Senator Cruz and 5 other Republican presidential hopefuls accepted invitations to appear in front of a friendly audience in Texas October 18. Much of what the candidates said to the approving crowd would qualify as pandering in my opinion, even if those words were heartfelt convictions. In brief testimonials (for want of a truer description), the candidates uniformly professed their belief and faith in God, and how prayer to God and subservience to "His" desires has been critical to their success in life and career.
After each candidate's short campaign 'confession of faith' to the evangelical throngs present, Dr. Jack Graham, the host and pastor of the 'mega-church' (Prestonwood Baptist Church) where the "North Texas Presidential Forum" was held, sat with each speaker and posed a few questions.
During that 'exit interview' with Senator Cruz, Cruz spent much of his time bragging how Christian he is, and how long he has been defending "religious liberty" in his career. During his initial 15 minute pander to the euphoric crowd, Cruz railed on about how he successfully defended religious liberty in front of the Supreme Court, by several "5 to 4" decisions in "his" favor and even a unanimous decision.
Minutes later, in response to one of Dr. Graham's questions about ending "judicial activism", Cruz turned around and criticized the very same Supreme Court and it's Chief Justice as being "activists" and "liberals". So, on the one hand, when Cruz WON in front of the court, they're right and good and conservative. When, instead, those same 9 justices rule contrary to Cruz' personal beliefs, they're "judicial activists" who should be stopped at all costs.
But, the "judicial activism" flip-flop isn't what bothers me. It's what Sen. Cruz says a bit later in the Q&A interview that bares his real intentions for America. This is what Sen. Cruz said:
"If we are allowing our leaders to be elected by non believers is it any wonder we have a federal government that is assaulting life and marriage and religious liberty?" (My emphasis.)
See the whole thing here:
https://www.youtube.com/...
Even taken in context, that statement should alarm every single red-blooded (and blue-blooded) American. Here is a sitting United States Senator running for President, implying that "non believers" should perhaps be prevented from voting for the offices of the government of the United States of America. Is Senator Cruz hoping to install a 'litmus test' at the voting booth? Does the Senator really believe that America's problems are all due to "non believers" voting? Just whose 'beliefs' should qualify them for the right to vote?
I have to leave it up to you to decide. I wish the so-called "liberal media" was taking this statement to task.....but, since there really isn't a "liberal" media bias in network TV and radio (non-cable), this will probably be accepted as meaningless pandering and not worth reporting. (I first heard the soundbite on NPR the following morning, without any comment or explanation from the program.)
So, in case Cruz and his ilk actually end up in complete control of the United States of America in 2017, I am offering my services to rewrite the "Pledge of Allegiance" for them; in fact, I've already composed a draft:
I pledge allegiance to the Cross, of the United Church of America. And to the Repression for which it stands, the Bible, "Word of God", with Liberty for Just Us, not y'all.