I have enjoyed this editorial for sometime, but I am glad I waited to write about it. After watching the Benjamin Franklin PBS Special two days ago, I have found quite a nice quote to pair with it.
“I wondered for a long time whether the commonwealth suffers more from hypocritical pretenders to religion or people who openly reject religion. I think the hypocrite is more dangerous. Especially if he holds a government post. The public hypocrite trumpets his godliness, people then take him for a saint and allow him to ruin their country…all in god’s name.” – Benjamin Franklin as Silence Dogood
“I’m amused to find the following quote from Republican icon President Dwight Eisenhower in his presidential papers: “Should any political party attempt to abolish Social Security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes you can do these things. Among them are H.L. Hunt…, a few other Texas oil millionaires, and an occasional politician or business man from other areas. Their number is negligible and they are stupid.” (Nov. 8, 1954). How embarrassed Ike would be at the state of the Republican Party 50 years after he expressed those thoughts. The “stupid” Texas oil millionaires have taken over the American political/economic system and have successfully manipulated lower and middle - class fundamentalist Christians into voting for politicians whose policies will harm the lower and middle economic classes. How cunning!"
- Phyllis Saarinen, former Republican, Gaineville, FL
