CHAPTER 32
Say nothing of my religion. It is known to God and myself alone. Its evidence before the world is to be sought in my life: if it has been honest and dutiful to society the religion which has regulated it cannot be a bad one. - Thomas Jefferson
Two weeks later, the National Liberty Party held its convention in Philadelphia. The weather was sweltering, but the delegates seemed no less determined in their mission to restore to their country what they believed to be the most basic of human rights- freedom.
For 12 years these delegates had witnessed the revolution that had changed the political landscape of the nation. They watched in disbelief as the Christian Democratic Republican Party became the dominant political party of the nation and its Bible-based values gradually became more important to a majority of Americans than the traditional American values of liberty, individual freedom and free-market economics.
They had fought with every legislative tool at their disposal the CDR measures to reward single-income families, knowing that the hidden intent of the legislation was to dissuade women from working outside the home.
They had fought legislation to provide tax credits for home-schools, not because they objected to children being taught at home, but because the intent was clearly to keep women out of the workplace.
They had fought against the new government health care system, not because they objected to health care for the poor, but because they feared that the system would eventually provide poorer care for everyone.
They also fought against legislation to increase economic protectionism, because they saw this as an unrealistic attempt to avoid or delay the inevitability of a world economy.
And they fought against the “Christian Society” legislation that provided greatly increased government assistance to churches to aid the poor and homeless, not because they were anti-poor, but because the national debt was soaring and government aid to churches was making church and state more and more dependent on one another.
And, most of all, they fought against several new laws that seemed designed to make Christianity a national religion and people who held other beliefs second class citizens.
But in every case, they had lost.
And so now they had come to Philadelphia, home of the Liberty Bell and birthplace of America’s democracy, to dig-in and try once again to restore what they believed had been lost- basic American freedoms, such as the freedom to choose a career; the freedom over one’s body and one’s life; the freedom to access the best medical care that a person can afford; the freedom to succeed- or fail- in a business; and the freedom to practice- or not practice- any religion- without being penalized.
The Liberty Party’s candidate for president would almost certainly be Senator Robert Clay of New York. He was a devout Evangelical Christian who was not likely to antagonize the swing voters that the NLP needed desperately in order to win, and he would certainly carry his home state and its 31 electoral votes, which would be crucial on Election Day.
The favorite of many of the delegates, however, was Senator Langdon Stevens of Georgia, a maverick who had been elected three times by the people of his state, in spite of the fact that the state had gone strongly for the CDR candidates in the last two presidential elections. Stevens spoke eloquently about the core values of the party and the delegates were looking forward to his keynote address on Wednesday.
Toby, Tad and Trey were also looking forward to hearing the senator. With the terrorist case now “solved” Toby and Tad had both taken the week off and had been taking turns serving as ad-hoc bodyguards for Stevens. Trey was planning to come to Philadelphia on Wednesday to join the protection detail- as soon as he could get permission from Drake to take some time off.
Until then, Toby made certain that either he or Tad was close to the senator at all times and that he moved through the city using a different mode of transportation every trip- sometimes rental car; sometimes taxi; sometimes bus. He also stayed at the vacant home of an old college friend rather than in his hotel room. Toby’s analysis of the bombings had impressed Stevens enough that he agreed to take the precautions that Sullivan and Davenport recommended, although he refused to change any of his scheduled activities at the convention.
While the senator was safely ensconced at the ultra-secure convention center on Wednesday afternoon, Toby and Tad took a little walk around the city of Philadelphia, stopping to visit Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed and the United States Constitution written.
“It’s amazing how much history occurred here,” Toby whispered almost reverently as he and Tad took a guided tour of the restored 18th century building. “Washington was made commander of the army; the Declaration of Independence was adopted; the design for our flag was determined; the Articles of Confederation were adopted and the Constitution was drafted.”
“That is incredible,” Tad agreed. “I hope that holding the NLP Convention in Philadelphia is a good luck charm. I might not agree with everything in the Party’s platform, but I am petrified of the direction that our country is headed under the Christian Democratic Republicans. It’s not that they are bad people. It’s just that they seem to be blinded by their religious fervor not to question anything that their leaders determine is the will of God.”
“I think that’s what makes it so difficult for some people to see what is happening,” Sullivan answered. “They think that just because the motivation of something is pure, the result must be positive, too. After all, how could something mentioned in the Bible not be the right thing to do?”
“With that in mind, do you think we can trust Rawlings to protect Senator Stevens?” Davenport asked. “How do we know he isn’t involved with the people who killed the other two senators and possibly have something to do with the condition of Senator McIntyre?”
“I think I know Trey well enough to know that he could not be connected with people who would kill innocent people to further a cause, however worthwhile he might think the cause is,” Toby answered. “I just don’t believe he could be part of a group like that.”
“I hope you’re right,” Tad said as she took one more look at the “rising sun” chair used by George Washington as he presided over the Constitutional Convention. “Senator Stevens may be the deciding vote on the Christian Republic Amendment.”
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The time had come for Senator Stevens’s keynote address. As expected, the delegates had nominated Senator Clay as their candidate for president and now, they were ready to be called to battle by the man they had nominated to be vice-president and who better than any other, gave voice to the values in which they believed.
Mr. Chairman, fellow delegates and all those who cherish freedom and liberty:
I could talk tonight about the stagnation in our economy and growing national debt due to skyrocketing costs for social services. I could talk about the deteriorating quality of our health care system, including the lack of new drugs and equipment. And I could talk about the soaring inflation resulting from economic protectionism and decreasing productivity. These are problems well known to all Americans.
But I want instead to talk to you tonight about one word- one word that draws a clear distinction between our political party and the other political party- and that word is “liberty.”
When William Penn created Pennsylvania’s government he allowed citizens to take part in making laws and gave them the right to choose the religion they wanted. The colonists were proud of their freedoms, and in 1751 the Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly ordered a new bell for the State House. That bell, now on display on Market Street, between 5th and 6th streets is known as the Liberty Bell and contains a Bible verse, “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto the inhabitants thereof.” As the official bell of the Pennsylvania State House, it has rung many times, but none with greater importance than in 1776.
Almost 250 years ago in a building just a few blocks from here, a group of patriots from throughout the English colonies came together in the heat of the summer to draft a document that would forever alter the course of human events. That document was the Declaration of Independence, and the mere act of signing it was a treasonable offense. In spite of the personal risk involved, the men assembled at what is now known as Independence Hall adopted that declaration and declared that men have a God-given right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Throughout most of our history, Americans never questioned the wisdom of Jefferson’s words. Indeed, we have taken these three rights very much for granted. It is true that at several times in our history, we have allowed the government to limit our rights. During the Civil War, President Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus. During World War II, President Roosevelt interned Japanese-Americans. And after 9/11/2001, the Congress passed the Patriot Act, giving the government extraordinary powers to spy on American citizens. Some of these actions were less justified than others, but all were strictly temporary measures to protect the American people. Never, until the past decade, have Americans voluntarily surrendered so many of their rights and freedoms on a seemingly permanent basis.
I can almost hear some of my friends from the other political party saying to their friends and companions, “What is he talking about? What freedoms have Americans lost?”
Well, let me see if I can explain it so they can understand, because I know that you do.
For starters, I believe that fully one-half of all Americans- women- have lost the freedom to make the most basic reproductive choices. The government has decided that all women must do what the men running the government have determined is the moral thing to do. Is a ban on birth control next? There is a loud voice within the other party that believes it is as wrong as abortion.
Women are also losing the right to pursue careers and professions of their choice. True, there have been no laws passed to restrict their access to an education or career, but there have been several measures enacted that make it economically undesirable for families to have two wage earners. And the real effect of these laws will not be felt until a generation or two from now, when today’s young girls decide not to pursue higher levels of education, because they have received the clear message that society wants them to be housewives and mothers..
Others who have lost rights are the 50 million plus Americans who are non-Christians. These include Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Scientologists, agnostics and atheists among others. These Americans have lost the right to participate in American secular activities without having the Christian religion imposed upon them. They cannot attend sporting events, city council meetings or even business meetings without having to endure public prayers that they may find either meaningless or offensive.
And, I contend that we all are losing a very important right- the right to participate in a truly free economic marketplace. Little by little, this Christian government of ours is accomplishing in the name of religion what we fought against for nearly 50 years when it was called communism or socialism. Just as a rose by any other name may smell just as sweet, a thorn by any other name is just as dangerous.
Are people who have surrendered all decision-making to a theocracy really any more free than those who have chosen the dictatorship of the proletariat? If the government takes from those according to their ability to provide for those according to their need, does it really matter whether the motivating philosophy is Christianity or Marxism? Are not the results the same?
Our opponents talk about creating a society based on God’s laws as if they know what God’s laws are. They say that government should enforce God’s will, and yet they use government to take away God’s most basic gift to man- free will- the very thing that makes us human.
In just a few days, the United States Senate will hold one of the most important votes in our nation’s history. The issue is one that I believe was settled in Independence Hall in 1787 when men such as James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and even pious old John Adams met with other great statesmen to write the Constitution of the United States. These men had the opportunity at that time to call this country by any name they wished, including the Christian Republic of the United States. But the Founding Fathers chose instead to call it simply the United States of America.
I think they knew what they were doing, and I think a lot of well-intentioned, but seriously misguided people are attempting to do something that probably has some of the greatest Americans- men such as Washington, Jefferson, Madison and Lincoln- spinning around in their graves.
My fellow Americans, I would never be so arrogant as to ask you to join me in prayer, because frankly, I don’t believe that God takes sides in our political debates. But I am asking you to search your own hearts and minds and to study some of the great documents of American history, including the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. And after you have studied these documents, I ask that you think very seriously about the type of country that you want your sons and daughters to grow-up in- a country based on the religious beliefs of some at the expense of liberty for all, or a country based on freedom in which freedom of religion is enjoyed and respected by all.
God created every individual with free will and a brain. I ask that you put them both to good use. The future of the United States of America is in your hands. Thank you.
Toby and Tad jumped up off the couch in the hotel room where Trey and they had watched the speech and applauded the video screen as if they were among the wildly cheering delegates.
“What a great speech,” Toby said. “I think he really nailed the key differences between the two parties.”
“I think so, too,” said Tad, “although I wish he hadn’t dwelled so much on the economic issues. I happen to agree with some of the CDR’s programs such as free health-care, and I think a lot of Americans do.”
“You mean taxpayer-financed health care, don’t you?” Sullivan said. “Just keep in mind, that it’s all connected. Before we can make any changes in the economic system, the health-care system or virtually any other aspect of government, we’ve got to change the mentality and motivation behind the decisions.”
“What do you mean?” asked Tad.
“I mean that we have to get institutionalized religion out of government,” Sullivan said. “Decisions can still be based on collective moral values, but they should also be based on reason and experience. What we are in the process of creating now are political and economic systems based on how some people interpret the Bible, rather than on the best knowledge and experience available. In order to keep the religious coalition together, the CDR is leading us into economic AND social disaster.”
“I don’t know where you come up with doomsday stuff like that,” said Rawlings, who was still sitting in his chair, choosing not to join his companions in celebration. “There are a lot of economists who believe that we are just about to turn the corner and should begin to whittle down the debt fairly soon.”
“After eliminating another 10 to 20 percent of our workforce over the next decade?” asked Toby. “How is this miracle going to occur?”
“It’s true that we will probably have to reduce our standard of living,” Trey admitted, “but Americans can afford to live in smaller homes and drive smaller vehicles. It’s a trade-off for a more compassionate society,”
“I wish it were as simple as that,” Toby said, “but it just doesn’t add-up to me.”
“That’s because you don’t accept the premise that God will watch over our country if our country pays homage to Him,” Trey continued.
“You’re right, I don’t,” Toby responded. “I’m afraid I agree with Senator Stevens. I don’t think that God really gets involved in our political decisions.”
“We’re never going to agree abote any of this,” Trey said in exasperation. “But I have faith that you’ll understand someday when you see how God rewards us for trying to make our country the kind of society that Christ taught us abote. Some of the things we do to achieve the reality of a Christian nation may seem extreme to some, but in the end, they will be rewarded.”
“That’s scary talk to me,” Toby said.
“Doing what Christ wants is scary only to those who don’t truly believe,” Trey said. “Where am I supposed to meet Senator Stevens?”