Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Elephants and Donkeys

I am a political gal. My heart skips a beat just thinking about yard signs. I spent hours in college knocking on doors for different candidates. Yes, I am a conservative. Yes, I prefer the Republicans over the Democrats. HOWEVER, let me clarify a few points and because this is a political post I get to use bullet points! Woo hoo!

  • I do not hate Barack Obama. I find the Facebook "joke" about praying for his death rather annoying. Pres Obama seems to be a good guy with a true conviction that his policies and ideas are right for the American people. I admire that in a guy especially after the Clinton years which seemed to be more about power and sex than serving the American people.
  • I do not love all Republicans. Lots of them are big . . . .doo doo heads.
  • I am frustrated by the church's political division. Some churches openly campaign for candidates on both sides and I don't agree with that. I don't recall Jesus declaring a political affiliation.
  • Faith and politics are not independent of each other. Many people take Jesus's command to serve the poor as a reason to vote Dem. Others take the belief in the sanctity of life as a reason to vote Rep.
  • I love a good discussion with a liberal who has a well thought out point of view. I can respect that and even agree with some of their points. However, I can not take a discussion with someone who votes Dem b/c Daddy was in the union or because of race or because Oprah said too.
  • The flip side of that point is please respect me a thinking person who is not an intolerant racist war monger.
  • Know about your candidates. Many people know more about Yo Gabba Gabba or Tiger Wood's sex life than they do about who is running for school board or county council in their own district.
The polling place would have been way cooler with an open bar. Maybe free cocktails after you vote!



4 comments:

Kim said...

oooohhhh I have so much to say about this post...but I promise I will behave! First of all, even though I believe we are probably on different sides of the political debate (but I'm sure we probably agree on some of the issues) I can completely respect what you are saying. I am SO frustrated with the comments people leave on Facebook - I think these people give republicans a bad name - and they try to do it all in the name of being christians. Believe it or not, I can be a Democrat and a Christian! I did not love Bush as our president, but I still had respect for him as the leader of our country, a father and a husband. To call our current president Satan, spawn of Satan, or to jokingly pray for his death makes me sick. A healthy debate is great - that is what this country is built on - but I feel that those that say thing like this and repeat things they have heard that are untrue (i.e., Obama is getting rid of National Day of Prayer), but post them anyway because (a) they WANT to believe it and (b) don't bother to check out if it is in fact truth, to me, they just look dumb and uneducated. Thanks for letting me rant Jen!

Jen said...

I'm glad you commented! ;-) I think even though we disagree on the METHOD, we both desire the same outcome. I wish some of my fellow Republicans would shut up with the FB stuff. Each side thinks the other is the bad guy and is unwilling to meet in the middle on some issues.

I do like Obama. I don't like a lot of his ideas but I do think he is in politics for the right reasons. He is not Satan or the anti-Christ or whatever dumb thing people want to say. The same people who post those things are the people who also post all kinds of crazy statuses about everything stupid! :-)

Lisa @ Heaven Sent said...

Great post...I love me some bullet pionts!;)

I have to admit, I am not a big fan of politics. It actually frustrates me. I have no problem saying that I don't really know enough to have a strong opinion one way or the other, so I keep to myself. I strive to learn more and to be an educated voter...it's on "the list."

I do, however, STRONGLY, think the FB stuff is just wrong, as are all the jokes I get via email. I take it all with a grain of salt, and I think it's sad how gullible (or lazy) people can be. And, yes, I also strongly agree that a glass of wine would make voting a little more fun! :)

mommy to an angel said...

ahhh, finally a political post that doesn't get my blood boiling! Well said, Jen ;-)