I am having problems squaring Catholic family values with their overwhelming support of Joe Gimse over Dean Johnson in our district. Refusing to believe that Johnson is pro-life despite his repeated avowal, a man whose respect for his marriage vows was proved conclusively over many years even unto his wife's death recently, they still chose to go with a man who deserted his family, refused to pay alimony or child support until the courts finally reined him in.
I have always assumed that the sanctity of marriage was a chief concern of Catholics since they are currently demanding a constitutional amendment to prevent gays and lesbians to make such avowals of life-long commitment.
Johnson, a champion for rural Minnesota with immense political clout that he used to good purposes, has been replaced by a freshman senator who will take years to establish himself so he can be of much use to save rural Minnesota from the problems that beset us because of Gov. Tim Pawlenty's disastrous policies.
And Gimse, of course, does not represent any of the changes that most of us voted for, hoping to restore integrity to our House and Senate in Minnesota. He will stand with Michele Bachmann as foursquare representatives of the old regime.
It seems that once a child is born, we should no longer have any responsiblity for its welfare or education, according to the prevailing opinion of Catholics and the Protestant right wing, as evidenced by Bachmann's election. Patty Wetterling, a champion of children, which should be a primary concern of Catholics and Protestants in that particular district, seemed to register not at all. Child molestation seems to fall far below taxation with the Republicans in her domain.
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The fact that Bachmann has a direct line to God (through her husband, of course, since subserviency to the male head of household is essential to her faith) seems to appeal strongly to the strident religiosity of her constituents so that she was elected handily to her sacred seat in Congress. Nothing like having a bona fide prophetess among them!
- Lee Paulson Glenwood
