John Benko opinion piece.
As is often the case, the election this year is fast devolving into a ludicrously false narrative among many who fashion themselves to be Catholic (or other Christian) conservatives.
That narrative is the narrow-minded myopia that reduces candidate/party 'A' into the demonic and candidate/party 'B' into the savior of mankind. Sober minds understand that this is fashioning politics into a religion. It is a form of Idolatry. No Catholic should be the willing mouthpiece and flag bearer for any politician, let alone one who does not live up to the values we stand for.
Two things can be true at one time
It can be true, and publicly exclaimed true that one candidate or one party in a particular election is substantially better or worse than the other. I certainly believe that to be the case this year. Though our apostolate can not officially endorse candidates, and I would refuse to anyway, I can come to personal conclusions that I arrive at myself.
My personal conclusion in this election is that the democratic party, and their nominees, are the most radical, dangerous and incompetent in our nation's history. Voting for them is simply unthinkable, for me.
The alternative, in my view, is better by far.
Does better men good, though? Is this an election between Good and Bad or between Bad and Worse?
I think it is way past time for Catholic Conservatives to come to the conclusion that there is a lot to dislike about Donald Trump and the type of role model he is and the type of President he was and will be again.
These examinations are important because, if he does get elected, we are the people who are going to have to not be hypnotized by his star power and pressure him to move in more sensible directions than he has lately.
I was among the many who believed he never should have been the nominee in 2016. There were many far superior candidates. It turns out, we were right.
Our worst fears have been realized. Trump's feigned nod to the pro-life cause was nothing more than a mirage.
No Catholic Conservative should be pleased knowing the threat this perverse coalition poses to children and families.
There are many other reasons for grave concern about Trump among Catholics.
Trump was absolutely rolled by Fauci and the Democrats into shutting down the economy during Covid and backing unconstitutional and draconian attacks on our freedoms. This shutdown also made a stolen election possible.
Trump's irrational blank-check support for Israel rivals the worst in the radical dispensationalist communities and is very dangerous, immoral and a threat to world peace. Again, two things can be true at once- we can deplore Hamas and Hezbollah and, at the same time, not support the genocide that has occurred against the Palestinians in Gaza.
Trump's fanatical support for the NRA's limitless gun worship makes it impossible to solve the problem of gun violence. While the other side continues to ignore all of the other factors, the proliferation of weapons of mass murder is an obvious and undeniable component in these mass shootings.
Trump is absolutely in bed with multinational corporations that have become more and more brazen in violating workers rights and refusing to pay decent compensation.
Trump's open embrace of "digital currency" is very troubling to those who fear enhanced government control and power.
Trump's greed, avarice and arrogance are certainly not traits we should be celebrating.
Trump failed to recognize and act against the global threats of Russia and China. He is out of his league on the world stage. Desantis or Rubio (both Catholics) would have been far better choices
It should come as no surprise that it was so easy for radical leftist Democrat Robert F Kennedy, Jr to join Trump. Trump ran to the left to meet him. This is not an election between a Liberal Democrat and a Conservative Republican. It is an election between Liberal Democrat Trump and Radical Communist Harris.
If elected President, Trump's feet must be held to the fire by serious Catholics and Christians who believe we must make America good again before we can make it great again. Though better than the alternative, Trump is far from being a good person. We have much work to do.
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