With the recent news of the government first forbidding the reading of the letter issued by Archbishop Timothy Broglio (who oversees the Catholic chaplains) condemning the HHS decision, and then after a protest, censoring the letter that was read, we must ask… how can anyone pretend that the Obama administration is not a menace to the rights and liberties of all Americans?
First we have the imposing of a directive which demands that religious institutions either comply with providing coverage for contraception, sterilization and abortifacients or shut down. Now the government is beginning to stifle the freedom to oppose such directives.
Now I recognize that not all Americans share the views of this blog or of the Catholic Church that this blog seeks to reflect. However, even those who do not share these views need to consider something.
If the Obama administration succeeds in their tactics, then there is nothing to prevent them from using these tactics against any other body who displeases them. Moreover, if the administration is removed from power and if these tactics are left in place, then whoever succeeds the Obama administration will also have these tools to stifle dissent.
Regardless of one's views of politics or morality, the Obama administration is taking a path which all people of good will must oppose. Otherwise the American concept of freedom ends in failure and we become yet another nation with an authoritarian regime.
What is there to do, but just try to figure out the right thing and do it? The times are never so bad but that good men can live in them.
ReplyDeleteI agree, but I certainly hope that Americans realize that if they fight this battle along side us now, they won't have to fight it alone later.
ReplyDelete"... if the administration is removed from power and if these tactics are left in place, then whoever succeeds the Obama administration will also have these tools to stifle dissent."
ReplyDeleteBingo.
The problem isn't Obama or his administration as much as our entire culture. Catholics are becoming increasingly marginalized and discounted by both political parties. The Democrats stand out only because they're not as subtle as their Republican peers.
As one proof of this I offer Michael Steele's comments some years ago about the GOP becoming more of a "big tent" party.
I've no claim for mental acuity, but in talking via the internet to various people in the nation (among them a Dominican friar, other military retirees, a housewife in Idaho, etc.) the same meme is heard over and over; We're in for some times of persecution.
God's will be done.