On February 19 all the candidates for the 52nd district U.S. Congressional seat except one showed up for a candidate forum at a prominent Evangelical church in eastern San Diego. The line-up consisted of Democrat Scott Peters, who was endorsed by Planned Parenthood; Republican Fred Simon, who said he was personally pro-life but publically pro-choice; and Republican Kirk Jorgensen, openly pro-life. The no-show was Republican Carl DeMaio, who had run TV ads with his homosexual partner and was openly pro-abortion.
The Evangelical pastor at the end of the forum went up to pro-abortion Peters and told him that if pro-abortion DeMaio won the nomination for Republican side, the pastor would vote for Peters.
On May 24, at a meet-and-greet for pro-lifer Kirk Jorgensen at a home in the southern end of the 52nd District, a Catholic pastor spoke about DeMaio. “If he gets the GOP nomination, who will speak up for the unborn? We have to get rid of these moderate Republicans.”
The results are in: pro-abortion Democrat Peters (42.2% of the votes in the June 3 open primary) and pro-abortion Republican DeMaio (35.9%) will face off in November. (Pro-lifer Jorgensen got 17.9%.) What should Catholics and other pro-lifers do? Should they follow the Evangelical pastor and vote for Peters as the lesser of two evils? Will Catholics follow the logic of the Catholic pastor who asks who will speak up for the unborn?
In A Voter’s Guide for Serious Catholics, last published and distributed widely by Catholic Answers in 2012, the race with two pro-abortion candidates is discussed on page 10:
“In some political races, each candidate takes a wrong position on one or more issues involving non-negotiable moral principles. In such a case you may vote for the can- didate who takes the fewest such positions or who seems least likely to be able to advance immoral legislation, or you may choose to vote for no one.
“A vote cast in such a situation is not morally the same as a positive endorsement for candidates, laws, or pro- grams that promote intrinsic evils: Rather, it is an action aimed at limiting the evil, and an action that limits evil is good.”
In 2014, the Republicans, generally pro-life, are not likely to lose control of the U.S. House of Representatives. So a vote for a pro-abortion Democrat, is not likely to result in the death of more unborn babies. But a pro-abortion Republican like congressional candidate DeMaio has campaigned as a “new generation Republican” to lead the GOP away from the life and family issues.
The San Diego County Republican Party in the months leading up to the June 3 primary election, endorsed DeMaio and poured money into ads, robo calls, yard signs, and mailings on DeMaio’s behalf.
As the Catholic priest said, if the GOP doesn’t defend the unborn, who will?
The California Republican Party is a joke and needs to be rebuilt from the ground-up.
Tom in San Jose is 100% correct.
I agree. Both parties suck.
Failing that, conservatives need to join the Conservative Party USA. Its platform caters to those who take the teachings of the Catholic Church seriously.
You’re absolutely right. Furthermore, it is not possible to support (much less be a member of) the Democrat party and be pro life, any more than it is possible to support Planned Parenthood or NARAL and be pro life. The dems are not just accepting of abortion, gay marriage and other perversions, they are passionate advocates of those evils which the Church has always taught are incompatible with Christianity. Anyone who belongs to the Democrat party, is therefore materially co-operating in evil.
While the Republican Party may be a joke, nevertheless it is not committed to evil as is the Democrat Party, and that should be a major consideration in anyone’s decision about voting.
I could never support a pro abortion candidate…..EVEN if the other candidate was more evil. I know the “experts” on this say otherwise, but I will not vote for evil no matter how it is packaged–NEVER.
SandraD,
There is a time when both major parties candidates are too EVIL, and Sad Diego is one of those times. Write in Jorgensen!
May God have mercy on an amoral Amerika and His Church!
Viva Cristo Rey!
Yours in Their Hearts,
Kenneth M. Fisher
Here is a must read – by Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict)
“Worthiness to Receive Holy Communion, General Principles” – having to do with voting regarding abortion and euthanasia.
(While reading, remember that there is nothing proportionate in the USA to the murder of approx. 1 MILLION innocents each year.)
https://www.priestsforlife.org/magisterium/bishops/04-07ratzingerommunion.htm
All Catholic Citizens are obligated to VOTE (CCC 2240) in National, State and Local elections.
We must remember that both the National and CA State Democratic Platforms contain INTRINSIC EVILS –
Abortion, Euthanasia, (Embryonic) Stem Cell Research, Sodomy marriage.
Since Catholics are required to vote, we must vote for the lessor of the evils when there is no other choice.
Of course, there is no such thing as sodomy marriage.
I appreciate the Catholic answer commentary. A Democrat in the Republican majority House will have no effect on pro-abortion issues (Peters, in this case). But, a Republican (DeMaio), could work the moderate Republicans in effecting change on many social issues and cause fractures within the Party. I think Peters is “the lesser of 2 evils. Too bad Jurgensen didn’t win!! I’m tired of voting for the lesser of 2 evils. St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in this battle…
If you over 25 years of age, have been a US citizen for 7 years and live in the state, you are eligible. Go for it.
Peggy, that is false.
Because the both the State and National DEMOCRATIC Platforms support ABORTION, EUTHANASIA, HOMOSEXUAL MARRIAGE, and Embryonic Stem Cell Research.
You will NEVER get the MOST EVIL out of office if you keep voting for them.
Do you want the entire Country in the toilet permanently?
IF enough VOTERS are like Peggy, then the entire Congress will be PRO-ABORTION DEMOCRATS.
Never bet the farm on “likely”, “unlikely”, or “maybe”.
That is stupidity.
Many other in the USA are sick of Californians sending trash to Congress.
Here is the VOTERS guide that clearly states the INTRINSIC EVILS that you may not support.
https://www.politicalresponsibility.com/voterguide.htm
And it walks you through the Catholic thought process.
Includes the 5 non-negotiables;
how to determine the candidates position;
How not to vote;
How to vote;
and When there is no acceptable candidate.
Don’t follow the Protestant Minister in the article who is clearly a Democrat.
From the writings of St. Louis de Montfort:
“Diabolical wisdom is the love of esteem and honors. This is the wisdom of the worldly-wise who, secretly of course, long for distinctions, honors, dignities and high offices. They strive to be seen, esteemed, praised and applauded by men. In their studies, their work, their words and actions, all they want is the esteem and praise of men, to be reputed as devout or learned people, as great leaders, eminent lawyers, men of great and distinguished merit or deserving of high consideration. They cannot bear insult or blame and so they hide their shortcomings and parade their better qualities.”
Sound familiar folks??????
How many men and women are politicians to really help all the people, including the least among us — the unborn children, the handicapped and those not born “perfect”, the elderly, women and children and on and on — or just for their own ego. Do they give with one hand, quite often the taxes or earnings of others, and kill the unborn and weak with the other hand when Catholic teaching says one may not do evil that good might come from it?
Some of us are old enough to remember how Goldwater took over the Republican party and got himself nominated. Everything said on this thread to date indicates the need, not to build up the Republican party, but to rejuvenate the Democratic party. If you think it is awful, than we must start at the precinct level. This is basic stuff. Get hundreds of Republicans to switch parties, go to the precinct meetings, vote out the current leaders and take over. Then move to the country level and do the same thing. After a few years, you can control the Democratic party at the state level, write a new platform, elect your people to the legislature and come up with new laws that support what you want. But, it won’t happen if all we do is carp about the issues. If we really believe that the Democratic party is evil, then read Saul Alinski’s book :). He will tell you how to do it. Otherwise, we don’t have the right to complain.
Bob One, why should I or anyone else. I dumped the Democratic Party because it stunk too much. In order to do so, I had to go against my own self interest. when I was working outside the home. At least some Republicans and libertarians will not put my taxes into abortion, the killing of children. and most Republicans help the traditionally married, something the party of death does not even come close to doing. Even when they get a pro life candidate, they never let them rise to the top. I remember very well what the Democratic Party did to Governor Casey; then they used his pro life son only to knock off pro life Senator Santorum because he had more seniority. Evil is as evil does.
Your reasoning is spot on Bob One, however, in the earliest days, before we got the label “tea party”, many of us went out to the streets with signs against big government intruding on our lives, formed local groups, attended planning meetings and guess what happen?–those that organized the meetings etc started to “shove” their “ideas” down everyones throat and in time this wonderful ground swell disapated and in its wake you have the current “tea party” factions–each with their own agenda. So the problem is still the same–“the elite few” want to speak for the majority, even if the majority disagrees. Corruption seems to rise to the top because the rest of us have to put bread on the table and aren’t full time meeting attenders. No, I think until it gets really “hot” in everyones pocketbook, home, or family it will continue to be the status quo. As a Catholic, I will continue to do may part to help and serve others by voting for good–never for evil.
From Judi Brown, American Life League:
I love my fellow Americans and my fellow Catholics too much to let these sins that cry out to heaven for justice go on any longer. I have followed biblical precepts of approaching pro-abortion ‘Catholic’ politicians and bishops quietly and privately first, and then returning with others to persuade and point out the error of their ways.
But they’re not listening! So now, we must do like the bible says, and expose them for what they are until they change or get out of the way of righteousness! As Christ Himself counseled us to do:
“If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.” —- Matthew 18:15-17
In short, all Catholic politicians must vote against abortion and against Planned Parenthood funding, and if they don’t, Catholic bishops must act swiftly and publically to explain why what they are doing is wrong and declare them excommunicated, to save all other Catholics from being led astray.
I BELIEVE with Judith Brown that we now must expose ALL who oppose the law of God so vocally that they will see their political careers destined to end rather than to progress to run to their next “job” built on the lives they’ve contributed to being victimized by the culture of death. I also continue to remember how soft speaking candidates on our side lost by showing too much “respect” for their “worthy opponents” playing the no-win political game their handlers coached them to play. like saying, “my wife voted twice for Obama” as if they could attract votes from both sides – BUT LOST IN THE END!
I agree with Peggy above and the Evangelical Pastor . .” But, a Republican (DeMaio), could work the moderate Republicans in effecting change on many social issues and cause fractures within the Party.” I will vote for Peters since he is “the lesser of 2 evils. Demaio does not even represent the Republican Party and we need to send a message to the SD Republican party.
Quite simply put, I could never sign the Party of Death’s platform in able to join. No siree!
I see. Two men are assaulting your house with your family inside, one has a knife the other has a bomb, you have a gun (your vote). I guess you just do nothing eh? Because you can kill. right?
If that post was meant for me Paul L., I say that person you think might have a knife might just be hiding a smaller bomb.