I voted for the charming guy today. Some of my closest friends will cheer. Some will gasp. Truth is, I'm not really sure if I made the right choice. It's easy for me to say my vote really didn't matter because I live in a red state. But it matters to me and I'm wrestling with it. I've never really been interested in politics but like most as I get older my interest grows and like most I have been swept up in this election. Blake and I voted for Obama because we felt he was best for our country, for the greater good. Because all that I know is middle class. The one reason I hestitated was the abortion issue. Is it good to be a "one issue" voter? I'm not sure. I am surely pro-life but I did not vote for the pro-choice candidate.
I read this today...after I voted. I thought it was well said.
"If we are Christians, then our spiritual citizenship is in Heaven, not in America or even on this planet. Our Christianity MUST trump our patriotism or nationalism if they come into conflict with one another. And in this election, I believe they do come in conflict. I know that many people are struggling financially and see Barack Obama as a way out perhaps, but really, are our finances more important than the sanctity of human life? Is there ANY “political” issue really more important than this one? Could there possibly be a bigger fish to fry? I say no way."
So I'll continue to wrestle. I'll continue to pray. Pray for our country, pray for our leaders, our new president, whoever he'll be. I'll pray for pregnant mothers. I'll pray they choose life. I'll support and encourage adoption in our country, in my city.
Summer...
20 comments:
Well, I voted for McCain, but I assure you I am wrestling as well. You should go back and read some of the comments on that same post. It's gotten interesting over there. :-)
I'm still wrestling too, Shelly. I'm honored that my blog made you wrestle a little harder today maybe! :-)
I think you meant to say that you are pro-life, not pro-choice.
I am excited for Obama's victory and think it will be a victory for the country as well. He surely needs our prayers and guidance from God as he attempts to lead this country in a new direction.
Want to have lunch with me and Tasha Thursday?
I think I'm the only one, work - wise, that voted for Obama. So many seem to be mourning today and their prejudices are coming out. It's a bittersweet victory, I belive. The man I felt was able won, but so many true colors that I thought I would never see in a place such as this are coming through.
I'm really curious what you mean, Dayna! Have you heard people "mourning" because black man won or because Barack Obama, the near-socialist and abortion-lover won? That's not one and the same thing...I hope people aren't assuming that those who are sad that Obama won are prejudiced. Because THAT would be prejudice to the highest degree!
I don't know you, and honestly don't know what you mean, and I'm curious! Please forgive my candor!
Abortion-lover? I think that crosses a line. It is not possible that anyone, no matter how pro-choice they are, can "love" abortion.
Lisa I couldn't really tell by your comment if you were being sarcastic or sincere by the term "abortion lover," that does seem a little harsh to me, I'd have to agree with Holly on that one.
Definitely crossed a line...abortion-lover, seriously?! To assume and declare that one who supports a woman's right to choose is an abortion lover is ignorant at best, and terribly cold-hearted.
Shelly, sorry that your comment section has become a sounding board, and I hate that I've gotten political in the blogging world...I try to reserve this space for peace and lightheartedness, but I couldn't help to respond to that comment.
Also, I'm sorry you're wrestling with your faith and your choice in the presidential election. I know that must be difficult, and although we may have differing opinions on some of these controversial subjects, I'd love to have an open-minded discussion with you...if you need to vent. I'm all about acceptance, and I truly believe that our differences make the world a unique place.
Love ya...
T.
P.S. Lunch Thursday??
Just wanted to chime in on the prejudice issue. It seems ironic that during the campaign, Obama's supporters swore they were voting for him because he was the best man, not because he was African American. However, since the election, these same supporters can talk of nothing else but the fact that we elected the first African American president... "thought I'd never live to see the day"...etc. Hmmmmm.
Shelly...
Your comment wasn't posted when I began mine, or else I probably would not have commented. I'm feeling a little remorse for having left that on your page. Not really in WHAT I said, but I'm feeling that I should have maybe taken the high road and left it alone. Anyway, sorry if you're feeling bombarded by this all.
T.
Don't apologize. I like and appreciate the discussion. I don't think I would get this many comments had I announced a third baby! lol.
Lol, unfortunately, I think you're right...
Oh my gosh, what id you DID announce you're having a third baby! No one would leave any comments because you'd never have time to blog again! :)
Yeah, oops. Did I say abortion-lover? Okay, so that was harsh. I admit it. Believe it or not, I'm actually a little excited that Obama won and hoping that he'll really do some of the things he has promised. Of course, I'm also hoping (and praying) that he won't get around to doing a few things he promised...
But anyway, can we get back to my question? I'm honestly curious--are people over there (I don't live in the U.S. anymore!) attributing sadness over Obama's win to racism????
I'm just a little more on edge than usual about the babies being killed for convenience thing this week.
Oh, and one more thing. I'm not sure if this statistic is true, but my husband heard on the news that 95% of African American voters voted for Obama. Is that true?? Does anyone else find that a little bit weird???
Actually, it's not that weird. The vast majority of African-Americans are registered democrats and vote that way in the presidential elections.
84% of African-Americans voted for Bill Clinton (democrat), in 1996.
90% of African-Americans voted for Al Gore (democrat), in 2000.
88% of African-Americans voted for John Kerry (democrat), in 2004.
In addition, don't we all tend to find similarities in those we feel are 'like' us? For example, how many women would have voted for Hillary Clinton, because she would have represents a female perspective, in office? How many war heros may have voted for John McCain, because they felt he represented them? How many Christians vote for the candidate who best portrays their values? How many white people voted for McCain, because he was WHITE?
So, no, personally, I do not find this weird at all.
Wow, Tasha, I really hope that's not true. I think it's different when you're talking about an ISSUE- or VALUE-related vote as opposed to voting for someone just because they were born female or black. Doesn't that pretty much defy MLK Jr.'s most famous advice, that we are not to judge a man by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character?
I'm certain that 95% of women would NOT have voted for Hillary Clinton just because she was a woman. And I know plenty of Christian Republicans who could not bring themselves to vote for Huckabee in the primaries (including myself), even though he was clearly the more "Christian-friendly" candidate. In order to make an intelligent, non-biased vote, I think we MUST assess candidates apart from our own personal identification with them. So yes, the 95% statistic surprised me.
Cash Clan Japan...
I believe that candidates should be assessed based upon what they have to offer and how that compares with what our country is in need of at the time. I cast my vote based on what I determine to be the needs of our country, COMPLETELY aside from my personal beliefs, so you're preaching to the choir on this one. This is precisely why I chose no-party when registering.
You think we must assess candidates apart from our own personal identification with them, however did you not do the exact opposite when you chose to support John McCain because of your personal alignment with his morals?
By the way, I never claimed it was right to vote in such a manner, I just stated that IT HAPPENS, and that's part of the reason I was NOT surprised. To think otherwise seems rather naive to me.
To get to the main point of my argument, which was skipped over in your response...I understand your surprise. The number does seem high, UNTIL you compare it with the statistics from the past 3 elections, then it seems to be completely justified.
In addition, maybe you should do some research on the experiences of minorities in our society. Maybe then you'll have a deeper appreciation for why a very recently oppressed culture would wish to have someone who has 'walked in their shoes' leading our country. Not JUST because he has walked in their shoes, but because he stands for many other positive things, AND also represents their voices.
I want to celebrate this hope for change and positive things in our country, but I feel as though all I've done, since Tuesday, is respond to petty arguments (my own fault). When it comes down to it, does it really matter who voted for whom and why they did so? The votes have been cast, we voted legally and it is our civil right to vote form whomever we chose. Why, when our country is in such a grim place, are we focusing on the voter statistics, rather than doing all we can to support the future. None of us know what President Obama will do, once in office, but why not be positive and maintain hope that he will assist in pulling us out of this great big mess we're in?
Well, I love a good debate, and I thank you for participating, however I'm finished using Shelly's blog as my debate vehicle. I probably should have refrained from 'opening the can of worms' to begin with. I would say feel free to visit my blog if you want to continue the discussion, but political debates aren't really where I want to take my blog, either. If you'd like to e-mail me, I'd be happy to give you my e-mail address.
Hoping for change...
Tasha
so, i'm a little late on this one, but what can i do? there's too much gray for everyone to be divided into pro-life or pro-choice. how far does the distinction go? if someone is pro-life, they should be against war, right? but somehow it's justified from time to time. do you think we should be in iraq? in afghanistan? people on both sides die every day and they have much more tied to this life than small embryos - families who depend on them, friends, etc. is it easier to get angry at the thought of abortion b/c its the image of a tiny baby in our minds, vs grown soldiers?
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