7.11.08

Election Reaction

My initial reaction to the outcome of the election really surprised me.  After prior elections I have been disappointed, sad, relieved, excited and even apathetic.  I was totally unprepared for the intense fear and sense of insecurity I felt that accompanied the election of Barack Obama to the presidency.  

It should not surprise you that I voted for John McCain.  He does not represent my ideals exactly, but he does generally.  He is a man of his word, and he does what he thinks is right--even if his party doesn't agree with him.  I often disagree with his choices and find myself disappointed with his compromises.  I became very excited about his candidacy when he put Sarah Palin on the ticket.  

I am a registered republican.  I feel, however, that the party has left me (double speak intended).  I understand libertarians and think that they are right on some issues.  I probably most identify with members of the constitution party.  I remain a registered republican so that I can participate in primary elections.  

This is the first year that I have lived in a swing state during a presidential election.  In '96 I was not registered to vote, and was living away from home so it was difficult to register.  In '00 I voted, in UT (and not for the republican candidate).  We moved to MI (a swing state) in '01 but left there in June of '04.  In '04 we voted in CA.  I voted republican but knew that there was no chance to turn that state red.  I felt like I was voting into an abyss.   In late '05 (the day after election day) we moved here to CO and have managed to stay for 3 years.  This is the first time I felt that my vote for president might have some real meaning.  

I must admit that I don't believe much of what comes out of any particular politician's mouth.  I believe that many will say anything to get elected.   I remain skeptical of all promises.   I research the candidates voting history, if available; their stance on specific issues, and not promises of change for the sake of change; their employment history; military service or lack thereof; their political history; associations; criminal/civil history; etc.   I believe that actions speak much louder than words.  I believe that chosen associations and actions speak to a person's character, ideals, and judgement: qualities used in political office.   I believe the connections politicians make and keep say much about who they are and what they value.  I believe the issues they ignore or champion also speak volumes about them.  That is why I did not vote for Barack Obama.

Now, back to my intense fear.  I fear that the lifestyle I lead will not change.  I will make the same choices about how I worship, what I teach my children, the values that I hold, and the actions I take based upon those things.  I fear that my current life as a law abiding citizen won't change.  I fear that I will find myself living the same way and being an outlaw for it.  The constant feeling of fear has passed (finally), but I think it will return on Jan 20.

Maybe I fear this because of how much I love my country.  I do not love the country we have become.  I love the country we were.  I love the Constitution.  I love the freedoms I am guaranteed in it, through it, and by it.  I know it is an inspired document, written by men with help from God.  I know the men who wrote it were men of God, chosen by Him to build this country and give it the power to be great.  I believe the President of the United States to be a special position.  I believe that it comes with special protection and guidance as long as the President supports the Constitution.  I know that the principles of divided power and shared leadership are great.  The men who wrote the Constitution knew this was the best kind of government as long as those in power were not corrupt nor abused the power given to them by the people.  I spent much of the election season wishing that Ronald Reagan, George Washington, or Abraham Lincoln was running.  Thomas Jefferson would not have been someone I would have voted for had I lived way back then, but I found myself wishing that he were on the ticket.  I know that before the apocolypse comes, the Constitution will hang by a thread.  I am starting to wonder how thin that thread has to get.

I will be writing much more about this topic in the future. This is just my initial reaction and deals nothing with what I have subsequently learned nor with what I think about Obama's promises.

4.11.08

So that's how democracy dies... to thunderous applause!

Deja vu all over again.

It's like deja vu all over again--Yogi Berra

Every 4 years I have the same feeling: I vote for the better candidate just knowing  that one of them is going to win though neither of them is entirely the kind of person i want to vote for.