Sometimes the obvious escapes us while we are busy digging deep in adrenalin-rushed excitement over the possibility of shocking revelations. There is a flurry of speculation by pundits, bloggers, supporters, and MSM (that includes YOU FOX News) over the reason(s) behind why Sarah Palin resigned her position on July 3rd, 2009 as Governor of Alaska.  After careful reading of her speech and the July 4th letter to her supporters, I am convinced that the answers are all there.

Follow my hypothesis:

Palin has made a very strategic and amazingly clever move that actually makes sense if you understand her underlying motivation and ultimate goals.  Her decision to NOT run for re-election was predictable given her future aspirations and where she and many others see her role in the Republican Party.  I think many of us saw that coming for quite some time now.

Where she absolutely took most of the world by surprise was tendering her resignation.  But talk about an attention getter!  If you wanted media exposure to convey a message, it would be hard to surpass the strategy behind this move.  Bravo!  And then top it off with a poke in the sides of the bloggers that hounded her and distract the real basis for this decision even further!

Her reasoning is clearly articulated if you simply read what she said and stop looking for more:

The following are excerpts from her speech announcing her resignation on July 3rd, 2009

Alaska’s mission – to contribute to America. We’re strategic in the world as the air crossroads of the world, as a gatekeeper of the continent. Bold visionaries knew this – Alaska would be part of America’s great destiny.

Productive, fulfilled people determine where to put their efforts, choosing to wisely utilize precious time… to build up.

And there is such a need to build up and fight for our state and our country. I choose to fight for it! And I’ll work hard for others who still believe in free enterprise and smaller government; strong national security for our country and support for our troops; energy independence; and for those who will protect freedom and equality and life… I’ll work for and campaign for those proud to be American, and those who are inspired by our ideals and won’t deride them.

I will support others who seek to serve, in or out of office, for the right reasons, and I don’t care what party they’re in or no party at all. Inside Alaska – or Outside Alaska.

My choice is to take a stand and effect change – not hit our heads against the wall and watch valuable state time and money, millions of your dollars, go down the drain in this new environment. Rather, we know we can effect positive change outside government at this moment in time, on another scale, and actually make a difference for our priorities – and so we will, for Alaskans and for Americans.

I do not want to disappoint anyone with my decision; all I can ask is that you trust me with this decision – but it’s no more “politics as usual”.

Some will question the timing. Let’s just say, this decision has been in the works for awhile…

[People who serve know]…life is short so they choose to not waste time. They choose to be productive and to serve something greater than self… and to build up their families, their states, our country.

Remember Alaska… America is now, more than ever, looking North to the Future. It’ll be good. So God bless you, and from me and my family – to all Alaska – you have my heart.

And we will be in the capable hands of our Lieutenant Governor, Sean Parnell. And Lieutenant General Craig Campbell will assume the role of Lieutenant Governor. And it is my promise to you that I will always be standing by, ready to assist. We have a good, positive agenda for Alaska.

In the words of General MacArthur said, “We are not retreating. We are advancing in another direction.”

And now excerpts from Governor Palin’s “Happy 4th of July from Alaska!” letter to her supporters:

“I determined after prayerful consideration that sacrificing my title helps Alaska most.

I am now looking ahead and how we can advance this country together with our values of less government intervention, greater energy independence, stronger national security, and much-needed fiscal restraint. I hope you will join me. Now is the time to rebuild and help our nation achieve greatness!

God bless you! And I look forward to making a difference – with you!

Sarah”

This is a rallying cry!  She is not kidding when she states that she is not retreating – but advancing.  Once the decision was made by herself and other contributors to her decision as to how to best utilize Palin’s extraordinary popularity to advance the power and resurgence of the GOP, resignation was the ONLY option that makes sense for the following reasons – because she is now free to traverse this country unencumbered by official duties AND:

1. Excite and ignite her base – a base broader than that solely of the GOP, bringing together extremists, Libertarians, Constitution Party members as well as GOP loyalists – all under one umbrella in a way that no other republican candidate has been able to achieve to date;
2. Because of her “rock star” popularity she is an invaluable asset to the floundering Republican Party as a fundraiser for the GOP (whether Mitt, Newt, Huckabee or any of the rest of the presidential hopefuls care to admit it through clenched teeth);
3. They can capitalize on her ability to generate untold numbers of evangelical extremists to register to vote significantly increasing the likelihood for success in local and national elections;
4. And, while everyone debates over “will she/won’t she” regarding 2012, the GOP strategists are winding her up to let her go on the 2010 campaign trail in an all out effort to dominate local, state and congressional seats – by riling the masses into a pitched fervor through propaganda over Obama = Bad! Using all the scare tactics and fear-mongering popular in GOP campaigns such as Muslim, socialism, debt, non-aggressive defense posture, and the terrorism threat to the safety of our country;
5. And THEN lastly, it does give her time to consult with the religious ghost-writer assigned from Zondervan [Christian] Publishing to meet her contract obligation for her upcoming book release in Spring of 2010…which is an incredible tool that will have tremendous impact on growing her followers when she does in fact, decide to throw her harpoon into the presidential race of -2012.____________________________________________________________________

I am an associate research member for the New Apostolic Reformation Research Team; former Alaska Lobbyist; multi-generational native-born Alaskan with extensive knowledge on the role of Political Dominionism in the Republican Party and its role since 1976, as well as the growing right-leaning insurgency into the Democratic Party.  I am a registered Non-Partisan and non-evangelical Christian of mainstream faith working to preserve our democracy from the threat of a theocracy.

Today is more than fireworks, BBQs, and flags.  It is even more than the recent news that Governor Palin resigned amidst widespread proclamations of a new-found independence in Alaska.  It IS about what this day celebrates, which among several principles in the Declaration of Independence – is the freedom of religion and the separation of church and state.

“What the Religious Right doesn’t tell people, and what, tragically, many Americans apparently don’t know, is that when it comes to determining what the laws of the United States mean, the only document that matters is the Constitution. The Constitution, a completely secular document, contains no references to God, Jesus or Christianity. It says absolutely nothing about the United States being officially Christian. The Religious Right’s constant appeals to documents like the Declaration of Independence, which contains a deistic reference to “the Creator,” cloud the issue and make some people believe their rights spring from these other documents.”  From Legacy Of Freedom by Rob Boston, Church and State, January, 2003

This falls under, if we (the Religious Right) repeat something often enough, it will become truth.  But these Political Dominionists not only repeatedly twist the meaning of the Constitution, they very quietly attempt to mold our laws to fit their twisting.

The Constitution Restoration Act of 2004, introduced into both houses of Congress on February 11, 2004, “includes the acknowledgment of God as the sovereign source of law by an official in his capacity of executing his office.” Katherine Yurica, author of the Yurica Report, reports on this bill that reveals the theocratic intentions of its sponsors including Rep. Robert Aderholt (Alabama), Rep. Michael Pence (Indiana), Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama, Sen. Zell Miller (Georgia), Sen. Sam Brownback (Kansas), and Sen. Lindsey Graham (South Carolina).

Foes of Church-State Separation

The Texas Republican Party Platform, 2002:

“Our Party pledges to do everything within its power to dispel the myth of separation of church and state.”

Christian Coalition: Speakers at the Road To Victory rally sponsored by Christian Coalition just before the 2002 elections,

“Seemed to compete with each other to say the worst things they could about this concept.” Coalition founder Pat Robertson who described church-state separation as “a lie” and “a distortion foisted on us over the past few years by left- wingers.”

Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore termed separation “a fable” and insisted that the phrase “has so warped our society it’s unbelievable.”

Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) upped the ante, calling concerns about church andstate “the phoniest argument there is.”

But the award for the most vicious attack goes to Joyce Meyer, the TV preacher who cosponsored the Coalition’s national meeting. Meyer lambasted the constitutional concept as “really a deception from “Satan.”

Because we have such wide-spread apathy among our electorate, even those who consider themselves “engaged and paying attention”, we have created a breeding ground for disinformation.  The facts simply play a very small role in voter perceptions.  Consequently we are stunned IF we actually learn about these attempts to chip away at our freedoms.

WAY too many Americans view the whole notion of participating in government at the most basic level as an “us and them” issue.  ”Oh, I don’t get involved in politics”, or “i don’t have time for all that”, or “They’re all a bunch of liars and criminals anyway”, and the list of excuses goes on and on.  Does it occur to them to really learn about the people who sit in positions of power over us all?  That when an incompetent, or disastrous, or religious zealot, or any other form of unfit person is elected – that we are ALL responsible whether you voted or not?

The efforts to take away the right to free religious expression – or to observe no religion at all – is constantly under attack in America by Political Dominionists.  Defending those freedoms is NOT anti-American, anti-patriotic or inspired by Satan.  Quite the opposite!  Defending religious freedom and the separation of church and state is the most patriotic American thing you can do.

Supreme Court Justice Harry A. Blackmun - “When the government puts its imprimatur on a particular religion it conveys a message of exclusion to all those who do not adhere to the favored beliefs. A government cannot be premised on the belief that all persons are created equal when it asserts that God prefers some.”

And as it stands right now, the push for theocratic dominance has become so entrenched in the Republican Party that to stand a chance of success as a GOP candidate on ANY level, you must demonstrate an alliance to the dogma of Dominionism – no matter what denomination you hale from.

Contrary to Article IV, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution which states that, “no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States”, the GOP flippantly ignores this rule – cherry-picking from the Constitution much the same way it does the Bible.

Currently, you must meet the litmus test of having been “born-again” and acknowledgethe extremeevangelical version of “Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour” to be in the club.  (It never hurts to speak in tongues as a second language and plaster your cars with numerous paint-damaging “ribbon” magnets, an American flag flapping and the potpourri of fish decals or “Calvin” peeing on a Darwinian fish).

I will end with the following article I read today by a Reverend from Fayetteville, Arkansas who eloquently defends his devout faith in the Christian God, yet intelligently defends pluralism versus monotheism and how incredibly fortunate we are in a world filled with religiously dictated tyranny causing inhuman suffering to millions.

Government, Religion Don’t Mix Well

By Rev. Steve Sheely

I love my country. There is no place I would rather live. I relish the freedoms we enjoy and I am grateful for those who gave their lives, their health and their dreams so I have the freedom to write this newspaper column, vote for whoever I prefer and, most of all, worship as I choose.

In Saudi Arabia, the Islamic government has given full police power to the CPVPV (Commission to Promote Virtue and Prevent Vice). Minority Muslims and non-Muslims are vulnerable to various forms of religious discrimination and persecution.

But the examples of this problem are not limited to other nations. In our own country there are those who would prefer a similar relationship between government and religion.

This Independence Day as we celebration freedom of religion, we also celebrate freedom from religion. We cannot let our government get in the religion business. Throughout history this has been a disastrous affiliation.Any democracy, protectorate or monarchy — even a nation as wonderful as ours — will never match the mercy, redemption and holiness of the Kingdom of God. Our borders are not wide enough, our social programs are not gracious enough and our foreign policy is not redemptive enough. Uncle Sam is not the Holy Spirit. The Bill of Rights is not the word of God. George Washington is not Moses.
So we need to be proactive citizens. If the government intrudes on religious freedom or violates human rights we must take action. The ends do not justify the means in the Kingdom of Heaven or the United States. When John the Baptist encountered the “bad guys” at the Jordan River, he did not water-board them.”

“When facism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.” -Sinclair Lewis

Sarah Palin may be the most visible of current-day Political Dominionist figure that was added to a long and growing list of GOP power-players and politicians, but her notoriety has caused some to take their collective eyes off the ball.

I actually want to thank her, in all sincerity, for if it wasn’t for her meteoric rise in popularity she would not have inadvertently brought light to the absurdities of extremism and what that spawns.  Had she not come on the scene, and whipped the extremists into a froth, the challenge of educating us all about the threat to our democracy would have been a much harder uphill battle.

Thank you Sarah!