Frank Doubts Palin Due to Online Gambling Foe Dobson's Support
Congressman Barney Frank wrote in yesterday's Boston Globe that he finds Sarah Palin's social conservatism to be a suspect philosophy, and noted that the backing of James Dobson of the radical religious group Focus on the Family did not speak well of Palin's views
Frank observed that Dobson is "one of the leading advocates for imposing personal moral choices on the rest of us," and said Dobson's enthusiastic support for the selection of Palin as John McCain's running mate is enough to discourage Americans who prefer freedom from voting for her.
Just as laws banning Internet gambling have been ineffective and only served to allow dishonest casinos to proliferate and to leave citizens unprotected, Frank pointed out the inability of laws restricting freedoms and rights to prevent messy divorces or teen pregnancies such as those currently affecting Palin's own family.
While respecting Palin's privacy, Frank made the case that her and Dobson's beliefs treat these sensitive issues with a "harshly judgmental and intolerant philosophy" that not only is not compassionate, but is also ineffective.
Frank listed among Dobson's complaints about politicians more centered, such as McCain favorite Joe Lieberman, included the refusal to allow Dobson's particular brand of religion to be incorporated into government policy, and the refusal to commit censorship, particularly with the Internet.
Censorship through the years has always been the tool of the narrow-minded and the manipulative, seeking to prevent the exposure of differing and possibly more informed points of view. Censorship is never effective, while wasting public money trying to restrict liberty. Denying the legalization and regulation of online casinos amounts to just another form of censorship.
Sarah Palin needs to be closely questioned on these topics of freedom and personal rights, and Barney Frank is to be commended for truly representing the people in his fight to retain our liberties.
