Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
The trouble with this idea is that Christianity as it exists today (as a
whole, not just Catholics) is too beholden to worldly cultural /
political interests. Moreover, with Protestants outnumbering Catholics
in terms of economic and social "clout" (plus the whole question of
Mormonism), what would this party's platform be? What would their
stances be on issues such as abortion and birth control? Where would
they stand on divorce, gay marriage / civil unions and so on? Would they
be a genuine alternative, or simply a Republican Party "lite"? 
Jun 9, '16, 10:23 pm
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by RPRPsych
The trouble with this idea is that
Christianity as it exists today (as a whole, not just Catholics) is too
beholden to worldly cultural / political interests. Moreover, with
Protestants outnumbering Catholics in terms of economic and social
"clout" (plus the whole question of Mormonism), what would this party's
platform be? What would their stances be on issues such as abortion and
birth control? Where would they stand on divorce, gay marriage / civil
unions and so on? Would they be a genuine alternative, or simply a
Republican Party "lite"? |
RPRPsych, as one answer to your question, the American Solidarity
Party has much of that info listed on their website and by my reading
they deftly straddle the conservative/liberal line much like the Church
herself does.
On issues such as abortion, gay marriage and the like, they are in line
with Republican ideals. On the range of issues like environmentalism,
economics and immigration, I'd say they take a Pope Francis-like
approach.
A few short documents worth reading to get a sense of how they approach it:
- ASP stance on Obergefell v. Hodges
- 'We're with Francis' party statement re Pope Francis' visit to the US - there's definitely nothing Republican lite about that 
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Jun 9, '16, 10:42 pm
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wampa
RPRPsych, as one answer to your question,
the American Solidarity Party has much of that info listed on their
website and by my reading they deftly straddle the conservative/liberal
line much like the Church herself does.
On issues such as abortion, gay marriage and the like, they are in line
with Republican ideals. On the range of issues like environmentalism,
economics and immigration, I'd say they take a Pope Francis-like
approach.
A few short documents worth reading to get a sense of how they approach it:
- ASP stance on Obergefell v. Hodges
- 'We're with Francis' party statement re Pope Francis' visit to the US - there's definitely nothing Republican lite about that |
Very interesting! I think I shall have to study them more carefully. Thank you, Wampa. 
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Jun 10, '16, 2:41 am
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by WJeffrey
If you want to ensure that conservatism will die, start a Christian party. It will never top 25% in an election.
The reason why they work in Europe is that they have a Parliamentary
proportional elections. A few can get elected and traditional mainstream
parties have to bargain with them if they want their candidate to
become the Prime Minister.
America does not have this type of government.
Having a party that will separate socially conservative people from
traditional conservatives will ensure that the US will soon be a
Socialist nation.
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Maybe we need to shift that way, if we ever want our nation to
become moral again. Conservatism, at least in America, is tied to a
culture of corporate greed, unjust wars, and exploitation of the poor.
Right now, Catholics in America and dealing with one devil, so we can
fight another.
I saw the American Solidarity Party before. If they had a candidate, I'd write them in.
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Jun 10, '16, 4:10 am
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by xNoOnex
Maybe we need to shift that way, if we ever want our nation to become moral again. Conservatism, at least in America, is tied to a culture of corporate greed, unjust wars, and exploitation of the poor. Right now, Catholics in America and dealing with one devil, so we can fight another.
I saw the American Solidarity Party before. If they had a candidate, I'd write them in.
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I find this so interesting because I think you're right about the perception, but the facts tell a different story.
Both parties are tied to huge corporate money, not just the Republicans.
Both parties voted for and continue this war.
Those areas most solidly Democratic are the most socio-economically devastated areas in the country.
The Democrats are selling ice to eskimo's and the Republicans can't sell ice cream in the tropics......
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Jun 10, '16, 6:02 am
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by RPRPsych
The trouble with this idea is that
Christianity as it exists today (as a whole, not just Catholics) is too
beholden to worldly cultural / political interests. Moreover, with
Protestants outnumbering Catholics in terms of economic and social
"clout" (plus the whole question of Mormonism), what would this party's
platform be? What would their stances be on issues such as abortion and
birth control? Where would they stand on divorce, gay marriage / civil
unions and so on? Would they be a genuine alternative, or simply a
Republican Party "lite"? |
It seems to be based directly on Catholic Social teaching and may
be influenced by distributism. It is very progressive economically but
conservative socially.
I've been keeping my eye on them. I will most likely vote for them depending on who they pick to run.
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Jun 10, '16, 6:10 am
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Join Date: December 30, 2013
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by RPRPsych
The trouble with this idea is that
Christianity as it exists today (as a whole, not just Catholics) is too
beholden to worldly cultural / political interests. Moreover, with
Protestants outnumbering Catholics in terms of economic and social
"clout" (plus the whole question of Mormonism), what would this party's
platform be? What would their stances be on issues such as abortion and
birth control? Where would they stand on divorce, gay marriage / civil
unions and so on? Would they be a genuine alternative, or simply a
Republican Party "lite"? |
Maybe we should just go all out and advocate a Catholic Monarchy.
Would be an improvement over the status quo.
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Jun 10, '16, 6:24 am
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Expatreprocedit
Absolutely wrong. There have been plenty
of examples of candidates who were conservative on social issues and
"liberal" on economic issues.
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Sorry friend, but I am absolutely right. If you break off
Christian conservatives from traditional conservatives, you have just
killed Conservatism in America. You have strengthened the Democratic
Party and allowed them to shift left. The success of your idea has just
ensured European Socialism in America.
The necessity of Values voters force the Republican party to remain
socially conservative. They keep the libertarians in check and their
influence is strong enough to remove the libertarians into an offshoot
party that gets onto the news three times per year. Why on earth do you
think that Ron and Rand Paul have accomplished nothing in 40 years?
The reasons why you are wrong are very simple if you open your eyes and take a macro view.
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Jun 10, '16, 7:09 am
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
I don't believe any religious based party would do well in the United
States. In this case, forming a Christian Democracy Party would no doubt
alienate those who are not Christian, such as those of the Jewish,
Muslim and other religious faiths in this country. I would think the
formation of any party sould be all inclusive. Just my opinion..
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Jun 10, '16, 8:55 am
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
While it sounds good, our LORD never taught to institute a democracy, so it is in se a contradiction in terms. IMNAAHO.
ICXC NIKA
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Jun 10, '16, 9:08 am
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Republican Catholics and Democratic Catholics are as different as night
and day. They're not going to form a party togather. Also, the writer
should do a little more research on Christian Democrats before he
concludes they're so positive.
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Jun 10, '16, 9:49 am
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChurchSoldier
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Just kind of looks like the GOP on steroids to me.
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Jun 10, '16, 10:36 am
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
A Christian democracy party!? Where would it stand on gay marriage, contraception, abortion, the death penalty and immigration?
My guess looking at all the Christian churches is that you would have the same candidates:
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Jun 10, '16, 10:52 am
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by ChurchSoldier
I find this so interesting because I think you're right about the perception, but the facts tell a different story.
Both parties are tied to huge corporate money, not just the Republicans.
Both parties voted for and continue this war.
Those areas most solidly Democratic are the most socio-economically devastated areas in the country.
The Democrats are selling ice to eskimo's and the Republicans can't sell ice cream in the tropics......
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Oh, don't get me wrong. I don't think the Democrats are any
better. They are liberals, not progressives. They care about preserving
the status quo just as much as the Republicans. And that's the problem,
somehow, Catholic and Christian voters are stuck voting for whichever
side they think is a lesser evil... And that, to me is a real problem,
since we allow very real evil to prosper.
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Jun 10, '16, 11:03 am
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by GEddie
While it sounds good, our LORD never taught to institute a democracy, so it is in se a contradiction in terms. IMNAAHO.
ICXC NIKA
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Correct. A democracy will never last, it will always devolve into
mob rule, then a totalitarian dictatorship. The founders of the US, as
flawed as they were, established a Republic.
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Jun 10, '16, 12:43 pm
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoosier Daddy
A Christian democracy party!? Where would it stand on gay marriage, contraception, abortion, the death penalty and immigration?
My guess looking at all the Christian churches is that you would have the same candidates:
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They are firmly pro-life, anti-death penalty,
pro-immigrant/refugee. I'm not sure about contraception. They are
against gay marriage but seem to accept that it is the rule of the land.
A link to their statement is above but here is the text of it:
Quote:
By a majority vote on June 29, 2015, the ASP National Committee approved the following statement:
We are called to love all people, including our brothers and sisters in
the LGBT community. At the same time, marriage has a complementary,
conjugal meaning, and the widespread denial of that meaning among
heterosexual couples inevitably led to the Supreme Court’s decision on
Friday, June 26, 2015.
The ASP is disappointed with the majority decision in Obergefell v.
Hodges, requiring all states to recognize same-sex marriage. The ASP
anticipates several negative outcomes from this decision and will, as a
consequence, work to:
• Support strong freedom of conscience legislation
• Maximize parental rights & oppose the commercialization of children
• Limit marriage to only two persons
As part of our authentic love for our brothers and sisters in the LGBT
community, we will work with them to remove workplace discrimination
laws for public and private non-religious employers, given bona fide
occupational qualifications.
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I'm in favor of same sex marriage but can still get behind their
platform because I think those things are important regardless if same
sex marriage is recognized by the feds.
Jun 10, '16, 4:13 pm
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by SWolf
Maybe we should just go all out and advocate a Catholic Monarchy.
Would be an improvement over the status quo.
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An interesting idea, certainly, but one hard to imagine in an American context.
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Jun 10, '16, 4:35 pm
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Angela Merkel is a Christian Democrat, nuff said
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Jun 10, '16, 5:20 pm
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Seamus L
Angela Merkel is a Christian Democrat, nuff said |
A party consistent with Catholic teaching would welcome immigrants- as Christ commands us.
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Jun 10, '16, 6:04 pm
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
I'm no political expert, and I really doubt it would work, but I'd love
such a party. I've been reading up on the party listed in the OP (the
Solidarity Party) and I really agree with most of their positions.
The more I read about the current nominees, the more terrified I get.
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Last edited by misspriss; Jun 10, '16 at 6:09 pm.
Reason: Not naming politician names, not the place for it.
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Jun 10, '16, 6:09 pm
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
There's a third party which is an offshoot of the U.S. Taxpayers' /
Constitution Party called America's Party and was founded by supporters
of Alan Keyes, who is Catholic.
I don't know much about Alan Keyes (he's not America's Party's current
Presidential Candidate for 2016) though but I my impression of him is
that he's a little bit eccentric; I checked out his personal website;
apparently he's made an unflattering criticism about Pope Francis.
America's Party's HQ is in Michigan, and they get zero coverage by the local Media here.
I've never seen them on the ballot in Michigan for state and local
offices; I think they just concentrate on the Presidential Campaigns,
although I could be mistaken.
They say they are Pro-Life and would introduce a Pro-Traditional Marriage Constitutional Amendment.
http://www.selfgovernment.us/platform.html
I think there should be some sort of Christian political party.
We need our own voice in the political arena.
One thing is for sure: if people do nothing, you're going to get nothing and nothing will change.
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Last edited by Dwyer; Jun 10, '16 at 6:21 pm.
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Jun 10, '16, 9:35 pm
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by RPRPsych
An interesting idea, certainly, but one hard to imagine in an American context. |
Nope, as flawed as we are, ruling families are something we intend to keep off our half of NA!
ICXC NIKA
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Jun 10, '16, 9:37 pm
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by RPRPsych
An interesting idea, certainly, but one hard to imagine in an American context. |
King Louis XX
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Jun 10, '16, 9:54 pm
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Seamus L
Angela Merkel is a Christian Democrat, nuff said |
I don't think it 40's CDswho actually were Christian.
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Jun 10, '16, 10:48 pm
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Outside of a few minor issues, these guys are basically Democrats who do
not like abortion. Almost every other one of their stances is Liberal
and not in the classical sense either.
I will wait for a party that actually advocates for freedom.
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Jun 11, '16, 10:23 am
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
J_Peterson, you seem to be the one person considering the ASP as
seriously as I am. Are you thinking about participating in the online
convention July 8-10?
Note: I'd have sent you a private message, but it's not an option when I go to your profile page.
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Jun 11, '16, 11:20 am
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Banned
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
There should be a Christian democratic party in the USA. It can be a
successor to the Republican Party. I would join such a party and vote
for their candidates since they can not cooperate with evil.
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Jun 11, '16, 11:42 am
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by GEddie
Nope, as flawed as we are, ruling families are something we intend to keep off our half of NA!
ICXC NIKA
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Good for you. We've had our troubles with them. I suppose I was
referring to the old-type, Middle Ages "Catholic monarchies", which even
produced several Saints. Or maybe I just play too many RPGs where
kings, princes and princesses are heroic figures.
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Jun 11, '16, 5:31 pm
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Join Date: December 30, 2013
Posts: 1,980
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by ringil
A party consistent with Catholic teaching would welcome immigrants- as Christ commands us.
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Where?
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Jun 11, '16, 5:32 pm
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Join Date: December 30, 2013
Posts: 1,980
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by RPRPsych
An interesting idea, certainly, but one hard to imagine in an American context. |
Hey, gotta reach for the skies, right?
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Jun 11, '16, 8:23 pm
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by SWolf
Where?
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Well, I think those advocating that viewpoint get it from "I was a
stranger, and you welcomed me", using the same kind of alchemy that Dan
Berrigan used to get his antics from "Blessed are the peacemakers". A
curious procedure.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SWolf
Hey, gotta reach for the skies, right? |
"Stand tall and shake the heavens!"
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Jun 11, '16, 9:00 pm
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
My economic views are wacky, but centrist. My social views are Catholic.
My views on immigration are in the right of the center bubble, if there
are left, right and center bubbles. My view on welfare is at the center
left of the right bubble. I am a 14 year old interested in politics,
it's a hobby. What do I say this for?
A guy like me doesn't fit in with Constitution or American Solidarity.
I'll be of voting age two elections from now(stupid cut-offs. Seriously
though, it's not that long!), and I would be stuck in the water if these
and the two mainstream parties were my choices
. How about a party Catholic on social stuff and moderate on everything
else? That way, it can bridge Christians together, rather than drive
them apart. We can host Lefty Lou's welfare platform and Righty Ron's
national security plan and vice versa.
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Jun 11, '16, 9:01 pm
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by SWolf
Maybe we should just go all out and advocate a Catholic Monarchy.
Would be an improvement over the status quo.
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Deus Vult, et Laudetur Iesus Christus Rex!
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Jun 11, '16, 10:25 pm
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Upgrade25
My economic views are wacky, but
centrist. My social views are Catholic. My views on immigration are in
the right of the center bubble, if there are left, right and center
bubbles. My view on welfare is at the center left of the right bubble. I
am a 14 year old interested in politics, it's a hobby. What do I say
this for?
A guy like me doesn't fit in with Constitution or American Solidarity.
I'll be of voting age two elections from now(stupid cut-offs. Seriously
though, it's not that long!), and I would be stuck in the water if these
and the two mainstream parties were my choices
. How about a party Catholic on social stuff and moderate on everything
else? That way, it can bridge Christians together, rather than drive
them apart. We can host Lefty Lou's welfare platform and Righty Ron's
national security plan and vice versa.
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You're fourteen.
Your political views will likely change as you get older. They might
even change, from your first national election to your second. As you
learn more and more about the world, and you start having real world
experience, they will grow and evolve.
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Jun 13, '16, 4:27 am
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by xNoOnex
You're fourteen.
Your political views will likely change as you get older. They might
even change, from your first national election to your second. As you
learn more and more about the world, and you start having real world
experience, they will grow and evolve. |
I know. I just figured that it would be wise if this party were
moderate. There is already the CP and ASP for the two sides of the
spectrum.
__________________
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Jun 20, '16, 2:33 pm
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Does the ASP even field any candidates?
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Jun 20, '16, 7:33 pm
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by WJeffrey
If you want to ensure that conservatism will die, start a Christian party. It will never top 25% in an election.
The reason why they work in Europe is that they have a Parliamentary
proportional elections. A few can get elected and traditional mainstream
parties have to bargain with them if they want their candidate to
become the Prime Minister.
America does not have this type of government.
Having a party that will separate socially conservative people from
traditional conservatives will ensure that the US will soon be a
Socialist nation.
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This is why, and I am speaking as an American, parliaments are
better. (Also the admittedly-weird voting systems used in other
countries. But also parliaments.)
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Jun 21, '16, 12:58 am
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by XndrK
This is why, and I am speaking as an
American, parliaments are better. (Also the admittedly-weird voting
systems used in other countries. But also parliaments.)
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Yeah, sure, Parliaments are better; that's why we had the Revolutionary War and broke off from Britain.
The European system was found inadequate by millions and that's why they
left Europe in droves to create a new and better society in the
wilderness and cities of the United States and other countries.
We (Americans) are completely losing touch with our founding principles,
ideas, and history and have replaced it with a lot of junk.
__________________
"It's a free country; you can say whatever you want."
--Old American Saying
(U.S. Postal Service stamp-- from 1977 Americana series which extols
freedom of speech and features a Speaker's Stand decorated with an
American Flag shield.)
Last edited by Dwyer; Jun 21, '16 at 1:17 am.
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Jun 21, '16, 11:36 am
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Regular Member
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Join Date: August 11, 2013
Posts: 824
Religion: Papist =)
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dwyer
Yeah, sure, Parliaments are better; that's why we had the Revolutionary War and broke off from Britain.
The European system was found inadequate by millions and that's why they
left Europe in droves to create a new and better society in the
wilderness and cities of the United States and other countries.
We (Americans) are completely losing touch with our founding principles,
ideas, and history and have replaced it with a lot of junk.
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If I recall, the problem was that the American colonies weren't
represented in the government enough, not that they were represented
wrong.
The Revolution was a protest against inadequate representation in a
parliament still under the thumb of an absolute monarch. Nowadays that
doesn't seem to be much of a problem anymore.
Last edited by XndrK; Jun 21, '16 at 11:37 am.
Reason: Minor tone edit.
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Jun 21, '16, 4:16 pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: March 31, 2013
Posts: 6,325
Religion: Christian
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wampa
Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party? by Fr. Dwight Longenecker
I hope this is an acceptable article for starting this thread, as it’s the closest I could find to my intended topic.
Fr. Longenecker mentions the American Solidarity Party. I just read
through the principles, platform positions and other information on
their website
and I’m intrigued. They have an online convention July 8-10. Before I
potentially get involved, I’d like to see if anyone on CAF knows more.
I didn’t see any old threads about the ASP (just a few scattered
comments). Obviously virtually everyone involved is likely to be
Christian, but I am specifically trying to get an idea of how Catholic
its current configuration might be (I get the sense it’s pretty high
based on what I’m seeing on their Facebook page and group).
If anyone has any personal experience, please post, even if it's just
having followed them on Facebook. And as the OP, I’d ask that this
thread NOT become a place to debate the value of third parties in the
U.S. and make dire warnings about how any vote for a third party only
functions to hurt the Democratic or Republican standard-bearer. There’s
plenty of that in the other political threads. Let’s keep this limited
to discussion of the ASP and information about it.
I did also find a “nascent American political party” called the Christian Democratic Union, but their site doesn’t look like it’s been updated since 2013, so I assume it is inactive.
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I would absolutely love to see this happen.
__________________
 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
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Jun 21, '16, 4:55 pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: November 1, 2010
Posts: 7,140
Religion: Roman Catholic
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by FollowChrist34
I would absolutely love to see this happen.
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So would I.
The ASP would definitely get my vote if I were American and such a situation transpired.
__________________
With insight into the futility of narrow nationalistic
politics, the countries of Europe which have agreed to delegate
sovereignty to a supranational organism have embarked on a salutary way
- Pope Pius XII (1957)
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Jun 21, '16, 4:58 pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: November 1, 2010
Posts: 7,140
Religion: Roman Catholic
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Every Catholic should support Christian Democratic parties if the choice
is available IMHO. I never knew it was in the U.S. Seems it is now, as
of 2011, with the ASP.
See:
http://www.papalencyclicals.net/Pius12/P12XMAS.HTM
Quote:
Democracy and a Lasting Peace
1944 Christmas Message of His Holiness Pope Pius XII
Taught by bitter experience, [people] are more aggressive in opposing
the concentration of dictatorial power that cannot be censured or
touched, and call for a system of government more in keeping with the
dignity and liberty of the citizens...
We were anxious, Beloved Sons and Daughters, to take the occasion of
Christmastide to point out along what lines a democracy befitting human
dignity can, in harmony with the law of nature and the designs of God as
manifested in Revelation, secure happy results. Indeed, We are deeply
convinced of the supreme importance of this problem for the peaceful
progress of mankind...
If the future is to belong to democracy, an essential part in its
achievement will have to belong to the religion of Christ and to the
Church, the messenger of our Redeemer's word which is to continue His
mission of saving men. For she teaches and defends supernatural truths
and communicates the supernatural helps of grace in order to actuate the
divinely-established order of beings and ends which is the ultimate
foundation and directive norm of every democracy.
83. By her very existence, the Church rises before the world as a
shining beacon to remind it constantly of that Divine order. Her history
reflects clearly her providential mission. The struggles, which coerced
by the abuse of power, she has had to sustain in defense of the liberty
given her by God, were at the same time struggles for man's true
liberty.
84. The Church has the mission to announce to the world, which is
looking for better and more perfect forms of democracy, the highest and
most needed message that there can be: the dignity of man, the call to
be sons of God. It is the powerful cry, which from the Manger of
Bethlehem to the furthest confines of the earth resounds in the ears of
men at a time when that dignity is tragically low.
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Today the USA needs to heed the same call that Europe did in 1945 IMHO.
The U.S. needs Christian Democrats like Robert Schumann and Konrad Adenaur - both devout Catholics.
A coalition of both former Democrat and Republican Catholics, as well as
like-minded Christians from other denominations, could entirely upend
American politics if the will existed to do so. The party system as it
stands is likely in its death throes - as indicated by the Trump and
Sanders insurgencies against establishment politics in both. Out of its
death, new life could spring
I think it's time US Catholics built a true party founded upon Catholic principles.
__________________
With insight into the futility of narrow nationalistic
politics, the countries of Europe which have agreed to delegate
sovereignty to a supranational organism have embarked on a salutary way
- Pope Pius XII (1957)
Last edited by Vouthon; Jun 21, '16 at 5:18 pm.
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Jun 21, '16, 5:29 pm
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Regular Member
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Join Date: February 26, 2007
Posts: 1,361
Religion: Byzantine Catholic
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by XndrK
If I recall, the problem was that the
American colonies weren't represented in the government enough, not that
they were represented wrong.
The Revolution was a protest against inadequate representation in a
parliament still under the thumb of an absolute monarch. Nowadays that
doesn't seem to be much of a problem anymore.
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Yeah, and that's why all the Italians, Germans, Danes, Swedes, and Irish fled Europe in the 19th Century.
I've visited England and France; believe me, it really isn't that much different from the U.S., and in many ways worse.
__________________
"It's a free country; you can say whatever you want."
--Old American Saying
(U.S. Postal Service stamp-- from 1977 Americana series which extols
freedom of speech and features a Speaker's Stand decorated with an
American Flag shield.)
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Jun 21, '16, 5:31 pm
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Senior Member
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Join Date: April 20, 2007
Posts: 8,587
Religion: Catholic
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
With Hillary Clintion and Donald Trump as the two main candidates, it's time for something! 
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Jun 21, '16, 5:36 pm
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Regular Member
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Join Date: August 11, 2013
Posts: 824
Religion: Papist =)
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dwyer
Yeah, and that's why all the Italians, Germans, Danes, Swedes, and Irish fled Europe in the 19th Century. |
Last I checked, the year begins with "20", not "18".
Italy and Germany were suffering a series of madcap wars of unification,
and Scandinavia was a mess politically. Ireland had the potato famine
and all that.
It was not caused by a parliamentary system, okay? If it were, there
would still be mass immigration to the US from Europe. There isn't.
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Jul 9, '16, 9:38 pm
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Regular Member
Forum Supporter
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Posts: 1,165
Religion: Catholic
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
The American Solidarity Party seems to have selected their ticket. I
couldn’t find any info on their website yet, so I pulled this info from
their Facebook page.
Short version:
Pres: Amir Azarvan (GA); Eastern Orthodox (convert from Islam)
VP: Mike Maturen (MI); Roman Catholic
Long version:
Pres: Amir Azarvan:
“My name is Amir, and I am originally from Youngstown, Ohio. I am of
Iranian descent, born to the some of the world’s most loving parents.
Although I come from a Muslim family, I began to call myself Christian
in my early 20s, and converted to Eastern Orthodoxy in 2007. I have a
doctorate in political science, and am an assistant professor at Georgia
Gwinnett College. I recently edited a book, Re-Introducing
Christianity: An Eastern Apology for a Western Audience (Wipf &
Stock).
I’ve been married for over 12 years, and have three daughters, ages 9,
6, and 4. All of them are homeschooled by my incomparably more
intelligent, selfless, and patient wife.
Although most of the following policy positions are quite broadly stated
(and I’m happy to elaborate on them in the weeks to come) and
non-exhaustive, I am committed to:
(1) Life – from conception to natural death;
(2) An ethical economic system in which those who contribute to the wealth of their society enjoy a fairer share of it;
(3) The traditional family;
(4) Removing unnecessary regulations on homeschooling;
(5) Promoting educational reform that focuses on the cultivation of
virtue (this would include concern for our elderly, respect for the
rights and dignity of those with whom we disagree, etc.)
(6) Reversing the damaging effects of secular-liberalism on our constitutional right to exercise our faith;
(7) Civility in public discourse;
(8) A public campaign-financing system;
(9) A gun policy that strikes a scientifically-informed balance between our Second Amendment rights and public safety;
(10) A just and humane foreign policy; one that eschews imperialism and is not determined by special interests;
(11) The creation of a new department (or a program within a
currently-existing department) devoted to publicly debating pressing
issues and issuing non-binding opinions.
(12) Supporting local, organically-produced food.”
VP: Mike Maturen:
“I have spent most of my political life as a conservative Republican,
although I have dabbled in Libertarianism as well. I grew up in the
Roman Catholic faith, but left in college to become an evangelical
Protestant. After nearly 18 years wandering around various forms of
Protestantism, I was called back to the faith of my youth after studying
the writings of the Early Church Fathers. The current Holy Father, Pope
Francis, began to reshape my thinking regarding fiscal conservatism,
pointing out the need for Christians to not just talk about the poor,
but actually to do something about it. I am a social conservative and a
fiscal moderate. Although I was only just recently introduced to
distributism and subsidiarity, I believe it lines up well with the
teachings of Christ. Professionally, I have spent my nearly 30 year
career in sales and marketing. I am a professional speaker and a
published author…”
Jul 10, '16, 7:03 pm
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Banned
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Join Date: March 17, 2016
Posts: 2,137
Religion: Catholic
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Re: Is It Time for a US Christian Democracy Party?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wampa
The American Solidarity Party seems to
have selected their ticket. I couldn’t find any info on their website
yet, so I pulled this info from their Facebook page.
Short version:
Pres: Amir Azarvan (GA); Eastern Orthodox (convert from Islam)
VP: Mike Maturen (MI); Roman Catholic
Long version:
Pres: Amir Azarvan:
“My name is Amir, and I am originally from Youngstown, Ohio. I am of
Iranian descent, born to the some of the world’s most loving parents.
Although I come from a Muslim family, I began to call myself Christian
in my early 20s, and converted to Eastern Orthodoxy in 2007. I have a
doctorate in political science, and am an assistant professor at Georgia
Gwinnett College. I recently edited a book, Re-Introducing
Christianity: An Eastern Apology for a Western Audience (Wipf &
Stock).
I’ve been married for over 12 years, and have three daughters, ages 9,
6, and 4. All of them are homeschooled by my incomparably more
intelligent, selfless, and patient wife.
Although most of the following policy positions are quite broadly stated
(and I’m happy to elaborate on them in the weeks to come) and
non-exhaustive, I am committed to:
(1) Life – from conception to natural death;
(2) An ethical economic system in which those who contribute to the wealth of their society enjoy a fairer share of it;
(3) The traditional family;
(4) Removing unnecessary regulations on homeschooling;
(5) Promoting educational reform that focuses on the cultivation of
virtue (this would include concern for our elderly, respect for the
rights and dignity of those with whom we disagree, etc.)
(6) Reversing the damaging effects of secular-liberalism on our constitutional right to exercise our faith;
(7) Civility in public discourse;
(8) A public campaign-financing system;
(9) A gun policy that strikes a scientifically-informed balance between our Second Amendment rights and public safety;
(10) A just and humane foreign policy; one that eschews imperialism and is not determined by special interests;
(11) The creation of a new department (or a program within a
currently-existing department) devoted to publicly debating pressing
issues and issuing non-binding opinions.
(12) Supporting local, organically-produced food.”
VP: Mike Maturen:
“I have spent most of my political life as a conservative Republican,
although I have dabbled in Libertarianism as well. I grew up in the
Roman Catholic faith, but left in college to become an evangelical
Protestant. After nearly 18 years wandering around various forms of
Protestantism, I was called back to the faith of my youth after studying
the writings of the Early Church Fathers. The current Holy Father, Pope
Francis, began to reshape my thinking regarding fiscal conservatism,
pointing out the need for Christians to not just talk about the poor,
but actually to do something about it. I am a social conservative and a
fiscal moderate. Although I was only just recently introduced to
distributism and subsidiarity, I believe it lines up well with the
teachings of Christ. Professionally, I have spent my nearly 30 year
career in sales and marketing. I am a professional speaker and a
published author…”
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They do not have ballot access unfortunately.
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