I apologize for the lack of posting in the past, oh, month. It is the result of a substantial increase in busyness (not to mention nice weather), as well as the need for rejuvenation and reclamation of perspective.
Anyways, we have our two main parties' presumptive nominees, and all I can say is, "What a shame!" Honestly, I wouldn't say that this election is like being between a rock and a hard place, since John McCain's proverbial "hardness" is barely comparable to that of Barack Obama's. In reality, the choice before us is more akin to deciding between eating wood or eating poisoned bread (eloquent, likable, attractive poisoned bread, mind you).
That is, unless there is a third option. I'm reminded of the character Ben Gates--played by Nicolas Cage--in the movie National Treasure. While in federal custody, Gates is told by an FBI agent that there are two doors he can walk through, both of which lead to prison, differentiated only by Gates' level of cooperation and ensuing state of his conscience. Gates asks, "Is there a door that doesn't lead to prison?"
Right now, I'm asking myself, Is there a door that doesn't lead to John McCain or Barack Obama being President?
Unfortunately, at this point in time, I can't say, like Ben Gates does later in the movie, "I've found door number three, and I'm taking it." But there's still time, and who knows what could happen? (I know this answer: God.)
My main problem with voting third party is the nearly inevitable futility of such an endeavor, exemplified by one Libertarian candidate who has a 12-year plan to win the White House in 2020!!! Already it seems that most Republicans have reconciled themselves to John McCain. I don't blame them too much for their short memories; I blame Barack Obama. He's just that liberal, and to substitute Obama's name for the common sentiment about Hillary Clinton, McCain can't unify the Republican party nearly as well as Barack Obama can.
If I wish to register my dissent with McCain and the GOP, I will vote third-party or write in a candidate's name. That will likely only happen if McCain slaps me in the face with his VP pick. Keep these names in mind: Giulani, Liebermann, Romney. If he goes in any of those directions, you'll know the direction in which I'll be gravitating. (I'm not making any promises or predictions, just posting probabilities.)
Just in case anyone is wondering, I absolutely will not be voting for Obama in order to kick the Republicans out of office and back into true conservatism. As tempting as that sounds, I couldn't bring myself to vote for a radically anti-life, pro-homosexual, anti-gun, wealth redistributing liberal like Obama, even if I do vote for a third-party candidate (which some might consider "half a vote for Obama.")
In conclusion, I'd like to say once again that we must not forget about the congressional and senatorial battles this fall. For, regardless of who wins the presidency, the agenda of the next four years will largely be determined by who is in control of Congress.
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4 comments:
Honestly, I couldn't agree more. You might be my twin right down to business from nice weather and such. I have also been looking for direction of late, wondering how active I should be in this battle. I am horrified by what I see happening. Renegade judges ruling like kings! Yikes! I don't think my husband feels this quite as keenly as I do, but we are two peas in a pod for the most part. We are conservatives through and through, and very passionate about our faith and love for God and country. We vote values. How do I balance this desire for truth and justice with showing love? Do I pick up my sword and swing or do I nurse the wounded? Keeping current with news turns my thoughts toward gloom and a desire to strike out. Then I think...if there be anything lovely or of good report, think on those things. How I do pray for guidance!
"How do I balance this desire for truth and justice with showing love?"
First, I would consider the notion of what true love is. Some people think the loving thing to do is to allow homosexuals to marry, to explain away their behavior. Or, to allow women to have abortions, to support them in their decisions.
But that is not the loving thing to do. Paving the path to hell is not an act of kindness or compassion. Such a red carpet is, in fact, a stumbling block.
So, I would say that we must realize that true love desires to bring others into the presence of the greatest love: the love of the One who gave His life for us. Not only that, we should be motivated to fight for morals and family out of our love for our own family, our children, our friends, our society, and, of course, our God.
Secondly, once we realize that our positions themselves are loving, we must ask ourselves whether our motivations really are out of love. We must examine ourselves to see whether our words, our tone, and our actions reflect a loving attitude. That does not mean we have to be sappy wimps. There is such a thing as "tough love," and, beyond that, sometimes we have to fight and shout in order to protect potential victims of defeat (such as our children), to rally those who are likeminded, and to express the importance of an issue.
But, at the same time, we must recognize that if we come across as hateful, we may do more damage to our cause than good.
As far as balancing political activism with charitable activities, that is something that I think every Christian has to determine for himself or herself through the guidance of God, as you exclaimed, "How I do pray for guidance!"
I agree about your notion of true love as it relates to bringing others to Jesus.
One of my problems is expressing my opinions in a loving way. I know that is an area I need to improve in. I seem to be particularly bad at it when debating an issue in writing, especially one I feel strongly about. As a result, I've wondered if God doesn't want me on the front lines of controversial discussions. Or maybe I need to change how I word things.
Anyway, I'm sure I'll visit your blog often, if you keep writing. It's so comforting to see others standing for truth.
I totally understand how you feel. Computers and typed discussions are such cold mediums with which to try to persuade others and accomplish something meaningful (since the closest thing you'll usually ever get to just "winning a debate" is an end to your opponent's responses).
I've oftentimes found myself apologizing for my tone, real or perceived. I point out that I want to be a "persuader, not a polarizer." But, when debating on the Internet (or through e-mail), you can't see your fellow debater's face, you can't hear their voice, and you can't hear how they might word something differently if they weren't typing. So, you may take a statement in an unintended way (or intended, if a person is trying to insult you or set you off), and you respond fiery, and there you go. Or, vice-versa, and they take something you said the wrong way...
I use sarcasm when necessary, especially when a commenter appears to have no interest in rational debate but only in "zinging" me or something. But, generally, I try not to be insulting or condescending.
I would recommend that you change how you word things; don't step off the frontlines. We need as many soldiers on them as possible.
One suggestion I would have is to hone your arguments as best as possible before you ever get into a real debate. I think that's the challenge of blogging: trying to cover all the bases and the rebuttals and the objections as best you can before anyone comments and gets you into a big debate. Of course, some points are always going to be controversial and are always going to have dissenters (especially main points like our positions on abortion and homosexual marriage). But, if you sew up most of the holes in your arguments (without writing a grad school thesis paper for every blog post), then you can save yourself a lot of time, effort, and confrontation.
It will also help you to express your ideas in a coolheaded manner, and will make you even more confident in your positions.
So, I would encourage you to start your own blog (I believe you can make it private or specified-readers only if you want to, although I think anyone can still access it if they discover the actual URL address) or to read and think and scribble and read and think and scribble before you find yourself in a debate.
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