Links: Preventing future Trumpism; smart, moral advice for Biden

Links: Preventing future Trumpism; smart, moral advice for Biden 

Ask any Trumpist why they love him so much (even if they did not like his racism). The answer is that Trump is pro-life (a gimme for Republicans, even if false) and appointed pro-life justices, leading to the repeal of Roe. They will oppose any Democrat, even a Catholic, because they assume, quite correctly, that they would never end legal abortion by returning Roe or protect the rights of the unborn. Was Trump really a member of the pro-life movement, or its useful idiot. I expect the latter, which is why Trumpism will survive.

The cornerstones to Catholic social teaching are guaranteed family incomes (sensitive to family size) and expanding unions. Increasing family income is bipartisan (although Trumpists will insist it is Communist). The only question is adequacy. Biden proposes improving the earned income, child care and child tax credits. 

There is no reason not to support a Trumpist president who would do as much with child tax credits as Biden. Roe is not in any danger, nor are abortion rights. The fetus has the same constitutional right not to be executed by the state. That is the only right to life provided for in the Constitution. There is no way, in the United States, that you can create rights for the fetus at the expense of its mother. 

Explaining why this is the case is the only way to save the union movement and the Democrats from themselves. It will also silence any bishops who wish to deny Communion to Democratic politicians. Not doing so will leave current status quo in place. If you doubt it, read the comments on the NCR Facebook page whenever Biden or abortion are mentioned. Attacking EWTN and its subsidiaries also draw out the trolls. 

Biden will bring back protections for unions, while McConnell will obstruct this as much as possible. So will pro-life Republicans. As long as the AFL-CIO is in the Democrat's corner and explicitly supports abortion rights, they do more to short circuit the union movement than McConnell ever could. Again, the answer is to explain why the only way to reduce abortion so much that clinics will close is enacting economic protections for families. 

Infrastructure improvements require expanding gasoline excise taxes. The programs to distribute the money and the companies to do the work already exist. While the industrial planning boards for the New Deal and World War II no longer exist, the rest of the New Deal is alive and well. 

Rewarding honest work requires bringing back the union movement (and unionizing white collar workers), see above. Until white collar workers see something for themselves in joining unions, they will continue to whither.

Speaking of rights, I would be more impressed if Dr. Rowlands were added to the CDF. Ending clerical sacred continence and celibacy and ordaining Dr. Rowlands would be even better, even if this is done so as a deacon rather than a priest. Making her a Cardinal would, of course, be better. Putting her in charge, even better.

The promise of obedience also needs adjusting. Bishops should be obedient to their deacons and priests by election, rather than the other way around. Ordination can be accomplished without either continence, obedience or masculinity. The grace of Sacrament requires no other condition. Indeed, while grace is definitely imparted, the outward act of blessing bespeaks a holiness that is already there in all of us.

Feuds are never about just one thing.

I have had the serious version of COVID-19, so I do not require a vaccine. If I did, however, I would prefer smooth jazz or New Age music.