Donald B. Ardell – January 15, 2012
Secular voters have a special interest in a candidate's
positions on chruch/state matters. We want to help elect a candidate, especially
for president, for instance, who will work for a society where citizens can
pursue and sustain high quality lifestyles without interference by the
religious dogmas of the superstitious. REAL wellness enthusiasts value freedom,
reason, science and respect for and cultivation of clean, safe environments
that promote sustainability of resources. Like most progressive Americans,
wellness seekers favor fiscal responsibility, common decencies, separation of
church and state, support for fairness and opportunities for all.
REAL wellness supporters are not organized enough to sponsor
presidential debates or to send interviewers to probe the views of presidential
contenders. There is not a single REAL wellness PAC, unless you suspect that
Stephen Colbert might be a secret agent or Trojan Horse for Wellness Nation. Thus,
it is not so easy to see how candidates measure up relative to each other on
vital matters of concern.
However, sometimes we get lucky. And guess what? We just got
lucky.
Actually, it’s not so much luck as it is common cause that
has given REAL wellness enthusiasts a golden opportunity to discover just how
the 2012 presidential candidates rate on a good number of vital concerns shared
by REAL wellness advocates.
The Secular Coalition for America has unveiled its 2012
Presidential Candidate Scorecard. The scorecard is also a valuable guide for
REAL wellness-oriented citizens to understand where those who seek to lead the
nation stand on key issues.
The scorecard assesses the Republican Party candidates for president and
Democratic president Barack Obama on nine issues. All were assigned grades of
"A", "B", "C" or "F" based on their
public statements and actions on these nine subjects, which are as follows:
* Attitude toward non-theists.
* Church and state separation.
* Taxpayer funding of religion.
* God, faith and governance.
* Endorsements and associations.
* Acceptance of evolution.
* Scientifically-based regulations and legislation.
* Religious discrimination and civil rights.
* Religious refusal laws.
Not surprisingly, U.S. Representative Michelle Bachmann and
Texas Governor Rick Perry were rated “F” in every category; U.S. Senator Rick
Santorum also received “F” grades in all categories save one. (On attitude
toward non-theists, he got a “C.”) Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney
and U.S. Representative Ron Paul received mostly negative scores, while former
U.S. Representative and Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich received “F” grades
in almost every category. Former Utah Governor and Ambassador to China Jon
Huntsman and President Barack Obama received mixed positives.
To read a wide variety of comments that earned the
candidates these ratings, visit the Center for Free Inquiry’s PresidentialScorecard.
God may or may not save the Queen but only reason and an
informed electorate holds out much hope for the leadership of the not-so-united
United States of America after the next presidential elections in 2012.
Don
Ardell is the Well Infidel. Info about Don