Lyle Northey (Silent/Boomer)

There are issues and issues that need to be discussed and broken down to highlight either the plus or minus of each. One of these is the debate over the idea that religion needs to be the driving force of society and government. So take a look at the nations that are currently run by religious leaders and the results it has on society.
Most of these nations are in the middle east and they have literally draconian laws that suppress women and dominate men all to appease the whims of a religious leader that has somehow gained power. They have a controlled world, through fear, reprisal and intimidation. Women are kept literally locked up and out of the way. Their dress covers them from top to bottom allowing no recognition or vanity to show through.
Prayers happen 5 to 7 times a day, stop what you are doing and pray. The interruption that are caused cannot be good for businesses. Many businesses that we know here most likely do not do so there. Ladies apparel and shoes, hair products getting your nails done. Elective cosmetic surgery such as breast enhancement. Women are not allowed to drive, get an education, vote or have a say in anything, they are but vessels to produce the next generation.
Men are controlled by the prayer cycle and religious police to see that they are doing what is required. They may earn a living but since it is a class society advancement only happens for those at the top. Playing soccer or gambling seemed to be the major activities of the masses.
We have people here that want to bring religious control to our society, along with a great deal of suppression of the female part of that society. Somehow they rather misinformed individuals think that this will turn everything into some utopia. The need to suppress women probably is caused by the fact that none of these guys can get a date, with the attitude that women are to bow to them is it any wonder.
Looking back at history things have changed in our society as acceptance or suppression has ebbed and flowed. The 19 teens were and age of dark clothing and long dresses, and just very straightlaced. The 20’s were just the opposite with the flappers and smoking and all that jazz. Along came the 30’s and the depression and we are back to drab. The war years were a mix of glamor and uniforms. The 50’s were getting dressed up whenever possible, Father Knows Best and all that sort of thing. The 60’s brought drugs, sex and rock and roll. So we have cycled back and forth and we are at a point that is confused and confusing.
Politically we are either going to hold democracy close and continue with life on a social plane or we are going to digress to a class society with the rich having the power and the rest of us being left to the scraps. The rich would like the class society and they just have to decide if they want the religion or not. If they go that way they may have to give up on the midlife crisis things like trophy wives and fancy cars, we will have to wait and see. Maybe if they let the religious leaders have those things it will make a difference.
So is the democratic society that has socialist tones a bad thing. When you say that socialism takes away the ability to exploit opportunities then we must ask how is this being done. No one is held back from growth, what they are being asked to do is not be selfish about that growth. Social societies make sure everyone is treated equally and given a leg up when needed, not left of the side of the road. I do not see our society being at that point as we still have lots of marginal people around and nothing tells me that is going to change anytime soon.

So for those that feel they must throw a vengeful god into our national leadership position let me leave you with a poem.
May bleeding piles possess you, And corns grown on your feet, May crabs as big as horseflies crawl on your balls and eat, And when you are old and feeble a syphilitic wreck, May your spine fall through your ass and break your f_____? neck.