Give President Obama a Chance but Be Aware

We will soon have a new President and, whether we supported him or not, we owe President-elect Obama a chance to govern well and be successful. We should rejoice in the milestone this represents in that we have elected our, soon to be, first black President. This can be a time of healing and hope for many and we should all be happy as to how this reflects on our country. We have come a long way since slavery and this milestone is an achievement that ranks up there with the Civil Rights Movement of the 60s. Many have fears about what Mr. Obama brings to the Presidency but we need to give President Obama a chance to show how he will govern. We should act on his leadership, and not on our fears and expectations.

This election will, however, have consequences. Catholic bishops and other religious leaders have reemphasized their opposition to abortion, despite the election of this pro abortion candidate. Despite the pleas of leadership, a majority of Catholics and other Christians actually voted for Candidate Obama who not only supports abortion but has defended after birth abortion. As a result, this cause will undoubtedly lose ground in the future no matter what we do. The President Elect has already promised to lift the Presidential order banning the government from paying for abortions as part of its foreign aid. Like it or not, we will all be paying for the killing of many unborn and we have no choice in the matter. Choice, apparently, only applies to those who support abortions. The rest of us will be forced to comply and financially support a procedure we find abhorrent and sinful. Those Christians who voted for him should make doubly sure that their opposition to abortion is vocal and known to our governing elite. We have a higher power to answer to and the consequences do not stop with the election.

Many other causes are in danger well. Over the last two years the Democratic led Congress has held up most of President Bush’s judicial nominations, from the lower court all the way to the top Federal Appeals Courts. We can expect these to now be quickly filled with liberal activist judges. There are not enough conservatives left in Congress to force even a compromise. We can expect the same for one or two upcoming Supreme Court judges as well. This will make it hard on those who are pro life, pro gun ownership, and very possibly for any opposition as the Democrat controlled government has promised to reinstate the so called “Fairness Doctrine.” This will be used to effectively shut down talk radio which is currently the main opposition to a liberally controlled TV and newsprint media. They avoid the fairness doctrine my calling their reporting “news” instead of commentary, despite the obvious bias recognized by most of the public and even the media itself.

We have a lot to be thankful for and should be hopeful for what has happened but we also need to be vigilant. We have a party that now has almost complete power in the House, the Senate, and in the White House. Little can stop them from doing what they want, especially if they pack the Supreme Court with like minded liberals. We have accomplished much in elected Mr. Obama to be President but we have stepped to the edge of a dangerous precipice. If we are not vigilant and vocal with our support of issues, we may find ourselves on a downward spiral that cannot be stopped. Let us hope and pray that he will follow his victory speech and hear the voices of the opposition as well.

Father Steven Foppiano