Yes, my joke has gotten old, but it is as true now as the first time I told it:
“People always ask me if I am Republican or Democrat and I smile as I tell them I’m worse than that, I’m Southern Baptist.”
Let me explain.
The Southern Baptist Convention meets once a year and they talk a lot and vote on a lot of silly things that embarrass many of us. They all then go back home to their individual churches and conduct business as they see fit.
You see we are a fierce lot that stands firmly on our convictions. We will proudly tell you why we believe as we do and that most of you are going to a burning hell if you don’t change your ways.
Now doesn’t that sound like the two main political parties we have in this great country?
Convention Conduct
I hope you have watched some of the Democratic National Convention this week. I hope you will watch some of the Republican National Convention next week.
I don’t care what political persuasion you are. You need to know what the other guys are doing.
I was pleasantly pleased with Former First Lady Michelle Obama’s speech Monday night. She is the face of today’s Democratic Party and that is reflected in Democratic Presidential Nominee Joe Biden’s choice of Senator Kamala Harris of California as his running mate.
Now we all know some vile and nasty things have been said in the speeches of DNC speakers this week.
Just wait until the Republicans take the stage next week.
On a positive note, I like Vice President Mike Pence, a man who describes himself as “a Christian, a conservative and a Republican, in that order."
Party Politics
I will ask you, are you a Democrat or a Republican?
Don’t tell me you vote for the man. That’s an easy answer and quite evasive. And besides, the man (or woman) you vote for is either a member of the Democratic Party or the Republican Party.
The modern Democratic Party emphasizes egalitarianism, social equality, protecting the environment, and strengthening the social safety net through liberalism. And I can buy that.
It is also the “Party of the Big Tent,” and when you look deep inside that tent, it gets sort of muddy to me.
Currently, the Republican Party is identified by classical liberalism, conservatism and right-wing policies. Look those terms up in a dictionary and I will bet most of Clarksdale will agree they support those principles.
Now not all Republicans believe in the same things, but generally these are the concepts most Republicans can agree on. And that is also my problem with Republicans. They are a fractured lot and they push agendas that support a more centralized government aimed more at helping big business and the powers-that-be, than this country’s middle class and poverty stricken Americans who need it the most.
Look Local
All politics is local.
Clarksdale is fortunate to have Jen Waller-Pearson as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention this week. Now you may not like the party but how can you not like Jen. Most of you know her better than I do and you know she will do what she thinks is best for her community, her state and her country.
Clarksdale is also fortunate to have people like Pete Johnson who helped change Mississippi from a Blue state to a Red state.
And, yes, most of you know Mr. Pete better than I do and you know he can still make phone calls for people and causes he believes in.
I’ve never really cared if my elected officials are Democrat or Republican. I do care if they are effective and true to their core convictions.
You see, patriotism is bigger than party politics.
Yes, the Democrats will whip up their voter base this week and we’ll see Joe Biden’s numbers rise in the polls.
The same thing will happen next week when the Republican twist the Eagle’s tail and talk their rhetoric and dreams for this country. Donald Trump’s numbers will rise accordingly.
And then we will all set our sights on November and quietly head to the polls to do our sacred duty and elect our next president. It’s what Americans do and it is what truly makes our country great.
Floyd Ingram is Editor of your Clarksdale Press Register. Neither his politics nor his religion are perfect and he is glad to talk to about either if you call him at 662-627-2201.
