Mike Huckabee's New Deal: More God, More Government

[question everything]

(This is why Huckabee really scares the conservatives - QE)


The Wall Street Journal

Mike Huckabee's New Deal: More God, More Government
By DAVID J. SANDERS
January 4, 2008; Page W11

(snip)

But one wonders whether his newfound supporters would really say that if they took a close look at his policies. With increasing frequency, Mr. Huckabee invokes his faith when advocating greater government involvement in just about every aspect of American life. In doing so, Mr. Huckabee has actually answered the prayers of the religious left. Since John Kerry's defeat in 2004 at the hands of at least a few "values voters," the Democratic Party has been trying to take back God, even launching a Faith in Action initiative at the Democratic National Committee. Meanwhile, a small but organized group of liberal religious leaders and faith-based political activists has been trying to convey the message that, as one recent book had it, "Jesus rode a donkey." They argue that increasing the government's role in the fight against global warming, poverty and economic inequality is a biblical imperative. They usually de-emphasize the importance of abortion and gay marriage in their agendas, lest they offend the secularist wing of the party.

(snip)

As governor, he championed the ARKids First, which extended free health insurance not only to children of the working poor but to some lower middle-class families. He pleased teachers unions with his consistent opposition to school choice and voucher programs. He satisfied labor by signing into law a minimum-wage hike of 21%. "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" -- Mr. Huckabee's oft-cited scriptural justification for growing government -- proved costly for Arkansans, who saw government spending double and their taxes rise about a half-billion dollars during his tenure.

It's unlikely that Mr. Huckabee, as president, would be able to shepherd a federal marriage amendment through the House, the Senate and the state legislatures, but signing into law a cap-and-trade system ostensibly aimed at limiting global warming (something he has called a "moral issue") would be much easier. If he wanted to push protectionist "fair trade" policies and a greater federal government role in health care, a Democratic Congress would be more than willing to let him live out his faith on the taxpayers' dime.

(snip)

Speaking to the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America, in 1933, FDR explained that the "object of all our striving. . . should be to help citizens realize the abundant life Christ said he came to bring." According to Mr. Smith, "Roosevelt wanted to ensure that 'all elements of the community' had an equitable share of the nation's resources. The federal government's social planning, he contended, was 'wholly in accord with the social teachings of Christianity.' " It is not hard to imagine Mr. Huckabee -- standing at a podium in the Rose Garden to announce a raft of government programs -- talking in exactly this way.

Mr. Sanders is a columnist for Stephens Media in Little Rock, Ark.

URL for this article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119941386549366831.html (subscription)

[msongs]

1. FDR most likely believed in the seperation of church/state - an anathema to southern baptists

[TwilightGardener]

2. As a fairly conservative Dem, I want less of both. He's anathema to me.

[AndyTiedye]

3. He Probably Couldn't Push the FMA Through, But…

It's unlikely that Mr. Huckabee, as president, would be able to shepherd a federal marriage amendment through the House, the Senate and the state legislatures

but quite certain that he would appoint someone to the Supreme Court who would overturn Roe v. Wade, Griswold v. Connecticut, and Lawrence v. Texas.

[madmom]

4. why huckleberry scares me...he made a statement awhile back that said

something to the effect that women should be subservient to their husbands the way men should be subservient to god:scared: