Thursday, August 21, 2008

Mitt Romney as VP?

I'm tired of hearing all of the continuously rehashed rhetoric about Mitt Romney as a possible Vice President. This started when he was a frontrunner in the primaries, and continues every time his name surfaces as a possible VP selection.

Every article I read generally agrees that his qualifications in the business, political, and service world are outstanding. Sure, a few disagree with his stand on certain issues, and that he has changed his mind on a few things--this after he learned more, and made an educated, informed decision regarding his positions.

But the thing that gets me most on Governor Romney is that people, as much as they feel he is best-qualified, constantly refer to his "Mormonism" as the main factor they wouldn't vote for whom they say is the best for the job.

WHAT THE #@&%?! They won't vote for Mitt Romney because of his religious affiliation?! Our Constitution strictly forbids any religious test as a determinent in a race for the Presidency. Let me say that again...

The Constitution of the United States of America FORBIDS ANY RELIGIOUS TEST as a determinent in a race for the Presidency.

It seems very evident that this prohibition has been completely ignored in Mr. Romney's case. Why is that? What makes people so afraid of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints that they would ignore the law of the land in order to get him (Romney) out of the race?

If people started attacking Barack Obama's faith, the media would be whipping up a storm of vilification for anyone even mentioning his religion in a negative way. So why the double standard when it comes to Gov. Romney? Why is it not OK to attack Obama's religion, but open hunting season has been declared on Romney's faith? This doesn't make sense.

I actually read an interview with a leader of the Southern Evangelical Association who stated that (and I'm paraphrasing here) "Mr. Romney is perhaps the most qualified candidate in the race; but I just can't get past his Mormonism." Another gentleman being interviewed stated that "Mr. Romney is too good to be true. He's too wholesome (WHAT?!!!). He's got to be hiding something. Besides, he's a Mormon. I'd never vote for him." Lastly, a young man of about 25 I personally know told me "If a Mormon becomes President, I'm moving to Canada." I asked him if Mr. Romney's qualifications mattered to him. His reply, "Not if he's Mormon."

Wow...ignorance, bias, and hate at their ugliest.

When we, as a nation (citizens, media, etc) seek to exclude the man most everyone generally agrees as being the best choice to run this country (now as a possible VP candidate) because of his religious affiliation, we are dangerously attempting to rewrite the very letter and spirit of the law which prohibits such a practice.

The media [in general] should be ashamed that they are perpetuating the anti-Mormon bias because they either personally disagree with the Governor's beliefs, or they choose to continuously dwell in ignorance; reading and rehashing yet another "journalists" article that dwells simply on how bad a leader he would be because Romney is a "Mormon," rather than doing their own research in an effort to educate themselves so they can write fair, balanced stories that will actually leave it to the minds of the readers as to whether he is qualified.

Talk about leading a horse to water...