First, I'm from Canada. So, all the political stuff here in the US with the upcoming election is a little outside of where I'm at. I can't vote, so I can't get too up in arms about things. But I can have an opinion, and oddly enough, it's derived from two very different sources. The first, is my childhood. I asked my dad once, "Who's that on TV?" "That's the President." he said. "So, there's the Prime Minister and then there's the President, who's his boss, right?" He laughed. The President on TV? You guessed it, Ronald Reagan. That's the man I grew up with as "the leader of the free world." Naturally, seeing Fred Thompson on TV all those years on Law & Order, sitting behind that desk, speaking with that deep voice... it's as close to a Reagan reincarnation as I'm going to get. However, with the results of Iowa in, Thompson isn't looking so hot so far. So, if I can't get Reagan II...I'm hoping for John Edwards. You may be scratching your head, but I'm Canadian. I don't have to adhere to a party, and neither really represents all of what I believe as a Christian. I'm a fan of small government & low taxes, and no guns and universal health care. I think we should be completely pro-life, from conception through death. There aren't too many politicians who span THAT gamut. Anyway, I just got over watching a lot of the New Hampshire debates, unfortunately, I only realized too late that it was on (I was busy watching the Steelers get their tales handed to them by the Jacksonville Jaguars.) But while I watched most of the Democrat debate I was reminded of something. Had the Kerry-Edwards '04 Democratic ticket read "Edwards-Kerry" instead, not only would I have voted (had I had the chance) for the Dems, I think they would've won. And not simply because Kerry looked like a horse and sounded like a baffoon. I think Edwards was the real deal. And he spoke from a middle-class life that I think resonates with more people than that of Kerry or most any other candidate in '08.
But since I don't get to vote, I'll simply stay informed and hope that I can respect the president of the US when he or she is elected in November. Until then, I like everyone else will simply watch and cheer, because quite honestly, it's become the biggest sporting event in the world, and it only happens every four years...
6 comments:
Don't you know it is taboo to talk about politics or religion...
I love your assessment though. I lived through the Reagan years in a small town, an ultraconservative family and a reverence for the U.S. flag and US Marine Corp. (family of marines). It took a long time for me to see how scary a president Reagan was. The School for the Americas and the Central and South American death squads were at their pinnacles under the Reagan Admin.
Now, I am a flaming moderate. I really don't know who to vote for, but I do feel compelled to vote. You have inspired me to turn the game off and watch some debates! I also like that your political analysis utterly lacks cynicism, sarcasm or spite. That is a very tough thing to do and an admirably pastoral communication!
Blessings,
DH
David - thanks so much. I'm impressed you picked up on all three of my spiritual gifts! By the way, are you blogging or simply a blog reader, I can't seem to find your blog.
Politics is almost as entertaining as sports for me. The debates are provide a lot of insights into human nature and I always enjoy watching the facial expressions of the candidates as they go back-and-forth.
As for this year, it is wide open.
I am still reeling from my wake-up call during our PTS years. I was definitely surrounded by people before PTS who thought, "You can't be a Christian and a Democrat" I learned quickly at PTS that a majority of the people thought that exact opposite.
More debates to come...
Ok, so I was going to enter this amazing blog (I think) when my computer had a shut down and everything was erased. I think that was my cue not to talk too much politics.
So here's what I will say. Republican or Democrat, there is always some issue with either the party or the candidate that prevents me from wholeheartedly endorsing them. I am reminded that politics will always be broken because of the fallen. No human-made kingdom will ever be able to produce the peace, protection, provision, love and grace that God's Kingdom produces and will produce.
This past year, there was a provincial election here in Ontario. I chose to vote for a party I never would have normally voted for, simply because I could not give my vote (and thus my approval) to the two main parties. I think I would be caught in the same dilema with the Republicans and Democrats.
One last note. I find Obama inspiring (what I've seen of him anyway), but I am puzzled how he could possilby support abortion. This puzzle forced me back to examine the issue of abortion. As I was rereading my ethics texts, I came across this quote: "Christian discipleship cannot be coerced. The Christian commitment to religious liberty means there are very real limits on the extent to which Christians should seek laws that reflect the full range of our values and convictions. Further, in a democratic and pluralistic society, legislation needs to be proposed and passed on the basis of a public ethic that can be affirmed by persons of various faiths and no faith." (Stassen and Gushee, Kingdom Ethics, 233)
Hi Don,
No, I do not blog. It would take too much of my time. Facebook, other's blogs and work already take away a lot...
So, I am simply a blog consumer. I like yours though. It helps me feel connected to you without the real work of having a friendship :)
All kidding aside. Reading your blog makes me wonder why we didn't hang out more in P'ton.
I hope things are well in the buckeye state. Have fun tonight watching the game. Say hi to John and Becky and Bridget and Brennan.
God Bless,
DH
It was the great 4-mile divide! It's the main reason why single and married students don't hang out much - they live too far from each other to make it easy.
I like our blog-pseudo-friendship.
Post a Comment