Rank the Republican contenders by order of craziness.

[Guest American Woman]

I disagree, people want change, Obama got elected on a message of change, Ron Paul is real change.

They don't want just any change; it has to be change that people actually want.

[Yukon Jack]

Calling ALL Republican Presidential contenders CRAZY and rating them on their CRAZINESS, starting an entire new thread on that premise, is apparently agreeable and correct and not in violation of the Rules of the Forum, but calling Democrats "gutless and spineless" earned me a rebuke from the moderators (at least from the most sanctimonious one).

Another esteemed member here called a Republican contender a "FLIP-FLOPPER". Obviously, to the moderators here, any flip-flop in the direction that they approve of is NOT offensive. Is that any less offensive or based less in fact than my contention that some Democrats are what I dared to call them?

Another poster referred to Ron Paul as an "inflexible ideologue". Explain why that is less offensive than what I called Democrats.

A whole bunch of other perfectly respectable and non-offensive, loving and tolerant posters (one has to wonder about their political affiliations) repeatedly and routinely call anyone right of center as "WINGNUTS". Absolutely not offensive if you are a left winger or a moderator.

Can we hope for some objectivity and fairness?

Edited November 14, 2011 by Yukon Jack

[GostHacked]

They don't want just any change; it has to be change that people actually want.

What have you got to lose by voting Paul in? Actually a good question is what do you have to lose if (candidate's name here) is elected POTUS?

[Moonlight Graham]

So I was just reading that Herman Cain is now proclaiming that God told him to run for President.

For those of you keeping score at home, that now makes 3. Michelle Bachmann, Rick Perry, and Herman.

I assume Herman's revelation that God wanted him to run is a response to the less-than-godly allegations that he's a serial ass-grabber.

It doesn't mean that they think God literally talked to them through speech or something. It can just be a feeling in them that this is the right thing to do, and they attribute this to God "telling them". Or maybe a lamp fell over and they took it as a sign to run.

[ironstone]

I think even the "craziest" Republican contender would likely do a better job as President,hands down,than Barrack Obama.

[Smallc]

I think even the "craziest" Republican contender would likely do a better job as President,hands down,than Barrack Obama.

I'm sorry, but I can't see what you base that on at all. The Republicans need a sane candidate, and that means they only have one or two choices given the current field.

[Guest American Woman]

It doesn't mean that they think God literally talked to them through speech or something. It can just be a feeling in them that this is the right thing to do, and they attribute this to God "telling them". Or maybe a lamp fell over and they took it as a sign to run.

Not so sure. Sounds as if he may think God talked to him. Evidently he isn't alone:

Anita Perry, wife of Texas Gov. Rick Perry, said last month that her husband's competitors "may feel like God called them too. But I truly feel like we are here for that purpose."

Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann said this summer that God gave her a "sense" that she should run for president.

link

Personally, such talk makes me take a longer, harder look at where they are coming from; and it sounds rather ridiculous, to say the least, to argue over who God really called to run. Of course that was Perry's wife, not Perry himself.

[ironstone]

I'm sorry, but I can't see what you base that on at all. The Republicans need a sane candidate, and that means they only have one or two choices given the current field.

I see.So all Republican contenders save for one or two are not sane?Suggesting that most of these people are not sane is nonsense.And are you also saying that Barrack Obama does not have a rather dismal record so far as President of the United States?

[Guest American Woman]

Oh, they're pretty crazy. When their answer to a crisis is prayer.....when they allow religion to get in the way of good ideas.

Maybe we need a site like this, so we can pray for them.

[Smallc]

I see.So all Republican contenders save for one or two are not sane?

Most of them have ideas that are absolute nonsense, from gays being evil, to god telling them to run. That's insane. The funny thing is, the two most sane people running belong to probably the least sane religion.

[bush_cheney2004]

Most of them have ideas that are absolute nonsense, from gays being evil, to god telling them to run. That's insane. The funny thing is, the two most sane people running belong to probably the least sane religion.

Clearly you do not understand political campaigns in the USA, but that doesn't mean you are insane. The process will run its course, and if an "insane" person gets nominated or wins the office, then it will be considered a sound strategy. Many of the losers will be "sane".

[Guest American Woman]

Most of them have ideas that are absolute nonsense, from gays being evil, to god telling them to run. That's insane.

Let's hope they never say anything like this about the U.S., eh? That would be totally insane.

"I think every Christian is under an obligation to change laws to reflect biblical values...Only God can make Canada a truly Christian country... We are called to speak biblical truth to seek justice – and that obviously has implications for our political life."

That would be a quote from Darrel Reid, Harper's former deputy chief of staff.

Or how about a video of the candidate Harper speaking out against gay marriage? - The "real Canadian values" are anti-gay marriage.

Let's face it, you have an insane PM.

Edited November 16, 2011 by American Woman

[BubberMiley]

Let's face it, you have an insane PM.

Can't argue with that.

Edited November 16, 2011 by BubberMiley

[Smallc]

Yes, Harper's religious view are rather insane....but so far, they haven't crept into policy. I can't say the same about peoples who, and governor, hold in their state prayer rallies that are aimed at improving the economy.

Oh, but I doubt that God told Harper to run.

[bush_cheney2004]

So few care if Canada's PM or party leaders are "insane", because they can't do much anyway even if they were? Got it!

[Guest American Woman]

Yes, Harper's religious view are rather insane....but so far, they haven't crept into policy.

What about his choice of deputy chief of staff?

I can't say the same about peoples who, and governor, hold in their state prayer rallies that are aimed at improving the economy.

Because choosing a deputy chief of staff who believes "every Christian is under an obligation to change laws to reflect biblical values" is so much better? I'm sure religion has nothing to do with his conservative stance on gay marriage, either; the "real Canadian values."

Oh, but I doubt that God told Harper to run.

Well, that was pretty rude of God, eh? Perhaps He's more concerned with American politics. But as Harper would say, "God bless Canada." (Are you listening, God?)

[Smallc]

To compare the two systems and anything involved with them doesn't really make sense. Canada, also, is a far less religious country.

[Smallc]

Also, Harper never campaigned on any of his religious beliefs. He's been pragmatic, whether on the campaign trail, or while in government. Recent republican leaders and candidates seem to be anything but.

[bush_cheney2004]

To compare the two systems and anything involved with them doesn't really make sense. Canada, also, is a far less religious country.

In just this narrow context, or in general? I needn't remind you that Canada's "insane" Constitution Act(s) defer to specific religions for several provinces. Now that's crazy!

[Guest American Woman]

In just this narrow context, or in general? I needn't remind you that Canada's "insane" Constitution Act(s) defer to specific religions for several provinces. Now that's crazy!

An interesting OP (emphasis mine]:

.....a religious right has arrived in Canadian politics. And Canadian journalists have found this very hard to swallow — something like getting down a sacred cow. As National Post senior columnist Roy MacGregor put it, "We expect this from the United States, where God is not only in the Constitution and on every dollar, but is entered, whether He wishes it or not, in every imaginable race for office…Let us all then—candidates as well as media—politely decline to make Canadian politics any more American than it already is."

Never mind that MacGregor seemed unaware that God is mentioned nowhere in the U.S. Constitution but does get a nod in the preamble to Canada’s.

The formula "religious right = un-Canadian" has become a point of national pride among many Canadians, in keeping with the country’s image as the "kinder, gentler" North American nation.

But of course that was 2000, and I'm sure things have changed drastically in Canada since then......

One thing that hasn't changed: everything perceived as bad, "un-Canadian," is referenced to the U.S. 'This can't be happening in Canada! Only in the U.S.!'

Edited November 16, 2011 by American Woman

[GostHacked]

Harper is part of this new conservative or 'religious' right here in Canada. I am no fan of Harper at all. But the rest of the lineup is really pitiful as well.

The only way to correct this system is to tear it down and rebuild it from scratch.

[Smallc]

But of course that was 2000, and I'm sure things have changed drastically in Canada since then......

And yet, Canada (like Norway, a Christian country) is far less religious and far more pragmatic than the United States.

[Guest American Woman]

And yet, Canada (like Norway, a Christian country) is far less religious and far more pragmatic than the United States.

Of course!! It would be un-Canadian to be otherwise - even if it isn't. (See the OP I linked to.)

[Smallc]

Of course!! It would be un-Canadian to be otherwise - even if it isn't. (See the OP I linked to.)

If you're arguing that in Canada, religion holds as much importance as in the US, you know little to nothing about Canada.

[Guest American Woman]

If you're arguing that in Canada, religion holds as much importance as in the US, you know little to nothing about Canada.

I know that Canada will never be as open about how much importance religion holds - that would be too much like the U.S.