ADVICE TO DEMOCRATS: LET EVANGELICALS TALK!

Amid the predictions of doom for the Democrats, I see a ray of hope!

Simply this:

LET EVANGELICALS TALK!

On one of NPRs segements yesterday, Rick Warren of THE PURPOSE DRIVE
LIFE, said something very interesting.

When asked: What do Evangelicals want? He said: Not to be laughed
at.

IS THAT ALL?

IF SO, I THINK THIS UNHOLY ALLIANCE BETWEEN SOUTHERN BUBBAS AND BIG
BUSINESS COULD BE VERY VERY UNSTABLE FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY!

Evangelicals want "marriage" between a man and a woman.

OK, let them win in the symantics of this issue! SO WHAT!

And, Militant Gays have only themselves to blame for the current
backlash that is stopping EVEN CIVIL UNIONS NOW!

In truth, "civil unions" are more in line with the "realitiy" of the
situation.

I mean, do two guys really, really need to be "married," as opposed
to just "civilly united" by law? Is it worth it?

IS THAT SYMANTIC FIGHT WORTH HAVING?

EVEN AS WALL STREET LOOTS THE ECONOMY, AND TRASHES OUR SOCIAL SAFETY
NET ONCE AND FOR ALL!

As I listened to the WHAT DO EVANGELICALS WANT arguments, it became
quite clear that they don't want, say, concentration camps for gays!

Or, letting grandma Millie eat cat food to pay for her
prescriptions; Or to pay her electric bill!

EVANGELICALS DO FEED AND PROVIDE SHELTERS FOR THE HOMELESS IN MANY
CITIES. THEY KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEMS ARE!

EVANGELICALS ARE REALLY "CLOSET LIBERALS," WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO THE
REAL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ISSUES FACING AMERICANS TODAY!

AND EVANGELICALS ARE NOT PART OF THE REPUBLICAN WALL STREET "LOOT,
POLLUTE AND SCOOT" CROWD!

AMAZINGLY, DEMOCRATS COULD ALLY WITH EVANGELICALS ON MANY SOCIAL
ISSUES, IF AND ONLY IF, THESE "WEDGE ISSUES" OF ABORTION AND GAY
MARRIAGE COULD BE SOMEHOW "NEUTRALIZED!!"

Of course, the Republicans will fight this tooth and nail...

But Democrats take note: YOU CAN WORK WITH THE EVANGELICALS ON MOST
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ISSUES!!

Mr Goldberg notes in today's USAToday that Democrats don't "do
religion" very convincingly. AND THAT'S TRUE!

BUT, THERE IS AN ANSWER TO THAT LITTLE PROBLEM!

DON'T TRY TO DO RELIGION!

BUT DO ENGAGE THE EVANGELICALS ON OTHER SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ISSUES;

EVANGELICALS COULD BE THE BEST FRIENDS DEMOCRATS EVER HAD ON:

THE ENVIRONMENT. THE BUSH WARS. SOCIAL SECURITY. HEALTH CARE.
MINIMUM WAGE. PRESCRIPTION DRUGS FOR SENIORS. HOMELESSNESS AND THE
SOCIAL SAFETY NET.

EVANGELICALS ARE NOT REALLY THAT "INTOLERANT." THEY DON'T WANT TO
START LYNCHING BLACKS AND GAYS.

ALL THEY WANT IS A LITTLE RESPECT!

AND SADDLY, WE IN THE LIBERAL-AGNOSTIC WING OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY
HAVE DENIED THEM THAT RESPECT....AND NOW WE HAVE PAID A DEAR PRICE
FOR OUR HUBRIS!

SURE, I'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO "DO RELIGION. " OK, I ADMIT THAT. (And,
neither could Kerry!)

BUT;

I CAN LISTEN TO WHAT EVANGELICALS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT SOCIAL AND
ECONOMIC ISSUES.

I CAN RESPECT THEIR RIGHT TO BE RELIGIOUS.

I CAN ENCOURAGE THEM TO EXPRESS THEIR COMPASSION FOR HUMANITY,
WITHOUT BEING "COACHED" BY THE WALL STREET GREEDMONGERS.

I CAN QUIT CALLING THEM "HICKS" "IGNORANT" "DUMB" "NEO-
NAZIS" "BUBBAS" "RED NECKS" "JESUS FREAKS" "GUN NUTS" ETC. ETC.

I CAN QUIT LAUGHING AT THEM....AND PROUDLY ACTING "UNHOLIER THAN
THOU."

AND JUST MAYBE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY CAN TOO!!

DEMOCRATS HAVE MORE "IN COMMON" WITH MOST EVANGELICALS THAN THEY
THINK...

ESPECIALLY ON THE KEY SOCIAL WELFARE AND ECONOMIC ISSUES.

Think about it.



Postscript:

OK, who giggled? Stop it!