth of all who stand eternally against Him.
I recently wrote, “Here Comes the Boom,” an essay prognosticating a coming energy industry boom and a following, general economic boom in America. If it appears, conservatives may have as little as five years from the present to win the hearts and minds of those on the other side of the balance. We must remember that true liberty means more than buying power. We must stop the progressive agenda and reduce the monstrous federal bureaucracy before our liberty is gone.
We will avoid a civil war we do not want. Our fight will be fought with truth, ideas and words. “Pass the ammunition” will mean getting some inspiration from each other. “Pass the ammunition” will mean sharing truth, ideas and words, the weapons of our freedom army. We must all be volunteers in that freedom army, or we all will be subjects in Obamaland. If we do not turn the tide in the next five years, with or without the help of conservative politicians, America will be Obamaland long beyond Obama’s second term.
Some have said turning the tide will take a miracle. So, let us petition the Lord for a miracle. He is still in the miracle business. Yes, we must work. Yes, we must spread truth, ideas and words of encouragement to our brethren. But it only seems logical; when you need a miracle, you pray to God.
With God’s help, the choir and the congregation can change the hearts and minds of our fellow citizens who have become prey of the masters of deception. With God’s help, America can be restored to her former glory, saved from a looming demise. May God bless America.
G.R. Clark blogs at myFreeBlogs: http://www.myfreeblogs.us