Indian Americans: Watch out for Rick Santorum!

[sanjaya]

So I'm usually about as politically active as other Indian Americans (which, unfortunately, is not at all). When religious conservative candidates make comments about their beliefs, I usually fail to recognize that by "religious" they mean Christian. This, however, goes too far:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=B2emBxDOY7g

For those who don't want to watch the video, Republican Presidential nominee Rick Santorum is being endorsed by an evangelical pastor. The pastor begins with a soliloquy about how those who dissent to the "American Way" can get out. And he specifies the American Way: we do not worship Buddha, Allah, or Mohammad. I do find it a bit humorous since no one worships Buddha or Mohammad, and since Allah is Arabic for God. But let's get serious here; the only reason he didn't mention Lord Vishnu or Lord Shiva is because Indian Americans like me are so politically inactive that no one even knows we live in this country.

OK, I know that politicians don't necessarily assent to every word spoken by the pastors who endorse them (e.g. President Obama's pastor who said "God damn America"). But if this guy had made a similar statement about Judaism, the Anti-Defamation League would have utterly destroyed his career and seen to it that Santorum never win the nomination unless he disavows him. But of course, Indian Americans are politically complacent because our parents from India taught us that getting a 4.0 and becoming a doctor or engineer (but preferably doctor) is the only thing that matters in life.

I hope what Mom and Dad taught me is true, because if this guy gets elected, then our kids are all going to be Christians. And I don't mean that we'll send them to college where evangelicals will make friends with them, subtly convince them that they're going to hell for being Hindu, and get them to convert. As per this pastor's directive, some government task force will march into Hindu temples and give us all the choice of baptism or deportation. But as long as the kids are doing well in school it's OK, right?

As some of you might know, I detest the Indian apathy for politics and the arts, and this is why. For some reason our Jewish friends are untouchable by politicians and the media, yet despite our similar economic power we are not. Jews dominate every aspect of American culture, yet that sort of influence has thus far eluded our community. In appealing to the "God of Abraham," this pastor echewed any connection to anti-semitism, but he had no trouble assailing the Indian religious figure Gautama Buddha. This is because Indians are idiots with respect to affairs of state; we're so busy doing our homework that we ignore cultural figures who have the ability to negatively affect our lives. This is why the Indian American agenda is irrelevant to American politicians, and I'm willing to bet it's why the Indian government is defunct.

Being an idiot, I don't know if it's in our best interest for Santorum to lose the nomination outright, or for him to win it so as to present Obama with a weaker challenge in the general election. And being no better than the average Indian American, I won't hypocritically implore you all to go out and donate to HAF, lobby to have Santorum thrown out of office, or, God forbid, run for office yourself (though it'd be nice if you did). However, if you are an Indian or a Western Hindu and an American citizen, I will urge you to put down the math textbook for a few minutes to go out and actually vote. It's a simple thing that you can do in a few minutes before your circuit design exam, and in a polarized political climate such as this, just a few people failing to vote can easily sway an election. These Christians have no problem "voting God," whatever that means. Well, if we don't likewise vote in favor of the Indian American agenda, some pastor like this is going to burn down all our temples and shove ground beef hamburgers down our throats. Then it won't matter if your kid got into med school, because he'll be thrown out of the country before he has a chance to start classes next fall.

Sorry for my angry rant, I promise to behave myself better in future posts.

[Arjuni]

Namasté,

There is no need to apologise; inaction is a choice of its own and, in this upcoming election, not a good choice.

In case anyone else on the forum is in my situation: American citizens living outside of the country may register and receive an absentee ballot here (http://www.fvap.gov/). I just went through their process and got all of the necessary forms completed in less than five minutes.

Thank you for the timely and needed reminder.

Indraneela
===
Oṁ Indrāya Namaḥ.
Oṁ Namaḥ Śivāya.

[Jainarayan]

We hear about the religious fundamental nutcases because they get the most press. They are, however, a small minority of American voters. Don't sell the average American short. We're not all idiots, but we know one when we see one.

Most Americans are more concerned about keeping their jobs, homes, and food on the table than they are about an unequivocal idiot like Santorum; he's a clown and people know it.

Santorum can bluster on all he wants about religion but remember that the POTUS does not make or enforce laws. That's if he even gets to the primaries. All his religious blustering is simply his right under the First Amendment to free speech and the right to practice his religion, as it's my right to keep icons of the deities on my desk at work.

George W. Bush, as president, was pushing his "faith-based initiatives", and what happened to that? Fizzled out like wet birthday candles.

[charitra]

It is the bad economy, not god, that is presently sidingwith the republicans, who knows they might as well win the November election.Rick will be able to outshine Romney until the very finals and may win thenomination. But no worries. The media will rip him apart once he becomes the candidate, and in worst case scenario if he gets elected it will be a jamboree timefor media and most of us alike. Gloves will be off then, he will be made a butt of jokes for the entire length of his washington stay. More than hindus and others, I am seriously worried about the women’s rights that are taking a serious beating in recent years, conservative mullahs now make women look like second class citizens. At least constitutionally European and many Asian women enjoy greater freedom with their choices. The de facto leader Rush is pro-god but remains anti-poor, what an irony, looks like the conservatives chose Kubera their god, leaving shiva the pauper or Krishna the cowherd on the sidelines. :)

Yes hindus here in the USA or in Europe are not that active in public life, unlike their muslim counterparts who get radical by drawing inspiration from their mullahs. The second and later generation immigrant hindus are somewhat more vocal as I see it. HAF took birth as a result and Washington took note of it rather quickly. A few sensible men and women are running the small organization, and they need people like you (2nd generation) and the Caucasian hindus alike to boost their morale and strengthen their hands. The first generation hindus will remain dormant as a rule.

[sanjaya]

We hear about the religious fundamental nutcases because they get the most press. They are, however, a small minority of American voters. Don't sell the average American short. We're not all idiots, but we know one when we see one.

Heh, well actually I only said that Indians are idiots. Haven't said anything about you guys. Or am I American too? I've never been sure about that one. I suppose I exemplify the American Born Confused Desi.


Most Americans are more concerned about keeping their jobs, homes, and food on the table than they are about an unequivocal idiot like Santorum; he's a clown and people know it.

Santorum can bluster on all he wants about religion but remember that the POTUS does not make or enforce laws. That's if he even gets to the primaries. All his religious blustering is simply his right under the First Amendment to free speech and the right to practice his religion, as it's my right to keep icons of the deities on my desk at work.

George W. Bush, as president, was pushing his "faith-based initiatives", and what happened to that? Fizzled out like wet birthday candles.

Just a clarification here: the president does enforce laws; that's part of his constitutional obligation. True he doesn't make laws, but of course he can push his agenda in Congress through friendly representatives, and in the Supreme Court through the solicitor general.

Otherwise, I would hope that you're correct. But let's look at the numbers here. According to the latest delegate count (http://elections.nytimes.com/2012/primaries/delegates), the Mormon has 521 delegates and Santorum has 253. People are voting for him. I think a large segment of Americans do care about jobs, the economy, etc. But at least 253 delegates worth of people apparently care about the social issues, one of which is forcibly converting Hindus.

I wouldn't call this stupid, but it is an extremist religious agenda akin to Islam. This just goes to show that Christianity is not a form of "family values." Christianity ought to be put on the list of things to keep your kids away from, right next to drugs and rock 'n roll. I think it's important that the Hindu community start to regard Christianity as such.

[Jainarayan]

Just a clarification here: the president does enforce laws; that's part of his constitutional obligation. True he doesn't make laws, but of course he can push his agenda in Congress through friendly representatives, and in the Supreme Court through the solicitor general.

He can persuade Congress to pass a bill, but he cannot force them. Especially when long time members of Congress know that similar bills don't pass, or that the Supreme Court will strike them down. The Supreme Court answers only to itself, which can strike down any law passed by Congress and signed by the president which is unconstitutional. And there is plenty of case law showing that.

Any law based on religion will most likely die in the House or Senate, if anyone is stupid enough to even attempt it. The Federal Marriage Amendment proposal from the Colorado congresswoman, which at its core was religion based, was beaten down twice by Congress itself.

Of course this sort of thing is dangerous. It's dangerous to everyone. I think in time, hopefully sooner rather than later to quote G.H.W Bush, this religious silliness will go away and idiots like Santorum will be run off into the woods with tail between legs.

[charitra]

“ George W. Bush, as president, was pushinghis "faith-based initiatives", and what happened to that? Fizzled outlike wet birthday candles “

Wasn’t he who signed a law that allows religious organizations to draw funding from federal and state budgets. Before him there was a restriction that such of those organizations that get funding should not display any overt or covert religious agenda, and thanks to him, now you could put a banner of ‘the savior ‘right on the building front and still you get state funding. I do remember some journos raising serious objection at that time, but the bill was signed into a law nevertheles. So therefore one cant take the man in WH lightly Im afraid,especially a religious nut at that.

[Jainarayan]

Wasn’t he who signed a law that allows religious organizations to draw funding from federal and state budgets.

I do remember that. I have to look up the outcome. Stay tuned.

I found this...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_House_Office_of_Faith-Based_and_Neighborhood_Partnerships

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_House_Office_of_Faith-Based_and_Neighborhood_Partnerships#Safeguards_on_faith-based_organizations



Faith-based organizations are eligible to participate in federally administered social service programs to the same degree as any other group, although certain restrictions on FBOs that accept government funding have been created by the White House to protect separation of church and state (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_church_and_state).

They may not use direct government funds to support inherently religious activities such as prayer, worship, religious instruction, or proselytization (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proselytization).
Any inherently religious activities that the organizations may offer must be offered separately in time or location from services that receive federal assistance.
FBOs cannot discriminate on the basis of religion when providing services (GAO 2006:13[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_House_Office_of_Faith-Based_and_Neighborhood_Partnerships#cite_note-GAO2006-2)).

[satay]

namaste,
I find that all of those candidates in the race are scary, especially for minorities. I only someone like one candiate... ron paul. He seems a bit reasonable.

[Ramakrishna]

Namaste all,


namaste,
I find that all of those candidates in the race are scary, especially for minorities. I only someone like one candiate... ron paul. He seems a bit reasonable.

I also find Ron Paul to be a bit reasonable, as he makes a lot of sense on foreign policy and the "War on Drugs". That being said, he does want to pretty much abolish the federal government, deregulate everything, and abolish taxes. He is very far out there but does have a prominent "cult following". Of course he has no chance of actually winning and is mainly just running to spread his ideology.

Regarding the OP, I completely agree. It would be very nice to have prominent HINDU American politicians, especially considering that the two most prominent Indian-American politicians (Jindal and Haley) are Christians.

Jai Sri Ram

[rainbowlotus]

As a racial minority and religious minority this scares me. I'm not reassured by the belief that this is a small group of Americans who follow him. Unfortunately when people here someone talking about how they'll just make America perfect a lot of people listen and believe in that, because a lot of people don't know how America's government works. I really don't like Santorum and I hope he goes away.

[Sahasranama]

Sorry for my angry rant, I promise to behave myself better in future posts.
I like to read your passionate post. :)

But personally I will never vote again. I am not an American and live in the Netherlands, we have 12 different political parties. There is even a party for the animals, but voting doesn't make any difference. The government will screw us over regardless of who gets voted. That time wasted to vote, I would rather spend with my math book.

http://www.maniacworld.com/illusion-of-free-choice.jpg

[Adhvagat]

Voting is mandatory here in Brazil, so the ignorant poor can elect thieves to the government.

Because of religious diversity we don't have that much of a issue here, only stupid evangelical politicians talking about converting gays and things like this.

But in America this "christian" ignorance should be countered. I wonder if people don't realize that Christ himself was a man who went against the political odds and dogmas of its time. People are really dumb.

[Eastern Mind]

Vannakkam: When it comes to observing politicians, or hearing about them, another side of me often comes out.

Whether we like it or not, somebody has to run the countries. Who amongst the critics is willing to let their name stand for office? Not me, that's for sure. My skin is nowhere near thick enough. So if I'm not willing to do that job, do I still have the right to criticize it?

Our temple is run by a five member volunteer committee, called The Board, and all too often with disdain. I respond to the complaining, "So I presume you will let your name stand for office next year." Of course, the bigger the critic, the hastier the retreat from the conversation.

Still its a microcosm for the macrocosm of a country.

I find the system flawed in several ways. Firstly, its no true democracy when only the rich or the corrupt or the crooked men and women amongst us have any chance of getting elected. Besides that, because its such a dog eat dog world in politics, a constant barrage of judgment one way or the other, overly complimentary or overly critical, only a certain personality type can enter the arena, let alone live it.

Another flaw is the total lack of power of any individual to affect change. You may have the brightest ideas in the world, but other egos and personalities disable ideas, just because they come from someone else.

Yet another flaw is rep by pop. Look up gerrymandering to see that one. If a referendum is held, technically 51% can rule over the 49% minority. Is this fair? Hardly.

Rant on ... sorry for the disruption.

BTW, we are not immune in Canada. Our version of the Republicans is going through a scandal unscathed so far, where they actually had a company calling voters known to be not supporting them, during the last election, to falsely tell them the polling station had been moved, effectively disabling democracy altogether. Sounds unbelievable? http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2012/mar/20/canada-conservative-party-robocall-scandal

Aum Namasivaya

[charitra]

Some of our politicians would benefit from the treatment cited below. Most Indian politicians would straight away make the cut, insured or not, and no waiting list for them guys, just walk in !!:)

'' Dutch church castrated sex abuse victims’


New York Times (http://www.indianexpress.com/columnist/nyt/) : Brussels, Thu Mar 22 2012, 00:33 hrs
A young man in the care of the Roman Catholic Church in the Netherlands was surgically castrated decades ago after complaining about sexual abuse, according to new evidence that only adds to the scandal engulfing the church there.
The case, which dates from the 1950s comes amid suspicions that as many as 10 young men may have suffered the same fate.
“This case is especially painful because it concerns a victim who was victimised for a second time,” said Peter Nissen, a professor of the history of religion at Radboud University in the Netherlands.
It is unclear, however, whether the reported castration was performed as a punishment for whistle-blowing or what was seen as a treatment for homosexuality.
In 2010, about 2,000 people complained of abuse by priests, church institutions or religious orders in the Netherlands after the Roman Catholic Church commissioned an inquiry. It finally concluded the number of victims could be 10 times higher.
That committee, led by Wim Deetman, a former education minister, was presented with evidence of the castration case when it was contacted by a friend of the young man, who was castrated in 1956, two years before his death in a road accident.
The victim, Henk Heithuis, lived in Catholic institutions from infancy after being taken into care. When he complained about sexual abuse to the police, Heithuis, 20 then, was transferred to a Catholic psychiatric hospital before being admitted to the St. Joseph Hospital in Veghel, where he was castrated.
Cornelius Rogge, a friend of Heithuis, informed the Deetman Commission, contacting an investigative journalist, Joep Dohmen, when there was no clear follow-up. “He was strapped to a bed,” Rogge said. “In one stroke, his scrotum was cut out. Then he was taken to an infirmary to rest and recover. Then the other boys received the same treatment. He could hear them screaming.”
Dohmen, the investigative journalist who broke the news in the daily NRC Handelsblad, said that correspondence from the 1950s and Heithuis’s testimony to Rogge suggested that there could have been nine other cases. Dohmen said he uncovered another case. A gay man, not abused, was also castrated. Dohmen said the man accused of abusing Heithuis was probed but not prosecuted. He was transferred to Nova Scotia, where he started a home for boys.

[Jainarayan]

But personally I will never vote again. ... The government will screw us over regardless of who gets voted. http://www.maniacworld.com/illusion-of-free-choice.jpg

Namaste.

I have had the exact same thoughts run through my mind. I know it's an American's constitutional right and duty (duty, so "they" say) to vote, but it's often true that no matter whom you vote for, something will go wrong. Sometimes it goes right. It's the luck of the draw. We've had good and bad presidents and legislators from both sides of the aisle. They say a vote not cast is a vote for the other guy, but I'm really not sure what I will do in November.

[Sahasranama]

Politics is a very dirty game. In India when the BJP was elected they betrayed their Hindu following and followed the steps of congress. That's why they lost popularity.

If I was in America, I would still vote, because Rick Santorum's fundamental Christian attitute is simply scary. In the Netherlands, if a Christian party (like the Christian democrats) would be selected here, that would not be the end of the world.

[Jainarayan]

Well, that's true when you have an extremist like Santorum. I think I'd vote for anyone but him. However, he's really only garnering the bible belt states, which do not have a large number of delegates. The technological and educated, and liberal northeast and middle Atlantic states, and California won't go for him. I don't think he will make it to the primaries; I certainly hope not. He's a nutjob.

[sm78]

He's a nutjob.
He is an opus-dei member ;). No seriously!

[Jainarayan]

He is an opus-dei member ;). No seriously!

Yep, I told someone else that.

[NayaSurya]

I will be voting for Obama, again. Not that i think he has been perfect or even has all the answers. But, compared to the other choices. The man's a genius.

Did anyone read about Jon Huntsman? The man who has a Hindu daughter? Ron Paul groups made a wretched video about her. Because Huntsman was photographed with his daughter at temple with his wife.

This is how Huntsman lost the Republican nomination.:rolleyes:

[Seeker123]

“ George W. Bush, as president, was pushinghis "faith-based initiatives", and what happened to that? Fizzled outlike wet birthday candles “

Wasn’t he who signed a law that allows religious organizations to draw funding from federal and state budgets. Before him there was a restriction that such of those organizations that get funding should not display any overt or covert religious agenda, and thanks to him, now you could put a banner of ‘the savior ‘right on the building front and still you get state funding. I do remember some journos raising serious objection at that time, but the bill was signed into a law nevertheles. So therefore one cant take the man in WH lightly Im afraid,especially a religious nut at that.

Obama expanded Bush's faith based initiatives. Sorry but Hindus are on their own....

http://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/election/764
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/president-obama-executive-order-faith-based-initiative-church/story?id=12180146

[sanjaya]

I will be voting for Obama, again. Not that i think he has been perfect or even has all the answers. But, compared to the other choices. The man's a genius.

Did anyone read about Jon Huntsman? The man who has a Hindu daughter? Ron Paul groups made a wretched video about her. Because Huntsman was photographed with his daughter at temple with his wife.

This is how Huntsman lost the Republican nomination.:rolleyes:

Indeed. Jon Huntsman was an interesting character. I wholly disagree with his economic philosophy and dislike his criticisms of the President, but I would have voted for him anyway. Like I said in my initial post, Hindu Americans need to vote the Hindu agenda. And nothing is in greater harmony with the Hindu agenda than raising your Indian daughter as a Hindu while simultaneously de-emphasizing your Mormon beliefs (well, nothing short of actually being Hindu, but nobody's perfect).

I would point out that Huntsman's religious pluralism was likely secondary to the fact that he was the sub-Romney. Here we had another fiscally-conservative Mormon governer running for President. Put yourself in the Christians' shoes: if you're going to vote for such a candidate, it's better to go with the candidate who has already made a respectable bid for the Presidency and who is slightly more committed to Christianity. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure Governor Huntsman's embrace of Hinduism didn't help matters. After all, Christians percieve us as heathens who are going to hell for not mimicing Western culture. However in the early stages of the nomination process it seemed that social issues took a back seat to the economy, and I heard very little from the media about Huntsman's amicable attitude towards Hinduism. Whether you (like all of us on this forum) laud him for preserving his daughter's tie to her cultural heritage, or hate him for raising her outside of the family religion, this sort of thing is unprecedented for a Republican politician, and it should have gotten more press.

It's too bad too. I don't consider myself a fiscal conservative, but he was a respectable Republican candidate whom Hindus could have supported in good conscience.

Oh wait, Hindu Americans lack political clout in spite of our great economic and educational advantages. It probably didn't occur to anyone that a Huntsman Super PAC funded by Hindu American dollars could have bolstered his nomination prospects (not to mention putting Hindu Americans in the national spotlight). I know I promised to try and behave myself, but I'm going to pin this one on Indian stupidity too. Seriously people, get your head out of the math textbook once in awhile. I'm sure Goddess Saraswati will forgive us for attending to matters more important than school. :banghead:

[NayaSurya]

I agree!

830


What a cutey~!

[JaiMaaDurga]

Namaste,

I would have replied sooner, but I had this paper on the mathematical relation between fractals, artificial neural nets and protein-folding I had to finish.. ;)

I understand the frustration concerning political apathy. EM makes some valid points-
having been involved in low-level political positions myself,
it is simply astounding how emotionally immature individuals can devote vast sums
of time and energy toward circumventing or twisting Robert's Rules of Order in such a way,
that petty personal agendas are pursued to the exclusion of the community's well-being.

Also, not to seem an America-basher, but two considerations come into play,
the first certainly heightened by the lack of vocal Hindu participation in American politics at even a local level:
a sadly large number of Americans' knowledge of Hinduism or India consists almost entirely of
("Oh yeah, that Apu guy on The Simpsons, he's funny!")

or

("Gandhi- he was that skinny bald dude with glasses that, like, stopped eating until the British left, or something. What's the deal with the diaper-thing, anyway?")

and, of course, the Kipling-Disney film "The Jungle Book".

Even the more culturally aware Americans (who are not Hindu) often harbor a condescending attitude below the surface,

"Ah yes- marvelous food, those quaint and colorful idolaters!"
...*sigh*

Secondly, although EM makes the perfectly valid point that a strictly popular vote is not necessarily the best system,
I would like to point out that the US system was never originally conceived or designed to elect the President by popular vote;
men such as Hamilton and Adams were horrified at the idea of the "great ignorant unwashed masses" possessing the sort of power
that they felt belonged properly in the hands of the well-educated, responsible gentlemen of means-
"landed gentry" like themselves, of course.

This is why the Electoral College was created- to give the common man the feeling that their vote counted,
but really ensuring that the nation's most wealthy and powerful continued to control the range of possibilities, if not the exact outcome.

I would also like to point out that historically, the Executive branch tries its best to exert power and influence less by legislative initiatives etc.,
but by appointees, and most importantly, Supreme Court nominees.
They sit for life, or until retirement; what more powerful tool for an agenda, than a Supreme Court Justice favorable to it- potentially years after the POTUS is out of office?

I do like the cow cartoon, in a rueful "how true" sort of way. I have often described the Democrat/Republican two-party system as a choice between Coke or Pepsi..
each shouting loudly how different from each other they are, hoping nobody notices that it's all empty, tooth-rotting, brown, bubbly sugar-water in the end.

The three fields of law, finance and medicine have evolved in such a way as to imitate the obscuration/pedantry principles perfected by politicized religious entities...
law and medicine (like the Roman Catholic Church for most of its history) is chock-full of Latin-
and unlike Sanskrit which has much that cannot be adequately translated into other languages, the Latin was/is kept to keep the commoner in the dark.
The mathematics and terminology used in the financial industry is so abstruse and peculiar to itself,
that no average person could hope to understand it, without devoting long hours to study-
and, at this point, financial software has been written such that its operation is too complex for its own designers and programmers to understand.

Professionals in these fields are paid quite well-
and there are certainly individuals who deserve every cent they make-
but my point is that these systems have evolved to prevent
competent observation by outsiders,
to operate with impunity within their given sphere,
with a strong tendency for rapidly "circling the wagons"
when critical investigation draws near.

Beware of mumbo-jumbo, no matter the source! ;)

Dearest Most-Beloved Maa,
please help keep Your children's eyes, ears, and minds clear..

JAI MATA DI

[Leena]

So they want Buddah and Allah worshipers to get out of the country. I'm assuming that they also mean born Americans who do as well. Being that the US is our native land, where do they expect us to go? Will they provide all of the deportees, immigrants and US residents, the passports, visas, and airfare? And will they find us a home and a place of employment at whatever place we are to be sent? No? Then they can learn tolerance and educate themselves on the different views and not expect people to go against what they feel is right for them.

[sanjaya]

So they want Buddah and Allah worshipers to get out of the country. I'm assuming that they also mean born Americans who do as well. Being that the US is our native land, where do they expect us to go? Will they provide all of the deportees, immigrants and US residents, the passports, visas, and airfare? And will they find us a home and a place of employment at whatever place we are to be sent? No? Then they can learn tolerance and educate themselves on the different views and not expect people to go against what they feel is right for them.

Heh, I know what you mean. I suppose President Santorum and his Majesterium would send me "back" to India, even though I was born here in the US and have spent a cumulative total of less than two months there. I guess it wouldn't be so bad; temples on every block, Hindu culture, and an abundance of fellow Indians is nothing to complain about. Yeah the sanitation and governmental efficacy isn't so great. But the only thing that would truly terrify me about this prospect is that I'd have to eat Indian food for the rest of my life. Maybe it makes me a bad Indian, but do you guys have any idea how much I hate Indian food?

OK I'm mostly joking here (though I really do hate Indian food). But there's a lesson to be learned from all of this. Rick Santorum is a mainstream American politican. Despite being Catholic he draws his support mostly from evangelicals, who comprise a fairly large minority of the US population. This is evidenced by the fact that with their support, he's giving Mitt Romney a run for his money. Evangelicals are not a fringe group. In America it's acceptable to believe that Hindus are going to hell and need to be either converted or deported. That sort of thing is a realistic prospect, so Indians need to get our act together and realize that there are more important thngs than getting into medical school.

In addition to voting against the Republicans at every turn (unless they miraculously eschew Christianity), another thing we can do is contribute to organizations that improve living conditions in India. The reason people emigrate here is that India sucks. It's not that great of a place to live when you don't have running water for part of the day and cops routinely take bribes. But imagine an India that had the same standard of living as the US, where the government was effective, Hinduism was respected, and where people preferred living over the United States. I personally don't have any intention to move to India unless President Santorum chases me away with baptismal water, but nonetheless it's important that such an Indian state exist. A healthy India would be in a position to kick the missionaries out (Santorum-style), ban evangelical Christianity, and threaten the US with political opposition should Indian Americans ever be persecuted by Christians. I see a lot of Indans coming here, counting their blessings, and forgetting about where they came from. Strangely it's my generation that seems to care more about India.

Whatever people say, America is effectively a Christian nation; evangelical Christianity has spread everywhere because it has the economic backing of its home nation. What we really need is a strong Hindu nation to stand against the evils of Christianity.

[Spiritualseeker]

Namaste,

It seems America is doomed to fail. Obama will not get my vote as he continues to take away our freedoms. The same will be done under any of these candidants that are running. I cannot trust any of them as they are ruled by the ruling class. We are very quickly falling and now the US is building up its military presence in Austrailia and Asia to try to prevent China from becoming the Global power. We are stepping on Russias toes with AMD systems in Europe. We are likely to go into Iran soon. All these people are thieves and criminals.

Just my views

Om Namah Shivaya

[TTCUSM]

Santorum has officially withdrawn (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/11/us/politics/rick-santorum-withdraws-from-republican-race.html) from the race.

[Adhvagat]

Santorum has officially withdrawn (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/11/us/politics/rick-santorum-withdraws-from-republican-race.html) from the race.

I'm sad, I thought you meant he had withdrawn from the human race.

LOL

[Jainarayan]

I'm sad, I thought you meant he had withdrawn from the human race.

LOL

All in good time. ;)

I know... for that I will be reborn as an artichoke. :(

:D

[sanjaya]

Well, the man himself is just a figurehead. What's disturbing is that there are so many Americans who are attracted to his idea of kicking Hindus out of the country. So my comment about Indians being stupid and needing to get off our collective rear ends and be political still stands.