Obama's Selective Memory

Tomorrow, January 20, 2009, Barack Obama will re-trace part of the Lincoln Inaugural route by train, and then take the oath of office using the Lincoln Bible.

This is an interesting tribute, and I sincerely hope it is not mere pageantry. But, do we have reason to believe President Obama has intentions of governing like the first Republican president?

Lincoln did not believe in "spreading the wealth around":

"Property is the fruit of labor... it is a positive good in the world. That some should be rich shows that others may become rich, and hence is just encouragement to industry and enterprise. Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another; but let him labor diligently and build one for himself, thus by example assuring that his own shall be safe from violence when built."

On waging a just but unpopular war, Lincoln wrote:

"The probability that we may fall in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just; it shall not deter me."

On the courts and litigation:

"Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. As a peacemaker the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough."

On public morality (emphasis mine):

"In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both may be, and one must be, wrong. ... it is quite possible that God's purpose is something different from the purpose of either party - and yet the human instrumentalities, working just as they do, are of the best adaptation to effect His purpose."

And on the value of human life:

"Nothing stamped with the divine image and likeness was sent into the world to be trodden on."

The Family Research Council is offering a free screensaver and desktop wallpaper featuring this quote and a photo of President Lincoln, with the question, "Are not unborn children so stamped?"

It is historical irony and a horrendous shame that the first black president, hailed by many as the culmination of Lincoln's and King's efforts, should promote the view that human life is not inherently worthy of the protection of law.

The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), which Obama has pledged to pass, not only strips away all remaining protections for unborn human life, it overrides democracy and state's rights, and it overrules Freedom of Conscience for those health professionals and institutions that refuse to perform abortions or distribute abortifacients. This is abhorrently anti-democratic and must be opposed by every means.

While I understand the joy many in our country feel at the election of an African-American president, I am greatly dismayed that this President also shares the distinction of being the most radically pro-abortion. But wasn't it the goal of Lincoln and King that race should become irrelevant in the choosing of our leaders? Let it not be suggested that race mattered to those like me who opposed Obama on the basis of policy. Had Obama expressed Lincoln's ideals, I would have proudly voted for him.

Tomorrow, January 20, 2009, I will pray for our new President, that he be given wisdom and insight to justly govern our nation. This Thursday, January 22, 2009, I will join the March for Life at our state capitol, one of the goals of which is the defeat of of FOCA. I pray the march is attended by many who voted for our new President, however optimistic that he might change his mind on abortion "rights." Whatever their reasons for supporting him, I do not believe 53% of Americans support Obama's pro-abortion agenda, and I hope some of them are among the first to try to persuade him.

Would that Obama's homage to Lincoln be not shallow symbolism, but a sincere adoption of Lincoln's principles. That's change we need.