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Arthur Ruger is a social worker, a poet and writer with an intense interest in the American political and religious scene.
"Clamoring voices both reasonable and shrill demand our attention. Many feel that in 'polite circles' there are two things you do not discuss: politics and religion.
It's as if discussing politics and religion is so private that we somehow must only discuss things in our personal sanctuaries - perhaps our bedrooms with our spouses or our living rooms with close friends and loved ones - but behind closed doors. Citizenship brings duty with it.
Moral values lie at the heart of political debate in this country and now the perceptual differences over moral values have become one of the hottest topics of debate. Politicized religious views task our ability to discern honesty and reality based on our own internal values - values that for the most part have served us well.
An informed electorate is the only way we can hope to wend our ways through these times with any degree of wisdom. No longer are we going to be able to remain silent, non-participating and expect to blame someone else if our manner of living arrives at a place where we have lost more than we can afford.