“There is no country in the world where the Christian religion retains greater influence over the souls of men than in America … Christianity, therefore, reigns without obstacle, by universal consent. ... In the United States, religion ... is mingled with all the habits of the nation and feelings of patriotism, whence it derives a peculiar force.” Alec De Tocqueville, author of “Democracy in America,” from observations of America in the 1830s.

“Consider what we have come to in seven decades: The distinctiveness of marriage has been abolished; prayer and Bible reading in schools have been stamped out; the mother’s womb has become the most dangerous place for a baby; the rights of fathers and parents of minor girls have been voided; divorce has become easier than marrying; the 10 Commandments have been banned from public view. The structure of American society is being abolished brick by brick.” the late Theologian Harold O. Brown in 2007.

“Change We Can Believe In,” “Change,” “Change That Is Needed.” The mantra of the Obama Campaign is “Change.” But have people really pondered what Barack Obama’s change would mean for America? For understandable reasons, many are just plain frustrated with the challenges America now faces: The war radical Islam brought to America on 9/11. The continuing challenges around the world resulting from that attack. Demographic, cultural and political shifts in Europe, affecting European support for the United States and Israel. Economic crisis brought on by many factors (arguably going back to the late 1970s and the responsibility of political leaders in both parties. The massive shift of wealth to foreign nations starting back in the early 1970s: The United States imported only 24 percent of its oil in 1970, 40 percent in 1990 and over 70 percent today!).

Despite two years of Democratic control of Congress, the branch with constitutional responsibility for the economy and budget, Obama preaches that a Democratic executive will bring “change” back to the relative, yet deceptive, security before 9/11. Meanwhile, the media proclaims that Americans have shifted away from so-called “values” issues. In fact, the new mantra of the Democratic Party and the elite media: “Nobody cares about values issues now!” “Real world” problems like the economic crisis have taken center stage and the “culture wars” are over.

“Thinking Americans just don’t care about issues like abortion and gay marriage anymore!”

I believe that mantra about values being a marginal concern is wrong. To those with a vision of America beyond the short term, those issues remain a top priority. History teaches that the long-term health of our nation is directly tied to our fundamental values. Founding father John Adams said it best: “This Constitution was made for a moral and religious people; it is wholly unsuited to the governance of any other.” What has become of America as we have slowly moved away from our shared Judeo-Christian heritage? A perceived moral decline in the United States has helped bring the modern rise of radical Islam as an alternative value system. Greed and immorality throughout the corporate and political structures helped bring the current economic crisis (Think: Regulations, like requiring risky loans under the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, were attempts to pander votes. This pressure increased dramatically in the 1990s. Politicians like Rep. Barney Frank defended Fanny Mae/Freddy Mac while he maintained a homosexual relationship with one of their leaders. Greedy corporate heads, such as the CEO of Merrill Lynch, collected hundreds of millions of dollars even while failing the corporation). In fact, values issues are tied to almost everything going wrong. We must have a shared moral anchor to guide people in business, politics and all other endeavors.

The following quote from African-American Musician and philosopher Huntley Brown sums up Obama’s dismal record on “values issues”:

“There is a reason Planned Parenthood gives him (Obama) a 100 percent rating. There is a reason the homosexual community supports him. There is a reason Ahmadinejad, Chavez, Castro, Hamas etc. love him. There is a reason he said he would nominate liberal judges to the Supreme Court. There is a reason he voted against the infanticide bill. There is a reason he voted ‘no’ on the constitutional ban of same-sex marriage.

There is a reason he voted ‘no’ on banning partial-birth abortion. There is a reason he voted ‘no’ on confirming Justices Roberts and Alito. These two judges are conservatives and they have since overturned partial-birth abortion. The same practice Obama wanted to continue.”

Mr. Brown goes on to describe partial-birth abortion for those not aware: “Guided by ultrasound, the abortionist grabs the baby’s leg with forceps. (Remember this is a live baby). The baby’s leg is pulled out into the birth canal. The abortionist delivers the baby’s entire body, except for the head.

The abortionist jams scissors into the baby’s skull. The scissors are then opened to enlarge the hole. The scissors are removed and a suction catheter is inserted. The child’s brains are sucked out, causing the skull to collapse. The dead baby is then removed.”

Based primarily on “biblical” issues like the public recognition of God, abortion, homosexuality, etc., I will not vote for Sen. Obama. Congress will likely remain under the control of Democrats and even four years of Obama would have profoundly negative long-term repercussions. Some will claim the above issues are marginal. They will proclaim that at this critical time it just doesn’t matter if Americans allow partial-birth abortion, gay marriage or ban all public recognition of God.

However, American history tells a far different story about the importance of our bedrock values. My decision is made for the sake of my children and grandchildren, as they will suffer the full consequences. Think long and hard about this election and don’t get sucked into “change” our children don’t need.

God Bless America.

Attorney Bill Connor of Orangeburg is a regular contributor to The Times and Democrat’s editorial page.

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