Sadly, too many church members have fallen victim to what I'll call the Black & White dilemma, i.e. "one party is/will be the savior of our nation and the other party is/will be the death knell of all that I hold dear". I think one of the greatest strengths of the Book of Mormon and the Bible is that they show us HUMAN NATURE, not what happens when one political party is in power, not what one political philosophy will do to our culture. HUMAN NATURE is the corrupting influence here. That's why we ALL need the gospel, remember? I don't recall Jesus mentioning that only liberals needed to repent and turn to Him or that only conservatives needed to help the poor more. As members of the church (and as normal human beings) we need to stop this whole political blindness of "my party is right, yours is wrong". Both parties have contributed plenty to the current messes we're dealing with and that's not going to change anytime soon.
DeNaeJune 10, 2013
And @JEF, I hope you're not suggesting that people like Kris shouldn't comment on an opinion piece when their opinion differs from that of the writer, or is different than yours.
DeNaeJune 10, 2013
I would have appreciated more quantification on statements like, "Obama has three (maybe four) messes on his hands right now, and not a lot of friends to help him out," " ...no one in D.C. particularly likes him anyway," and " ...everyone knows that it
LeahJune 9, 2013
Yeh..... this topic is too tough to deal with. This article was hard to read... well written, sadly right on, but hard to read. I remember being dismayed when J Carter won the election, but at least he loved our country and upheld the laws and the constitution. Obama seems as contemptuous of the US as many on the far left - almost treasonous...
TimothyJune 7, 2013
If I were a member of a political party that coincided with that of the last elected President and if I had faithfully supported my President only to discover that he had done and was doing some really, really bad things (say something along the line of abuses of power) I believe that there would come a point when I would have to consider what was more important, my loyal support of my President or my loyal support of my Country. The choice might have to be mutually exclusive where I had to choose one or the other but not both. The question becomes, would I have the intestinal fortitude to swallow my pride and stand for my country instead of for my President?
LukeJune 7, 2013
This article is excellently written and accurately explains why Obama had a fading presidency. The author has intimate knowledge of DC and how things work.
wayne FordJune 6, 2013
I'm wondering why you aren't printing any more comments. Is it because they are mostly in opposition to just about everything Eastland has to say? There are far too many radical conservatives in the church (at least in Orange County, Ca.) and even though there are many---maybe even more---moderate Democrats and Independents, they tend to remain quiet rather than be looked at as though they are anti-American. I have news for those right-wing radicals: If you want to know what is wrong with the Republican party, it's the Tea Party fanatics.
LukeJune 6, 2013
This sums up the presidency of Obama, who has not lived up to expectations in spite of being the media's darling. As a long time observer of DC I've never seen such outright adolation of this leftist president. He has punished his opponents and helped his friends not real good policy for bringing the country together.
Mirna BarkerJune 5, 2013
It doesn't matter if a person is Democrat of Republican. Both parties have for many years caused the decline this country is going through. People have forgotten who matters most. Our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Our duty as Latter Day Saints is to Proclaim the Gospel, stay strong with our Testimonies, and have an Eternal Perspective. We Can't give up! Whatever happens will happen. It is up to us what we do with our responsibilities as Latter Day Saints, for Him the one that Matters most.
linda s.June 5, 2013
If it weren't for the gospel of Jesus Christ, I would be more scared than I am of what is happening to this poor country. Thank you for your article.
Mr Alex PowellJune 5, 2013
I don't really care about what party you support- the question here should be:
Is the U.S. any better for obama's presidency?
1) Is the economy better?
2) Are more people employed?
3) Is the debt decreasing?
4) Do you have more hope/confidence in borrowing money for business expansion and growth now?
I pity you America- 16 trillion in debt and not enough courage to stop the endless federal borrowing.
JEFJune 5, 2013
Oooo Kris, looks like Dr. Eastland struck a chord with you. Other than this article being run on Meridian, I see no references to the Gospel contained in it. You do know that no one forces you to come here and read this stuff don't you?
TaraJune 5, 2013
Spot on. I'm an independent and I can't argue with that. This is why I adore King Benjamin so so much. He worked along side his people, never got paid for what he did, and preached goodness to them. It's a lost art in our government today!
KilianJune 5, 2013
President Obama
TimJune 5, 2013
@Kris I don't see any mention of the Gospel in this article, nor any attempt to tie it to specific church teachings. What I do see is a candid analysis of what two-term presidents face in their second term.
ShareeJune 5, 2013
It doesn't matter if Obama is Democrat or Republican. This article states the truth, period. Many who voted for Obama are probably now shaking heir heads and wondering why. Would Romney have been any better? Maybe, maybe not. We'll never know.
Katharine DodsonJune 5, 2013
It doesn't matter if all L.D.S. are Republican or Democrat. Obama has not been a good president and if the L.D.S. Democrats still back him then they are backing a loosing horse.
As for the next quote/comment; "Barring a huge, catastrophic and immediate crisis, no one is going to move from one side to the other", that is my worst fear, that Obama will manufacture a crisis and some how manage to remain in office indefinitely.
George Bush manufactured 911, and I wouldn't put it past O to do something MUCH worse.
And lastly, if you don't believe in Conspiracy theories, let me introduce you to a nice little book, It's called The Book of Mormon. Believe me, the Gadianton Robbers are alive and well in Washington D.C.
DonnaJune 5, 2013
I applaud the article. Not all Mormons are Republican. One thing is certain, right is right and wrong is wrong. One doesn't need to affiliate with any certain party to know that. Unless and until we who are on the Lords side defend what is right whether Democrat, Republican or what ever, this country will continue to spiral out of control into the hands of the unrighteous who only worry about their agenda.
LeonardJune 5, 2013
good article -- can't please everyone. Thanks for the info
LDSMominWAJune 5, 2013
It would be great to see an article about the Obstructionist Republicans/Tea Party's strangle hold on Congress and President Obama's agenda to help the middle class in this publication. Now that "Brother Beck" has lost his entire credibility, it would be nice to see an LDS publication that hearkens to the birth of the middle class and pro-family economic policies of the 1950's and 1960's where corporations are responsibly taxed and the upper class carries it's weight.
Linda WoodsJune 5, 2013
He cannot fade out fast enough or far, far away enough. It will be an enormous work to clean up after him.
DarcyJune 5, 2013
The truth is always edifying because it awakens those who are sleeping so to speak. Although Clinton and Obama are on the same team with the same agenda. Obama has succeeded in doing exactly what he hoped to do to this country. Don'you find it interesting that know seems to be able to stop him? Hold on to your hats we are in for a very scary ride.
W AltonJune 5, 2013
I am a conservative but I don't like Obama Bashing. I am particularly concerned about the direction the President is taking the country where moral issues are concerned.
But I Hope Meridian does not turn into an Obama Bashing entity. I think Fox news often does more harm than good to causes I believe in because they over-react, it seems to me, to anything that Obama says or does.
Wade FillmoreJune 5, 2013
I don't need Obama to be bad for me to feel good. I pray for him because he is our President. We need a strong and a good nation.
David AndersonJune 5, 2013
I appreciate the article. I agree with the last sentence. However, my informed opinion is that Obama has an agenda and is quite brilliant and that the chaos created has been well orchestrated over decades. To Kris and others i encourage all rather right or left leaning to cultivate a searching mind which is an open mind and requires hard work and toil. It is easier to be close minded or prejudiced because it requires so little effort.
Janet GronemanJune 5, 2013
I am concerned that you nailed what Obama will do next to cement his standing with those who support him and to rally those who do not: "Barring a huge, catastrophic and immediate crisis, no one is going to move from one side to the other." Watch for him or his minions to create that crisis, and beware for yourselves and loved ones somewhere in America.
KrisJune 5, 2013
I'd ask why you ran this, but it's long obvious that your main interest is touting right-wing politics under the banner of the Gospel. How does telling President Obama to just give up on his agenda edify the Saints? You do realize that not all Mormons are Republicans, don't you?
Comments | Return to Story
ShawnJune 14, 2013
Sadly, too many church members have fallen victim to what I'll call the Black & White dilemma, i.e. "one party is/will be the savior of our nation and the other party is/will be the death knell of all that I hold dear". I think one of the greatest strengths of the Book of Mormon and the Bible is that they show us HUMAN NATURE, not what happens when one political party is in power, not what one political philosophy will do to our culture. HUMAN NATURE is the corrupting influence here. That's why we ALL need the gospel, remember? I don't recall Jesus mentioning that only liberals needed to repent and turn to Him or that only conservatives needed to help the poor more. As members of the church (and as normal human beings) we need to stop this whole political blindness of "my party is right, yours is wrong". Both parties have contributed plenty to the current messes we're dealing with and that's not going to change anytime soon.
DeNaeJune 10, 2013
And @JEF, I hope you're not suggesting that people like Kris shouldn't comment on an opinion piece when their opinion differs from that of the writer, or is different than yours.
DeNaeJune 10, 2013
I would have appreciated more quantification on statements like, "Obama has three (maybe four) messes on his hands right now, and not a lot of friends to help him out," " ...no one in D.C. particularly likes him anyway," and " ...everyone knows that it
LeahJune 9, 2013
Yeh..... this topic is too tough to deal with. This article was hard to read... well written, sadly right on, but hard to read. I remember being dismayed when J Carter won the election, but at least he loved our country and upheld the laws and the constitution. Obama seems as contemptuous of the US as many on the far left - almost treasonous...
TimothyJune 7, 2013
If I were a member of a political party that coincided with that of the last elected President and if I had faithfully supported my President only to discover that he had done and was doing some really, really bad things (say something along the line of abuses of power) I believe that there would come a point when I would have to consider what was more important, my loyal support of my President or my loyal support of my Country. The choice might have to be mutually exclusive where I had to choose one or the other but not both. The question becomes, would I have the intestinal fortitude to swallow my pride and stand for my country instead of for my President?
LukeJune 7, 2013
This article is excellently written and accurately explains why Obama had a fading presidency. The author has intimate knowledge of DC and how things work.
wayne FordJune 6, 2013
I'm wondering why you aren't printing any more comments. Is it because they are mostly in opposition to just about everything Eastland has to say? There are far too many radical conservatives in the church (at least in Orange County, Ca.) and even though there are many---maybe even more---moderate Democrats and Independents, they tend to remain quiet rather than be looked at as though they are anti-American. I have news for those right-wing radicals: If you want to know what is wrong with the Republican party, it's the Tea Party fanatics.
LukeJune 6, 2013
This sums up the presidency of Obama, who has not lived up to expectations in spite of being the media's darling. As a long time observer of DC I've never seen such outright adolation of this leftist president. He has punished his opponents and helped his friends not real good policy for bringing the country together.
Mirna BarkerJune 5, 2013
It doesn't matter if a person is Democrat of Republican. Both parties have for many years caused the decline this country is going through. People have forgotten who matters most. Our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Our duty as Latter Day Saints is to Proclaim the Gospel, stay strong with our Testimonies, and have an Eternal Perspective. We Can't give up! Whatever happens will happen. It is up to us what we do with our responsibilities as Latter Day Saints, for Him the one that Matters most.
linda s.June 5, 2013
If it weren't for the gospel of Jesus Christ, I would be more scared than I am of what is happening to this poor country. Thank you for your article.
Mr Alex PowellJune 5, 2013
I don't really care about what party you support- the question here should be: Is the U.S. any better for obama's presidency? 1) Is the economy better? 2) Are more people employed? 3) Is the debt decreasing? 4) Do you have more hope/confidence in borrowing money for business expansion and growth now? I pity you America- 16 trillion in debt and not enough courage to stop the endless federal borrowing.
JEFJune 5, 2013
Oooo Kris, looks like Dr. Eastland struck a chord with you. Other than this article being run on Meridian, I see no references to the Gospel contained in it. You do know that no one forces you to come here and read this stuff don't you?
TaraJune 5, 2013
Spot on. I'm an independent and I can't argue with that. This is why I adore King Benjamin so so much. He worked along side his people, never got paid for what he did, and preached goodness to them. It's a lost art in our government today!
KilianJune 5, 2013
President Obama
TimJune 5, 2013
@Kris I don't see any mention of the Gospel in this article, nor any attempt to tie it to specific church teachings. What I do see is a candid analysis of what two-term presidents face in their second term.
ShareeJune 5, 2013
It doesn't matter if Obama is Democrat or Republican. This article states the truth, period. Many who voted for Obama are probably now shaking heir heads and wondering why. Would Romney have been any better? Maybe, maybe not. We'll never know.
Katharine DodsonJune 5, 2013
It doesn't matter if all L.D.S. are Republican or Democrat. Obama has not been a good president and if the L.D.S. Democrats still back him then they are backing a loosing horse. As for the next quote/comment; "Barring a huge, catastrophic and immediate crisis, no one is going to move from one side to the other", that is my worst fear, that Obama will manufacture a crisis and some how manage to remain in office indefinitely. George Bush manufactured 911, and I wouldn't put it past O to do something MUCH worse. And lastly, if you don't believe in Conspiracy theories, let me introduce you to a nice little book, It's called The Book of Mormon. Believe me, the Gadianton Robbers are alive and well in Washington D.C.
DonnaJune 5, 2013
I applaud the article. Not all Mormons are Republican. One thing is certain, right is right and wrong is wrong. One doesn't need to affiliate with any certain party to know that. Unless and until we who are on the Lords side defend what is right whether Democrat, Republican or what ever, this country will continue to spiral out of control into the hands of the unrighteous who only worry about their agenda.
LeonardJune 5, 2013
good article -- can't please everyone. Thanks for the info
LDSMominWAJune 5, 2013
It would be great to see an article about the Obstructionist Republicans/Tea Party's strangle hold on Congress and President Obama's agenda to help the middle class in this publication. Now that "Brother Beck" has lost his entire credibility, it would be nice to see an LDS publication that hearkens to the birth of the middle class and pro-family economic policies of the 1950's and 1960's where corporations are responsibly taxed and the upper class carries it's weight.
Linda WoodsJune 5, 2013
He cannot fade out fast enough or far, far away enough. It will be an enormous work to clean up after him.
DarcyJune 5, 2013
The truth is always edifying because it awakens those who are sleeping so to speak. Although Clinton and Obama are on the same team with the same agenda. Obama has succeeded in doing exactly what he hoped to do to this country. Don'you find it interesting that know seems to be able to stop him? Hold on to your hats we are in for a very scary ride.
W AltonJune 5, 2013
I am a conservative but I don't like Obama Bashing. I am particularly concerned about the direction the President is taking the country where moral issues are concerned. But I Hope Meridian does not turn into an Obama Bashing entity. I think Fox news often does more harm than good to causes I believe in because they over-react, it seems to me, to anything that Obama says or does.
Wade FillmoreJune 5, 2013
I don't need Obama to be bad for me to feel good. I pray for him because he is our President. We need a strong and a good nation.
David AndersonJune 5, 2013
I appreciate the article. I agree with the last sentence. However, my informed opinion is that Obama has an agenda and is quite brilliant and that the chaos created has been well orchestrated over decades. To Kris and others i encourage all rather right or left leaning to cultivate a searching mind which is an open mind and requires hard work and toil. It is easier to be close minded or prejudiced because it requires so little effort.
Janet GronemanJune 5, 2013
I am concerned that you nailed what Obama will do next to cement his standing with those who support him and to rally those who do not: "Barring a huge, catastrophic and immediate crisis, no one is going to move from one side to the other." Watch for him or his minions to create that crisis, and beware for yourselves and loved ones somewhere in America.
KrisJune 5, 2013
I'd ask why you ran this, but it's long obvious that your main interest is touting right-wing politics under the banner of the Gospel. How does telling President Obama to just give up on his agenda edify the Saints? You do realize that not all Mormons are Republicans, don't you?
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