Ken Connor

With each passing day it becomes more apparent that President Obama has little respect for the intelligence of his ideological opponents. Stymied by existing law limiting the government’s involvement in the ethically troubling area of “scientific” human embryonic stem cell work, the President crafted a workaround based on rhetorical hair-splitting, issued an executive order, and the dollars began flowing. But Judge Royce Lambert saw it for what it was: a distinction without a difference.

A Republican Party that chooses to tiptoe around the systemic corrosion of vital cultural institutions like marriage and family, that elects to ignore the devaluation of the sanctity of life and liberty all for the sake of one election cycle is a party suffering from the worst kind of political myopathy – a willingness to trade the long term health of the country for short term electoral gain. Republican king-makers and policy strategists who fail to appreciate the values and vision that motivate the traditional base of the GOP will find that base more than willing to look elsewhere for representation.

Last week, Democratic strategist Hillary Rosen provoked outrage from the Right when she suggested that Ann Romney is not qualified to speak about women’s economic concerns because “she’s never worked a day in her life.” While Rosen dismissed the kerfuffle surrounding her comments as an overreaction and politics as usual, her offhanded, mean spirited remarks about Ann Romney reveal a troubling problem at the heart of mainstream feminist ideology.

Last week, President Obama made news when he suggested that it would be “unprecedented” for the Supreme Court to declare unconstitutional a law passed by a “strong majority of a democratically elected Congress.” His comments were prompted by the less than favorable reaction of the Supreme Court during oral arguments on the constitutionality of his crowning achievement, the Affordable Care Act, a.k.a Obamacare. It is no small irony that this most liberal of Presidents is howling like a cut dog about the possibility that “judicial activists” may upend his healthcare plan.

Questions asked during ObamaCare oral arguments don’t necessarily telegraph how the judges are feeling about the case, or the way they will ultimately rule. Still, the questions posed by the Supreme Court during last week’s argument on the Affordable Care Act, a.k.a “Obamacare,” indicate that the court is pondering not just the future of health care in this country, but also the role of the federal government in the lives of its citizens.

When feminists talk about abortion, they do so in terms of women’s rights. Legalized abortion empowers women, they assert, because it puts them in control over their bodies; it gives them the choice whether or not to bear a child who has been conceived. What these proponents of “liberty” fail to consider, however, is that in many cases women are “choosing” abortion at the behest of someone else.

What the disciples of Gordon Gekko’s infamous “greed is good” philosophy fail to recognize however is that a truly free market is impossible without mutual trust. Perhaps they don’t care. After all, they are making money, and life is good! Who cares about honor? What is the market value of integrity? If there’s a house in the ‘burbs with luxury cars in the driveway, a penthouse in the city and the best private schooling for the kids, then the means don’t matter, right?

Humility is not a virtue readily found in America today – especially on the field of play. A football player makes a touchdown, a forward slam dunks the ball, or a designated hitter rockets a grand slam out of the park, and it’s all about high-stepping, chest-bumping, trash-talking and other over-the-top behaviors intended to send the message, “I am the greatest.” Perhaps this is part of why Tim Tebow’s conduct on the football field evokes so much antipathy from so many in the media and others in the ranks of professional sports.

Less than a month from the first presidential primary, the field remains uncertain… and somewhat less than inspiring. Mitt Romney wonders why no one likes him, Cain is out, Bachmann, Santorum, Paul and Huntsman don’t’ appear to be gaining traction and have little time for resurgence, and Gingrich is likely incapable of avoiding some form of self-immolation. So, is it too late for someone else to emerge from the wings?

No amount of spin, or rhetoric, or blame-gaming can change the mathematical facts on the ground: Our debt has spiraled out of control and we are rapidly reaching a point of no return. This Congress and this President have had more than enough time to act, but they have failed to do so. If their dismal approval ratings are any indication, there will be a price to pay for this inexcusable indolence come November 2012.

Planned Parenthood’s website offers a self-endorsement and subtle tribute to racist and eugenicist Margaret Sanger who sought to rid the world of undesirable minorities. The time is long overdue for Planned Parenthood to be denounced as an agent of death and despair and its abortion activities declared illegal.

It is a sad testament to the character of the Penn State organization and its students that the main concern expressed in the immediate aftermath of these revelations has been the fate of Coach Paterno’s football legacy. It has been said that America’s universities represent the future of our society. If that’s true, and if Penn State is representative of other universities, then may God help us all.

Up until now, Herman Cain has engendered the admiration of the American people precisely because he has been plain spoken and shown an aversion for the artificial political correctness that pervades so much of American civic discourse. He’s proven that he has the resilience to survive this ordeal and continue to build support, but only if he stays true to form and addresses accusations of sexual harassment with the same kind of straight talk that has characterized the rest of his campaign.

By refusing to acknowledge the personhood of the unborn child, American society and its legal system has fostered a disposable man mentality. If a baby is unwanted, inconvenient, or imperfect, the it’s mother has a right to kill it. Ironically, of course, if the same woman decides that she wants to have a child, then the process of pregnancy and childbirth magically transforms into a sacred miracle that is to be respected and celebrated.

The American people ought not allow the media to set the odds for the likelihood of success for any candidate this early in the game. At the end of the day, it is the voting public that gets to decide which candidate is best suited to represent the Republican Party in the next election. And the public can help ensure their candidate wins with some contributions.

The need to worship is hardwired into the human psyche. Yet, as unfashionable as it’s become in the last century to worship the God of Creation, the same cannot be said of the worship of political heroes. The most notable – and horrific – examples that come to mind are found in the frenzied, almost religious zeal that led to the rise of tyrants like Hitler, Stalin, and Mao. One would think that the 20th century would have broken us of our delusions about one man’s ability to perfect society, but think again.

The plight of the elderly often goes overlooked. This problem is exacerbated by a culture that has changed radically over the past several decades, becoming more and more obsessed with youth, more and more self-centered, more and more disconnected from intergenerational family bonds and obligations. It will be difficult to muster momentum on the problem of elder abuse in a cultural milieu that embraces a utilitarian spirit and a sliding scale of human dignity.

Traditional marriage (specifically, Christian marriage) has through the centuries served as a critical civilizing force in society. It has been, quite literally, the glue that holds communities and peoples together. A society that spurns the traditional obligations of marriage is certain to reap a bleak harvest.

At this year’s 10th anniverary remembrance of 911, guest speakers at Ground Zero included President Obama, former President Bush, and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. Musical performances by Yo-Yo Ma, James Taylor and Paul Simon provided a bittersweet score for the occasion. There was one demographic, however, that was conspicuously absent from the ceremony. Citing a lack of space and the “separation of Church and State,” Mayor Bloomberg denied religious clergy a place in the memorial service.

They say there are only two sure things in life: death and taxes. Thanks to unbelievable gains in medical technology in recent years however, most Americans are now able to delay the former inevitability for decades longer than their ancestors. Because of this, at a time when America’s real estate industry is struggling, there’s one market sector that’s proving to be recession proof: senior housing.

You have to hand it to the British… they don’t mince words. Speaking of the violent civil unrest that erupted across London in recent weeks, Prime Minister David Cameron offered a frank assessment of the motives–or lack thereof–behind the chaos: These riots were not about race,” he said. “These riots were not about government cuts … And these riots were not about poverty. No, this was about behavior … people showing indifference to right and wrong; people with a twisted moral code; people with a complete absence of self-restraint.”

As the GOP field of serious presidential contenders finally begins to clarify, the prevailing assumption is that whoever challenges President Obama for the Presidency must maintain a laser-like focus on fiscal issues and leave social issues on the back burner for another election. But “Values voters” have not lost their edge or enthusiasm, they are willing to fight for it, and unlike many of their ideological counterparts, they don’t stay home on election day.

The vitriolic response to Tea Party calls for financial responsibility reveals how warped politics has become in our nation’s capital, a place where compromise is king and special interests drive the agenda. If you stand on principle and actually live by your campaign promises, you are deemed a “radical.” If you walk the talk, you are viewed as a two headed monster.

Let’s face it, if your contentment level is tied to your 401(K), you’re probably not feeling too good right now. One natural law that operates in all arenas is “that which a man sows, he will also reap.” In the financial realm, that means if you sow profligacy, you reap poverty. So hang on. It’s looks like we’re in for a bumpy ride.

Campus Crusade for Christ, one of the world’s leading evangelistic ministries, is changing its name. Apparently the passage of time and changing cultural sensitivities have made its old name – in place since its founding on the campus of UCLA in 1951 by Bill and Vonette Bright – a liability. According to Steve Sellers, Cru’s U. S. Vice President, more people are willing to listen to their message about Christ if His name is not included in the ministry’s name.