By Irving Leemon, Contributing Columnist
Recently, every day, in the papers, on the radio, and on TV there are beatings, shootings, killings, armed robberies, and suicides in Southern California, and other parts of the nation. I believe that this is a result of the poor economy and the lack of jobs, and the number of people who are under employed. People do desperate things when they feel desperate and cannot feed their families or keep a roof over their heads. They begin to think of themselves as useless and hopeless. They also begin to feel that their families and loved ones would be better off without them. The Republicans, Tea Partiers, and other extreme political organizations, are running a campaign that denounces anything the government does to try to help its citizens, even access to a free basic education.
If they have their way we will definitely continue the slide down into a third world country and be ruled by a few wealthy people and corporations. Santorum wants to run a campaign that’s about religion; specifically, he supports the Catholic religion. I believe in the separation of church and state. The Catholic Church is looking for ways to denounce other religions and exert its influence on the political system in this country. They are attempting to do so now with the arguments against birth control and abortions. They have even tried to outlaw circumcision that is a religious and health practice of more then one religious faith. The people of this country are free to believe and practice what they want, as long as their practices do not hurt animals, and does not infringe on other people’s freedoms and religious practices. Look at what parts of this country now have. If you don’t believe as most of the local people do, and don’t practice a specific type of religion you are ostracized.
What are the countries whose governments are tied to a specific religion like? Look at Mexico and some of the South American countries. They are poor and most of their citizens are barely surviving without any of the benefits of a modern society, and, without any way of climbing out of extreme poverty. In addition, you have most of the Middle Eastern countries where women are treated as personal property with no personal freedoms and rights. Bringing the “golden rule” (do unto others as you would have them do unto you) into the political campaigns is good, but bringing a specific religion and its beliefs is not. Agree? Disagree? Email me: ileemon@socal.rr.com.