Will anybody else be relieved when politicians no longer have to pander to religious groups?

Question

As it stands now both parties have to make a big production about their religious values. When will we be able to talk about the real issues that affect this country?

Answer 1

Religion, like it or not, has a huge effect on the country, far more than atheism or agnosticism. So it IS a real issue.

Answer 2

Not really because that would be a totalitarian governmental system.  Religious groups (there are many and usually at odds with each other) are just one of many special interest groups.  When government becomes large, many time people are ignored and their only recourse is for like minded people to band together and try to influence government.  In a two-party system, the parties are too generalized to be helpful and in a multi-party system, nothing gets done as governments are often changed several times a year.  Hisorically, if a minority is passionate about something and they are ignored, civil unrest results.  Special interest groups are an outlet that keeps the lid on.  Others could make the argument that wouldn't it be nice if politicians no longer had to pander to:  gun rights, ecologists, unions, corporations, racial minorities, sexual minorities, dog enthusiasts, animal rights groups, recreationists, and a host of others.  It is either all or none or one sinks to tyrrany.  Fascism gets around this by giving special interest groups a direct say in the government (technically called corporatism, where special interest groups are defined as corporations - not the legal corporations of the business world) but that is even worse.

Bottom line - if every one is equal, then special interest groups must be allowed influence and nobody should be relived by disenfranchising a group of Americans.  The liberals call this diversity and is as much a part of liberalism as any other political group.  As a liberal, your not against diversity, are you?

Answer 3

I will be relieved when politicians no longer have to pander to minority groups for fear of being labeled a "racist."