What Do Catholics Do In November?

After only an 8 year hiatus I return to the Catholic 365 stable of writers to entertain and edify and yes, in that order.

In that time period we've seen Trump, Covid, Biden, Ukraine, Gaza, and a host of other news that actually affects us on a daily basis.

But perhaps no development is more important for Catholics than the upcoming presidential election. Regarding it we are faced with choices that are complicated and difficult. As we put a premium on character and integrity in candidates, both major contenders become problematic. 

One, the former president, has not even a passing familiarity with humility or self-control. While his administration was a qualified success, his own rampant narcissism and over the top love of attention brought him low. He panders to those whose emotions preclude the proper exercise of the electoral franchise. While he has been the victim of political prosecutions, the Georgia case looks legit. These would all be reasons to vote against him, if the other guy wasn't even worse.

What can you say about the incumbent? A lying senile hack doesn't even begin to describe his mendacious incompetence in office. There is no issue, from the border to inflation, he has not failed at. Not to mention he is so incoherent, so out to lunch, so filled with bats in his belfry it's a wonder he doesn't choke to death on his own drool. And as a Catholic, he makes a great Unitarian. 

Thus here we are, psycho competence versus delusional failure. Neither has the proper character or integrity for the presidency and both are surpassed by far more talented people in their own party. Alas, our choice must be the psycho. For if both will do damage of sorts to the nation, the record shows that pseudo-Catholic Joe Biden’s type of damage, brought on by people around him who truly hate this country and the West, will be of much worse severity than that of the deranged mogul.

It's strange to say that because, when he was veep I used to worship with Biden at a Latin rite service in Wilmington, Delaware. He was humble and sought no special place amongst his fellow parishioners like me. I was personally, as opposed to politically, impressed. I was willing to give him some benefit of the doubt. But then he became president and the ensuing dog's breakfast of an administration defenestrated that minor regard. But, I digress. 

If, as I believe, the Catholic Church is at the center of the Western world, in fact, is it's most important spiritual factor, then those like Biden acolytes who actively seek to destroy over two thousand years of Western thought, heritage, and achievement must be stopped cold in their tracks. Donald Trump may be capable of doing that. Let us hope, perhaps vainly, that the man rises to the occasion or at least does not make matters worse.