Let me begin first by saying, the Democrats can run their primary any way they choose. I will not vote for any of their candidates, so it really does not matter to me in the least. However, the recent controversy surrounding the Florida and Michigan Democratic primaries does reflect upon the party itself and ought to give a message to voters.
In case you are unfamiliar with this situation, allow me to elaborate. Late last year, many states around the country were trying to jockey for an early position in the primary season. Most states realize that most recent Presidential nominees have pretty much been decided not too long after New Hampshire. By the time most states actually go to the polls, their votes are deemed irrelevant because by that time the race is over and many on the ballot have already dropped out. So, in the spirit of childish jealousy, states feared irrelevancy and began moving up their primary dates closer to New Hampshire.
Seeing this as a problem, the Democratic National Committee had asked states not to move these dates up past a certain date. Florida and Michigan decided to ignore the DNC and moved their primaries up anyway. The result – Howard Dean and the DNC told Florida and Michigan their states would not receive any delegates to the national convention, making their primaries irrelevant. Their votes would not count in the nominating process.
While I am in no way sympathetic to the Democratic Party, I was pleasantly surprised to see them sticking to their guns. I was happy to see this tough stance. Even both of the major candidates agreed not to campaign in these states. Then, the race became closer than anyone expected…
Now we are down to just Hillary and Obama. Each state has now become a battleground and even the smallest states in the Union are now of the utmost importance to each campaign. Every delegate counts! As we begin to see the possibility of an undecided convention, all of a sudden there is a cry to figure out some way to allow Florida and Michigan to receive their delegates after all.
What message does this send? I believe the message is clear. Democrats will uphold the law and stand by their convictions – only when there are no consequences or controversy. At the least sign of trouble, Democrats are willing to throw any conviction, stance or position overboard when it hurts them politically.
How does play out in real life? These are the same people who want to promote moral decadence by simply taking away the consequences. We all agree teen pregnancy is a problem. So what do the Democrats do? We hand young girls condoms and birth control. Deal with the problem by taking away the consequence. We have a problem with Islamic terrorists bombing our nation. So what do the Democrats do? They strive to promote “tolerance and understanding.” I have spoken out against the “war” in Iraq, but Democrats have only taken this position after the war was not won in a quick an easy manner. Once this war became unpopular, these Democratic lawmakers quickly jumped shipped, not because conscience but because of opinion polls. Who can forget Senator Kerry’s famous declaration that he voted for a bill supporting the troops before he voted against it?
So this decision by the DNC should take no one by surprise. American voters, it is time to wake up and see the facts! The Democratic Party is filled with platitudes and promises, but where is the substance? What guarantee do you have that they will stick by anything they say?
Some who read this article will be quick to suggest the GOP is no better. To that I say, I agree. That’s why I left the party. Still in the party platform is unapologetic pro-life stance. Yet, this platform plank is thrown out the window when a candidate like Rudy Giuliani is allowed to run. Where is this plank enforced here in the Massachusetts Republican Party? Where were the Republicans when Ron Paul introduced the Sanctity of Life bill? I can count on one hand the number of pro-life Republicans here in Massachusetts.
And speaking of Massachusetts… The Republican Party is supposed to be the pro-family, pro-morality contingent here in the Commonwealth. Where were they in the fight against homosexual marriage? Where are they now in the fight against the transgender bill currently before the state legislature? It is one thing to campaign on family values, it is another thing to actually do something about it?
Again, I say, it is time for a REAL change. It should be clear that neither of the two major parties intends to do much at all. Real change will only come when we vote “outside of the box.” I joined the Constitution Party for just this reason. Who else will have the courage to stand by their convictions?
Kevin Thompson is an Assistant Pastor in MA, a former candidate for the US House of representatives, as well as a member of the Constitution Party of Massachusetts state committee. You can visit his website at www.kevinjthompson.info or read his blog at http://kevinjthompson.wordpress.com