Tyranny of the Majority: Robbing Freedom with Votes
"Now hold on!" someone might say. "Isn't voting an act of choice and freedom? And if a majority of Americans vote for the CDL's (Current Democrat Leadership) brand of control, then everyone still got to participate, right? Majority rules! What's wrong with that?"
Our answer: Everything. Just as Alexis de Tocqueville warned against "the tyranny of the majority," so we warn against overrunning personal choice with collective control.
For example: How would you like to enter a crowded restaurant, and then have everyone in the building vote on what you get to eat? You'd hate it, right? This is because you entered the restaurant as a powerful "consumer," but were reduced to being a helpless "voter." Consumers decide their fate with simple choices, while voters must hope for 51% majorities. This is why everyone makes consumer choices, but many don't bother to vote.
Some things (such as political leadership) must be decided by voters, but Conservatives seek to leave as many choices as possible to consumers. This empowers individuals, whereas the CDL (Current Democrat Leadership) seeks to move countless decisions to voters instead. Thus, by using "the tyranny of the majority, " the CDL enables some groups of Americans to force other Americans to live like them. Remember that line in the sand? If you favor collective control over individual choice, then you have crossed that line - just like the CDL.
Staying on our side of the line, we Conservatives won't help the majority gang up on the minority, or on individuals. Why? Because we believe that every person wants to be a powerful consumer, not a powerless voter. Everyone wants more freedom.
But what about the Christians?
Another common protest is that some Conservatives try to control other peoples' lives. The biggest alleged culprit? Inevitably, Leftists stab an accusing finger at the Christian Right.
Sometimes, this accusation can be true. Really, it can. Any Conservative can fall into the Liberal trap of trying to control others, and Christians are no different. But examples of the Christian Right using government force are rare. Usually, Christians only mandate certain behavior within the church, where people have already chosen that belief system.
Join me in taking a brief, honest, and necessary look at the Christian Right - or more importantly, at its foundations. Let's seek to understand, not to sterotype.
In Genesis 2, the Biblical God lays out a system of Choice-Reward-Consequence. Allowing people to eat from any tree in the garden, He then sets two trees in the middle; one of great reward, the other of great consequence. His message is clear: "I could make you choose my way, but I won't. It's up to you, but I'll inform you of the rewards and consequences."
This ethical system is woven throughout scripture, culminating in the methods of Jesus and the apostles. While they said much about right and wrong, you'll notice they never advocated imposing these values on non-Christians. As with Genesis, the message was, "choose as you wish - here are the rewards and consequences." All choice, no control.
Today, nations founded in Christianity have much greater religious diversity than nations based on other systems. Does this surprise you? It shouldn't. Freedom and variety should be expected in a Choice-Reward-Consequence setting. So, what does it mean when we call America a "Christian" nation? It means you can choose any belief - including Christianity - without hiding. Our Christian foundations don't stop freedom, but safeguard it.
In stark contrast to Christianity, the CDL (Current Democrat Leadership) actually opposes Choice-Reward-Consequence. How? By lowering the rewards and consequences for personal choices. Choose to be lazy and get fired? Welfare! Succeed at work? Higher taxes! Run your company poorly? Bailout! Run your state poorly? Big bailout! Run your state well? Pay for California's bailout! In issue after issue, the CDL devalues choice by reducing its results. Or, when that isn't damaging enough, the CDL simply limits choices altogether (healthcare, education, energy, union votes, etc.) Choice-loving Americans of all faiths - yes, of all faiths - should view the CDL as a threat, and Christians as allies.
Unfortunately, too many people buy the media spin of pitchfork-wielding Christians coming to take their rights away. Likewise, some in the Christian Right forget their foundations, hoping to impose their lifestyle on society as a whole (which Jesus never did). In The Party Of Choice, we remind these factions that while Americans have different beliefs, we should all be on the same side - the side of choice. After all, choice is a thoroughly American virtue, making our diversity a strength that unites us, not a wedge that divides us. And this American virtue was established within a Christian heritage.
Sometimes, this accusation can be true. Really, it can. Any Conservative can fall into the Liberal trap of trying to control others, and Christians are no different. But examples of the Christian Right using government force are rare. Usually, Christians only mandate certain behavior within the church, where people have already chosen that belief system.
Join me in taking a brief, honest, and necessary look at the Christian Right - or more importantly, at its foundations. Let's seek to understand, not to sterotype.
In Genesis 2, the Biblical God lays out a system of Choice-Reward-Consequence. Allowing people to eat from any tree in the garden, He then sets two trees in the middle; one of great reward, the other of great consequence. His message is clear: "I could make you choose my way, but I won't. It's up to you, but I'll inform you of the rewards and consequences."
This ethical system is woven throughout scripture, culminating in the methods of Jesus and the apostles. While they said much about right and wrong, you'll notice they never advocated imposing these values on non-Christians. As with Genesis, the message was, "choose as you wish - here are the rewards and consequences." All choice, no control.
Today, nations founded in Christianity have much greater religious diversity than nations based on other systems. Does this surprise you? It shouldn't. Freedom and variety should be expected in a Choice-Reward-Consequence setting. So, what does it mean when we call America a "Christian" nation? It means you can choose any belief - including Christianity - without hiding. Our Christian foundations don't stop freedom, but safeguard it.
In stark contrast to Christianity, the CDL (Current Democrat Leadership) actually opposes Choice-Reward-Consequence. How? By lowering the rewards and consequences for personal choices. Choose to be lazy and get fired? Welfare! Succeed at work? Higher taxes! Run your company poorly? Bailout! Run your state poorly? Big bailout! Run your state well? Pay for California's bailout! In issue after issue, the CDL devalues choice by reducing its results. Or, when that isn't damaging enough, the CDL simply limits choices altogether (healthcare, education, energy, union votes, etc.) Choice-loving Americans of all faiths - yes, of all faiths - should view the CDL as a threat, and Christians as allies.
Unfortunately, too many people buy the media spin of pitchfork-wielding Christians coming to take their rights away. Likewise, some in the Christian Right forget their foundations, hoping to impose their lifestyle on society as a whole (which Jesus never did). In The Party Of Choice, we remind these factions that while Americans have different beliefs, we should all be on the same side - the side of choice. After all, choice is a thoroughly American virtue, making our diversity a strength that unites us, not a wedge that divides us. And this American virtue was established within a Christian heritage.