“one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Update: A lot of people believed the quote above belonged to Mr. Kucinich, but that was me. Thanks Dan for the heads up on my formatting mistake. 
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[...] by the candidates… well, all except one failed to get my serious attention: Ron Paul. Just as Dennis Kucinich would have been my candidate of choice for the democrats, I must say that Ron Paul has left a very [...]
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[...] by the candidates… well, all except one failed to get my serious attention: Ron Paul. Just as Dennis Kucinich would have been my candidate of choice for the democrats, I must say that Ron Paul has left a very [...]
Ron Paul / Dennis Kucinich 2008!
werd!
I registered as a D this year just to vote for Dennis K in the primaries/caucus
That’s the McCarthyite version. It was “one Nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all” until the anti-Communist witch-hunters forced the change in the 1950s.
is crazy?
You’re suggesting people should vote based on a soundbyte?
Atheists are citizens too.
Henry, where did you get my “suggestion” that people should vote for him? This is MY choice and I’m voicing it.
Ron Paul – 2008
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/
Christians for Ron Paul
http://www.christiansforronpaul.com/
‘nough said!
I wish people’s excitement about candidates were based more on campaign platforms and voting history rather than soundbytes that make them sound religious or patriotic
@Dan: “I wish people’s excitement about candidates were based more on campaign platforms and voting history rather than soundbytes that make them sound religious or patriotic”
My excitement IS based on voting history. Look at Ron Paul’s voting history. He sticks to what he has voted for. There is nothing wrong with standing up for what you believe in. I am not voting for him JUST because he is a Christian. I am voting for him because of what he stands for, his voting record, and because he is a Christian. I wouldn’t vote for Bush, yet he CLAIMS to be a Christian.
Just my two cents.
Og, the suggestion is implicit: Why else voice your opinion about the candidate you support if not in the hope (perhaps subconscious) that others will also take a look at what he stands for, and perhaps vote for him if they’re able?
I am, of course, all for you voicing your opinion, and for the record think that Kucinich is a pretty good candidate (as I understand it, he has the single most consistent congressional voting record of anyone in the House now – definitely a plus).
My main problem with your post was that it seemingly advocated Kucinich based on a single tired soundbyte that has probably been used (in various forms) by every U.S. presidential candidate in history. I would have much preferred it if you had run through the main points of his platform that you agree with.
As Dan said there seems to be this tendency these days — not just in the U.S., but in every developed democracy — for people to vote for who has the prettiest face/most likeable personality/most inspiring speeches, rather than for the person with the most rational policy platform and most consistent voting history. I really think that needs to change.
Henry, thanks for the explanation.
The quote I put in this post wasn’t based on anything Dennis may have said (you see, I have followed his debates, etc but not all of his speeches), but my own beliefs. I can see now why someone would think that I chose based on a “soundbyte”. I’d have to say one of the main reasons I’m considering voting for him is actually his consistent voting history and stance. The quote was placed there because I really do want “a Nation, under God,…”
Cheers,
Og
I don’t see “under God” written anywhere on Kucinich’s site, or indeed anything on the front page mentioning religion.
Religion should not be mixed with politics. Religion is every persons personal choice, and the moment you start mixing politics in to it, is the moment you start pushing your personal beliefs on others.
“The quote was placed there because I really do want “a Nation, under God,…—
So you want a theocracy? Where would that leave those who do not believe in God? Should they leave because “this is a nation under God!”?
We have one theocracy in the world: Iran. Let’s not add a second one. No, Vatican does not count.
I’m honestly surprised that an intelligent person would vote for someone just because “he’s a Christian”. Is THAT what it takes to be a good politician?
Janne,
Mind you I said “under God”, whatever that may be to YOU. And if you don’t believe in A God, that is fine too. If there is one thing I DON’T believe in is forcing MY beliefs into OTHERS. This discussion about “does he have to be Christian? does he not?” is just plain stupid! I don’t give a rat’s ass if some is Christian, sleeps in the left side of the bed, or like cream on his coffee. Let us be open minded here, get past the quote, and make sure to vote (if you so choose) for the candidate that YOU care.
“Mind you I said “under Godâ€, whatever that may be to YOU. And if you don’t believe in A God, that is fine too. ”
If not believing is “fine”, why is god mentioned in the oath? Why are non-believers required to pledge their allegiance to god? What if the oath was changed to “one nation, under Allah” or “one nation, under Satan”? I bet that wouldn’t be OK? Why? Because it would go against the beliefs of Christians? Well, “one nation, under god” goes against those who do not believe, why is it OK to go against their beliefs and feelings?
Remember what GWB said: “No, I don’t know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God.”.
“If there is one thing I DON’T believe in is forcing MY beliefs into OTHERS. ”
“One nation, under God” forces the beliefs of believers on those who do not believe in god. And anyone who supports that oath is forcing the belief in god on to others.
Janne, if there is one thing I will not do is allow anyone to suck me into this “Christian or not Christian” controversy. The Oath exists the way it is, for better or worse. The US Anthem also calls this Nation “America” and I’ve heard people complain about this too. This is MY blog, and I express MY opinions here! If you are so gullible by what other people say, it is your own fault. Don’t use other people’s words against them.
“Janne, if there is one thing I will not do is allow anyone to suck me into this “Christian or not Christian†controversy. The Oath exists the way it is, for better or worse.”
It exists because in the fifties, USA wanted to show itself as the opposite of USSR. And since USSR was atheist…. Before that change there was no god in the oath. So this isn’t even an “ancient tradition” or anything like that.
“This is MY blog, and I express MY opinions here!”
Um, I’m not trying to tell you to STFU or anything like that. I just assumed that since there’s the possibility to post comments we can… you know, comment on your blog-posts?
“If you are so gullible by what other people say, it is your own fault. Don’t use other people’s words against them.”
I’m not sure I’m following you here.
Janne:
““One nation, under God†forces the beliefs of believers on those who do not believe in god. And anyone who supports that oath is forcing the belief in god on to others.”
That is what I meant about being gullible. This also applies to my statement about this being my blog, and my opinion. If anyone wants to believe in a God because of my statement alone, fine by me.
About what you said on USSR and USA cold war decisions, let me make something clear: remove the word God from the oath… heck, VOTE for someone who will do this for you. Isn’t that why we vote?
“That is what I meant about being gullible.”
By when I believe that having “one nation, under god” in the oath of allegiance force-feeds god on people, I’m “gullible”?
That’s what you said bud.
“That’s what you said bud.”
Um, no, I didn’t. “Gullible” means that someone believes everything he’s being told. That is not the issue here. The issue is that if you take the oath of allegiance, you are required to swear allegiance to god, regardless of what your beliefs are. That is a fact.
Dude, you said “..And anyone who supports that oath is forcing the belief in god on to others.â€
You implied that I support it… therefore I’m forcing it onto others… right?
Og,
I think I see where you’re coming from now, but some of us were confused because the post’s formatting looked as if the quote came from Mr. Kucinich, and that your support for him was based on the quote.
Hey Dan,
Thanks for the heads up… I can totally see it now.
Cheers,
Og