If I may be allowed, I'd like to post something. Something that may garner criticism, but so be it.
I'm an oddity in my country. You see, from an early age I was exposed to the Austrian school of economics, as well as to the Spanish scholastics. Most of my friends and family are socialists (though they don't know why). I come from a nation that was ripe with divisions. After General Franco died and we had a transitional democractic government, the nation turned to the PSOE (Partido Socialista Obrero Espanol), and after they left, we turned to the PP (Partido Popular). During this early stage there were many parties (Izquierda Unida, Comissiones Obreras to name a couple) who recently have lost so much power they are nonexistant. However, we still have other parties who once were thought not viable at a national level that are gaining momentum (Convergencia i Unio, Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya, two different parties I supported and still do). I always felt like I argued with my entire country because I was a strong supporter of capitalism.
Even then, I knew of Republicans in the U.S., and with their concepts of small government, power to the States, and free markets and enterprise I was much attracted to it. Now, to think they were the proponents of moral values was even more attractive.
When I came to this country, I worked very hard to climb the corporate ladder. I was returning to my Catholic roots, supporting Reagan like leaders (my grandfather adored him) and as a Catholic I found I was at odds with most Catholics. The Republican party wasn't exactly the hotbed of Catholic sympathizers, but there were a few.
I never questioned the two party system. I thought it was fine, good versus evil and all that. I never questioned the concept of "survival of the fittest" economics. And if there was one thing that I was and continue to be is anti-socialist. I thought Mises ate them for breakfast a long time ago.
I have to admit, that my love affair with the Republican party started to fade with Bush senior. During this time, Ross Perot came into the picture. Not only did this man pose a threat to both parties, but he actually displayed a common sense approach to Americans. Not only was this threat viable, but it proved a third party was dangerous. To whom? To the two party system. So much in fact, that they have done everything in their power to keep history from repeating itself. Is this free competition or annhilation?
The question in my mind was truth. What is truth, where does it come from, and should we always strive to be true? The answer to these questions is Christ, Chriet and yes. So if we are to be true, should we support an either/or situation? Should anyone defend the indefensible?
Is the economy supposed to reflect our humanity or act mechanically? If we expect out leadership to act holy should our economy not do so as well? Certainly this doesn't mean socialism. Again, it isn't an either/or but a "what is true" situation. I'm thinking there is a third way. A Catholic way.
My change of heart towards capitalism and the Republican party doesn't mean I've become a socialist and a democrat. Absolutely not. But it does mean I want to find a human way, a moral way. Economical systems are not perfect, but there must be a better way. Darwin isn't one of those.
Guiliani, if I were to be a hypocrite, would make an excellent President. I say that because the difference between him and Clinton is that he admitted his affair. He is pro-abortion as well.
The neo-conservatives that have joined the recent ranks of the Republican party do not make me warm and cozy inside. People like Guiliani, Bloomberg, Arnie, and Spector are not friends of that moral code I spoke of earlier, and the party has increasingly gotten not only pro-abortion, but pro federal expansion. I'm appalled by the amount of Republicans who now applaud Federal rights over the individual states! This is like Catholics applauding a democratically elected Pope!
(On Spector, I'll say this again. You mean Bush just realised he was pro-abortion? C'mon...and now this is biting him in the rear with the Judicial appointments).
No, it isn't an all or nothing situation, but I know when I'm being strung along.
Now before anyone complains that they had to vote for Bush think about this. Yes, you did, the election is over. Let's work on the future. Because if we continue to say, we need to vote for them again in '08, and refuse to support another party, we will fall in a bottomless pit of "inactivity for the pro-life movement but its better than..." We need to restore the moral fabric of this nation, because we are the last frontier for the West. Everywhere we have fallen. My nation included. It may take twenty years to come out with a powerhouse, but if that's what it takes its worth it. We need to start at local levels of government and climb the ladder.
Just my 1,000 pesetas.
