11.05.08
Some Post-Election Thoughts.
I’m not one to write political posts in general (mostly because political discussions usually make my blood boil), but here I am, writing two posts in a row about the election. However, now that, for the most part, the election is over (looks like we’re still headed for a Senate run-off here in Georgia, though), there are some things I’d like to say.
I did not vote for the guy who won. I voted for McCain. That decision was not an easy one to make, though, and if I was honest with myself, I’m still pretty firmly on the fence regarding the choice the two major parties gave us (I did not even consider any of the third-party candidates. Ralph Nader runs every single time, and I’d rather pull my toenails out with pliers than vote for either Bob Barr or Cynthia McKinney). In the end, though, I went with McCain for a few reasons. First, although I consider myself pretty much a straight up the middle moderate, I still lean right on more issues than I lean left on. I’m also not a fan of large government, and I think that some of Obama’s policies will lead to more government intervention than necessary in our daily lives. I was also praying VERY hard that if McCain won, that he wouldn’t die or resign before his term was up, because the thought of Sarah Palin as president scared the bejeesus out of me.
So, seeing as how I almost voted for him, I am not convinced that Obama is the worst thing that could possibly have happened to our country. I’m actually rather excited about watching his presidency unfold. And even if you are firmly in the McCain camp, you can’t deny the historical importance of this moment. So, even though I did not vote for him, I am going to pray for Barack Obama and his presidency. I pray that God give him the guidance to lead our country effectively for the next four years, and possibly another four, should he get re-elected.
Now that I’ve gotten the comments about our president-elect and Senator McCain out of the way, it’s time for me to turn to the American people. Maybe it’s just because I was never really one to follow politics until Bill Clinton’s presidency, but I’ve noticed that, for the past 16 years, roughly half of the country has been hoping for the downfall of whichever president we have in office at that particular time. Many conservatives itched at the possibility of tossing Clinton out of office, and the same can be said for liberals who were calling for Bush’s head on a plate. Quite frankly, that is shameful. As I said above, even if you did not vote for who was elected, that person still needs your support and prayer. I am not saying you have to agree with their policies, but you can disagree respectfully.
One thing that I am hopeful that the right does after this election is to realize that fear-mongering is NOT an effective campaign practice. If anything, it bites you in the rear. I’m positive that is one reason why Elizabeth Dole lost her senate seat. I also received COUNTLESS e-mails about how Obama was a Christian-hating Muslim in disguise who wanted to wipe Israel off the map. One of the most laughable ones even stated that the Bible (the book of Revelation, specifically) warned us against electing a Muslim president. I could think of two problems with that statement off the top of my head (one, that Obama isn’t Muslim, and two, Islam did not exist as a religion until after the book of Revelation was written), and I’m sure I could find more issues with it if I researched it further. My point is this: if you disagree with a candidate, that is fine, but spreading outright lies about him does nothing but give his supporters more ammunition.
I guess I’m basically saying “CUT IT OUT” to the American people. Stop it. I’m tired of seeing grown adults acting like five year olds and resorting to childish measures to discredit those who disagree with them. I’m tired of seeing friends of mine refusing to speak to other friends because they voted differently. I’m tired of my country being so vitriolically divided on itself. Let’s move forward and be big boys and girls about this. I also encourage you to visit this website and think about a few things: http://www.respectourpresident.org.
And with that, I am done with the political talk for another four years. 