When Right-Wingers Tell You What They Really Think

Why vote for a progressive president in 2008? Because the allies of our regressive president are really, really, really scary when they tell you what they really, really, really think.

There’s a spurt of right-wing pundits out there writing “lemme tell ya what I really think” pieces, in a wave of frustration leading from the losses of the 2006 elections. Spouting the Republican Party line for years, and all for nothing, must be maddening. It’s like selling your soul, and then finding out that you’re getting paid in Monopoly money. So as a purgative, Bush’s allies are trying out sincerity. They’re telling you what they really think. And what they really think betrays the unAmerican agenda of this country’s regressives.

Take, for instance, Dennis Prager, radio host and newspaper columnist syndicated through Townhall.com. In his latest column, Prager reflects on the election of Keith Ellison, the first Muslim member of Congress:

Keith Ellison, D-Minn., the first Muslim elected to the United States Congress, has announced that he will not take his oath of office on the Bible, but on the bible of Islam, the Koran.

He should not be allowed to do so — not because of any American hostility to the Koran, but because the act undermines American civilization. First, it is an act of hubris that perfectly exemplifies multiculturalist activism — my culture trumps America’s culture. What Ellison and his Muslim and leftist supporters are saying is that it is of no consequence what America holds as its holiest book; all that matters is what any individual holds to be his holiest book.

Forgive me, but America should not give a hoot what Keith Ellison’s favorite book is. Insofar as a member of Congress taking an oath to serve America and uphold its values is concerned, America is interested in only one book, the Bible. If you are incapable of taking an oath on that book, don’t serve in Congress….

When all elected officials take their oaths of office with their hands on the very same book, they all affirm that some unifying value system underlies American civilization. If Keith Ellison is allowed to change that, he will be doing more damage to the unity of America and to the value system that has formed this country than the terrorists of 9-11. It is hard to believe that this is the legacy most Muslim Americans want to bequeath to America. But if it is, it is not only Europe that is in trouble.

Dennis Prager really, sincerely believes that the job of government is to maintain Christianity’s advantageous position. Dennis Prager really, sincerely believes that “American values” is equivalent to “Christian values.” Dennis Prager really, sincerely believes that “America is interested in only one book, the Bible.”

Dennis Prager really, sincerely doesn’t care that the Constitution’s First Amendment prohibits the use of government to establish an advantaged state religion. Dennis Prager really, sincerely doesn’t care that Section Six, Clause three of the Constitution reads, “no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.” Dennis Prager really, sincerely doesn’t care that nowhere in the Constitution is the Bible specified as the object upon which members of Congress (or, for that matter, ANY member of government) will swear their oath of office.

Dennis Prager doesn’t care about the Constitution because he doesn’t believe in the value of the Constitution as a foundational American document. Dennis Prager claims that the Christian Bible stands above the Constitution as a foundational American document. Dennis Prager is a real, sincere theocrat, and he exemplifies “the base” pundits refer to when they talk about regressive American presidential candidates. If Prager’s vision for America isn’t your vision for America, then it is important for us to support candidates who stand up for the Constitution. To prevent theocracy, we must vote progressive.

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