I stumbled across a right-leaning Catholic blog today that also expresses some reservations about Romney’s choice of Austerity, Inc. as his running mate. At the very least it is suggested that the choice of Ryan for running mate doesn’t automatically oblige Catholics to vote Republican. This is refreshing.
I make only the following observations:
- Given how far to the right Nancy Pelosi usually votes, it seems like a mistake to refer to her “liberality” or to dichotomize her against Bill Donohue (a conservative Catholic writer).
- The writer correctly points out that Catholics differ on what the best way is to help the poor, but traditional Catholic thought has, at least since Leo XIII (and I find it strongly implicit in the writings of St. Thomas), seen a role for government in that effort.
- It is of course possible, as the writer suggests, that Ryan’s views on Rand have modified since 2003, when he gave copies of Atlas Shrugged to his entire office staff. But he has never said how his views have changed, except that he rejects her atheism. Given the farce that is his budget, it is clear that he still finds capitalism to be the moral justification for shifting wealth to the wealthy and disposing of the poor.
These minor points aside, I wonder what the Catholic narrative will develop surrounding Austerity, Inc. as we head into the election. He already strikes me as more controversial than Sarah Palin was in 2008, despite the fact that he is a Catholic and, presumably, knows what a syllogism is.
Any readers care to comment on how Christian friends are responding to the Ryan choice?