Wednesday, June 13, 2012

A Mormon candidate welcomes gambling money

There's no end to examples of hypocrisy when it comes to religion and politics. You could start with the biblical injunction "Thou Shalt Not Kill" and apply it to Christian and Jewish elected officials who routinely preside over killing in the name of "defense."

Exhibit A is the current occupant of the White House and his predecessor.

Here's another. Mitt Romney is a devout Mormon, and Mormons vehemently oppose gambling in all forms.

Yet in today's New York Times, we find that the largest single contributor to Romney's drive to become the next president is none other than billionaire casino owner Sheldon Adelson and his wife. The couple is into Romney's effort to the tune of $10 million.  (Note in passing to multi-millionaire Romney: Christian Scripture has a few things to say about the sins of of mammon. At the very least one's spouse ought not drive two Cadillacs when one will do.)

When it comes to Mormonism and gambling,  how does the devout Romney justify being supported by money gleaned at Las Vegas gambling casinos?

Seems like a fair enough question to ask in this presidential campaign.

Sadly, it is just one on a long list that underscores how politicians sell out principle for the money needed to attain power.

The practice obviously corrupts both political parties and our government. The Supreme Court has only made matters worse through its notorious Citizens United decision.

The problem is endemic in a political system ripe for demolition and massive reconstruction.


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