Ok, so throughout the campaigning over the past few months, I have refrained from posting any opinions about one party or the other, but I decided I wanted to write about how I feel. I don't know that facebook is the best place to post about such things, but since this is my blog, I figure, you only have to read it if you want to, right? This post is completely random, and somewhat disorganized, but that is kind of what my brain is right now. I totally understand if you disagree with what I say. These are tough issues, and I do not claim to be an expert. This is just what I think right now.
Historically, I have been pretty ignorant about politics in general. My parents didn't strongly push the views of one particular party or another, and I don't remember a whole lot of conversations in our house about politics. We discussed our own Christian values, but politics just seemed to be a topic that was neither here nor there. Now I see why. No party is completely correct or even close to it in regard to the myriad of issues there are to be addressed. Everything is so complicated and not straightforward. The effects of one seemingly good idea end up being good for some reasons and bad for others. It is hard to know what is best for an entire nation. It is hard to get a straight answer about what a candidate really believes and plans to do. It takes a lot of work to learn about and understand all the intricacies of new policies and their implications. And even after you do understand a lot, how do you decide what is best, particularly when there are several good (but just different) solutions?
Now that I am older, and my life seems more impacted by politics, I have taken a greater interest in it. I almost feel, though, that ignorance was bliss. Not really, but it is just sad to see such division in our country. I just feel disillusioned by it all. I will go ahead and say that I voted for Mitt Romney, but I voted for Obama in the last election. This year, the issue that was most important to me was our country's financial state. I think we need to focus on reducing our national debt and excess spending. What is most important to me next election may change. I do think that Mitt Romney would have done a better job regarding this issue than Obama will. However, I think that there are lots of things that Obama will do a better job of than Romney could have.
I know that God is sovereign over everything. He allowed the results of this election to happen. Obviously he has a purpose, and I trust it! Even if I don't agree with everything Obama may choose to do, I believe that God has placed him as a leader over our country. When people make ridiculous comments about our country falling apart because of Obama, it makes me want to laugh! Yes, we will be impacted by his decision. We may even be impacted in ways we don't like, but it is not the end of the world! There will be another election in four years. Life will go on.
I think what I am bothered by most of all are people who are so wrapped up in their own ideas that they won't listen to the ideas of others with an open mind and a desire to truly understand without making judgments. I think that Christians would make such an incredible impact if they related to others with this attitude. Even if they still disagreed, respect for others would remain. And when people feel respected and heard, they are more likely to reciprocate in a similar way. I think it is okay to be disappointed about the election results, but what do you really accomplish when you make comments about moving to Canada or how this country is royally screwed or make disrespectful comments about President Obama? Whether you are excited or saddened by the results, if you claim to be a Christian, think about whether what you say conveys a spirit of love.
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