Wesley J. Smith on collectivism and individualism :
Collectivism is always a potent message for those who feel a sense of oppression and/or economic strain. Thus, it was the very economic difficulties experienced by my friends touted demographic cohorts that made Obamas message of inclusion and fairness resonate more deeply than did Mitt Romneys free market/equality of opportunity/importance-of-the-individual arguments.
Also today, Robert P. George on the unity of economic and social conservatism :
Although a decent society need not be a dynamic one (as the Amish example shows) dynamism need not erode decency. A dynamic society need not be one in which consumerism and materialism become rife and in which moral and spiritual values disappear. Indeed, dynamism can play a positive moral role and, I would venture to say, almost certainly will play such a role where what makes it possible is sufficient to sustain it over the long term.
And in our third feature, Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap, on fighting for religious freedom :
The President has many personal strengths. But the people who staff his administrationincluding Catholics who clearly know betterhave consistently misrepresented the serious issues involved in the HHS mandate debate. As a senior federal judge told me recently from his own case-load experience, key people in this administration simply do not seem to believe in religious freedom in the sense the American Founders originally intended itin other words, as a distinct human liberty and a priority human right. This is the political terrain we face for the next four years.
You have a decision to make: double or nothing.
For this week only, a generous supporter has offered to fully match all new and increased donations to First Things up to $60,000.
In other words, your gift of $50 unlocks $100 for First Things, your gift of $100 unlocks $200, and so on, up to a total of $120,000. But if you don’t give, nothing.
So what will it be, dear reader: double, or nothing?
Make your year-end gift go twice as far for First Things by giving now.