Don's Tuesday Column

THE WAY I SEE IT   by Don Polson  Red Bluff Daily News   9/30/2014

On Dr. Ben Carson; “by their fruits, ye shall know them”

The Tea Party Patriots continue to bring leaders and key people before informed citizens that show up: Showing up tonight at the Westside Grange will give you an opportunity to hear from Joe Vine, from the Copy Center, giving a presentation on the renovation of the State Theater. Also scheduled, for a short update on the rezoning of the landfill, will be Sean Moore. Personal note: I am not in circulation for any meetings as I await the earliest possible slot for knee surgery to repair some damage I inflicted on my right knee a couple of ski seasons ago. Anyone who has been confined to sitting with an elevated leg all day long, subjected to pain-interrupted sleep, and mobility limited to limping to the bathroom or mailbox will understand.

The problem with writing about Dr. Ben Carson, who has emerged to some prominence with his books (co-written with his wife, Candy Carson), interviews and personal appearances, is the plethora of material to wade into and choose from. I read Dr. Carson’s book, “One Nation—What We Can All Do To Save America’s Future,” over the summer and was impressed with his level-headed, logical and non-polemical approach to divisive issues about which many concerned voters are understandably passionate. I encourage you to buy the book and take his many ideas under advisement; you should be able to search the Internet (i.e. Amazon) to acquire a copy at less than the $15.49 price I paid at Costco. I then read a several thousand-word-long interview published in the June issue of “The Limbaugh Letter.” Carson appeared at and addressed the Value Voters Conference in Washington, DC (parts of which are searchable); that long-time gathering of Christian conservatives gave him many votes (placing him in 3^rd place) for president, and chose him as their favorite for vice president. He was interviewed by Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday, also possibly searchable at the program’s web site.

You may recall that, after retiring in 2013 from a 35-year distinguished medical career, culminating as the head of the pediatric neurosurgery department of Johns Hopkins Hospital, Dr. Carson made himself known for some remarks he gave at the National Prayer Breakfast. Those remarks reflected the deeply held concerns and hopes of the vast majority of Americans, warning us “of the dangers facing our country and (calling) for a return to the principles that made America great.”

He also proposed well-thought-out ideas for health care reform focused on 1) the primacy of the doctor/patient relationship 2) free market solutions to greater access and lower costs and 3) the widespread use of Health Savings Accounts, or HSAs. To a leftist progressive like Obama, HSAs are an anathema because they undermine the supremacy of the government-centric, state-controlled, model of health care, AKA single-payer socialism. Carson apparently displayed temerity in presuming that, as a premier medical professional and informed conservative citizen, he could proceed to utter such sentiments within several feet of President Obama, the man whose efforts have come to constitute “the dangers facing our country” as he and his fellow Democrats have labored mightily to undermine “the principles that made America great.”

In America, the respectful exchange of opposing viewpoints and philosophies is or should be the norm, especially when issues and policies are the focus and when attacks and insults are avoided. It was quite surprising, even shocking, to Dr. Carson to have been directly contacted by Obama’s official underlings strongly suggesting, almost demanding, an apology from Carson for his supposedly offensive and confrontational remarks.

Consider for one moment what that reveals about the mindset that permeates the Obama White House: The President’s collective ideological skin is so thin, and inclined to take offense when none is given, that a prominent and accomplished citizen, even an African-American brain surgeon, is to accept that his “free speech” is insulting to the self-styled reigning ruler—and figuratively bow and give obeisance via an apology to said ruler. Never mind that Dr. Carson’s taxes pay the salaries and benefits for all of Obama’s staff, making them all collectively Carson’s employees.

I think that what rankled Obama’s sensitivities was rather how Carson opened his “National Prayer Breakfast” speech. Noting that Bible readings and inspirational comments were made by a variety of people, he quoted from Proverbs: “Evil words destroy one’s friends; wise discernment rescues the godly (11:9); It is foolish to belittle a neighbor, a person with good sense remains silent (11:12); The generous prosper and are satisfied, those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed (11:25).” From 2 Chronicles: “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I…will forgive their sins and heal their land. (7:14)” It may have struck a nerve in Obama, no?

It bears comparing Ben Carson’s upbringing and youthful anger, which nearly caused him to murder someone, after which he lifted himself up, with his mother’s insistence; to Al Sharpton’s thinly veiled hatred and his support of violence; and to Obama’s not-so-thinly veiled antipathy to western values, America’s freedom and the wealth that America’s freedom has produced. “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Mathew 7:20)